Transition Blues #17 - A generation passing away!

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.