Picture this. The year was 1962. The village was Balwadi, nestled on the border of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. The small village was surrounded by thick and dense forests, home to many panthers. These predators often crossed the thin boundary between the forest and the village. Whenever they appeared, they incited panic and terror among …
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Family
The Anatomy of Compassion: A Tale of Generosity and Discovery
In the corridors of our hospital, a remarkable story unfolded just a day ago. A woman well into her nineties, her spirit worn by time but her resolve firm. Hailing from a village 200 kilometers east of Sevagram, she lived out her days in the company of memories and her devoted son after the loss …
Bhaiji – My Father
We all fondly addressed him as Bhaiji, a term deeply rooted in the Marwadi language that is used to convey reverence and respect when referring to one’s father. My father overcame a difficult childhood to build a successful life. A man who lived a full and meaningful life, he was a survivor, an entrepreneur, a …
Bai-My Mother
Bai—this is how most Marwaris address their mother. We too followed the tradition. Born to Shri Shriram and Gopi Bai Mundra on 5 January 1925, she was the first of the five children. She came from Barshi, a town in Solapur district of Western Maharashtra. As was the norm those days, she completed her primary …
Pushpa Jiji and Om Bhaisaab: Wardha to Yelakeli
In 1958, Ram Mamaji was to get married in Barshi. Bai had already left for Barshi for her younger brother’s marriage with Asha, Ashok, JP and me- I was born a year ago. Pushpa Jiji and Om were left behind in the Bajaj Electricity home (near Durga talkies) in Wardha. Pushpa, just 12-year-old then, would …
Aruna bhabhi and Om
Aruna Born to Shri Kisangopalji and Vasanti devi Ruthia on April 11, 1954 in Nagpur, Aruna was the middle sibling— Chandrashekhar (1948-2017) and Anand (1956-2010) were her brothers. She used to live in Kirana Oli, Itwari, then a relatively sparsely populated area. She went to the Nityanand Kanya Vidyalaya, near Balaji Mandir on Dharaskar Road. …
Badibai and Jijaji
I call her Badibai—the elder mother! Ever since I was born, she treated me with so much love that she richly deserves this name. Badibai was born in Barsi, a town in Solapur district in Western Maharashtra, on 26 February 1942. As was the custom those days, she was delivered at her nani’s home. The …
Jiji
Pushpa, my elder sister, was born on 17 May 1946, fifteen months before India became independent. I always called her Jiji, and never by first name. She was the third of the six siblings, and like all of them; she too was delivered at home that my father rented in Marwari Mohalla, Wardha. Education Class …
On turning sixty
Amrita, my daughter wrote today: People in their sixties today compete with the teenagers of my time. They are the most active lot on Facebook, more aware of what is happening where and to whom, and more updated with who is doing what. They are also just as passionate and positive about life. As he …
Bhavana and I become Dada Dadi
Bhavana and I became dadi- dada again! An angel arrived at our home today morning. A baby girl was born to Shaily and Ashwini – bringing us indescribable joy and happiness. “A grandchild brings along with it the child in the grandparents,” so goes an adage. Bhavana and I couldn’t agree more with this line. …