Tribute from Maternal Grandparents,Hyderabad,India
By Rathnakars
Grandmother’s Thoughts
To write about Sid, no amount of paper is enough. When Sid was born, on 04 may 1999, at Matilda Hospital in Hong Kong, I welcomed Sid into this world with my hands with lots and lots of happiness and with same hands I bid farewell to Sid with lots and lots of grief.
Whenever Sid use to visit us, Sid used to say " Ammamma (granny), I want to have food prepared by you, and YOURS is the best food in the world." Sid was so simple, loving and a kind hearted young man.
Just before leaving hyderabad on Mar 23, I asked Sid, when are we going to meet next. He said " “Come down to New York, we will meet"
Grandfather's Thoughts
Sid was a very sensitive, magnanimous, supportive, appreciative, and a very helpful youngster. On his visits to Hyderabad, Sid used to visit some houses to solve some of their computer problems. Sid used to be called "computer wizard".
In 2021, on our trip to US, Sid spent more than an hour with me and with my wife exclusively and discussed our life starting from our childhood. He had a questionnaire and noted things down. Sid said . he wanted to learn the positive points of our life which Sid wanted to implement in his life. Sid had futuristic vision and commented that he will have one more round of discussion and formulate his thoughts.
During our trip to US, in 2021, Sid took both of us in his TESLA around Georgetown
University and then , Sid took us to his room at Georgetown Campus. Sid’s work spot was awesome both of us were really amazed at his skills. We cannot forget that day. it was a memorable and enjoyable day. A boy of 21 years old explaining his futuristic vision.
After Sids completion of graduation at George Town University, sid was interviewed by a fellow student in the vertigo Channel the Hoya Broadcasting Series. Sid founded AURA Digital a Technology Company which embraces Sids thoughts and his vision. A 21 year old youngster, talking so intelligently and what a conversationalist; his flow of thoughts were so nice and impressive. I really admired Sid, our grandson. It was brilliant and mind boggling. When i received the link to the interview, , I use to call my friends and played this video . again and again. If I want to have diversion from my routine I used to play the video and pass my time.
Whenever Sid used to present us, with very useful items such as an Air Tag, durable flask, sweater etc.. we would ask Sid, why he is spending money, Sid’s answer was, "If I cannot do this much for you, who else would I do this for. You are my special ones"
Last face to face conversation, I had with Sid was at the Hyderabad airport in March 2023, As usual I was in hurry to say goodbyes to avoid paying the extra buck for overstaying of the car, Sid smilingly said
" grand dad, why are you in hurry, wait, wait and be calm" We parted ways after a tight HUG.
Grand Uncle Raja Rajaraman & Grand Aunt Charu Rajaraman,Saratoga,California, USA
When we first met Sid he was barely eight,
It was clear that he was a chess player of some might.
With his good look and cosmopolitan outlook,
How sad a turn his young life took.
Surely his soul must be reborn per Hindu religion,
Bringing much joy and hope to another region.
All good things in life surely come to an end,
But why so soon is hard to comprehend
Sheela Jaganath, Grandmother, Coimbatore, India
Sid (for us he is Chotu) was the first grandchild in our family. Our joys knew no bounds. For me Chotu is the little baby who used to say Gleen caa (for green car), Bu Caa (for blue car). Our little baby grew up even before we knew it. He was a darling child who everyone would love to have. He was the pride of our whole family. My husband was so fond of Chotu that one day he got Chotu's hair and wanted to make a gold ring with it so that he could wear it and feel close to him always. I don't want to think that I will never see him again.
I keep assuring myself that he has gone somewhere and will come back someday. Love you baby❤️
- Mini Ammamma
Anvitha Jaganath and Anusha Jaganath, Aunts, Coimbatore, India
Chotu - Our very first baby. He showered us with unconditional love and affection. At every stage of life he was way ahead of what was expected of him. He made us all proud as he raced through his achievements, but little did we know that he would leave us all so soon.
Chotu, Your warm hugs, your smile and your charm will remain in our hearts and that is what will help us heal.
Thank you Chotu for being ours. Love you forever. Miss you until we meet again.Your Tu-pachi and Minoo
Akanksha Pai, Cousin, Coimbatore, India
My Chotu Anna is my superhero who used to encourage and support me in anything I wished to do. He was my best friend and Big Buddy Brother. He will always be in my heart ❤️
-Godu
Shanti Pai, Aunt, San Jose, California,USA
Archana, Mahesh, Sid whom we lovingly called Chotu or Chots and Viggy were close family when they first lived in Foster City and then later in Saratoga, here in the bay area. We always remember Chotu as the well mannered, caring and thoughtful young guy he always was, even when he was in elementary school. We stayed with them later when they were in Beijing. I remember, he proudly showed us all around his school ( he was in 7th grade then). I remember Chotu and their driver (he was a handsome dude who used to invest in stocks) talk about which stocks are worthwhile buying for long term. We used to meet Chotu whenever he used to come back home from China and then later UWC. The last time we met him was at a dinner when he had come back from Georgetown, right before the family moved to Salzburg. Anil, my husband mentioned how buff he had become and he smilingly looked at Anil and said “ Anil uncle, I have been working out and going to the gym very regularly.” He looked more like a young man then, leaving his childish look behind. Chotu, we will always remember you as the buff guy with a huge smile that radiated love and happiness everywhere he went. We miss you so dearly!
Sneha Pai, Cousin, Washington DC, USA
My favorite memory of Sid was when he was a young kiddo, perhaps in pre-K or early elementary school. I had the privilege of being a one-day babysitter for Sid and his brother Viggy. That meant picking them up after school in Foster City and driving them on highway 101 back to my family’s house in Cupertino. We had an hour-long commute that day on the highway, but Sid and Viggy were both full of smiles and giggles, and humored me in my attempts to entertain them with radio music and chit chat.
I also remember Sid being a very outgoing and sharp young kid. Again, when he was around kindergarten-1st grade age, someone in my family asked him what the best stock was to invest in. His answer was: “Well.. it depends on how much money you have.” 🤓He also gave us regular updates on how much stock he held in Disney, and how he was aiming to be the next Warren Buffett.
I took this photo of Sid and his cousins Arpita and Ankita in 2011 at my Aunt Padmashree’s dinner party in Fairfax, VA
Varun Pai, Cousin,Oakland, California, USA
Siddarth was the younger brother I never had and would affectionately call me Varun Bhaiya (bhaiya means elder brother). In his Foster City days, he’d light up the room with his enthusiasm for video games (the new Nintendo Wii!) and the potential of his lone Apple stock. Even at that tender age, Sid was an endless charmer and a forward thinker. I miss you dearly Sid, I’ll always be your Varun Bhaiya.