Hailing from the so-called twin villages of Kokuvil and Kondavil in Jaffna, Sri Lanka, we both had a lot in common, especially an educational and cultural background that was free from Christian and other external influences. Unsurprisingly, Moorthy took a leading role in Hindu/Tamil cultural activities, wherever he was, till the very end. He was also a gifted all rounder in science and languages, especially Tamil. About death, he once said, “ Kaavolai Vila Kurutholai Sirikuthathaam ,“ meaning, young ones do not realise how short life is, and about human relations, he said, “ Udaintha Satti, udaintha sattithaan,” meaning, once broken, it can never be the same. While these proverbs may have other interpretations, they still remain a form of traditional guidance for people. His life covered many events that changed the course of history, like the atomic bombs on Japan 80 years ago, independence of both India and Ceylon, the first communal riots that hurt the Tamils in Ceylon in 1957 and others to follow, name-changing of Ceylon to Sri Lanka, the catastrophic 1983 ethnic violence against the Tamils that changed the landscape of Tamils forever and made them international. When two people shared the same experience throughout their life and one passes away, it is as if the clock has just suddenly started to run. I am already feeling the passage of time because I am missing my dear friend Moorthy. Let Moorthy’s soul rest in peace. Sri Ramanathan Kondavil East