Trimbak Jogdeo – my grand-father-in-law passed away few weeks ago, he was a throat cancer patient and the cancer was detected quiet late. Remembering him over last few weeks forced me to realize a generation - that established what India is today- moving away from all of us.
A staunch RSS (Rashtriya Swayanksevak Sangh – a true grass-root organization in India) activist, very moralistic supporter of "The Indian Cause", somebody who has seen jail-walls from inside during Emergency Days (India Gandhi’s reaction to loss of power and control – anybody remembers?).
He was fiercely independent. I remember at age 90, even as a cancer patient, he still washed his own clothes. He lived a true Gandhian minimalist life – a very strange thing to see in today’s world focused one excesses. He visited us in USA with 1 Shoulder Bag – 2-3 kurte and 2 pieces of Dhoti compared to my bag today, HUGE checked in luggage, still not sufficient.
I remember him for his daily exercises, no matter what. He came to meet us in USA, after a lot of cajoling; he still performed daily yoga throughout journey in US. Here I need Gym, personal trainer and a dietician. :-)
He never gained weight – how can he? He knew the amount he needs to sustain and live happily. He never ate more than once a day – unless necessary. The only luxury I remember him having was – coffee; A good coffee – made in Indian way – more flavor than Caffeine. He was a big believer of Indian-ness of all sorts – never used Colgate or any commercial soap – everything natural.
Ajoba was the last remaining link to the pre-independent days; the next generation in his family has not really done much except Pratima my wife. I always wonder what he felt towards the end, I believe he would not have had any questions – he must have left everything to Karma – everybody pays what is in their Bhagya. We all will miss that generation – may not be now, but when we will be old enough, we will realize it.
Friday, June 06, 2008
Transition Blues #16: Living with parents #2
The living with parents is very interesting and advantageous situation if USA returnee can manage to adjust. Today, I do not have to worry about anything in house – my father keeps himself busy by finding best deals in the market for everything he wants. He is a HUGE fan to "Reliance Fresh – the grocery chain", knows the shop and deal schedule inside out and enjoys running the house again. He even buys anything that he sees fits his lifestyle and our needs, he is having a blast in buying things e.g. He boughta Flour Mill - he is using it in the house, experimenting with different fortified flours - as per the Yogic lifestyle. :-)
We can do our work/job with a clear conviction that my mother will take care of Kids whe we are busy. My son has grown fond of my parents to a very large extent. Their interaction is funny at worst and a blast at best. They like and enjoy being with each other, I am sure Omkar can not imagine living without his grandmother. My mother is also enjoying taking care of him.
I can think of travelling as much as my job needs, without any worry, I know the house runs without me being around. I know this is being selfish - but it the truth. Certainly there are quirks – you need domestic help that can work with my parents, their style and expectations. It is very DIFICULT to find a Bai (a maid) that can satisfy my mother’s Standard of service. Moreover, my mother is still struggling with adjusting with city Pune – a large city where domestic help is at premium and in demand.
Overall the advantages are more than challenges and quirks, but as I said in earlier post are you ready to give away control? Are you willing to negotiate and adjust at every stage – the independence you are used to in USA?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
