In Memory of Janak Desai
- Janak is a unicorn. A gift. His kindness, patience and general chill combined with such total dominance of a technical field made him an absolute joy to work with and a joy to know. He will remain a role model for me and undoubtedly others who knew him. Be a Janak. (Rob Myers)
- I have never met a kinder, gentler, and humbler soul. We had just finished a big project and had to present results. I put both his and my name on the first slide, but he asked me to take his name off because he had done the real work on it but he said “You thought of it”. I know you will all miss him like I will. It’s a truly tragic loss. (Darrell Ross)
- Janak opened his home to me shortly after mine had fallen apart and my sense of self was in need of healing. Inside the bubble of safety he created for South Asian LGBTQ people in Trikone Atlanta with his warm, generous heart, quiet strength of character, consistency, leadership and unconditional love, I and so many others built life-long friendships and a strong community. The stable soil nurtured under our footprints allowed me to grow and explore the world with confidence, knowing I had somewhere to return, always welcome with open armed hugs and the sweetest smiles. Janak spoiled me into thinking the whole world could be as kind, solid, loving and beautiful as he made it. Some days, I still cannot believe Janak is gone from this world, but I am incredibly fortunate to have known such a pure, gentle soul. The memories of our times together are now bittersweet, but his legacy and love will always warm my heart. (Deepali)
