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In 2014, we lost a dear friend, Ambar Mukherjee. His loss brought a lot of us together after more than 15 years. We reminisced about the time we spent at SPA, and realized how formative those years were for us. After Ambar's death anniversary in March 2020, some of us, wanted to memorialize him and his journey by honouring what he best represented to us - a Beautiful Mind.

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Ambar was an astute observer, creative but with a scientific temper, generous and kind, innocent (sometimes to a fault), good hearted, and incredibly talented. Even though he was never actually diagnosed, we believe that his death was the physical consequence of a mental illness. That it went so far, is testament to the lack of awareness around mental health, an issue that remains urgent today.

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After talking to a number of previous and current students, and faculty at SPA on the best way to honour Ambar’s memory, we agreed on a plan to establish a foundation in his name that would create opportunities for “beautiful minds” amongst the student body. Students relatively early in their time at the School, would be provided financial grants to support special talents or needs.  We hope they can use these grants to pursue avenues of discovery, and enable personal growth that they otherwise may not have the means to do.

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In partnership with several alumni as well as members of the faculty, we hope to continue this grant program for the next five to ten years, creating a community of awardees  and a body of work that would be inspiration and a resource for others.