Dr. Divyendu Sinha (1961 ~ 2010)

Very sorry to hear that.  Divyendu and I were undergraduate classmates at Kharagpur.  I have very fond memories of him.  May his soul rest in peace.  -- Milind Purandare

This is a very tragic loss; Dave was a great mentor and his passing from this world saddens me deeply, not only because he once touched my life but because he seemed to have touch so many lives during his journey.-- Stephen R. Kraus

Dr. Divyendu Sinha  was my brother-in-law, (husband of my maternal cousin sister). He was not only related to, but an ideal, a guardian figure for me, personally. since his news of tragic depart, myself & my family is unable to find way to console. May God rest his soul in peace and give strength to family members to bear this irreparable loss. -- Apurv, Lucknow - INDIA

Life is so mortal. It is very shocking and I have yet to come out of it. Our Master has cruely snatched a friend, a relative, a fellow IITian , an inspiration,a loving person, a person with whom I always felt he is so near and so approachable although residing far away in "another" part of world. May God, the ultimate Master give courage and strength to the family, as I pray to God and join everyone around the world in these times of difficulties/pains.
May his soul rest in peace. -- Nitin - New Delhi,India

Those we love shall remain with us for ever. Bhaisaheb, You were a source of energy and inspiration for all of us-You wre a guiding force.Your fond memories and words of inspiration will continue to guide us for ever.We all fondly remember you. You will cintinue to beat in our hearts. -- Sanjay Srivastava

I am extremely shocked and grieved by the sad news. He was an extremely good and charming  friend of mine since before joining IIT Kharagpur(in Civil Engineering). We were classmates even in Patna Science College, Patna, Bihar(India) -- Malay Sarkar

I just wanted to pass along my truly heartfelt condolences to Dave’s wife Alka and his sons Aashish and Ravi.
I worked with Dave at Kodak and last spoke with him about a year ago. He was a good guy and he will surely be missed -- Billy Ambrose

I want to provide the family with my condolences.  I was a colleague of his at Siemens and worked with him on several projects.  He had a great sense of humor and was very funny.  I am sorry that this tragedy occurred.  I am also sorry that I was unable to attend the service.  The family is in my thoughts and prayers. -- Nancy Lavon

We were classmate at IIT/Kharagpur. He was topper and changed over to Computer science from civil engineering. We belong to the same place. I am shocked to hear his untimely demise and pray to God to give strength to the family to survive the same. I would like to contribute to the fund. -- Ajay Sinha

As a fellow-Nehruite, I am shocked and anguished over the so-called civilized society's attitude, and extremely pained at the way one of us had to go like this. My heartfelt empathy with Divyendu's wife and sons...--Naveen Das

It is a wrong thing for some to think that they are better than others.  Just because we have different religious backgrounds doesn't give us the right to hurt others.  Part of the problem is with awareness and the education in the good of the different religions without finding ways to hurt each other.  I believe that theree should be classes taught in the public schools about the different religions.  We all are and should have acceptance for each other.  It is not that hard.  We just make it that way.--David Josselyn

First of my heartfelt condolences to Mr.Sinha's family. I pray to God to give them the strength to recover from this horrific act. I still cannot understand what is holding the Prosecutor from trying these monsters as adult?Can you throw some light on this in the website?I am sure many people have the same question!! Also Please do let me know if I can help in anyway.--Venkat Thiagarajan

I was deeply shocked and saddened to learn the tragic news about Divyendu. Unfortunately, I didn't hear the sad news until this weekend and I am sorry I could not make it to the memorial services. Our prayers and thoughts are with Alka, Purnendu, and Divyendu's kids. May God provide comfort and strength for Sinha's family to get through this terrible loss.--Stephen Israel

Im so deeply affected by this MURDER - I will not rest until JUSTICE is done - I will continue sending the letters to the mayor - and to the prosecutor - I am so saddened by this senseless murder --A.G.

As someone whose family lost a member to a mugging many years ago, I offer my sympathy to the bereaved and to the mourners. I feel sorry for your loss, and I hope a way is found to keep teenagers from mugging innocent people to death in the future.--Richard Rabinowitz

On behalf of IIT Kharagpur alumni chapter of Greater New York, I extended our deepest condolences to Divyendu's family. I would also like the family to know that the entire alumni of Kharagpur, particularly on the East Coast, and the Pan-IIT association are standing by to assist in any possible way.--Subhodev Das

Just wanted to share our sorrow for your loss. This incident was absolutely senseless and horrifying. May GOD give you all strength through this tough time. I am related to Manish and Namita Sinha (our mothers are sisters). Just wanted to reach out and express our condolences and please let us know if we can be of help.--Neeta Tandon

I am very sorry to hear such sad news.  I pray God gives you strength to get through this time--Mruga Shah

We are shocked by the senseless hate. And very sorry to hear that his family had to witness something so traumatic. I sincerely hope that you will all recover sufficiently to lead a life with a semblance of normalcy.--Sangeetha Vedula

I want to send my deep sympathies for your loss. I was devastated when I heard of such a violent attack on a fellow Indian, father, husband. I wish this was in the media/news more so more people could be aware of this hate crime against Indians. I hope those responsible go away for life because this was a a hate crime! We all feel your pain and loss, because really this could have happened to anyone's family member. We are all with you. Stay strong for each other and remember Mr. Sinha for the good memories.--Heena Patel

Living in the Philadelphia area and not hearing about this until I received an email about this tragic story shows me how little people care to report an important and frightening development in our society. I was deeply saddened by your loss and my prayers go out to you. My partner is an Indian professor of Radiology and Computer Science and it made me fear for him. Such violence is incomprehensible and surreal until it touches your life. I pray your loss is paid with justice and time served.  This was senseless and horrific. God Bless you. I pray for your children and everyone who feels the pain of this loss personally.--Janet Barnhardt

My heart is filled with sorrow and equal outrage when I learned about the horrendous attack resulting in the untimely death of a good decent man  Dr.Sinha.  I recall [the yet unsolved]death of a Dr. Geetha Angara of NJ. We must persist that  justice does not eludge Dr. Sinha.  \"May his soul rest in heavenly peace.\"  Please accept my heartfelt sorrow for wife and young children.  God bless and guide always.--Leela Singh

To the family of Dr. Sinha, Ever since I read about this senseless tragedy , my mind is not at rest. I am a father of two boys and I cannot even imagine how Dr Sinha's two sons and wife must be feeling. All I can say is that keep the faith. Rest assurred justice will be done. This will be kept alive , and the passage of time will not reduce the horrendous nature of this crime. The world will not forget this tragedy.--Sunil Kapil

I am shocked and appalled that Dr Sinha was so senselessly murdered. My prayers and thoughts are with his Family.--Walter Palmer

I have read many articles about the death of Dr. Sinha and I would like to express my deepest sympathy for the loss of your husband and father.  It is wonderful that the Indian community and I hope those outside this community have come together to express outrage over his death as well as bring the perpetrators to justice.  This is not an easy time for you and I hope that you are getting the support you need to carry on with your lives.--Pamathi Soma

Dear All,

Few hours ago my family visited Divyendu Sinha’s funeral.  We saw many hundreds of people across the cross section of races whose lives Divyendu and his family touched.

It was heart breaking to see his wife and two teenage sons who lost their loved one in a senseless attack.   What is tragic is they have to bear the loss with the images of the the brutal attack done in front of their eyes, for no reason, no provocation while they tried to stop helplessly.

Those who came up and gave eulogies are from the cross sections, from his past PhD student who said how he used to enjoy Indian food at their home, to his manager at Siemens who could not control his grief and sorrow and pledged to do his best to see the family through,  to the faculty member at College of Staten Island who want to start a scholarship (or funding) program in his name and many friends who accounted their memories and his scholarship.  The priest who conducted the ceremony has done a great job of informing the ceremony procedure to those who are not acquainted.

Though this loss is primarily to his family and to his close relatives and friends, but it is also that of larger community.   If one family is insecure, it is insecurity for all of us.  It could be anyone of us.   We do not know the motives of those who attacked, it could be racial, it could be first easy target they found to perpetrate their gruesome violence and perhaps Indian Americans in their view are easy targets.  The bigger issue is whether the administration will handle this fairly.  Given the past history, such as family of Geetha Angara from Holmdel, NJ who was brutally murdered at work place is still waiting for justice even after more than five years  shows it is imperative that community come together to bring justice.

What next?   While we are attentive to this now, it cannot be a matter of first few days.  The family has to continue and they would need support, emotionally, financially and legally.   The family has to go on and there are two teenagers who needs to go to college.  (Please see the website).

http://justicefordivyendufamily.wordpress.com/how-you-can-help/

We have to ensure that justice is done to the family and community can play a big role in showing support.   Many times these cases are diluted with the affected getting little support in the end.    This case has to be pursued effectively in both criminal and civil courts.   The civil courts have to pursued to ensure that the family is compensated adequately for the loss of sole incoming member of the family.

In helping them we are helping ourselves.  We have to come together as a community and be their larger family.