It was 2016 and WordCamp Nashik. These were the heady, almost raucous days of the WordPress community forming in India. Apparently some sort of argument had broken out and I had mediated.
Everything was settled, but it took a toll on me. I was not in the best of spaces. So I ended up sitting at the side alone for a bit, while the lunch break was on. I wasn’t in the best personal space. I sat quietly in a corner and watched the world go by.
That is when Harshad walked to me with a cup of ice cream and handed it to me. I tried to say no!
But he insisted that since he was the franchise seller of the brand I had to eat this ice cream. The brand name of the ice cream cup was “Dairy Don.” I asked him casually, “What kind of brand is this?”
He replied in Marathi “GPL friendly, Ice Cream aahey!” (This ice cream is GPL friendly)
He then broke into a guffaw that was restrained and then started laughing aloud at his own joke. It was hard not to join him in laughter. This was quintessentially Harshad.
The WordPress community lost a kind soul on November 22nd when he passed away. I’m still processing this loss. I’m trying to find the right words. He was so much more than the roles he played.
Harshad was an early participant in India’s WordPress community. Back then, we were small enough that it felt like everyone knew everyone. He served as the lead organizer for the first two editions of WordCamp Nashik. He helped build something meaningful in those formative years.
Over the years, Harshad and I would talk for hours. Our conversations meandered from WordPress and technology to personal reflections. We also discussed the inequalities that shaped our world. He had this way of engaging deeply with ideas and people alike.
What I’ll remember most about Harshad was his authentic passion for passing the light unto others. He believed deeply in education and digital literacy, but more than that, he believed in opening doors. He pushed to get people from different backgrounds, communities, orientations, and castes onto the stage. They shared how they interfaced with WordPress and tech at large.
During the pandemic, our exchanges became less frequent. The last time we spoke or chatted was almost a year ago. He’d moved away from WordPress somewhat, pursuing passions beyond technology. I’m grateful now for every conversation we had.
Learning that Harshad is no more, leaves a part of me numb. I know several people feel the same way.
Rest well, Harshad.
Maybe someday we will all meet again and eat GPL friendly ice cream!
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