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.

Parvathy wears new hat – The Drummer

Achieving something for first time has its own importance; they are magical moments to cherish forever.  For Parvathy, this magic happened twice on Friday, 21st June ’13. She appeared in national news paper ‘The Hindu – Metro Plus’ (for right reason :) of course – passion for music) and same evening she gave debut performance at well organized, well attended musical event.  ‘World Music Day’ was gracefully celebrated at ‘Taj Deccan’, Hyderabad. Event theme was ‘Vocal’ and Parvathy’s  drum beats took the group song (12 : The Incorrigible Dude’s Naughty Brood) to greater heights.

It was a rare site to see musician teachers and their students perform on same stage. These students were professionals from various fields and belonging to various nationalities but their passion for music had brought them together at event. There was western music with instruments like guitar, electric guitar, drum, synthesizer, violin etc and Indian music with tabla, flute too. There were solo as well as well coordinated group performances.  There were own compositions as well as popular numbers like Dire Straits too. There was western classical opera and also latest Bollywood number like Kabira. Two ballerinas won everyone’s heart with their performance matching to tunes of live song.

We few OMCites (Satya, Raj, Monika (Mrs. Raj)) were fortunate to share this special moment of first stage performance with Parvathy.  Chakri could not make it due to constraints at last moment. Other OMCites were virtually present with us in form of their good wishes through electronic media. Parvathy’s parents, colleagues and friends were there as ‘PK’s fan club’ and had a wonderful time.  Parvathy’s hubby Krishnan was beaming with joy, he shared with us that Parvathy was bit tensed before the event but he was very sure that she will do very well as she had practiced well. 

Parvathy’s family loves music.. Krishnan plays piano and son Rishi plays guitar. Many of us OMCites have attended daughter Gauthamy’s Arangetram (debut on-stage performance for classical dance). Parvathy feels music is real stress buster for all of them. 

We wish all the best to Parvathy’s in-house band and may you all enjoy your passion for music. Parvathy, you can always count on us OMCites to be there to applaud for you during all events you rock with your drum beats.

 

XLRI Visit

It was a sunny morning on Thursday, 13^th June’ 13. Greenish blue waves of ‘Bay of Bengal’ were looking beautiful below white clouds from plane’s window. View changed to lush green paddy fields extending welcome to ‘West Bengal’. We were on the way to Jamshedpur (Jharkhand) XLRI for our son’s admission.

Journey from perfect GMR style ‘Dum Dum’ Airport  to railway station took us from highway surrounded by skyscrapers and bit of marshy land reminding us of Mumbai. There was lot of greenery too. On the way we enjoyed great hospitality at cousin’s place with Bengali delicacies like Kachori-Sabzi and Sandesh.

View of ‘Eden Gardens’ was very exciting. The engineering marvel - Howrah Bridge reminded of movie ‘Yuva’. Dalhousie area and Howrah station sported exact British Colonial Structure. Kolkatta still maintains unique mode of transport ‘Tram’.Howrah station impressed us with its size when we reached on 19^th platform using road parallel to platform – no hassles of staircase or coolie.Train journey was over while tasting Jhal Moodi (Mumbai Bhel variation) and appreciating lotus varieties in ponds/canals along with fields.

Jamshedpur Junction also called as Tatanagar welcomed us to its clam and cozy culture. Many XLRIians were approaching the campus with us in autos those were little bigger than usual. Roads were good with lot of greenery, gardens and lakes around. One cannot miss to pay respects to Jamshedji’s statue on the way.

The campus was so well designed and well organized! Student hostel allotment list and section was already displayed. Neat, clean room was handed over to him. All the students started interacting. Everyone represented premium under graduation institute and great work experience. There was a lot to share with old BITSians friends :) and new acquaintances. New long lasting bonds of friendship and network were blossoming. BITSians had moved from G.D. Birla's birthplace Pilani to JSR - city founded by Jamshedji Tata. 

Friday morning was fresh post shower. All students in their formal outfits were energetically approaching towards auditorium to begin new phase of their life. Everyone sported pleasant personality and spread the charm.

The Inaugural function started sharp at 9 am. The atmosphere was built with live prayers, bhajans and lighting of lamp. XLRI gives highest professional education with high moral values. The journey was initiated with recitals of extracts from Holy Quran, Gita and Bible. Director’s speech was very motivating and prepared students for forthcoming two years of hectic schedule to improve their professionalism. Seasoning of funny stories with meaningful punch lines added extra value to the speech. He also emphasized fulfilling social responsibilities in spare time. This was followed by key speaker’s speech that reached to heart of audience. He explained Gandhiji’s ‘Seven Sins’ to avoid.  The function concluded with melodious prayers. We were very happy to see all world class facilities at campus for curricular (library, WI-Fi connection, modern lecture halls), extracurricular activities (foot ball ground, tennis court, basket ball court, indoor badminton court, gym etc.).

The well groomed garden occupying whole campus had lot of well classified flowering and fruit bearing plants. The continuous chirping of birds and view of animals like busy squirrel helped to connect to nature instantly. It surely boosts energy to withstand hectic schedule.

Everywhere great motivational quotes were displayed i.e ‘Laughter has no foreign accent’, ‘Words have a life of their own, think before you speak’,  ‘Positive people don’t put others down’.

There were funny quotes too :) ‘When I feel like studying, I lie down till the feeling goes away’.

There were many temporary allied businesses in surrounding area like bank selling loans or small vendors selling day to day required items. It was amusing to hear the vendors effortlessly using the XLRI terminology like, ‘Mam, do you belong to GMP course?’

It was now time for students to get involved in their activities. On their way back, parents carried wonderful dreams for future woven by XLRI for their children.