What can I say about Mr. Sista? He undoubtedly touched many lives, but not just in the usual ways. Whether as a leader, thought leader, father, friend, boss or guide, he was remembered primarily for his warmth, compassion, empathy, and unwavering stoicism. His sense of humour, twinkling eyes, and childlike laughter endeared him to all.

Despite his gentle demeanour, Mr. Sista was unafraid to make tough decisions. He was known for rejecting lucrative contracts or sponsors on ethical grounds, putting individuals in their place when necessary, or even issuing pink slips to insubordinate employees. He approached all these challenges with the same empathy, grace, and compassion that defined his character. It’s no surprise that in all my 20 years of knowing him, I have never heard a single negative comment about him. We admired him for who he was, rather than just what he did or how well he did it.

He found joy in the small things—whether it was meeting Vidya Balan, savouring his favourite snacks, or reconnecting with an old friend. His ability to put things into perspective was remarkable, and he often helped me view my issues with a lighter touch.

His humility and eagerness to learn were exemplary. I still remember how he would sit cross-legged on the floor during day-long training sessions in 2004, in the remote villages of Shahapur, a testament to his dedication.

When I joined Population First as its first Program Director in June 2003, Mr. Sista and I had differing views on the causes of population growth. While he believed ignorance was the root cause, I argued from my background in social demography that poor socio-economic development was to blame. He listened to my arguments with patience and an open mind, which helped us develop our two initiatives, Laadli and Amchi which focus on effective communication to address the root causes of health and population issues  - the deep-seated social and cultural norms that discriminate against women and undervalue them.

Mr. Sista left behind an impressive legacy of ethical business practices, the Laadli and Amchi initiatives that brought gender sensitivity to the forefront, and numerous institutions and people dedicated to fairness, justice, and humanism.

People like him are one of a kind, and we’re fortunate to have had the opportunity to be associated with him.

(The author is former director, Population First.)