(I’m sitting along with Mummy and Papa at the Vrindavan Gardens, Mysore, in 1995.)
During the eighties decade, Papa worked in a steel plant located remotely in Jharkhand. So, the families living in the residential colony depended on the markets, situated in towns reachable within one hour drive.
I felt very happy on Sundays when Papa took us to those markets, a fun-filled long drive. He expertly drove and maintained his first car, the 1969 model FIAT. Even the slightest sound coming from the moving car or the tiniest scratch would never go unnoticed.
Apart from driving, Papa was fond of photography. Whether at home, at family functions, on long drives, or during the annual holiday, his camera was always ready. Papa also loved old romantic Hindi film songs. He had a vast collection of cassettes.
Sadly, five years after my marriage, due to a lung infection and asthmatic attack, my beloved Mummy passed away, on 26th January 2003.
To fill the void left by her demise, Papa started listening to devotional songs.
He bought a new house in the same city I live in, to be close to me and his granddaughter, my only daughter Disha. To fill the void left by her demise, Papa started listening to devotional songs. He bought a new house in the same city I live in, to be close to me and his granddaughter, my only daughter Disha.
Whenever I visited his home with Disha, he made arrangements for our favourite snacks and meals, from his cook. He often drove us to a Mall to enjoy the evening, where he used to buy chocolates for Disha and a saree for me before I left for my sasuraal.
Papa single-handedly took up the role of a father and a mother, in fulfilling his duties towards his daughter’s maayka.
I regret not serving him when he was extremely ill and was with his brother Sandeep residing in a different city. At the age of 75, in 2017, Papa was diagnosed with early stages of Alzheimer’s. And on 21st October 2017, he left for the heavenly abode, to rest along with Mummy.
Shared By : Shashi Thakur.
