doesn't remain the same when that happens. Most of the times such
voids are small enough and we forget them over time. Some are so big
that they are impossible to forget.
There are very few people who love you unconditionally. Grandparents
top that list. No matter what you do, you are always the apple of
their eye. My earliest memories of my granddad include me sitting on
his shoulders as he carried me around the house, or he carrying me to
innumerable places and shops along Lakshmi road, where i would
invariably get some sweet from some shopkeeper. At times I have gone
with him to Deccan Gymkhana and he is the one who gave me my first
taste of Appachi khichadi.
As I grew older, I used to marvel at his popularity and his contacts.
I remember the time when I had to take admission in Garware College.
There was a huge queue outside some office. I had gone along with my
grandad and we just walked in. What was amazing to see was that
everyone from the peon to the principal of the college knew him. What
was even more amazing that he knew them all as well. Not that he was
someone who was very influential or rich; it was all out of goodwill.
In business, he might have earned some money, but he earned something
far more valuable - friends. I suppose he had lost count of the amount
of money people all over the city owe him for the times when he did
their work for free. My guess is he never kept count.
Almost any place I went to in Pune, my credibility at least doubled
when I let people know that I am Balasaheb Date's grandson. I've been
let off by traffic policemen a couple of times! Again, it was not
because of influence or fear, he never demanded such things. It was
out of goodwill. The man who even at the age of 70, travelled on his
daughters abandoned bicycle after his own bicycle broke down (while
the rest of the family used more luxurious modes of transport),
commanded more respect without demanding it, than people who travelled
in big, posh cars.
On April 28th, 2008, the man who taught me so much without ever
preaching a word, passed away, leaving a huge void in my universe. It
is a void I know I will have to come to terms with in the days to
come. Its a void I will have to fill with happy memories. I am not the
only one, considering that almost 100 people came to pay their last
respects at a short notice of 2 hours, taking time out from their
busy monday morning schedules.
Now, only the memories remain. Whereever he is (and I believe he is there
somewhere) I hope he is happy and at peace.
0 comments:
Post a Comment