R.I.P. Baji
Dharam Bir Sharma, my grandfather died on 22nd August, 2009 at the age of 76 after a long period of illness.
Suddenly, the finality and seriousness of the news of his death is surprising me. That i won’t be able to see or talk to him again- ever – is in itself a fact that is suddely frigtening me. It’s been 6 days now since his death but it’s only now that i realise that i never really acknowledged the difference between this news and the news about something transient such as some curable illness. I’m shocked.
Baji, as we always called him, was not as close to Ketan and me as is Mumma(grandma) but i think’s that’s how grandfathers are. My earliest memory of him is of the time when he used to carry my on his Hero jet cycle to Chachu’s shop. Later when we shifted to Ambala Cantt, he used to travel atleast 15 km from City to meet us.
One thing for which he was very famous was his oratory. He was very proficient in English, and that was a big thing then. I took dictation from him on various topics to be presented in school. He was that good.
Whenever he visited us in Ambala Cantt, he’d fix little things like switches and keyholes. He was also very, very good at playing the keyboard. When i bought the Yamaha in 6th standard he’d show me his talent whenever i requested.
But he constantly grew older. He outpaced everybody else of his age in getting older, including his wife. ANd, the next thing we knew, he was geting amnesic and unresponsive. Soon he was bed-ridden which resulted in a bed sore in his lumbosacral region. Bed sores are notorious for their poor prognosis. He was diagnosed with typhoid recently. Grandma took great pains to nurse him during the final months of his life. I’m absolutely proud of her. I feel particularly sorry for her as she’s lost her partner of 50 years.
I could not attend his funeral – i being 1500 kms away from home. Parents are advising me against coming for tehravi too. I wish i could be the moral support for Mumma at this hour.
And, i also wish time would go on rewind mode and pause on a particularly fine day in 1991 when i was three years old and was wearing a handsome suit at a function. It was my Baji’s retirement day and i was the grandson of a very respected man. But, alas, rewind modes are only for stereos.
Hare Rama Hare Krishna
Okay, continuing from my last postt : -Had a decent enough trip to Solan and Shimla. Being alone has it’s sweet and sour moments. Like i got really plenty of time to cherish the peaks and valleys, click a lot of photos and eat whatever i wanted. But on the flip side, the laughter was missing. Later mummy, papa and Ketan joined and after having sweet little family time(and watching LAK once more!) we were back to Ambala. The very next day we had to shift the apartment so it was hectic two days after that. It was only after coming back to Aurangabad that i actually lumber-downed(and watched LAK yet again!).
The last few days have been some of the most philosphy inspiring of my life. As i wrote earlier, i was reading a life-changing book called An Idealist View of Life. It’s got me thinking big time. It’s had an enormous effect on me. But now is not the right time to discuss it all. nb : Have turned vegetarian and will be observing fasts on sundays, and that’s got nothing to do with reading Bhagwad-Gita regularly.
I went to ISKCON temple today, on the occasion of Janmashtmi. Somebody once told me that the leela of Krishna pulls even non-believers(which i am) and believers of other faiths. I felt strangely light and good to be there. And since i don’t want to make it sound mystical, i felt good because of the soothing tune of Hare Rama Hare Krishna or that’s what i think.
Anyway. Kaminey has released with thundrous response. Raja Sen has given it 4.5/5 and that’s something. Will see tomorrow.
Tidbits
Tidbits
- Partners-in-crime : After Neha, now even Ashish has come home. So that makes it three, including me, who have bunked classes and gone home. I feel so good! Thanks buddies !!
- Confession : Everytime i watch a good movie in a theatre, i fall into an awkward position as soon as the movie ends and people start moving out of the audi. That’s because i cannot stop smiling, and smiling shamelessly is very, er, shameful sometimes. I ’smile’ way too much i realise.
- Raat Ke Dhai Baje : WHAT A SONG! I love Bhardwaj aunty for singing this. [[Namak Issk Ka is my fav song]]
- Am going to Solan and then Shimla tomorrow. Given my mountain-fetish, this trip is going to be erotic!
- Oh, and did you know i watched Love Aaj Kal alone and am going to Shimla alone too. (Ohh mah frends i absolutely miss you.)
- Oh oh, and, **** to LAK, if you know what i mean!
- News has travelled back from college that i’ve failed in FMT(forensic medicine/toxicology) in the terminals! Can you believe that! Stress on ‘FMT’ not ‘i’.
