Grandpa

Our scooter entered the compound of ‘YashoNand’ bungalow. It was our home, name was derived from names of our Dadi Yashoda and Dadaji Nandalal.   As usual Dadaji was waiting for us at window. Dadaji could guess that, my younger brother  had swapped pillion seat with me at corner of lane but gave benefit of doubt. This trick used to satisfy all, Dadaji could breathe sigh of relief that I was riding & bro could still continue with his excitement of riding though underage.  We never could think of causing any discomfort to Dadaji but played tricks sometimes though. 

 Dadaji had not only showered his love on everyone who came in his contact but had given different outlook towards surroundings.

He was a strong follower of Congress and had participated in freedom movement too. However, he did not opt to avail any extra benefits from government.  He always wore khadi (hand-woven cloth). He had strong liking for history and King Shivaji was his hero. He would never miss lectures of historians like Babsaheb Purandare.

He had a very gentle heart in his strong well built body. His Bachelor of Agriculture degree had probably made him more compassionate towards nature. He would never hurt even a plant forget about human beings. He had planted lot of fruit bearing and flowering plants around ‘YashoNand’.  He was also member of gardening hobby club run by local news paper ‘Sakal Gardening Association’ and would attend their lectures and visit exhibitions. This love for Mother Nature definitely helped people around him.

Like plants, he also loved wild life. In 1970’s, whatever wild life was shown on Doordarshan was feast for him. I wish ‘National Geographic’ and ‘Animal Planet’ existed those days. He had proud possession of books like ‘Elsa_the_Lioness’ and Jim Corbet’s ‘Leopard of Rudraprayag’.  

Dadaji would recall his childhood. He had grown up in business family like most of people originating from Rajasthan. However, the family could not sustain one big loss in cotton trading and it changed Dadaji’s life forever. He graduated and took various jobs and finally retired as Estate Manager at Ravalgaon sugar factory near Nasik. Though he was working, he always cherished spirit of businessman. He would daily follow share market. Though he did not have lot of cash to invest, he used to study Economic Times using his magnifying glasses.  Occasionally, one of us siblings used to accompanying him to share broker’s office too. He used to study Annual Reports of companies he had invested and would feel excited to attend share holder’s meetings for companies in Pune. This was spirit of making most from available resources.

Dadaji always maintained contact with x-colleagues by being member  of club formed by retired professionals related to sugar industry.  As members were getting old, meetings would have condolence sessions too. This was inevitable reality.

Dadaji would confirm expenditure details on slate even after visiting vegetable market. This was lesson  to value single penny and be methodical.

Dadaji would always enthusiastically take us to watch drama, movies and circus too.  Most of our childhood memories revolve around him.

I remember as a child, I had to run to match Dadaji’s speed. With age, his speed reduced. But his enthusiasm never ceased, he would enjoy company of nearby youngsters to maintain his high spirits. Slowly, age related problems started. Once he was hospitalized due to choking of throat with high BP. As soon as he recovered, he expressed his immense happiness by fondly resting his head on lap of near and dear ones. He believed in living with happiness and making others happy.

I still cherish the letter he had sent after my marriage, “We remember you when we look at plantation done by you in our garden”.

With small up-downs time passed and it was time to celebrate his 85^th birthday. It was indeed moment of happiness for immediate and extended family and his admirers too. Dadaji’s aarti was done with one thousand lamps. Sahasra_purna_chandrodayam – representing thousand full moons passed in his life. We all prayed for Dadaji’s happiness and long, healthy life. Dadaji we love you and will be proud of you always.