RIYA JINDAL

Since the day we arrived doe-eyed at Oxford in the autumn of 2012, there is hardly a fortnight that’s gone by where I haven’t been inspired by Riya. There are many inspirational things about her - an acute sharpness of mind, a stubborn and unquestioning devotion to her friends, her comfortably humble nature just to name a few. But perhaps what has inspired me about Riya the most is how much she has grown in the decade I have know her - we met as kids, being pushed into the unknown without knowing much. Since then, I have seen her navigate peaks and troughs and watched her flourish into the confident, self-assured and beautiful person she is today.

There has been good, bad and ugly but there are few who have the capacity to develop from their experiences as well as she has. And she has done this while also being a pillar of strength to her family and many of us in our times of need. Often when I have been at a crossroads or have had an important decision to make, Riya has patiently listened to all my scrambled musings and provided me with invaluable clarity - probably why she makes a better lawyer than me (which my family never fail to remind me of 😅). She has grown to become such a place of security for me, and I can see nothing changing the unyielding trust I place in her.

Those who know Riya will know she has a weird and wonderful mind, cleverly disguised but truly one of a kind to those who have had the [mis]fortune of witnessing it. The sheer unbridled entertainment and joy that Riya and her mind have brought into my life has stacked up a debt I know I can never repay - she doesn’t know how many countless frowns she has turned upside down.

I have so much love and appreciation for you Riyu, thank you for being a constant inspiration and for making me laugh - may not be a difficult task for you but has meant the world to me in some of my weakest moments ♥️

Written by Aditya Jain