Remembering Jim....

I must admit that I often read people's write up?when they wrote about someone dear to them as "...a Friend, A Mentor & a Guide..."?today these words really made a profound meaning to me personally. Jim (James H Hogan), as he was fondly known to all of us , is no more amongst us. Today(18th SEP)?happens to be a day to celebrate "Jim's Life"?, an event organised by his family & friends at their residence in?Santa Cruz. Unfortunately me & my friend, Parag Naik,?will miss the event due to pandemic imposed travel restrictions.?My association with Jim goes back more than a decade when I was introduced by one of my investors. I was really blown away by his friendliness, ability to engage in conversations deeply in fields?other than technology and the wit & humour he brought into discussions. Through him we have had the privilege of connecting to the vast network?of silicon valley entrepreneurs, investors, technologists, media folks, VCs and angels the list goes on! As a Board Member of Vayavya Labs and Chairman of the Board, Jim brought in valuable insights into the business.

A trip to the Bay area was incomplete without catching up with Jim. As I write this, several restaurants ( that became our meeting places) in the Bay area, especially in Los Gatos come to my fleeting memory. It looked as though every person in Los Gatos & Santa Cruz knew Jim so well.?His knowledge about EDA/ESL and its ecosystem was supreme. Our meetings always ended up talking about world cultures especially?relating to Germany, Ireland, India & Japan. Those of us who know Jim well, will surely know that he was a great "foodie". His appetite?for different culinary?cuisines?, music and of course contemporary politics?made him the darling of crowds.

Dear Jim, you have been an inspiration, role model & above all a FRIEND whenever in need. While the vacuum?created by your absence can never be filled, the very company of yours, the lessons you imparted and human values you upheld & showcased?will ever remain imprinted in our minds, Rest-In-Peace my friend.