14th august, a decade ago, i lost the person who inspired me the most in my life. Papaji or Pops as i would lovingly call him.
Seems like time either has just stopped or passed away so quickly. His words keep ringing every time i think about him. Specially when i drive my car, Papaji's words ring clearly. He is the one who insisted that i learn to drive. Beta, he would say, driving by yourself will make you independent and give you sense of responsibility. If you are independent, you will be confident he said. Today i feel very independent and confident. He was the one who taught me to drive. I was scared not of driving but Papaji. He was a perfectionist. So wanted me to drive just the way he insisted. Even today i feel his slap on my hand on the steering wheel if i don't drive his way.
Luckily for me, i did not give up learning from him. Whether it was driving or long discussions on our morning walks, i enjoyed every bit of our time spent together. From him i learnt punctuality, humility, modesty and how to enjoy life to its fullest. Spending time in the hills during summer vacations, still is something i am addicted to, thanks to Pops.
He was a disciplinarian, maybe a strict parent, but i loved the way he made up with us kids after his anger had gone. Papaji cooked excellent mutton curry and made mango ice cream in the wooden ice cream maker. Remember waiting anxiously till all of us churned the ice cream mix and let it set. Was he teaching hard work or patience. I think both.
I dedicate my thoughts , remember him and thank him from the bottom of my heart.
Seems like time either has just stopped or passed away so quickly. His words keep ringing every time i think about him. Specially when i drive my car, Papaji's words ring clearly. He is the one who insisted that i learn to drive. Beta, he would say, driving by yourself will make you independent and give you sense of responsibility. If you are independent, you will be confident he said. Today i feel very independent and confident. He was the one who taught me to drive. I was scared not of driving but Papaji. He was a perfectionist. So wanted me to drive just the way he insisted. Even today i feel his slap on my hand on the steering wheel if i don't drive his way.
Luckily for me, i did not give up learning from him. Whether it was driving or long discussions on our morning walks, i enjoyed every bit of our time spent together. From him i learnt punctuality, humility, modesty and how to enjoy life to its fullest. Spending time in the hills during summer vacations, still is something i am addicted to, thanks to Pops.
He was a disciplinarian, maybe a strict parent, but i loved the way he made up with us kids after his anger had gone. Papaji cooked excellent mutton curry and made mango ice cream in the wooden ice cream maker. Remember waiting anxiously till all of us churned the ice cream mix and let it set. Was he teaching hard work or patience. I think both.
I dedicate my thoughts , remember him and thank him from the bottom of my heart.
