Enthusiasm

Enthusiasm! the word itself is enthusiastic. My mind gets filled with new energy when I pronounce this word. It is a key to life. I met a person here in England, Dr. Paul Richardson, an icon of enthusiasm.

He is tall, typical British look, pink skin, has always big smile on his face till his teeth are seen. brown hair and a big brown mustache and he speaks with unique accent. He pronounces O as U and U as U in all English words. So Bus stop becomes boos stop, Monday becomes Munday.

I met him first when he came to India to meet our project team. When he starts speaking you cannot stop laughing, As he speaks, he takes you on ride of laughter. Well I cannot capture his personality in my words. One should meet him to know him.

He must be in his late 40s or early 50s. In office you will never find him sitting at one place. He is always here and there talking to people, discussing strategies, having meetings or looking out of the window and saying ...hmm, nice and sunny weather.During lunch break if you see him, you will find himself in black scuba diving suit and with his bicycle. He will go for cycling during the break. Even if weather is bad you will always find him cycling during the break and if it is sunny he will cycle more.

Over years of experience he has becomes a people oriented person. He loves Indian curries. He took our team to Indian restaurant in UK. He know some hindi words too. 'Guram Chai' 'Thunda Paani'. His grand father was posted in India during British rules. Paul kept us rolling with laughter when he told his stories of college days. As he spoke we could see all the expressions of a student to a teacher as he became during his PhD. He enacted his students who failed to complete his assignment.

He spoke about his earlier days when he used to cycle a lot... He had cycled 120 miles in 5.25 hours in a single stretch. I did some calculations in my mind, "Oh! that means you cycled at speed of 20 miles per hour that is 36 kmph approximately" then He said, "Yah I was quite young and fit at that time but now I am only young". What a reply!

He still cycles. 50 miles per weekend. Hats off to Dr. Paul Richardson. Hats off.