When will hate crimes stop, asks victim’s wife

“On the dreadful night of Wednesday February 22nd 2017, I lost my husband — my soul mate — my friend and my confidante. He was a source of inspiration, a support system not just to me but to all he got to know. 

We met in August 2006 through common friends then connected on an online portal called Orkut – not a usual face to face introduction- and started liking each other instantly. He was so charming that I could not resist. He would have turned 33 on March 9th, and we were planning to fly to NJ for his cousin’s engagement. 

Things turned out differently, I was on my way to India with him in a coffin. I’m still trying to digest the fact that in one evening I became a widow from a wife. He always cared about what was happening around him, and he was very proud of Mr. Narendra Modi ji and India. 

He was sure that India had finally found the leader that could make India shine. He was really happy to see Sushma Swaraj as the external affairs minister — such a brave and courageous woman, and how quick she reacted for those in need. He was always worried about immigration and its laws. 

He followed them very closely over the internet. He always assured me that if we think good, be good, then good will happen to us and that we will be safe. He used to hug me tightly and sleep giving me this assurance.

Heartfelt thanks 

My sincere thanks to each one of those who are helping us cope with this loss. I thank, Garmin and its employees, for conducting the vigil and allowing me to speak and share my Srinivas with you all. Thanks to Mr. Frank, CEO of Intouch Solutions, for assuring me that I can take however long and still come back and continue my job. Thanks to people like Satya Nadella and Kamala Harris for supporting through your tweets. 

My sincere request to Mark Zuckerberg, Sundar Pichai, and many others to keep advocating your support for human rights. Today, it’s an employee of Garmin, tomorrow, it could be one of your employees, and I don’t want anyone to go through what my family and household went through. 

Mr. Amitabh Bachchan sir, there wasn’t a party that ended without us dancing to your songs. Our friends used to fondly call us Amitabh and Jaya because my husband is 6’2’’ and I am 5 feet. Shah Rukh Khan sir, he was a huge fan of yours, and he made sure we watched your latest movie, Raees.

Do we belong here? I will now ask same question — On what basis we decide a person is good or bad, and of course, it’s not based on the color of your skin. So what decides that? What is the government going to do to stop hate crime? Lastly, to answer the question that is in every immigrant’s mind, DO WE BELONG HERE? Is this the same country we dreamed of and is it still secure to raise our families and children here?” (sic)