The Eternal Student: A Tribute to a Life of Curiosity and Learning

The Eternal Student: A Tribute to a Life of Curiosity and Learning

In life, there are individuals who leave an indelible mark, shaping our beliefs, values, and aspirations. For me, one of those influencers was my uncle, John. T. George, a perpetual learner whose insatiable curiosity fueled his journey through life. Today, as I reflect on his passing with a heavy heart, but also with a profound sense of gratitude and inspiration, I am compelled to share his story, a testament to the power of curiosity and the pursuit of knowledge.

He was one of the first handful of employees of ISRO ( Indian Space Research Organization) along with Dr. Abdul J Kalam and my father, George Abraham, when TERLS (Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station) came into existence, the beginning of India’s Space Program, in 1963. He started his career at TIFR under Dr. Homi. J. Bhabha, the father of Indian Atomic Energy Program in ’57 and was directed to go to TERLS when the Russians came to start work there. He spent the next 4 decades leading various pioneering initiatives in the Indian Space Program till he retired in ’96.

From my earliest memories, Sunnyappacha, as my cousins and I called him, embodied the essence of lifelong learning. He believed that curiosity was the key to unlocking the vast treasures of the world. From the moment he gifted me that first dictionary in 1st grade, a world of possibilities unfolded before me. His words, ignited a fire within me, a thirst for knowledge that has never been quenched. "Reading is what helps one grow and learn like the masters," he would say, his eyes twinkling, that gentle smile on his face.

His library, a sanctuary of wisdom and wonder, was a testament to his voracious appetite for knowledge. Each book was a gateway to new realms of understanding, the well-worn covers, adorned with his meticulous handwritten notes and annotations, were not mere decorations but testaments to his unwavering commitment to learning, to exploring, to questioning. It was within those pages that I discovered the boundless possibilities of the human mind and the transformative power of learning. I used to read those carefully written notes in his neat handwriting and I too have that habit of writing all over the books I own, including its cover and sides.

As I embarked on my own journey of academic exploration, I realized that curiosity knows no bounds. It is a force that propels us forward, igniting the flames of creativity and innovation. My uncle taught me that true knowledge is not a destination but a never-ending journey, a path paved with curiosity and a willingness to embrace the unknown; to be a lifelong learner is to embrace the world with open arms, to seek understanding in the unfamiliar and to never settle for complacency.

In a society that often values expertise over curiosity, my uncle stood as a beacon of light, reminding us that true wisdom lies not in knowing all the answers, but in asking the right questions. He taught me that learning is not confined to the walls of a classroom or the pages of a textbook but is woven into the fabric of everyday "The day we stop learning is the day we stop growing," he would say and he lived it till the end., a book, a magazine in his hand or a question on his tongue, for us to think through. We could talk for hours on any topic and I was lucky enough to do that in my ’22 visit.

Today, as I bid farewell to Sunnyappacha, I am reminded of his profound legacy - a legacy of curiosity, of wonder, and of never-ending growth. His message resonates now more than ever, with the access to information at our finger tips, urging us to embrace the unknown, to explore the uncharted territories of our minds, and to remain steadfast in our pursuit of knowledge.

In his honor, let us carry forward his spirit of inquiry, let us cultivate a thirst for understanding, and let us never cease to marvel at the wonders of the world. For it is through curiosity that we unlock the mysteries of the universe, and it is through learning that we discover the true essence of what it means to be human.

As I gaze upon that weathered dictionary, a cherished relic of my uncle's wisdom that I carried to the US, I am filled with gratitude for the lessons he imparted and the legacy he left behind. Though he may no longer walk among us, his spirit lives on in every question we ask, in every book we read, and in every moment we embrace the joy of learning. In his honor, I will continue to be an eternal student, forever seeking, forever questioning, forever growing. For it is in the pursuit of knowledge that we find our truest selves, and it is in the embrace of curiosity that we explore the wonders of this vast and magnificent universe and unlock the boundless potential of the human spirit.

In the words of Albert Einstein, "The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing." May we all be guided by the spirit of curiosity, and may we never cease to seek the answers to life's greatest mysteries.