Steve Jobs, please don’t die

I have never had a role model. Whenever I have been asked that question, I would always hedge the answer by saying 'a combination of people'. I love the diplomacy of Condoleezza Rice, the Spirituality of Shirley McLain.  Never a straight answer.

However, over the past several years I find that I have closely followed Steve Jobs, written a number of articles about him and constantly marveled at the contributions that he has made to the world of innovation. It is only when the news that he may be just  6 weeks away from succumbing to his pancreatic cancer, hit the newsstands that I realized how much I admire the man. Please Steve, don't die.

Over the past 2 years, unwittingly I have written nearly 3 articles on Steve Jobs, the Founder and CEO of Apple Computers and his various innovative products in my column.  June 20th 2009 - "New lifestyle for Music Lovers"; Nov 21st 2009 -"Celebrating the CEO of the Decade"; Jan 30th 2011 -"Concept of iPad learning for the new generation learners". There is no argument that he rules the world of innovation. His innovative products follow the path the road less travelled and what Steve launches, the world follows.

There will be a hollow, an emptiness, a vacuum in the world of innovation and creativity after Steve. Companies like Apple have redefined the world and set new standards. Take the example of education, the innovation and creativity standards set by companies like Apple have demanded that the rules of education change. From a text book approach of delivering facts, 21st century education is now demanding the skills of critical thinking and creativity and innovation.

His personal story is equally compelling and inspiring. And I quote from my column Nov 21st 2009 -"Celebrating the CEO of the Decade" - "few real-life success stories are as dramatic as Steve Jobs.

Thrown out of his own company, two near-death medical experiences, reacquiring Apple followed by a dream-like business turnaround. "This CEO of the Decade slept on the floor of his friends' rooms, would collect and return empty coco-cola bottles to get him five cents to buy food and would walk seven miles every Sunday to a Hare Krishna temple that served food to the poor".

I understand death. I have been a practitioner of after-death therapies. I am therefore not afraid nor unduly troubled about the pain associated with Steve Jobs' death. His karma will soon help him create an innovative space for himself in the Spirit World, should he have to leave this world.

My concern is that it is too early for him to leave. This world needs him. This world needs him to continue to be a torch bearer in innovation. This world needs him to create products that challenge limits of innovation. This world needs timeless technological tools for clean fun, entertainment and education. This world needs a role model.

We are not done with you, Steve. We need you to keep going. So Please Steve, Stay some more. Don't die, just yet.

The writer is an entrepreneur and educationist