Bharat and Naina ~ Malini ~  and all of Jool’s friends

St Peter's College was very sad to learn of the death last year of Anjool Maldé, who was a student at the College from 2002 - 2005 reading Geography. "Jools" Maldé was an undergraduate of exceptional vitality and character, who made a great impression both on fellow students and on his tutors. Apart from his academic achievement, he made a tremendous all-round contribution to student life through his many other activities.  He was clearly destined to develop a distinguished career in whatever he turned his hand to and it is therefore particularly tragic that his life has been cut so short. His other tutor here at St Peter’s was Erik Swyngedouw (now at Manchester University) who is abroad at this time ~ but he wishes me to pass on his apologies and sincere condolences. He recalls Anjool vividly, thus :

He was unusual, he thought and worked out-of-the-box. This already shone through in interview and secured him a place at St. Peter's. Throughout his undergraduate career, Anjool sparkled with creative ideas, innovative ventures, amazing projects and a healthy ambition. Combining a vibrant and imaginative intelligence with a desire to realize his visionary projects, he was one of those special students for whom Oxford is made. I was convinced he would go out in the world to make his dreams come true ~ the world is definitely a poorer place now. Those are Erik’s words.

Our hearts go out to Jool’s friends but above all our thoughts have been with his parents at the loss of their son. I can speak directly, from personal experience, when I say that one of the worst fears of any parent is that a child should predecease them. We tend to measure life by its longevity ~ but that is as much for those of us who are left behind. Perhaps we should endeavour to measure it more by its quality. Jool’s life teaches us that ~ his was a star that burned brilliantly, then flickered and was gone.

But the occasion of the posthumous conferment of Anjool’s MA by the University is also a time to celebrate his life ~ and we are therefore very pleased to have this opportunity of remembering Anjool’s life and achievements in the company of his family and St Peter’s friends.

Dr Ken Addison,  St Peter’s College  :  22nd May 2010