“Almost everything–all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure–these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.” -Steve Jobs

“Death is the destination we all share. No-one has ever escaped it and that is as it should be because death is very likely the single best invention of life. It is life’s change agent. It clears out the old to make way for the new.” -Steve Jobs

“Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life,” – Steve Jobs

On this sad day I would like to remember the man who empowered and enriched the lives of millions of ordinary people like me by his outstanding vision. The products which he envisioned have made life much more worthwhile for millions of people around the globe.

I have not missed a single keynote speech of Steve for the last 10 years and would await these for weeks along. He was the master of suspense and would keep everyone awed during the legendary Apple product launches. Though I am not faint-hearted but still I would feel my heart palpitate sometimes during his presentations in expectation of the amazing goodies he was about to bring out from his jean pockets. And I was not alone, I could browse the different blogs out there and see millions like me glued to their laptop screens waiting to hear the great master.

I don’t think Apple product launches would be the same again but in my heart I hope that the momentum he gave to Apple would keep the company churning out amazing products in the future too.

No other person in the tech world impacted the lives of so many with his vision that resulted in so many innovative products. He envisioned and gave the world the first GUI, the first mouse, the first mass appeal laptop, the first worthwhile digital music player i.e. iPod, the first worthwhile communication device (can’t even call this thing a phone) i.e. iPhone and am sure the first worthwhile cloud would come out from Apple launch of next week iCloud platform. He went ahead and challenged as well as disrupted the technological landscape of the time again and again but in the process ensured that ordinary consumers get the best experience.

He was the one tech leader who commanded universal respect and had a loyal following of die hard fans. It’s a pity we lost him at a young enough age but even in his fight against the disease that was taking him down, he showed tremendous courage and repeatedly came out to give out amazing product launch speeches.

I can only borrow the following quote from Odysseus

“If they ever tell my story, let them say… I walked with giants. Men rise and fall like the winter wheat… but these names will never die. Let them say I lived in the time of Hector, tamer of horses. Let them say… I lived in the time of Achilles”

There is no Hector today or an Achilles but Steve Jobs will be remembered as a giant of our times and at least I would look back and take pride in the fact I lived at the time of Great Steve. He would be my hero and I would narrate his tales to my children at bedtime along with the heroes of Odysseus and Mahabharata.

On this day of great sadness, I can only pay my humble tribute to the man whose drive and boldness made world a far better place than it was before him.

Rest In Peace! Steve.

Tarun Rattan