Sameer stories from his friends
By Sundeep Ahuja
One of my favorite stories of Sameer goes back to when I was interning at a startup company that he’d founded with another guy, Robert Chatwani, back in 2000. The company was called MonkeyBin, and we were launching a ‘beta’ (as in ‘early’, not ’son’, for you hindi speakers) version of the site at Stanford University. There was this big kick-off party planned at what Stanford students affectionately called the “co-ho” (short for coffee house…why coffee house was too long to say I have no idea). We’d flier’d the campus before hand so the co-ho was packed…a few of us were anxiously waiting for Sameer and Robert to show-up with materials we could pass out (the point of the event), and lo-and-behold in walks Sameer in a monkeysuit. Sameer was SO excited about this launch party — SO excited about his start-up in general — that he went out and not only bought a MonkeySuit for the event, but special ordered an “extra-tall” suit for his lanky frame so he could wear it himself. Everyone kinda turned when he walked in…stared for a second…and then got back to drinking (er..coffee, uncle/auntie). Ha…I’m still smiling just typing this out.
Since those days working with Sameer as “Intern #1″ at MonkeyBin, to his wedding when Sameer forgot to ask for a female horse for the Bharat (yeah…don’t ask), to my recent trip to India earlier this year when I stayed with Sameer for several days, he’s been nothing but the warmest, most genuine, and most helpful of friends. I like to use the word mentor because he’s taught me so much, but he thinks that makes him sound like he knows what he’s talking about.
If you’re reading this and are South Asian, please please please get registered as a bone marrow donor. Registration takes minutes, donation takes a few hours, and you could save a life. If you’re already registered, don’t stop there. We’ve got just one chance at this. Let’s win.
August 3rd, 2007 at 9:49 am
haha…Great story! Can we see pictures of the MonkeySuit?
August 3rd, 2007 at 10:12 am
We’re trying to track them down. Keep checking back.
September 25th, 2007 at 7:24 am
I wanted to share my story about Sameer. I moved to America in December 2000 not knowing anyone. When I joined AIF in October 2001, having gone through a somewhat personal bad experience, I barely had anyone I could call a real friend. Sameer was my champion and protector at AIF, always looking out for me and guiding me through the American workplace and its intricacies. On my first day at work, Sameer took me to lunch to welcome me to the team. Sameer always made time to listen to my whinging no matter how busy he was. Sameer introduced me to the BBC internet radio. Sameer told me about the great scene in San Francisco. Sameer always had a hearty laugh and a genuine smile for me no matter how bratty I would act. Sameer in short was my first friend in America and he always has a special place in my heart. My mom and sister met him when they came to visit me and even today 6 years later, they ask about him often. Sameer taught me the value of having a positive outlook. Even though we have not been in touch much over the last few years, knowing Sameer has been nothing short of an enrichment of my life. Often, when I am stuck on a work related issue, I think of how Sameer would have handled it and voila…it gets solved. Thank you Sameer for being you, for being in my life and for being a great friend to me and to so many people. I have only the best thoughts and deepest prayers for your recovery and I hope to come visit you soon.