Celebrating 1000 Full Moons

My uncle (chote phupaji – father’s younger sister’s husband) Mr. Balkisanji Jajoo is completing 81 years today - Sahasra Chandra Darshan. It signifies that he has seen 1000 full moons in his life. We pray for many more full moons in his life and his blessings in our lives.

Phupaji is like father figure for us. He has special quality to easily mingle with any age group.

My Dadaji shared a special bond with him as stock market buddy. Memories go back around year 1975 at Pune. Around 4 pm, my Dadaji (grandfather) would call Phupaji’s Mumbai office and ask him in Marvadi language, “Kai keve market?” (What was  the trend of stock market today?).

I always admired how Phupaji considered his spouse’s father (my Dadaji) as own father. After Dadaji’s demise in 1992, Phupaji emotionally said, “Many incidences of my association with him are just passing in front of my eyes”.

Back then, Phupaji would pay many short visits to my parent’s place at Pune during his work related travel. He would take special interest in explaining Science related concepts to me. We get inspired with his fond memories about IIT, Mumbai where he has completed Masters in Metallurgical Engineering with Gold Medal.

Seeing off family member visiting foreign country on work was a big family event. Family photo wishing Phupaji ‘Bon Voyage’ at Santacruze airport has special place in our family album.

Being Marvadi, Phupaji always enjoyed being self employed. He shares about struggle period as how material was transported manually for his startup.

Though Phupaji quit job following passion for business, he had graceful exit. He had excellent rapport with Late H K Firodiya (Founder of Kinetic Engineering Ltd). After my engineering, Phupaji fixed an appointment for same day with one phone call to Hastimalji’s PA. It was a great experience to interact with the legend. Hastimalji took keen interest in my project with Automotive Research Association and returned the research paper later after reading the same.  Hastimalji’s passion to keep learning in spite of being head of successful company creates a mark in mind.

Phupaji fulfilled his dream to setup foundry to produce high precision castings. In those days, he implemented gender diversity at factory for controlled employee behavior leading to good productivity. Funds were spent with caution, office had to look good so he chose bamboo for cubicles; great look in least cost. However, circumstances were not in favor and Phupaji had to leave the factory ownership. This setback was handled with courage.

Phupaji speaks only to the point and observes more. Once while traveling he noticed one teenager co-passenger. With his body language, he could make out that this young man is on wrong path. Phupaji tactfully spoke to him, brought him home and later united him with his family. Had Phupaji ignored the boy’s behavior, one life could have gone in wrong direction.

Phupaji has keen interest in many subjects other than academics. He has out of the box thinking. As children, we used to get fascinated during visit to his home. We were always attracted to collage made with cutouts from magazine in drawing room.  We felt awestruck when Phupaji explained the concept of collage as "Depiction of life from his eyes".

Phupaji’s guru’s life size statue in meditating pose, passes positive energy at Phupaji’s home.

Phupaji always encourages Bhuaji to keep learning as per her interest. Bhuaji would run library in their society and we children used to enjoy all books during our visit.

Phupaji is fond of good movies, once he tweaked his schedule a bit to watch Kamal Amrohi’s  great movie Pakiza during his Pune visit. Good balance of work and enjoyment. He is also fond of good food that he consumes in limits.

Phupaji’s deep study in spirituality and magneto therapy benefits many.

He is a true fighter. One of the few cases I know to quickly bounce back to normalcy after stroke. He started exercises at hospital bed itself and later devised techniques to build muscle strength.

Calculated food, exercise, meditation, knowledge sharing, positivism... guide us with more secrets of energy! 

Phupaji, keep inspiring us!