I would not have known Appa, if Mohan had not sent me the
email on your 100th birthday today. I see you briefly every day when
I place a flower on your photograph before prayers. Most often the action is
mechanical, a routine, and an act in the ritual. Even the annual ceremony is
more about timing and costs than a day of remembrance.
I have very few memories of you. Bits and pieces of the Bombay
stay; a few when you moved in to Chennai, the last day of the year when you
were watching the TV and suddenly at 1 AM went into a coma, never to revive.
I have memories of brave Amma and Indu living alone in the
initial years. I was too caught up in the corporate world. The Corporate world
made possible because of your word to Mr Kulkarni in IIMA , when I was in the
second list. The Corporate world made possible when in the Mumbai Airport (
very very strangely I had come to see you off) , you bumped into Dr Bharat Ram
and introduced me to him. The IIMA placement interviews were going on then. I
am sure the chance meeting helped.
You were concerned Appa for all of us, and have helped each
of us. We have gone our different ways soon after your departure, raising our
own Families , as Amma in her quest for renunciation , let loose the knots that
could have bound us. Hers was a brave move and only yesterday Indu recounted a brave
act of hers to walk upto Indus guide and demand to know what happened to her
thesis.
More than ever today we all need your blessings and Ammas
too. Both of you must continue to bless us all – Mohan and Paddu as they reach
a crossroad in their living , Kamala and Sampath as she bravely fights cancer, lonely
Vimala and her ever supportive Varadarajan, Raja and Chitra as Raja faces a
very similar situation as you faced when you suddenly retired, dear Indu the
first to lose a partner and her loving daughter as they face the world all
alone with help from unexpected quarters
As I reflect on the past since 1979, life has been too smooth
for me. I did encounter an incident a few years ago. It was your blessings (
and Ammas) , that ensured that justice prevailed. The man who wanted to use me and few others as pawns in
his nefarious games, is behind bars for over a year now. His Father died in a
horrible air crash in the Hills of Lord
Nrsimhas abode in Ahobilam as if the Lord himself was behind this act. Such is
the power of the Forces that protect us because of our ancestors. I firmly
believe that.
Many a time in this 65th
year , I have wished that I too meet you now. This is the age when you passed away. If I am right
Tatha too left at a similar age.If I need to continue in this world I seek your
blessings to find peace and happiness amongst all of us, who are beholden to
Amma and you for bringing us in an upright manner.
When I shared the news of your birthday with Vidya , your granddaughter
replied that “...I am sure he is looking down on us , pleased as punch..”
Are you Appa ..?
11May 2013
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