89. Ajay Sevada, 19

Three months after the 7/11 train blasts 8212; Ajay died on a train to Borivali via Dadar 8212;the six-member Sevada family in Borivali is now trying its best to deal with that unimaginable reality. They remember him every day, talk about him, share anecdotes and finally, find solace in the thought that if Ajay was allowed to live he would have realised his dreams.

8220;He was precise and articulate. He never spoke for the sake of speaking. Whatever he said made sense and that8217;s why we all sought advice from him,8217;8217; says Vimal.

Ajay was serious, responsible and methodical in his studies. Vimal doesn8217;t recall a single occasion when his younger brother had to be told to study. 8220;During his higher secondary, he made his own study time table beginning at 4 am and winding up for the day around midnight,8217;8217; he says. 8220;He was the brightest of us all. Anybody who got admission to the University Institute of Chemical Technology UICT has to be.8217;8217;

Living in a small Maharashtra Housing Board apartment at Gorai Road, Ajay had big dreams. He wanted to pursue his post-graduation on scholarship in London. And he was confident he would make the grade. 8220;He never said he hoped to get the scholarship. He was sure he would get it,8217;8217; adds Vimal, who believes that if fate allowed him another 10 years 8220;he would have definitely become a role model like, say, Kalpana Chawla.8217;8217;

In spite of being occupied with studies, at home, Ajay never refused an errand. 8220;He was also our household whizkid, fixing and tuning domestic appliances. Though I have done computer engineering it was Ajju who maintained our home PC,8217;8217; says Vimal.

Ajay was a keen lover of sport, cricket his favourite. During his days at Borivali8217;s Acharya Narendra Dev Vidya Mandir, he was the 8220;star8217;8217; all-rounder in the school team.

Always well-turned-out, Ajay took particular care with what he wore to UICT where he was in second year. 8220;He liked to choose his clothes and his choice would always be unique,8217;8217; says Vimal.

Ajay8217;s sister, Pushpa 25, got married in June but that joy did not last a month. By July, Ajay8217;s third semester classes had begun and he had to put in long hours at the college for practicals. On July 11, Ajay called home in the evening before leaving college at Matunga around 5 pm and asked that his meal be kept ready as he was famished.

That was the last time they would hear from him.