Back when I was a student at Concordia University I had Professor Mahesh Sharma as one of my teachers. At that time I was also very involved in student life. One weekend, as we were leaving the building after working late, we ran into Professor Sharma leaving his office. It turned out he had been in all day, meeting students in his office and helping them with their studies. Not long after we have Professor Sharma a special award for his dedication as a teacher.
For Professor Sharma, teaching the students and caring for them was more than a job, it was a calling. He had, very tragically, lost his entire family in the terrible Air India bombing of 1985. After a time of depression he got into shape through running, and with his new energy his students became the family he would now care for. Needless to say, I admired him greatly, and still do.
Professor Sharma and I had hoped to see one another sometime in the last few month, but alas, the COVID pandemic got in the way. Still, we made a point of connecting today via technology. Professor Sharma is a Hindu but he has always expressed great respect for my faith convictions, and I can sense he is proud of my vocation. Now in his 80's, he continues to teach and serve the students. I am proud to call him my professor, mentor and friend.
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