Dr. Ashok Sonnad was a friend and well wisher
The last message I received from Dr. Ashok Sonnad was on May 21, 2021. We were in U.S. then. He was battling Covid-19 in a hospital at Bagalkot in Karnataka. When I asked him as to when he would be home, “10 days” was the reply. After returning home to Pune in first week of June, I messaged him and there was no response.I told myself that he would be recuperating. Tried to reach him every other day by a message or phone call. No response. This was when I started fearing the worst. He was always very prompt in responding, unlike me.
9th April was his birthday. 80th birthday it was. He called me well in advance and asked me to select paintings for him on his birthday. Being an art lover and an art collector, he wanted to celebrate his birthday by buying paintings. I promised him that I would come up with a selection that will make him happy. He mentioned that I must include one of my photographs for his birthday art collection. I told him that I would of course do that, but then it would not be as a sale. It would be my birthday present for my friend.
I was detected to be Covid+ve in first week of April and underwent a brief stay at the Covid-19 facility managed by Ruby Hall Clinic, Pune. Fortunately and due to timely intervention and care from the doctors, nurses and others, I recovered quickly and was able to work throughout the stay at the Covid facility. This included managing a blood donation drive that was organised in the memory of old classmates. It was only after I was discharged and spent two weeks in home isolation, that I informed Dr. Ashok Sonnad that I had recovered from Covid infection. Told him that I had now double dose of antibodies — due to vaccination as well as due to Covid infection. He cautioned me to be very careful.
I was feeling bad that I could not put together the art that he wanted on his birthday. He said not to worry and asked me to work on it after I return from U.S.
On May 21, when I asked him as to how he was doing, he said he was better and would be out of the hospital in about 10 days. That was the last time I heard from him.
It was only on June 23 that I had the courage to reach out to Dr. Madhusudhana Kariganoor, former Karnataka IMA president. He was exceptionally helpful. He found out from another senior doctor at Bagalkot about the unfortunate demise of Dr. Ashok Sonnad. Evening of June 23 was spent quietly. Myself and Prachee just sat at home without TV and hardly any conversation. She knew that we shared a very warm friendship. It was so difficult to accept that he was gone.
When me, Prachee and Aalok went on a road trip to Hampi in July 2019, I called Dr. Ashok Sonnad to let him know that we would be staying at Badami. He insisted that we take a small detour and visit him. We spent an evening with him at his Bagalkot ancestral house and returned to our hotel only after a hearty meal. I was very keen to see his clinic where he would see a large number of patients totally free. He had returned to his native place after spending 40 years in U.S. He was known for his practice of treating diabetes and cardiac ailments. The house was filled with art pieces everywhere.
My connection with Dr. Sonnad started because of his interest in art. He would regularly enquire about new art that got listed on Indiaart website. I quite liked his style of buying art. He had a budget for art purchase every year. He wanted me to utilise the money so that more artists benefited rather that buy few artworks by the so called big names.
One day he called to find out if I would be in Pune on so and so day. When I said yes, he just showed up. We had breakfast together and then he came over to my office. Till late afternoon that day he saw almost all of our art collection. We talked about art and our project of “Khula Aasmaan”. He was a well wisher, supporter and donor of Khula Aasmaan. He shared my tiffin and asked me to ensure that less oil was used for the preparation. He discussed health and made it appear so simple. He used to always say that if you understand your health problems, you have solved half the problem. He urged me to stay healthy so that I could work more and expand the world of “Khula Aasmaan”. When we visited his place at Bagalkot, he had already lined up a journalist who was to help us create content in Kannada for Khula Aasmaan. He was also passionate about teaching the children and young adults about diet and nutrition as that is the starting point for a healthy life.
These and more are fond memories. Many items on the unfinished agenda. I must carry on, stay healthy as he so wanted and do more. That will be the true tribute to my friend and a wonderful human being.
