TeaThere were very few things here that could prevent Ajit sir from putting his shoes mud. No hill was high, no valley was deep, there was no river which was not enough to keep it in the field with its beloved students. He was an experienced veteran of the forests, unmarried from leeches and ticks, and a man of all seasons.
One should have been really inauspicious not to summarize it even on someone’s field site, as he climbed the brood of wildlife enthusiasts like a mother. I was one of those unfortunate few.
Disappointed about not being able to join me, he sincerely explained why: “As much as I would like, Gujarat is a dry state.” I optimally competed: “You will be taken care of well. Leave it to me.” He smiled sadly and said: “But in Kach, you cannot guarantee fresh fish.” And really I could not. Not for his satisfaction in any case. He promised to make it on me, especially I felt regrets to see so much crestfollen, especially since it was a few months after my cancer diagnosis, my first area was the season after leaving.
Outside my family, he was one of the first people I spoke after my diagnosis. On looking back to the field, his optimism, completing what I started, kept going through my treatment. And I returned to finish the project. He supported me every inch. He was very proud to see me protecting his thesis. To prepare me not to go to Kutch, he spent and spent a few days with me in Mumbai a few years ago.
Dr. Ajit Kumar, a leading primatologist, wildlife biologist, conservationist, teacher, and mentor, died on 1 March at the age of 72, while a batch of students was taken to the area in Satpura Tiger Reserve, Pachmarhi. He is alive by his family and many students, colleagues, colleagues and friends. He did his Ph.D. At the University of Cambridge, focusing on the endangered lion-tan Macac, which the Western Ghats live in the forests in their original Kerala ports in the forests. He was a faculty member at Dehradun and Salim Ali Center for Or or Ornithology and Natural History in Dehradun and Salim Ali Center at Wildlife Institute of India at the Wildlife Conservation Society-India in 2003. He was the founding course director of the master’s program at Wildlife Biology, who was in Bengal in Bengal. The group, he was associated with the Master Program in Bengaluru and the Wildlife Studies Center for the Center.
Source of inspiration
Despite all his travel, teaching, research, administration, advice, and a thousand small things that fill their day, he always used to take time to talk. He was there, whenever I needed advice, guidance, or just a chat. With undivided attention. Never do justice, calm forever, sometimes mindless, sometimes humble, smiling smiling, which did not miss anything. Even when I am identified, even when honestly I was told far away for something, he could not have a serious expression for a long time.
We have lost equal excellence, an incredible institution builder, primatologist and wildlife biologist, and an extraordinary human is happening very quickly. I take solitude that Ajit Kumar left us, perhaps, in the best way. He who loved he was not in too much pain, was surrounded by some of his cute broods and friends who were fatal in the field, trekking through the forests of India, and tracking mammals for his last breath.
In an area of inspirational protectionists, with strong personality, temps often move high, spread with splashed factions, Ajit sir was the rare hero who loved universally. A Ajatashatru, without an enemy, is destroying everyone with his good feeling, sensitivity and smile. Never let things get out of hand, even while dealing with two dozen nature and personalities, he will manage emotions with his grace, humor and smile.
There is a wrath of collective grief from the army of protectionists and wildlife biologists that they inspired. From the Western Ghats to the Holid Hall of Cambridge, where he did his doctors, has shared many anecdotes, images, videos and arithmetic information for more than four decades. This precious vault of memories has made a long way to accept that when he is no longer in the person, he will always be around, will be unique under its influence on the global wildlife community. And even in his death, he has brought the community together. We have to unite our suffering with our passing, but also the weight of their everlasting heritage.
kadambari.devarajan@gmail.com
Published – March 23, 2025 03:47 AM IST