Baba Lives Life King-size — BIG Heart…Bigger Laughter — #JeenaIsiKaNaamHain — Aditya Sanghi

Sometimes, we see people who live life king-size, and they don’t waver even when the chips are down. They truly epitomise the spirit of JIKN. It takes a different kind of courage to laugh in times of great adversity, and it’s a superpower. Cracking a joke and shedding a tear are but two sides of the coin of life, and often the former reveals more about human character than the latter.

I met Aditya Sanghi for the first time in 2003 at a NASSCOM event. I knew his brother Ajay, whose company was a NASSCOM member. Clad in jeans and a T-shirt, Aditya cut a very handsome figure, and he was indeed charismatic — the kind of person who stands out in a room full of people.

We shook hands, and I could sense a strong connection. I immediately made a mental note so that I could get in touch later, but life gets in the way. Over the course of the next year, I could meet him only once more.

Then, almost 8 years later, in 2012/13, I read a brilliant press coverage about his company, Hotelogix. I had instant recall and felt very happy for him. I called him up, and he was also delighted to hear from me after so many years, almost a decade.

By then, I had shifted gears and was working for iSPIRT. He was also contributing to SaasX and creating value. Thereafter, we met in Bangalore at an event, and I saw him on stage — a mesmerizing presence coupled with an incredible storytelling ability. On some occasions, he did a brilliant job as an emcee, so his stage presence left a mark.

He was very keen to meet Girish and gather insights on how to drive scale. I told him that a one-on-one meeting may not be possible, but what we could do was gather 10–12 startups and meet Girish as a group of founders who were facing a similar challenge. Adi had indefatigable energy and went to great lengths in securing the group, and finally meet Girish. By then, we had struck a beautiful friendship and established a strong connection.

Hotelogix was an Accel portfolio company, so when I joined them (Accel) afterwards, the progression in our friendship was natural. And that would be about playing badminton with him — at times we played against each other and at other times, we teamed up as doubles partners.

He had a unique way of commanding on-court presence. When he won a point, he made a lot of noise. Literally, I am not kidding you.

He made you feel that something incredible had been achieved, hitherto unnoticed by human civilisation. His losses drew wrath in equal measure, and he would go to great lengths in berating himself. With him, there was never a dull moment. He would win a point or lose, but either ways, the demonstration was quite entertaining, and we never missed a laugh.

I think it has a lot to do with his great sense of humour. So, demonstrating on court was a mere extension of his inborn ability to laugh even in times of great adversity. Recently, he was facing a tough challenge, and to lighten him up, I cracked a joke. He was spontaneous and never one to be left behind, cracked one himself, which was raucously funny.

In Bangalore, our badminton sessions became a regular feature, and we really enjoyed those times. He is also very good at Table Tennis, and one of these days I must play with him to see how he fares on a different surface. Mind you, there’s another angle to his fun-loving side, especially on-court. He is very competitive, and the act he puts on is also to unnerve his opponent.

We have something called “DPC” — Daaru Pe Charcha. There are about 30 of us who meet over drinks and shared laughter. Adi, as friends call him, is usually the funniest guy who makes everyone laugh. We also call him “Baba” because somebody once said, he looks, walks and talks like Sanjay Dutt. Adi was visibly very pleased that day. The name stuck.

Baba has been around for nearly 2 decades, and he’s had a good run. In times of adversity, he has acted in an agile manner with clinical precision. With the super-power he has, he will continue to live a King-sized life.

He is also very large-hearted, and if he knows a friend is in trouble, he will go all the way to extend help and support. I think that’s his most charming quality — his extraordinary storytelling comes only a distant second. He is musically-inclined as well and was one of the early fans of Indian Ocean. So essentially, a man who has diverse interests which he follows with trademark passion.

On several occasions at events, we have shared rooms and many conversations which drew us closer and made us richer. Thank you, Adi — you have been a dear friend, and it has been a privilege to know and work with you alongside.

Wishing Baba great health and happiness.