Remembering Tarun 'Terry' Ahuja: A life of compassion, creativity and courage

Tarun Ahuja, lovingly known as Terry among all his friends and colleagues, passed away on May 29. I had the good fortune of meeting him at Mudra in December 1989, and since then, our professional and personal association continued over the years. Terry was not just an excellent professional, but also a warm, witty, and charming human being who touched the lives of many.

After graduating in Dairy Technology from the National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Terry pursued his PGDBM in Advertising and Marketing at the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (1983–1985). He began his career at Maa Communications and went on to work across some of the most respected organizations in the advertising and media industry.

His distinguished professional journey included leadership roles such as Director – Client Services at Mudra Communications, GM at Lintas, VP at RKS BBDO, and National Sales Head at the Dainik Bhaskar Group. He also served as Consultant with Starcom MediaVest Group, Director – Business Development at ZipDial, and took on strategic consulting roles with UNDP, Global Reporting Initiative, and Nutcrackers Consulting. Most recently, he was the Founder of SDG Consultants.

Terry mentored, guided, and trained countless young professionals, helping them find their footing in the demanding world of marketing and communications. Clients admired him for his strategic thinking, business acumen, and genuine sincerity.

Spiritually, Terry was deeply devoted to Nichiren Buddhism for nearly four decades. He lived a life rooted in the philosophy of bringing happiness to both self and others. Despite his own personal challenges, he continued to uplift those around him, offering support, encouragement, and the warmth of his compassionate smile.

He was the kind of person who would show up at someone’s door when they were at their lowest, simply to chant with them and offer strength. Our late friend Vivek Dev Sharma experienced that love and solidarity firsthand. I recall my daughter, then just 7 years old in 1992 or 1993—sitting on Terry’s lap, enjoying the rhythm of his chanting. Today, 14 years into her own journey with the practice, she continues to walk in those very footsteps.

Terry had a magnetic personality, filled with compassion, humour, kindness, and grace. Anyone who spent even a short time with him would remember him as a true and loyal friend.

Goodbye, my dear friend. You will always be remembered.

(Sajal Mukherjee is the Director of Apeejay Institute of Mass Communication, Delhi)