I have a friend in India

About 15 years ago, out of the blue I received an email from a guy in India who was considering becoming a photographer. I have no idea how he found me. He was very polite and the correspondence was well written considering that English was not his first language. I responded briefly, offering encouragement. Over the next couple of years, I received several notes often with a few images attached. Again, I would respond with encouragement.

I can remember telling others in the studio about it. They teased me for responding. I can remember so clearly; Greg my rep at the time said “What are you wasting time on this for, keep it up and he’ll be on your doorstep one day.”
May of 1997 was the last time I heard from Manik Roy, until today.
I received the following email:

To
Stephen Hellerstein,
New York
USA

Dear Sir,
As a Kolkata-based photographer, you are very much known to me whom I respect you very much. May be you remember that you have sent me a letter dated on 1 May,1997. I know that you are very much busy in your profession but I request you if you have time, please visit my website at www.manikroy.com and please send me your views about it !
Thank you,
Have a nice day !
Yours,

Manik Roy

Wow, is that cool.
It’s been 11 years! Clearly, Manik was ahead of his time. Today, a gesture such as this doesn’t seem near as bizarre as it did when he first contacted me. I know this sounds so cliché, but amidst all our techno advancement is a nice little story about two people who have influenced each other yet will probably never meet. I have to wonder if there was no internet or email, would he have reached out or even seen my work. Maybe. As I have in the past, I looked at his work and responded briefly and honestly. Although, this time I signed the note: with regards my friend.

Wouldn’t it be delightful if he did show up someday?