Obaid's vision and charisma: Let me sum up with what I think Obaid stands for. He is a visionary and true to Bhabha's expectations he steered the Molecular Biology (MB) Unit of Tata Institute to a great length. Obaid also possesses the knack of identifying leadership quality, and that is how NCBS took off under the joint leadership of Obaid and Vijay, and has flourished. When Obaid moved to Bangalore, we-at Biology, Mumbai, felt orphaned. It took us a while to struggle, survive and grow amongst the then 'hostile non-biologists'. However, it is a different equation now and Biology Department, Mumbai, has its own status and flavour. Several interdisciplinary research activities have also cropped up, giving unique value to the DBS, Mumbai campus. I recall my interview for a Ph.D. studentship at Tata Institute. As a chemistry student, who had not studied Biology for five years, I was prepared for the question as to why I wanted to join the MB group. I talked glibly about enzymes and RNA molecules-how living system is composed of just chemical reactions. While I probably satisfied the chemists among the interviewers, Obaid tried his best (and was visibly disappointed) since he could not get me to utter the word “regulation”. I admit freely now- that it was Obaid's charisma which had drawn me to apply to the MB group at TIFR. The prospects of working out the mysteries and regulation of life was more of an ethereal dream for which I was very under-prepared and continue to be so. I savor the nostalgia of having a wonderful time with my peer group when I was a student - Pratima, Meher, Handa, Subbarao, Satpal, Veronica, Gotam, Vijay, N. Gautam and so many others. I also recall having heated discussions with students and talented mentors such as Babu, Maitra, Johri, Kenkare, U.N. Singh and Obaid himself. My first course was on Developmental Genetics, taught by Obaid, Babu and Kalpana White. In the Shantiniketan style, we would carry the blackboard to the West-lawns with the magnificent sea-view, and sprawl around on the grass to discuss developmental mosaics and translocations in Drosophila. I relish the free atmosphere that Obaid created and what Tata Institute stands for. On behalf of the entire DBS (Department of Biological Sciences) unit at Mumbai, I wish Obaid and his family the very best on this occasion. I also congratulate NCBS for having completed a very successful 20 years. Shobhona Sharma, Tata Institute, Mum