The word diaspora means a group of people who spread from one original country to other countries, or the act of spreading in this way. The Indian diaspora in the United States refer to the people of Indian origin who have migrated to the United States and are living away from their motherland. Shahid was born and brought up in Kashmir, India. Later he migrated to the United States. His elder brother was already living there, and his two sisters joined them later. Though he was settled in the United States, Shahid never forgot his motherland. He was worried about the rising violence in the Kashmir Valley. Though he was not a political poet, Kashmir became one of the central subjects of his writings.

Like Shahid the Indian diaspora in any foreign country has great love for India, its culture and tradition. The love for their motherland unites them. They often come together to celebrate the festivals and to keep alive their cultural heritage.

The first time that Agha Shahid Ali spoke to the author about his approaching death was on 25 April 2001.The author did not know how to react and just tried to console him saying that he would be fine. However, Shahid asked him to write something about him when he was gone. He had taken his life-threatening disease very peacefully. He wanted to go back to Kashmir to die in his native land. The poet saw Shahid the last time on 27 October. By that time, he had made his peace with his approaching death. There was no anguish of conflict in his eyes. He died on 8 December in his sleep.

The author was quite confused when Shahid talked to him about his sickness and approaching death. Just like any other ordinary person he tried to console and encourage him with positive words. However, when he found that Shahid had made peace with the reality of his terminal illness, he took up the task of writing about him. He started keeping a record of all the conversations he had with Shahid from that day onwards.

From Amitav Ghosh's write up on Shahid we can weave together his multifaceted personality. He was born in Kashmir and later migrated to America where he served as a professor in various universities. He was a fine academician and a gifted teacher, loved and respected by his students. He was not a religious fanatic or a political poet. Rather his outlook was more ecumenical. However, his love for Kashmir and his worries about the mounting violence in the valley echo in his writings. He was a profound lover of good poetry, music, clothes and tasty food. He also enjoyed the company of his friends. He was known for his wit and sense of humour. He was a great fighter. Even in the advanced stages of cancer he refused to take the help of a wheelchair and preferred to walk on his feet.