A Heavy-Hearted Tribute To Darshi
FOUR DECADES MARRIED LIFE JOURNEY
Darshi, a popular and nick name of Mrs. Sudershan Bajaj,
was born on 1st November, 1942 at Lyalpur, West Pakistan. Her
date of birth is not accurate and authentic but as per paper
records, we recognize it and have been celebrating it for the last
more than forty years. She was the fourth child of her parents,
three elders and two youngers. I do not know much about her
early period of life but before marriage her parents stayed at
Jind, Panipat, Amroha and Rampur. Her father was in Railways
working as P.W.I. and the transfer was very common to him. We
got married on 1st October, 1968 and from Arora she become
Bajaj and thus married life went on very smoothly. Her mother
and my father were cousins to each other and ours was an
arranged marriage to be celebrated at J-10/89, Rajouri Garden,
New Delhi. She was tall, slim and fair complexioned lady
resembling Asha Parekh at her prime youth period.
I was a regular Govt. teacher and part-time lecturer in
colleges. Despite her being qualified for a job, I did not insist her
to go for work and thus she was an absolute housewife and
housemaker, serving to my parents and family. We lived at C-18,
B.K. Dutt Colony (Karbala) till May 1974. Our first two children,
Shivendra and Monika were brought up there and she had to
nurse them and my parents too. Moreover, I used to work for
eighteen hours a day from early morn to late night and she did
full co-operation. Before marriage I was simply a trained
graduate but she persuaded me and I became double M.A. in
English and Hindi from Aligarh Muslim University, in the
capacity of teacher. There at Karbala, Shivendra, our first child
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born on 12th July, 1969 and we were profusely happy, having the
first male child in our whole family. My elder brother had two
daughters and no son and my parents particularly my father had
a great love for his grandson. At the time of Mundan Ceremony of
Shivendra, we organized a family get together party and that was
the first happy occasion for us after marriage. All our relatives
from both sides were invited and we took many photos there. On
23rd June, 1972, Monika, our second child was born, and the girl
proved to be very auspicious. My transfer from Kirti Nagar to
Defence Colony School was done and the grades were revised.
Shivendra and Monika both were happy to each other, and after a
bath they used to go to general merchant shop to carry Kishmish
and Phulian and it was considered a good omen for the
shopkeeper too. At the age of 2, Monika was disappeared for
some time but was found by my father sitting in a tent gathered
for a condolence function near our vicinity. Shivendra alias Pale
was sent to Sharma Montessori School, near Lodhi Colony
Railway Station through school rickshaw. The habit of reading
much in Shivendra was inculcated by my wife. She was fond of
reading all the time and had a deep interest in booklets and
fiction. Children books like Lot-Pot, Champak, Panchtantra etc.
were her favourites. On every Sundays and holidays, we in a
family used to go for movies, Biji’s House (my in-laws) at Rajouri
Garden, Behnji’s House (My sister in-laws) at Kailash Colony.
Moreover, we had seen almost all the historical and religious
places of Delhi and sight – seeing was our best time pass. On
every first day of every month i.e. pay day, we all enjoyed a lot in
sitting at restaurant to dine. And our neigbours and relatives
sometimes felt jealous of it but we never took notice of them. We
ceremonised all the important functions and festivals decently at
Karbala house till 74.
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After the disposal of the house in Rs. 24,000/- we were
shifted to C5C/5B Janakpuri. And it was allotted to us by DDA in a
lucky scheme. Moreover, it was a sample (model) flat for the
public to see in a Low Income Group. It was 1st Floor, Corner
House situated on the main road, near the bus stop. I got myself
transferred to Naraina, Govt. Sr. Sec. School in August, 1974 and
on 12th Sept., 1974, Sonika, our third child was born. Every
member of our family predicted that there would be a male child
but it happened not. Had it been the male child, my Bhabi
(Prithvi Raj’s Wife) would have adopted it. And it was the
commitment made between my wife and my Bhabi. Thank God, it
was not acceptable to the Almighty. Third child is generally taken
to be active and intelligent and it is applicable to Sonika, as my
wife thought. We had decorated the house with new fittings,
show piece, wooden work, many alterations from both sides and
purchased T.V., Fridge, New Sofa, Beds, Dinning and Dressing
Table etc. from the money we had got from selling the previous
house at Karbala. But the happiness did not last long and my
father expired on 5th August, 1975. All the last rites were
performed by my leder brother at his house, Karbala D-12. But
anyhow I was lucky to attend him at the last time at Safdarjung
Hospital and there was none else except me who had served him
day and night for the four days period. It was my wife’s boldness
and will power that she used to come to Karbala from Janakpuri
carrying three children during the period and did a lot of work in
kitchen. Despite being ill, she worked to the maximum.
Shivendra was sent to Cambridge Foundation School C-I,
Janakpuri and got his earlier education upto 6th Std. Monika and
Sonika were admitted to Gyan Deep Public School and there they
remained upto 4th Std. They both had a taste for dance and music
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and used to participate in every school activity. Wearing almost
same coloured dress and shoes, they danced well on the stage
and family functions and gatherings. My wife used to encourage
and support them on all occasions. Shivendra was studious from
the very beginning and wherever, we went, he used to read
something sitting all alone in a corner of the house. In the year
1979, I was transferred to Chhawla village school and it was very
hard duty starting at 7 AM and finishing at 6 PM. During this
period we had started our own Academy by the name of Tagore
Model School, Tilak Nagar. It was flourishing well in the
beginning and there was a good response. It was a five room
rented set on the ground floor at 23/15, OP Babbar’s sister house,
Tilak Nagar. It was very difficult to manage for the lady but she
never lost heart and supported me through thick and thin. It was
our crucial period and our family was being neglected. Thus we
had to wind up the academy up and closed it for ever. We could
not properly manage as our mother, being an old one, could not
stay alone at Janakpuri house. It was nobody’s fault and luck did
not favour us. But it proved to be a blessing a disguise as we the
whole family availed our first L.T.C. and went to Southern part of
India, while travelling Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Gujrat,
Hyderabad, Shirdi, Khujrao, Goa, Mysore, Bangalore, Madhya
Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and back to Delhi. Our children enjoyed
the trip and spent nearly three weeks very descently in sight
seeing and making merrily. From Chhawla Village to Karanpura, I
was transferred and got some relief but it was the morning shift
school and I had to start from 6 AM in the bus. It was my wife
who used to get up at 5 AM, sending Shivendra for Cambridge
Foundation School, Rajouri Garden in a charted school bus at 6
AM in winter season and then made Monika and Sonika ready for
C block, Govt. Girls School. To be wonder struck, Monika and
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Sonika didn’t qualify their 5th Std. and got admission directly in
6th class, English medium on test basis and affidavit grounds and
to some extent credit went to both of us. Shivendra got the first
prize in his 8th Class and got recognition from the school
authority. Cambridge Foundation School, Rajouri Garden was one
of the best schools in studies and activities in the whole city.
Our three children were school goers and there was only
one earning hand but because of her economical nature,
everything was going on well. She used to maintain daily
expenditure diary and did not waste even a single rupee. While
keeping records, once she lost eighty rupees and it was a great
concern for her, I knew how she felt it. In the year 1978, her
younger sister Shashi was married to Mohindra Nangia at Nangal
but her marriage was functioned at her elder brother Mr. D.B.
Arora’s House, Chandigarh. And we all of us attended it and
enjoyed the marriage ceremony. And in the year 1980, her
brother Ved Prakash working in DDA was married to Shashi, the
bank employee, and the marriage took place at Geeta Colony,
trans Yamuna area. My wife took great labour and managed all
preparations at Biji House, Tilak Nagar. She won the hearts of
everyone whosoever attended the function. She was recognized
as the tireless worker, playing the key role in the family. And
when Neelam, my niece was married at Karbala, she contributed
a lot and particularly the sarees which we had broght from
Kanchipuram, and Bombay during the LTC tour donated her and
did a lot of work of sewing and embroidery. Every one of our
family spoke high of her on both the occasions.
At C5C/5B house, we in the family used to go to Distt. Park,
Dushera Ground, Holy places and movies and led a happy life.
But sometimes we both quarreled over trifles and I had to pacify
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her and felt my mistake. She understood well and the married life
went on smoothly as ever. After my father’s death, my mother
remained with us and lived as the head of the family and was
contented with my wife’s behaviour. It looked nice when we all sit
together on the dinning table at night’s meal. I recall the day
when Sham, my friend’s brother Inder who had come from
Poland, was invited on dinner at my home and my wife prepared
the meal with eight vegetables and his family relished the dinner
and spoke words of praise. Sometimes, I had to got to Aligarh for
my Examination and being the semester system, twice in a year,
and she used to manage everything during my absence. She was
bold and hard-working lady.
In the year 1982, I felt some cardiac problem but I thought
it a gastic and acidity and it was my wrong notion. And on 1st
June, 82. I got heart attack for the first time. She alongwith her
brother Ved took me to the Safdarjung Hospital and got me
admitted there. I remained in the hospital as an indoor patient for
sixteen days and nights and she served me all the time. It was
very difficult for her to handle in this situation, to control the
family and look after me too. Thank God, it was summer vacation
period for me and my children. It was a financially down period
too. After my recovery from ailment, I took a bold step and
withdrew Shivendra from Cambridge Foundation School and got
him admitted in Govt. Sr. Sec. School, A-Block, Janakpuri in 9th
class English medium. It was very much affordable fees for all the
three school going children and we both were happy to send
them in Sarvodya School, English medium to our existing
circumstances. My heart attack at the age of 43 occurred
because of overwork and hypertension and my Dr. L.M. Ghoshal
of Jorbagh used to say that it was the disease of old age and I had
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developed it at my youth period. I at once gave up smoking which
I had been smoking for the last more than twenty five years
secretly and became health cautious.
From Karampura to Sagarpur School, I was transferred on
medical grounds and this gave us much relief as it was a
walkable distance. In our family we were reputed to attend all the
functions of joy and sorrow of any relative from any side. We
went to Rohtak early in the morning to attend the condolence
meeting on the death of her sister Chander’s third son, Kaku and
everyone was surprised to find us there. We attended the
marriage party of her sister Bimla’s first son Babu at Kailash
Colony and our family enjoyed a lot, as my wife was taken a
family member in Behnji’s house. It was only because she had
done many a work of the family and spent her study period with
them. Every member of the family had a deep affection to her.
At very early childhood days, Shivendra had a right foot flat
and he could not run fastly. My wife noticed it very minutely and
we both took him to the Safdarjung Hospital for the doctor’s
consultation. The doctor examined him and recommended to
wear a Baluja’s shoes and they were to be found only at Chandni
Chowk Shoe Emporium. We made him wear for six months and
Shivendra became all right. Then he faced another problem of
baldness when he was in his 8th class. She was much worried and
we took him to Mool Chand KR Hospital for Ayurvedic Treatment.
The concerned doctor took pain and with his medicines and
massage, Shivendra recovered from the problem of baldness and
his hair started growing as usual. Once he stumbled while getting
down from a bus at Lajwanti Crossing near D Block, Janapuri and
underwent for right leg plaster for three months. He became
perfectly fit only because of her constant care and precautions
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with service. Sonika our younger child was physically weak from
the very beginning and we used to give her treatment from the
child specialist Dr. B.K. Jain of Defence Colony and Gole Market.
She improved a lot and physically fit and removed deficiency day
by day. My wife took much pain of our children health and
upbringing. She used to give them on the spot medicine, multi
vitamin, nourishing food and fresh fruit regularly. She took much
care in their early studies and home work complete was her daily
routine. Sometimes she had to spend mid night oil for their
education.
At Sagarpur School in the year 1983, she used to send some
homely made snacks for me and sometimes in large quantity for
my staff members and they praised a lot. In the end of the year I
had a urine problem and it was found that there was a stone in
my gall bladder. On 25th December the Christmas Day, 1983, Dr.
Rajan Mathew of M.C.K.R. Hospital an eminent Eurogeolist, did
minor operation, removed the stone and sent me home in the
evening with some precautions. It was done only due to her
guidance and deep knowledge of medication. It was the vacation
period for me and children and I took rest at home and became
all right. She proved to be a good nurse.
The year 1984 is reminded even today because of Sikh riots
and during the period I was in the Sagarpur area where there
were the maximum casualties. But we all remember the fatal day
of 6th November, 1984 when Behn Bimla, the elder sister of my
wife, passed away. She became the victim of the emergency
period and she breathed her last in Mool Chand Hospital. Her
whole body was swallon and became poisonous due to abdominal
problem. She was very much adorable and treated my wife as one
of her children. My children used to call her Behnji and not Mausi
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and only because of unforgettable love. That was really an
unbearable loss to the whole family including us. It was a great
setback to my wife because her elder sister used to support us
sometimes financially as well as morally. There was a true
attachment between the two sisters. We were to some extent
financially tight and because of this reason we sometimes led a
cat and dog life. Moreover, there was my mother’s attitude
towards her and my children, it was not cordial and smooth. And
above all my temperament was not cool, it was because of my
harsh nature and economically not sound. My circumstances
were responsible because there was no other source of income
except only one pay and all the children were school goers. Now I
realise that she was not contented from the heart of heart and
had migraine pain because of deep thinking and the existing
atmosphere. The behaviour of my two sisters, Raj and Krishna
and my Bhabi, Prithvi’s wife and above all my mother, was not
satisfactory to her and she often grumbled me about them but I
generally paid her no heed and she became thoughtful and
pensive. She was over burdened with homely works but she faced
well and everything went on smoothly.
1984 year was important for Shivendra’s first board
examination, his 10th class but despite our efforts, his result was
not to the mark and he got poor second class marks. His result in
Maths and Science was third class but got good marks in English,
Hindi and Social Sciences i.e. my subjects. When enquired he put
all the blames on Mr. Iqbal Singh, my personally known teacher
and his tutor of Maths and Science. He concealed the facts and I
started him beating and that was the first time I gave him
punishment. Anyhow he got the admission in Maths, Science
Group B, Medical faculty, class XI and it was out of the way and
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my friend B.K. Nain’s efforts and latest eligibility rules. But I took
great concern in his XI class studies and he became serious and
responsible and his constant efforts bore fruit in XII Board
examination. His XII class teacher, Mr. Nijhawan was a friend of
me and he took much interest in his studies and with the result
he topped in his Medical Group getting distinctions in three
subjects. We both were puffed with joy finding his twelfth class
result. In the year 1985 when I was in Patel Nagar, School no. 3
for sometime say about six months we were sifted to Pushp Vihar,
Saket, I was allotted Delhi Govt. Flat No. 507, Sector –V and my
children got admission in Andrews Ganj School, and our
Janakpuri house was locked and it was difficult for me to come
and go from Pushp Vihar and Patel Nagar. Anyhow she did not
lose patience and cooperated me at every step. That house was
not sufficient for our family and my mother was also with us and
sometimes petty quarrels within our family went on. My family
was not happy at all in the circumstances and I had to surrender
the Govt. accommodation to the Deptt. And we all came back to
our Janakpuri house and heaved a sigh of relief.
The year 1986 was very important to our family and it was
full of events, good less and bad more. Sweety, my niece was
engaged with Vinay her cousin and we all attended the ceremony.
But we could not attend the wedding because I got heart attack
for the second time. I got down on the floor from my bed at night
and my blood pressure suddenly fell and it was 70 from the
higher side and 40 from the lower. It was very dangerous and Dr.
R.K. Ahuja of C3 was called in and due to his medicine, I
recovered from the ailment. So, in the present circumstances we
could not participate in the marriage ceremony. But my brother
and his wife, Pushpa in particular felt it so much that we were
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not in good relations for pretty a long time. My wife understood
well and realised the position but the members of my brother
family blamed us. To some extent my cousin Jeet and brother in
law Prakash, Raj’s husband were responsible and they had given
them the wrong reports against us. During the period, Monika my
daughter cleared her X class examination and Sonika, the
younger one passed 8th class. They both were average students in
studies but active in dance and music. Monika took part in music
programme at Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium, Pt. Ravi Shanker’s
Programme and got award too. They both used to participate in
all the school activities but in studies they were mediocres.
1986 proved to be bad because in the month of March, my
mother in law, Biji was no more and she died on the day when
Shivendra’s board examination Paper Physics was conducted.
Imagine, our family’s position and moreover Biji’s family were
living in C3, the walkable distance to us. She had to struggle
much but due to her will power, we came across all the
difficulties. During the occasion, the relations of the sisters,
brothers and their wives were not properly well but my wife
found no problem at all and her relations with them were cordial
even the last day. Chander, her elder sister, being the sensitive
could not properly adjust with the circumstances while she faced
no problem.
My children were on adolescence period and my mother
also wanted a separate room and the accommodation was not
sufficient to our family. Moreover, the flat was in the middle,
neither floor nor ceiling. The upper storey neighbour Mr.
Bhatnagar’s family was not cooperative to us and they often used
to disturb us and quarrel over trifles. Their two children tried to
harm us and the family did not allow us to go to the ceiling to
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check our water tank thinking it personal. And above all there
was always foul smell of sewer and the noise of bus stop. Anyhow
the circumstances compelled us to shift the house and luckily
there was a single – storey flat near the vicinity. We disposed the
house in the amount Rs. 1,70,000/- (one lakh and seventy
thousand) and purchased the new house in Rs. 2,30,000/-
(Rupees Two lakh Thirty thousand) through Mr. Trehan, the
property dealer. But later on we found that it was a disputed
property. We got possession of the house with great difficulty and
before Diwali in the year 1986 we shifted to C5A-145, Janakpuri.
It was a good house on the nice location, near the market and
mandir and a sun facing one. We all were happy to find the new
house and my wife lit the earthen lamps and worshipped the
Diwali festival with pomp and show. My mother got relief on
finding the separate portion for her. We made some alterations
and extensions of the house taking loan from the bank and chit
fund. Our financial position was very tight but she used to
encourage me through thick and thin and never lost patience. It
was a far better house than the previus one because there was
enough scope to extend the house. My children were very happy
to find themselves in a good company. Now Monika was in XI
class taking Arts subjecs with Economics and Pol. Science and
Sonika was in 9th class English medium, Shivendra had cleared
his twelfth science Group B i.e. Bio-Botany, Physics and
Chemistry. We both wanted him to be a Doctor and for this I went
to Rohtak and Fazilaka to get domicile certificate and with great
pursuation and efforts I got it from Fazilka. He took medical
examination from various universities but luck did not favour
him. Delhi Directorate sent him to Hyderabad for fishery and
Drug Inspector Course and I also accompanied him but there was
a strike period in the Usmania University and the authorities told
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us to come in the month of Sept. But he was not interested to join
for engineering medical and any other course except B.Sc.
Botany group. So we both agreed and he took admission in
Botany group at Shivaji College in the month of August, 1986. He
had already told us that he did not wish to become an Engineer
nor doctor but become Doctor in Science Faculty. Our children
were not good at Maths and opted for Arts. Shivendra was happy
to get his Choicest Group of Botany (Hons.) and we both and our
mother all were happay that he would be at Delhi and remain at
home before our eyes. He did his B.Sc. in three years and stood
third in the whole of the city. He had made friends with Santosh
Rawat, Popli, Dinesh, Sunita, Shanti, Suresh, Ranjana etc. and
they all used to come in our home and my wife felt happy to serve
them with hot and cold drinks. She was very much hospitable and
offered to eat whatever she found available at home. Similarly
Monika and Sonika had their friends circle and they also used to
come our house frequently. Monika was fond to cooking and she
was perfect in making Bread Pakora and Besan Barfi and Special
Tea. Shivendra’s friends, her own friends and our neighbours
particularly Mrs. Sareen and Mrs. Gulati often came to our house
and all of them used to speak high of Monika’s and wife’s
hospitability.
Time passed on swiftly and the day came when we started
our new Academy in the name of K.B. Academy on 10th October,
1988 on 1st Floor with five sheds providing all teaching furniture
and other relevant materials. K.B. name was suggested by my
friend Mr. Raj of Pitam Pura. He was expert in Astrology and told
us that “K” being common n all our names and “B” for Bajaj and
we both readily agreed to him and started working. I was at
Sarvodya School, Distt. Centre, Vikaspuri and remained there till
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my retirement in the year 1999, and my wife and my first two
children Shivendra and Monika supported me too much. She was
all in all in-charge of the institution and whatever she decided,
she did. She was completely busy from morn till night, rather
over burdened and took no time in her health. Ours was the first
academy in the whole of C block, Janakpuri and the students
sometimes used to come from distant areas. Being a Govt.
employee, I could not come to the front in the matters of the
academy, so she used to collect the fees and manage everything.
It was difficult for her to control over he teachers and students
and sometimes she became furious and irritable. Academy work
was a great burden to her and she found no time for her health.
Shivendra and Monika were helping hands for me in teaching and
she was performing well in administration. My mother and
Sonika remained at home in the ground floor doing domestic
work. The time came when all my three children had to appear
for final examinations. Shivendra was doing B.Sc. Botany (final)
Monika was appearing in Twelfth Board examination while
Sonika was taking the 10th class Board examination, so everyone
was busy in their studies and did not waste their time in going
outside of the house. That was why our children succeeded in
flying colours and did not create any problem for their higher
education. Shivendra joined for M.Sc. (Genetics), Monika got
admission in B.A. regular from Gargi College and Sonika in 11th
class from Rajouri Garden Sarvodya School. Thus there was no
big problem for their higher education and that was only because
of my wife’s strong base imparted to them. And upto twelfth class
education was my responsibility being in the same department of
eduation.
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During this period an uncommon incident happened which
gave trouble to my wife and that was the allegation of theft made
by Ved and Shashi for stealing golden ornaments from their
house at Biji’s time. We both were shocked to find the police
officers at our doorstep and they started searching out our house
and made many queries. It was a great slur on the part of
brother-Sister relationship. Really, it was amazing and painful to
both of us. Later on it was found that it was nothing but their own
internal matter. Her fault was only to meet her mother, Biji in the
afternoon during their absence because they both were office
goers and she was to look after Biji’s requirements. But Thank
God, the relations remained amicable and the credit went to
Darshi’s greatness.
Our academy responded well and the students started
coming in groups. We all were serious to their need and we
provided them the teacher efficient in their subjects. We had won
the name and fame particularly in PCMB i.e. Physics, Chemistry,
Maths and Biology and were recognized the utmost in the
Janakpuri vicinity. By the time many new coaching centres
started and it was the period of competition and year by year the
students started decreasing.
In the year 1990, Shivendra was studying in South Campus,
Dhaula Kuan, doing M.Sc. (Genetics) in the final year, Monika
was busy in college studies and Sonika in Class XI, from Rajouri
Garden school in the vocational group with health and beauty
culture. Shivandera was getting stipend from the University and
was not dependable to us in his higher studies while Monika and
Sonika had to spend much money from my income. Sonika’s
vocational course was very much expensive and Monika, being a
collegian spent lavishly and above all my mother’s nature and the
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burden of Academy work, all the circumstances had made her
temperament high. Moreover, I could not have the time on
domestic affairs being over busy in school duty, tuition work and
academy teaching and extra curricular work.
Sunita, Shivendras’s classmate in Genetics often came to
our house and started working at home like a family member and
was very affectionate to my mother. My mother used to tell us
about here becoming daughter-in-law and her prediction proved
to be true. Shivendra and Sunita had been co-students
continuously for eight years right from B.Sc. to Phd. Shivendra
had told us much about Sunita’s qualities of head and sharp
intellect. We didn’t know why he was telling and praising a lot at
that time. My wife was not much impressed by here talents and I
wanted a Punjabi girl from my circle. Anyhow our views were
almost similar about Shivendra’s would be life partner. Moreover,
they both were too young to be married. Monika had cleared here
graduation while Sonika passed here twelfth class in the year
1991. They both were ahead in their studies by one year to their
age. Monika had much inclination in computer study, while
Sonika preferred to join some professional course and they did to
their choice.
The year 1993 proved to be ill-omened for many reasons.
My health was deterioting as I had already suffered two hearth
attacks. On March 9, all of a sudden my blood pressure rose high
and we both went to C4E Mkt. and took some snacks in the
evening. At night 11 PM I felt unwell and had the problem of
breathing. Then suddenly vomiting started and there was blood
from my mouth on the bed and the floor. My family was shocked
and Dr. V.N. Verma was called in. My wife did not lsoe heart and
strengthened me a lot. The doctor injected me and gave the
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sleeping pill. In the morning, my wife took me to the Kartik Clinic
for my check up. Dr. Usha Shridhar, the heart specialist
examined me, called for the ambulance immediately and sent me
to G.B. Pant Hospital. She had come to know that it was a major
heart attack and did the wise step. In the hospital, my
angiography was done and found that all the three arteries were
blocked and advised us to go for Bye-Pass Surgery. My wife and
my son understood the situation and brought me to home. Then
they consulted to other doctors and sought their opinions. They
both came to know that AIIMS was the best hospital and Dr.
Venugopal was the unique in this respect. But he used to take the
referred cases and for this Shivendra’s friends helped a lot and
got the recommendation of Dr. H.D. Kaul, the head of Anesthesia
Deptt. Now the financial problem raised and how to arrange for
Rs. One lakh, was the major issue. It was all due to my wife’s
efforts and she collected Rs. Twenty thousand each form her
relatives say Mr. B.R. Bajaj, Ved, Shashi and Chander. The day
and date was fixed for my admission and operation. My wife had
a firm faith in God and having a strong will power and patience
she bade me bye standing outside of the Operation Theatre. From
13th April to 20th April, 93, I remained in the hospital for my
treatment. The operation was successful, blockage of cholesterol
was removed, and bye-pass surgery was done by Dr. Venugopal.
I was discharged from the hospital with some precautions
and diet chart. The doctor advised me to keep away from curry,
worry and hurry. But at the same time I had become a victim of
blood sugar. All of her relatives and Shivendra’s friends helped
me financially and blood collection respectively. How could I
repay their gratitude!
-17
My mother was so shocked that she could not recover from
the illness. It was a difficult period for my wife to handle such a
situation. My doctor strictly advised me to take bed rest at least
for two months, it being an infectious disease. My mother was
physically and mentally ill and became victim of indigestion.
Krishal Lal, the husband of younger sister Krishna, came and
brought my mother to my brother’s house at Patel Nagar. And
there she could not recover her health and here condition was
deterioting day by day. Probably she was not given the proper
treatment. Moreover, there was an age factor, being weak and
pale. At the age of 78, she passed away on 1st August, 1993 at
Baljeet Nagar, my brother Prithvi Raj’s house. It was all a matter
of chance that my mother lived with us for the whole of life, after
my father’s death but breathed her last at my brother’s home. It
was a shocking incident for all of us and we, the whole family
stayed there till the last rites. Not caring of my health, I took part
in all the ceremonies from first to last and my wife also was
beside me. Coming and going from Janakpuri to Patel Nagar with
family was a daily feature and she did not hesitate and co-
operated well.
Sonika had completed the Marketing and Management
Course from South Extension and luckily got the job on the day
when my mother died. She joined for Hero Honda Groups at
Nehru Place, in the administrative wing getting good salary at
the beginning. She proved to be a supporting hand for the family
and used to spend all her salary in decorating the house. At that
time, she was hardly 19, a working hand to us. Her income was
taken as an addition to the family and making dowry items for
Monika’s marriage. Monika had joined Computer classes from
NIIT, Raja Garden after graduation. She was doing three year
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course as a programmers in Hardware and side by side B.Ed. frm
Anna Malai University. She completed her B.Ed. and got the
degree in 1994. My friend, R.K. Gupta of Gagan Bharti School,
helped much in practical exams. So Monika, was fit for teaching
and computer programme job and this was a great achievement
for her. The year 1993 was a significant because it was the year
of our Silver Jubilee wedding anniversary to be held on 1st
October. On this auspicious day our children celebrated the
festivity at home and for us it was a gala day. All of us enjoyed
the day with outing, seeing movie and the dinner at some
restaurant. Our children gave us the small gifts while Shivendra
presented Titan Wrist Watches, both of us and they were costly
and good looking. Otherwise, every year on this day we all of us
used to go for movie and had the dinner or snacks at some
restaurant. I was fond of movies and outing and the same habit I
had developed in her and the family. Our neighbours and
relatives felt jealous and sometimes they used to say before us
not to waste money over these things but we turned deaf ear to
them.
In the year 1994, Shivendra was doing Ph.D. in Genetics,
Monika was in service of Computer at Karol Bagh and Sonika had
joined Whirlpool at Naraina. Monika was at the marriageable age
and this was a great tension for us. We wanted a suitable match
for her and for that we gave an advertisement in the matrimonial
column of H. Times. And there was a good response from the
paper ad we started further verifications. We both had a much
struggle and left no corner of Delhi for about one and half year.
Moreover we went many matrimonial centres running at Temples
and Arya Samaj Bhawans. At last, our efforts bore fruit and we
had found the suitable match at Nimri Colony and he was
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selected the best of all Sandeep and Monika were taken to be the
Choicest Couple and the further customary traditions started. At
that time, Sandeep was at Jhansi working as an Accounts Officer
in BHEL, Govt. undertaking Concern.
Their engagement was ceremonised at Swagat Banquet, BI,
Janakpuri and there was the gathering of almost hundred people
from both the sides. It was the first and foremost happy occasion
in our family and my wife was profusely happy and over-excited.
On the occasion, the marriage date was fixed and it was 6 th
September, 96. Being the first marriage at home, we had to
arrange many things and we did systematically. I collected money
from my GPF, savings and homely deposits. We spent a lot on this
marriage and beyond our expectations. Each and every
neighbour and relative was surprised to see such a wedding. It
was the best one from all angles. And on the marriage occasion of
my daughter, my wife looked to be extremely beautiful and to
look at her, some the ladies of our family felt envious and paid
comments at her face. How could I forget such satirical remarks!
Almost five hundred people graced the occasion and all of our
relatives attended it. Sunita and her parents were also invited
and they also appreciated the arrangements.
There was an offer made by Rockfeller Foundation, USA to
Shivendra for Post Doctorate in Plant Molecular and he had
already accepted it. Moreover Shivendra and Sunita had come
close together that only a marriage was the best solution. Though
we both were reluctant and I wanted the girl from my family but
we had to accept their will. And it was the right decision to get
them married before leaving for USA.
11th December, 96 was fixed for their marriage but there
was the short period. To collect money was a great problem but
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some or how the other, the arrangement was done and within
three months, we had to perform the marriage function of our
son. Being the only son of our family, we wanted to ceremonise
the marriage descently, but the time was too early to cherish.
Anyhow the marriage was functioned with both the customs and
traditions of Punjabi and Bengali. It was performed at Palam,
Banquet Hall with Vegetarian and Non-Vegetarian meals
separately and everyone enjoyed it. We both were happy that
ultimately they had bound together and before their departure to
USA. After the marriage on 10th January’97, it was very cold and
chilly. On the way back to our home from Palam, my wife felt cold
and fever and in the morning she had to take the medicine from
Kartik Clinic. She got well soon but the weakness persisted.
Anyhow she was internally happy and relaxed because within
three months, two marriages had conducted decently. It was not
a Child’s play and everyone wondered particularly the ladies from
our families.
Our Academy work continued but it was the period of
Competition being opened new coaching centres in our vicinity.
Shivendra had made up mind to leave for USA for Post – Doctrate
studies and on the basis of earning while learning. We felt no
objection and ultimately Shivendra and Sunita left for Ithaca,
USA for three years period. Monika and Sandeep were at Jhansi
and we three, including Sonika felt loneliness. Depression started
to my wife feeling loneliness. She took it to heart, how it all
happened. She could not tolerate their departure to America and
the neighbours also teased her saying the only son had deserted
us at the age. We were helpless and they went to America on 30 th
June, 1997.
Before Shivendra’s marriage on 11th Dec’96 and Monika’s
on 6th Sept ’96, we had already attended the marriage of my
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sister’s son Manoj and her sister’s son Manoj and she had no
problem at all. But on the marriage of Sonia, my sister’s
daughter, my wife did not feel well and we could not attend the
wedding. On October’97 she underwent cataract operation and it
was operated by Dr. Thadani at Tilak Nagar. It was successful
and she felt relief. We were feeling alone as both Shivendra and
Monika had gone to different places. But we three including
Sonika were leading peaceful happy life. Moreover our academy
was going well but not like that of the previous state. Even then
we were getting and gaining.
On 20th November’97, we got very good news that we had
become grand parents and we named the girl Srishti. Luckily the
name was also suggested by Sunita’s parents. Being summer
vacation, I was free and I had been to Jhansi, Monika’s house
from 7th May to 13th May. While my wife and Sonika remained at
home and found no problem.
On 30th October, 1998, the marriage of Sonika and Dheeraj was
fixed and it was celebrated at MCD Banquet Hall, C2B, Janakpuri.
It was newly constructed building and ground and First floor both
were booked for the occasion. Shivendra, Sunita and Srishti had
already come from USA. The function was attended by almost all
the VIPs of Janakpuri aera and Prof. Jagdish Mukhi, the MLA, was
also present there. My wife was over joyed to see such a great
and grand gentry. After the marriage celebrity, Shivendra went
back to USA all alone and Sunita and Srishti stayed with us till
20th Nov 1998 after celebrating her Ist Happy Birthday. The birth
day of srishti was performed descently. It was like a marriage day
celebration and everyone was surprised to look at the nice
arrangement.
In the month of Sept’98 we had stopped Academy work
because the number of students were decreasing. We could not
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pay proper attention to the work because of Sonika’s marriage.
My wife was fed up with the monotonous routine and her health
did not allow to do such an additional work. Moreover it was not
a profitable work to continue. To wind up the Academy was taken
to be a wise step.
My wife’s health got down in Feb’99 for a lady trouble. Her
overy and uterus were removed from Kartik Clinic but she got not
a permanent relief. Then it was tested from Verma’s Laboratory
and found some symptoms of early Cancer. Lady Dr. Sunita of
Noble Medicos, C2B suggested us to go for the treatment from
AIIMS. But first of all we went to Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute,
Rohini and my wife got the treatment from lady Dr. Kataria, the
RT head and got many tests from there but could not continue
because of the doctor’s harsh temperament. So we then went to
AIIMS and started their treatment. In March’99, she underwent
Radiotherapy for the first time and it continued for 27 times till
June’99. After RT strong doses then she was given Sorbio. She
was put on heavy Electric Machine in a special room and its
connection was from outside given by the doctor. She had a firm
will power and tolerated everything. During the process Sonika
and Dheeraj and sometimes Monika also helped us and I
remained with her day in and day out.
In the middle of June’99, Shivendra alongwith his family had
come back to India for good from the States. He got the Job in
Monsanto Company through America with all the comforts like
accommodation, Vehicle, Laptop, Telephone, Mobile and Medical
LTC etc. On 24th June’99 Shivendra took both of us and my
brother Prithvi Raj and his wife to Jaipur to attend my brother in
law Prakash’s death Ceremony. My wife was not feeling well but
realized the situation and accompanied. After RT and Sorbio, She
felt some relief from her ailment but check up from time to time
-23
continued. In the month of July’99, we shifted from C5A to BI-
573, Janakpuri on the rent of Rs. 8000/- per month through
Shivendra’s Company deed agreement for eleven months. We all
were happy living together in a new five room set and my wife
and Sunita faced no problem.
On 31st October’99, I was retired from School, Shivendra
and Sunita took me to home and there at home it was a great
celebrity. The arrangement of Tent and Halwai was already done.
More then a hundred people were invited and almost all our
relatives, neighbours and friends attended the function. My wife
was beautified like a newly wedded bride and she gadlanded me
on the front gate welcoming us. It was really a good scan to look
at! The unforgettable memory is still with us in the shape of
photos. On my retirement I got nearly about 5.25 Lacs and the
Construction work at C5A-145 house started on 10th October’99.
We got the loan of 4.5 Lacs from H.D.F.C. for the house extension
and spent more than 10 Lakhs on the three floor building. We
both used to go to the house in the morning and come back at
night. And the process continued till May ending 2000. Had she
not been supporting hand, I would not have completed such a
nice building. The credit hundred percent went to her.
On 15th December 1999, Sherya Sonika’s daughter was born and
we the whole family went to Ghaziabd at Nagar Hospital. Srishti,
our grand daughter felt overjoyed to see her new sister and same
was the position of all of us. My wife performed all the Customary
rituals on the arrival of new babe. Shivendra and Sunita
accompanied us too. During construction work on 25th March
2000. I again got a mild heart attack and my wife accompanied
by Sunita and Mr. Gulati took me at Amar Leela Hospital, BI
Janakpuri for treatment and she stayed with me for a week day in
and day out.
-24
On 1st May,2000. Monika’s son Daksh got birth at Jeevodya
Hospital, Ashok Vihar and on the occasion Shivendra and Sunita
did a great job for them. On 21st May 2000. We all attended the
function and party hosted by Sandeep’s parents at Rani Bagh
Banquet and there too my wife performed the traditional customs
by presenting golden chain to the newly born male child.
On 28th May, 2000 we did Greh Pravesh at our own home with a
small gathering. On the auspicious occasion, the Havan pooja
was performed by us attended by Shivendra, Monika, Sonika and
their families. My wife was very happy looking at the three
storeyed newly constructed home and we all shared to her.
Lease finished from BI-573 and on 19th June 2000 we shifted to
our own home through Aggarwal movers. IInd Floor house was
given on lease to Syndicate Bank employee from Ist July for three
years. In the month of Sept.2000, my wife got the same lady
trouble and was admitted to AIIMS in RCHS Ward and remained
there for thirty five days upto Oct.2000. She got little bit relief
and was released by the Hospital. In Nov’2000 REKI treatment
was given by Dr. Narula at Satya NIketan and from December
2000 to March 2001 another treatment was done by Dr. Mrs.
Chopra at Green Park, but she was not completely cured. An
Ayurvedic treatment was started by Dr. Qadri of Patte Wali
Masjid at Nizamuddin and then she was given Homeopathic
treatment for three months by Tibetan Institute, Nizamuddin, and
got some improvement except the trouble of Homo Globin.
In the month of December Sunita got the job in Park Royal Hotel
as a Hygiene Manager, with good post and salary and she got us
visiting to Five Star Hotels. In the month of March’2001,
Namrata, the maid servant joined us and she gave us much
comforts in cleaning the house and preparing the meals too. We
were on the ground floor while Shivendra’s family was living at
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First Floor and the Kitchen was also on the First floor. From April
20 to May 2001, we both went to Jhansi, Monika’s house and
attended Daksh’s Ist year Birth Day Ceremony. She did a lot of
work there in the field of sanitation and setting things right at
right place and then came back. On May 3 and 4 we were busy to
attend the weddings of my Cousin Harish’s and Davendra’s sons.
Then in June, 2001 we also attended the marriage function of my
cousin Krishan Lals’ daughter at Delhi Cantt. Banquet Hall. We
always tried not to miss any function of our family. In the month
of June ending, I got the same trouble of heart and the treatment
was done by the famous cardiologist Dr. Karoli, but I got
temporarily relief and from July 15 to 21st. I had been admitted to
Saroj Hospital under the treatment of Dr. Natrajan. At everytime
in the hospital, my wife helped and nursed me well and similarly I
used to stay with her on such occasions.
Around 15th August 2001, my elder sister Raj came to our home
from Jaipur and met us only for ten minutes and my wife
welcomed her with open arms. On 31st August, 2001 we came to
know my sister Raj was no more and Shivendra took us including
my brother, his wife to Jaipur in his car. We all attended the
death ceremony function and came back in Shivendra’s car.
Indeed, it was a great loss to the family. On 12th September 2001,
Shivendra, Sunita and Srishti left for Mumbai and go for LTC
tour for ten days and came back on 23rd Sept. And on 24th Sept.
the Monday I alongwith my wife went to AIIMS for her routine
check up.
On January 11, 2002 the angiography of my heart occurred at
AIIMS Hospital and during the process, chest pain started and I
was admitted there for two days and then released on 14th
January, 2002. The film showed that two atteries had almost
completely blocked and the third was 25% working and the Dr.
-26
M.L. Talwar suggested for IInd Byepass Surgery. My wife and the
members of my family also recommended and the preparations
started. The money and blood was arranged and I was admitted
there in a Pvt. Ward on 5th Feb. 2002. On 19th February, the
operation was done and it was the successful one and was
released on 28th Feb 2002. Shivendra, Sunita and my wife did so
contribution that my life was saved for the IInd time. She had a
strong will power and blind faith in God. By the end of March,
Shivendra had decided to leave for New Zealand and we felt no
objection. On 31st March Monika’s family had come to see off
Shivendra’s family. On the night of 15th April, 2002, Shivendra,
Sunita and Shrishti flew off for Auckland, N.Z. We were left all
alone and had started Chaliswa from 9th April to 18th May, 2002.
It was our daily routine to go to Mata Santoshi Temple, Hari
Nagar for the said period. It proved to be successful and no
hurdle came during the interval. On 22nd April Monika alongwith
her family had gone to Jhansi because Daksh 2nd Birthday was
drawing near to be held on Ist May. The Hemoglobin of my wife
was low and she had to be admitted in Kartik clinic on 25 th April.
There she was given two bottled of blood and four injections of
Glucose. And she got recovery very soon. Namrata, the maid left
our house and at the time of departure she was given Rs. 5500/-
alongwith railway ticket etc.
From Ist May 2002 the Ground floor was rented out to Mr.
Johnson, the Syndicate Bank employee and from Ist June, the IInd
floor was vacated. On IInd May, we attended Neelam’s of Saket
son marriage at Batra Banquet Hall, Naraina. On 24th May,
Dheeraj’s uncle M.K. Khanna expired at Vikas Kunj and we both
attended the condolence meeting at their house. On 25th May’
2002 there was a routine check ups of my heart problem at
AIIMS and they did not judge of my jaundice fever. We could not
-27
attend Sandeep’s Cousin Marriage on 30th May 2002 at
Pitampura. On 31st May 2002. I had been to Dr. Verma’s
Laboratory for blood test ands on Ist June, it was recognized and
found Jaundice by Dr. Usha Kartik. It was blood infected
Hypertide B which was very dangerous and my wife had already
alarmed me and since then at least for a month I remained on
bed rest and weekly check up continued. My wife was always ay
my service day and night. On Monika;s Birthday, Sonika, Dheeraj
and Shreya went to Jhansi on 23rd June, morning by Shtabdi
express and stayed with them for a couple of days. On Ist May
2002 G.floor was rented to Mr. Johnsons, the Chief Manager,
Syndicate Bank and on 2nd June, the 2nd floor tenant Mr. Abdul
left the house and transferred to Vijaywada and since then the
portion left vacant. In the mean time my wife was admitted to
Kartik Nursing Home for six times i.e. 1st May, 5th May, 7th May,
31st May, 11th July and 30th July for her stomach problem and her
Homoglobin was 8.2. In weakness, she was doing all homely
activities. My jaundice was completely recovered on 12th August
2002. During the period we both were patients sitting at home all
alone. Such hard days we spent in the absence of Shivendra’s
family. But his calls and letters we used to receive every week.
Monika and her family came to us on 11th Sept. 2002 and stayed
with us for a week. On 14th Sept 2002 the Saturday, “Mata Di
Chowki” was performed at our home and all the relatives nearly
70 attended the function. It was conducted because of my
recovery from Bye pass Surgery and the family welfare.
Everything did well and we were showered blessings by Mata
Vaishno Devi and the Kirtan Mandli. On 27th Sept 2002 we went
to Shakti Vihar to attend the Uthavni ceremony of Chander’s, her
sister mother in law. On 28th Sept. we went to Wellington
Hospital to enquire about Monika’s father in law’s health who
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was hospitalized there because of heart problem. On 12th
Oct’2002 we left for Jhansi and remained there at Monika’s house
for about a week and there we attended the Dushera festival at
BHEL Colony on 14th October and enjoyed the period in sight
seeing places. On 19th October 2002 we came back to Delhi and
celebrated the Diwali festival on 4th November 2002. She used to
put the first earthen lamp at DESU Colony Temple. We
celebrated the function at night but without any family member.
-29
On 25th December 2002 we both went to Ghaziabad to
attend Shreya’s birth day and all of us enjoyed the festivity
merrily. It was attended by more then 30 children and my wife
was overjoyed but missing Srishti much. On 13th January, it was
Lohri festival, Punjabi’s great day and Sunita’s parents visited
our home and we exchanged words of thanks to each other. The
whole month it was cold and for the first time it was the coldest
one after 40 years and January 2003 would be remembered as
the chilly coldest Month. She could not tolerate extreme cold and
hot weathers. On 17th January 2003 Ved’s mother-in-law expired
and I alone attended the Uthavni Ceremony at Shiv Puri. while
she remained at home, being very cold evening. A good news for
all that on 25th January 2003, Sandeep was transferred to Delhi
from Jhansi and Monika’s family stayed with us at our home. A
sad news occurred on 3rd Feb 2003 that Sonika’s father in law Sh.
D.N. Khanna expired, and the Uthanvi Ceremony was on 14th Feb
2003 and we were present there on both the occasions. It was a
great setback to Dheeraj and his family. On January 27, 2003 we
received the sponsership letter sent by Shivendra and on 5th
Feb’03 we submitted our application for getting Visa in the
Embassy of New Zealand and on Monday, the 10th Feb, we
collected it from there and started packing. On 21st Feb’2003 I
had been to AIIMS for my routine check up. But on the next day
the 22nd Feb I was feeling unwell because of cough cold and fever
and till March 2nd. I was not in normal health. On March Ist, the
Saturday, the Shiv Ratri day, Dheeraj Family including his
mother, brother, bhabhi, Sonika and their children came to our
house on Phera and my wife did all the arrangements and left no
stone unturned to welcome and entertain them with a heavy
lunch. Monika also helped her in Kitchen work. On 18th March,
the Holi Festival, we attended the function at P&R.P. Association,
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BI Janakpuri and we were also busy to leave for New Zealand. on
28th March for six months. On 26th march, Prithvi Raj, my brother
alongwith his wife and Praveen Chawla, his son in law came to
our house to see us off and Sham Lal alongwith his daughter too
came to us.
Our preparations were complete and on 28th March at 5:30
A.M. Our aeroplane boarded for Hong Kong and then to Auckland
landed at 11 a.m. on 29th March 2003. Shivendra and his family
were waiting for us anxiously and they welcomed us and took us
to home. The same evening we went to Hare Ram Hare Krishan
temple and at night we attended one Indian Family child birthday
party. On Sunday the 14th April, we again went to Hare Ram Hare
Krishan Temple and the Big Flee Market like Janakpuri Saturday
Mkt. and had the lunch in the temple. We were glad to meet
some Indian families there and most of them were Gujraties,
Bengalies and Punjabis. We ceremonised there Ashtami at home
and Halva Puri were prepared by my wife and Sunita and served
to Kanjakas. On 19th April, the Saturday there was a Bar-Be-Que
Programme at our house and it was a good gathering of say
about 30 persons known to Shivendra and Sunita and they all
wished us with Indian Style. On 3rd May the Saturday we spent
our time in attending Rabindranath Tagores Jayanti in some big
hall. There was a great and grand cultural programme in which
our grand daughter Srishti took part in dancing. On 4th and 5th
May we had been to Rotorna and Tapuhs, the cities of hot spring
water and there the Maoris were in abundant, and both the cities
were important for resort and lake. On 12th May we went to
Sunita’s library in the University of Auckland, the world fame and
spent there much time in seeing and had there heavy breakfast.
On 17th May we went to Waitkere Sr. Citizens Association
and met there Fiji Indians presided by Nalini D. Chandra and Mr.
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Naidu. They appreciated my views on Yoga and day to day Indian
politics. On 24th the Saturday we attended the meeting of Annual
Day Sr. Citizens Indian Association representative and met Mr.
Ashraf Choudhary, the member of Parliament Indians
representative, belonging to Sialkot living in New Zealand for the
last 27 years and we discussed with him to get permanent Visa
and gave him the application later on. It was a nice cultural
programme attended by 200-250 Indians and met many
Shivendra’s friends too. On 25th the Sunday we all went to two
Gurudwras at Otahuhu and Papa Toetoe, calling Sikh temple, and
Dashmesh Darbar respectively and after bowing to the Almighty,
we took there heavy lunch. Our grand daughter, Srishti
accompanied by my wife was looking cheerful and Sunita took
there many snaps. On 2nd June, the Queen II Elizabeth 77th
Birthday, my wife, got stomach pain and she was hospitalized for
sometime and our son paid $52 at that moment. On 7th June, the
Saturday, Shivendra took all of us to a big cultural Shanti Nivas
Annual Day function. It was really a gala day where International
Countries participants performed the function organized by Mrs.
Indu Bajaj and we all met her after the show. On 8th the Sunday,
they all went to lady saloon and other Indian shops while I
remained at home busy in reading and writing work. On 10th
June, Sunita’s birthday, the Tuesday, we distributed the Prasad
and had a chat with Sonika, Monika and Dheeraj and Sandeep
and their children. We spent there time in watching T.V. Indian
Programmes and many movies. On 29th, June the Sunday we
again went to Dashmesh Darbar Gurudwara at Papa Toetoe and
spent there three hours and took there Guru ka Langar. On 30th
June, Monday, Mrs. and Mr. Grewal, my friend came to our home
at tea. On 1st, July we all had been to Ware House for shopping
and purchased a lot of clothes for Monika and Sonika and their
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families. And on the same day we got two news, one that Sonika
had cleared her English test and second that Monika purchased
computer set with camera, mike and had fixed A.C. in their car.
On 3rd, July, after lunch, my wife had got the stomach pain and
she had to be hospitalised and was given pain killer injection. It
was the second chance since we came to N.Z. On 2nd, we had
attended two programmes, one at Grewal’s house and the other
was at Mr. Shanker’s house and both were with heavy meals. On
5th, the Saturday we were invited to Mr. Chakerverty’s house on
dinner and on 6th, they all went to Hare Ram Krishna Temple
while I stayed at home and the 6th July on Sunday was the coldest
night and the temperature was 3 degrees.
On 12th July, Shivendra’s birthday, we celebrated it at Mt.
Roskell’s Hall by giving a heavy dinner to around 70 persons and
each and every veg and non-veg items were prepared by Sunita
and my wife helped her a little bit. On 13th the Sunday, there was
a Satya Narain Katha at our home and it was celebrated very
piously, Prasad and heavy breakfast was served to nearly 40
persons and on this day one of Shivendra’s friend Mr.
Chakarverty, the palmist predicted about our future saying my
life was longer than my wife. On 21st, July, it was the day of
Srishti’s Operation of ear which took half an hour and we all were
standing outside the operation theatre and my wife felt nervous
but it was successful and we all returned home thanking God.
Our home at Henderson was quite near to the hospital and on
walking distance. On 26th, July, the Saturday, we had been to
“Sky Tower” the biggest centre for theatre, Casino and
entertainments in Auckland and in the evening to Peninsula,
water from three sides, place and it only happened because of
Shivendra’s love to us, specially to his mother. On 6th, August, I
went to my class at Henderson Velley and on the way to Yoga
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Ashram run by the German Lady, Hridaykamal, the disciple of
Swami Maheshwar Anand. On 8th, my wife and my daughter-in-
law with Srishti, went to Mrs. Grewal’s hosue while I remained at
home. On 12th, the Tuesday, the Rakhi Day, the German Lady
whom I took as my elder sister tied Rakhi, sent by Monika and
Sonika on my wrist and I paid her some money. On 17th, August I
attended the programme at Civic Theatre, which was organized
by Indians to celebrate 56th Independence Day and the Prime
Minister, Madam Helen Clerk was the chief guest.
On 22nd, August, the Friday, a wonderful incident happened
at Shivendra’s house that a lady came to our house and my wife
at once recognized her telling here name Krishna. She became
wonder struck and they were friends together meeting after 35
years. They both were classmates and neighbours living at
Rajouri Garden and thus they hugged together. On 28th, August,
we were invited by Mrs. Krishna and her family to tea and her
husband Mr. Ram Pal Sharma became my close friend there and
on 30th, again we were invited by them on lunch. We stayed there
for four hours and did full justice to the lunch. Mrs. Ram pal and
my wife were close friends for ten years at Rajouri Garden. We
had to go to Wellington, the capital from 5th to 7th, Sept. but it
was dropped because my wife was not feeling well. Moreover, the
weather was not favourable and the gusty winds wee blowing and
it was raining too. On 13th, the Saturday, the lucky and auspicious
day for us because the German lady, Hriday Kamal and the group
were invited by us to hold the “Lady Satsang” to be sung by them
and the music party, the sacred hymns were sung. It looked like
heavenly day and all of us were blessed by the holy Sadhvi and
we served them the good dinner. On 18th, Sept. our tickets to go
back to India was confirmed. On Sunday the 21st, Sept. we had
been to Kelly Tarton’s Antarctic Encounter Underworld, very
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magnificient and worth seeing undersea world with the tickets of
$18 each, them to Balmore Temple for my parents Shrad
ceremony and then to Sri Krishan temple, all three places in one
day – a very busy day for five hours. On 22nd, the Monday we
were invited to Mr. Grewal’s house and on 23rd, we attended the
lunch party hosted by Mr. Rampal’s family and on the night my
wife got a little trouble of high pelpitation and chest pain. After
taking some medicine of heart, she took a sound sleep. During
the interval of six months, we saw 43 movies and the last one was
“Namaste London”. On 25th, the Tuesday, Shivendra and Sunita’s
friends Raj Da, Kar Da and Mr. Grewal’s family came to our
house to say Good Bye and it was the day of final packings. On
26th morning at 7 AM we left the house and the country and
completed all the formalities at Auckland Airport to get the
boarding ticket for Hongkong. Shivendra, Sunita and Shristi bade
us Good Bye with warm eyes.
We boarded the aeroplane for Hongkong and landed at 5.30
PM and then at standford Hillview Hotel at 8 PM. Sooner the
moment we entered the hotel lounge, my handbag kept on the
sofa beside my wife, was robbed, it contained cash, important
documents, insurance papers. Thank God, the tickets and Visas
were with me. We lodged the complaint of robbery at the police
station but all in vain. It was a bad night for us because we
suffered the loss of nearly Rs. 60,000/- and the papers also. On
27th evening, we got the boarding ticket with the help of Sri
Lankan Sindhi gentleman, boarded the aeroplane ultimately and
reached Delhi at 10 PM. At the airport, Monika, Sandeep, Sonika,
Dheeraj and their kids Daksh and Shreya were there to receive
us. We reached our home at 12 PM and came back with the
memories of six months spending at Auckland on 28th Sept at
home, we took rest and felt giddy, dreaming of New Zeeland and
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in the evening, we unpacked our luggage and handed over the
items to Monika, Sonika and their families. We felt happy when
they started triffling over the dresses because the dresses were
costly and not easily available in India, after feeling relaxed, we
started to live a normal life.
On 8th, we saw Dushera and celebrated Kanjak and Ram
Navmi festivities at home. On 10th Oct, we went to Sunita’s
parents house on the inauguration of their new home at Dwarka.
On 21st Oct., 03, I alongwith my wife went to AIIMS for my
routine checkup and got the next date too. On 23rd, Oct, 03 my
maternal uncle Lakh Raj expired and we both attended the last
rites ceremony. On 24th my wife’s elder sister Chander came to
our house and felt happy to see us in high spirits and felt jealousy
when Darshi talked of New Zeeland qualities. Actually there was
a great love between the two sisters. On 25th Oct, 03 there was a
great and grand Hindu festival, Diwali and we celebrated at our
home descently, went to temple and to Ved’s house too. Sandeep
and Monika came to us from Nimri Colony for a while and they
came back. On 26th Oct. we arrived at Connaught Place and there
Dheeraj came to pick up us for Ghaziabad and there we had to
stay for a week because they were to leave for Jabalpur to attend
Dheeraj’s cousin’s marriage. On 29th they came back and I
attended the marriage reception on the night but my wife could
not attend the function being unwell. On 30th Oct., 03 we came
back home after spending five days and on 31st Oct. I alone went
to Mama Lakh Raj’s Uthawni ceremony at Ram Mandir,
Safdarjung Enclave and met my sister, Krishna there. On 6th Nov.
03, we both went to Kailash Colony to attend Behn Bimla’s Death
anniversary and after having a light refreshment we came back
home and every year we used to attend the ceremony since
Behn’s death. On 14th Nov. the Friday we both went to Patel
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Nagar, to my brother’s house to give them some gifts and sweets
as a customary tradition.
On 25th Nov. night Sunita alongwith Srishti came to India
from New Zeeland for two months and stayed some time with us
and sometimes at her parents house, Dwarka. On 2nd Dec., 2003,
we all hired a taxi for Ghaziabad to Sonika’s House and Sunita
handed over some gifts to them. And on 3rd Dec. we again hired a
taxi for Nimri Colony, Monika’s house and we handed over some
items to them too. On 7th Dec. Monika and Sandeep shifted to
their own house at Sector XI, Rohni and left our home which they
had occupied during our absence. And on 16th we all including
Sunita and Srishti went to Monika’s house and spent there the
whole day and we both liked their newly constructed house
much. On 23rd December, we both went to Ghaziabad to attend
the function of Dheeraj’s father 1st Death anniversary. And then
again went to Sonika’s house on 28th and stayed there upto 2nd
January 04 after coming back on 3rd January, the Saturday, my
wife did not feel well at night she had to be admitted at Kartik
Nursing Home for stomach problem and vomiting, dysentery also
were added. From 1st to 4th Jan I was also not feeling well and
Suntia came from Dwarka and served us for three days but on
Saturday the troubled night there was none with us and we felt
lonely at that moment. She being unwell, I had to stay at home
and we both did not attend the function organized by my sister’s
grand sons arrival while Sunita, Monika and Sonika alongwith
their families attended at Panchsheel Banquet Hall on 8th
January, 04. On 11th the Sunday we all including Sonika’s family
went to Sunita’s parents home at Dwarka on lunch and it was my
wife’s choicest one. On 13th January the Lohri night, Sunita’s
parents visited our house and we all ceremonised the function
nicely but missed Shivendra’s absence. On 14th, the Makar
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Sankranti Day, the Leap Year also, after taking bath, performed
the rice and pulse ceremony and donated to the needy persons
alongwith other things and cash too. On 23rd Jan. we all went to
Panchsheel Club on Sh. B.R. Bajaj’s Diamond Jubilee Birth Day
alongwith Sunita and Srishti and on 24th they both mother and
daughter flew off to New Zeeland and via Bangkok and Australia
and reached Auckland on 26th Jan.
on 10th Feb. 2004, we went to AIIMS for my wife’s routine
checkup and on the way back to home, we went to my sister
Krishna’s house, Sarojini Nagar. On 17th Feb. Tuesday, we went
to janta X-ray, Tilak Nagar, for my wife’s CT Scan and luckily it
was the normal report. On 2nd, March 2004 it was a happy day
because Monika and Sonika both alongwith their families met
together after at least one month. One 7th March , the Dulhandi
Day after Holi we celebrated the function first at home, then
went to Ved’s home and in the evening we had a chat with
Shivendra and his family. On 9th March, my wife had an acute
abdominal pain and was admitted to Kartik Nursing Home and
then was discharged on the next day after her recovery. On 20th
Saturday we went to Deen Dayal Hospital as our medical Card for
the whole life had been issued from the Deptt. For our checkup
and got the medicine for a month and on the way back we
deposited Rs. 501/- annually to the Santoshi Mata Temple, Hari
Nagar. On 11th May Tuesday I purchased a new Mobile Nokia
worth Rs. 3570/- as the previous one was heavy and not of proper
use. On 17th May the Fair Deal Property Dealer, Gagan Arora
came to our home alongwith the party and handed over Rs.
10,000/- as the token money for the sale of ground floor and on
21st Mr. Ashok Kumar paid us Rs. 90,000/- as the earnest money.
On 27th June the Sunday night my wife got stomach pain and she
had to be admitted to Khastiger Nursing Home and on 28th she
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was discharged and this was the third time in a month. On 3rd
July, I went to DDU Hospital and asked about Mr. Ram Pal’s
Health as he had been admitted there because of some injuries
and Shivendra had asked me to do so. On 15th I was asked to
meet S. Samarjeet Singh, Beena’s father at Vikaspuri and on the
next day morning he came to us and we welcomed him with open
arms being our guest coming from New Zeeland. On 17th Monika
and Sonika both came to our home and they enjoyed a lot
because there was a great attraction of Tub Bath for Daksh and
Shreya and on the next day they went back to their respective
homes. From 13th August to 21st Sept. there was Chalisa at
Mandir performed by my wife. On 20th August there was an
agreement for the sale of 2nd floor with Mr. Sandeep Aggarwal
and Sonika alongwith her mother were ready for the deed while I
was reluctant but I had to agree with their consent. On 30th
August, 2004 it was the day of “Rakhi” and Monika, Sonika
alongwith their families came to our house and my wife felt
happiness to be found them at home. On 25th Sept. we went to
Patel Nagar to ask about Neelam’s Husband Praveen Chawla who
had undergone bye-pass surgery and there my wife gave some
instructions to Neelam and Praveen. On 15th Oct 01 according to
the family wishes I went to Distt. Centre, West Delhi Court to get
money from Sandeep Aggarwal for the 2nd floor registration. On
20th Sonika, alongwith my wife went to Karol Bagh for some
shopping and on the same evening, my wife had a stomach pain
and was injected by Sunita Sharma, the sister of Kartik Nursing
Home. On 21st Monika and Sonika alongwith their families came
to our house and they got some money from my wife as it was a
good omen because of the sale deed. On 22nd the Dushera Day
and there was a Greh Pravesh for Sandeep Aggarwal family and
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we both attended the celebrity and on 25th Oct. we also attended
the marriage function of Pinki’s daughter at Karol Bagh.
On 2nd November, the Tuesday, Shivendra alongwith Sunita
and Srishti came to India and stayed with us upto 25th Nov. and
celebrated Diwali festival on 12th Friday and it was an
unforgettable event to ceremonise the festival with full family.
My wife had a true affection with Shristi and felt overjoyed to see
celebrating the gala day merrily. On 3rd December, the Friday we
had been to Monika’s new home, sector 15, Arya Apartments. On
19th the Sunday we went first to Monika’s house and then to
Sonika for Shreya’s birthday at Ghaziabad. On 1st January, 2005
Saturday I went to P&RP Office BI Janakpuri and paid them the
cheque of Rs. 1000/- for the victims affected by the Tsunami
Waves in the Indian Ocean. From 8th to 20th we stayed at
Ghaziabad, Sonika’s house and spent there time happily. There
we went to Dheeraj’s sister house and Ram Nagar, Pandit Ji
house as my wife had a faith in Pandit Ji’s prophecy. From 2nd to
5th Feb, 2005 we went to Monika’s house as Sandeep was on
official tour to Indore. We used to stay with our daughter’s
houses whenever they needed and on 6th we went to Sonika’s
house as her mother in law had gone to Lucknow, her elder son.
From 5th March to 17th March, 05 I was on tour to Mumbai,
Nasik, Goa, Shirdi and Mahabaleshwar through P & RP
Association while my wife remained at Sonika’s house. On 22nd
March, Monika, Sonika and their families stayed with us and
spent two days and two nights. On 24th we went to P & RP
Association Office BB Mandir to celebrate Holi and there I
presented my hand written detailed programme of the 12 days
spented on the tour. On 29th March I got the sad news of the
demise of my newphew Vijay’s death at Jaipur and on 1st April, I
alongwith Krishan Lal, Krishna, Neelam, Nanda and Bharjai
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attended the uthawni ceremony at Jaipur but my wife being
unwell did not attend it. On 6th April for my wife’s tooth problem
and on 7th too we went to DDU hospital and on the way back to
Mata Vaishno Devi Temple, Hari Nagar, to deposit Rs. 501/- for
Nav Ratre. On 10th May, the Mother’s Day, my wife was overjoyed
to get the parcel containing a diamond earballs sent by Shivendra
and Sunita. On 15th Monika, Sonika alongwith their families
turned up to us to ask about my health as I remained unwell
because of infection for more than one month. On 17th May we
went to AIIMS for her check up and on the way we also went to
Safdarjung Enclave, my maternal uncle’s house.
On 22nd May at Monika’s house, there was a grand function
celebrated on Daksh Birthday and nearly 150 persons were
invited and all our relatives attended it gracefully and we
remained there from 21st to 26th May. On 14th June we attended a
marriage function of Mahindra’s newphew at Peera Garhi Land
Mark Banquet Hall and there we met Bhayeji’s whole family. And
there she was pained to hear the satirical remarks uttered by the
foolish chap of their family. On 23rd June we had been to Nimri
Colony to ask about Sandeep’s father health and on the next day,
the construction work started in our house regarding stair case,
two small rooms, one extra toilet and above all the kitchen work
and it took two months to complete the work and the wood work
also included and finished it on 20th August, 2005. On 31st August,
we attended the Shagun Ceremony of Neelam’s son Bunty at
Batra Banquet and on 6th Sept. we attended the marriage party at
Vasant Kunj Farm House alongwith Sonika, Dheeraj and Shreya
and stayed at Ghaziabad.
On 1st October, 2005 with the help of Dheeraj, we left for
Haridwar staying at 4 star hotel U.P. Govt. and had a dip and
Asnan at Har Ki Pori and came back on 3rd morning to our home.
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On 7th Oct, my birthday I went to Puthkalan village Blind Ashram
and donated something there and in the evening cake cut and
dinner at Kovi Pitampura alongwith Monika and her family. On
11th Oct., Kanjak Ashtami was performed with the contribution of
Monika family at Rohini and on 12th the Dushera day at Swarn
Jayanti Park, we all witnessed. On 18th Oct. my wife was not
feeling well and got checked at Kartik Nursing Home and on 20th
there was Karva Choth and then on 21st Oct to 28th. We again had
been to Monika House. On 31st the Chhoti Diwali and on 1st Nov.
it was the holy festival of Diwali and we celebrated it as usual
and we exchanged the gifts to Bhaya Ji, Ved and our neighbours.
On 3rd the Tikka Day and the families of Monika and Sonika came
to our house and performed the festivity. On 22nd Nov. 05 I
attended the Uthawni ceremony of my Chachi Late Darbvari Lal’s
wife at Kiran Garden Temple but she being suffered from
stomach pain and loose motion, could not attend it. On 26th Nov.
the Saturday, my wife underwent for minor operation at Kartik
Nursing Home and in the evening we went to Ghaziabad
alongwiht Dheeraj and Sonika and there we stayed for a week.
After coming back on 3rd Dec. 05 we attended the marriage of Mr.
Bhatia’s daughter at Rohini. On 5th night the stiches were
removed by Dr. Sridhar but the mild pain still prevailed with my
wife. On 11th December, we congratulated Shivendra and Sunita
on their 9th Happy Marriage Anniversary and Sunita was busy in
packing to shift to their new owned house at Albany. On 25th
December, the Christmas Day we received Greeting Card, some
cash and gifts sent by Shivendra through Mr. Dipankar and his
family, and we also welcomed them with open arms. On 31st
December, we both went to P & RP meeting at BB Mandir
Janakpuri and there we had a heavy lunch. My wife felt happiness
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to be present in such a get together meetings and tried not to
miss them provided she was all right.
On 4th January 06 I alongwith my wife went to AIIMS for her
routine checkup and on 10th January we went to GMR Institute,
Green Park for my wife’s MRI check up and on the next day we
thanked God to collect the report being everything normal. We
celebrated the Lohri festival on 13th and on 15th Babbu and Neeru
from Kailash Colony came to our house and we as usual
welcomed them with high spirits. On 18th January, the Wednesday
we went to AIIMS and showed them all the reports they
demanded from my wife. On 22nd January, we went to Mission
School to attend the Health Check-up Camp and then to BID
Mandir for Senior Citizens Brotherhood Association Function and
had there heavy lunch. In he evening of 23rd January we went to
Rohini, Monika’s house and on 24th we went to Prashant Vihar
Balaji Temple and met Sadhvi Suman Sharma and she proclaimed
some prophecy about Monika and my wife too. On 28th Monika
was admitted to Jeevodya Hospital for her check-up as Dhruva
was expected to take birth. On 8th Feb. 06 we went to AIIMS
alongwith my wife’s echo report and after examination, we went
to Bhaiyeji’s house, Kailash Colony and had there lunch. On 23rd
Feb. 2006 we came to Rohini and on 24th at 9.38 PM we got the
happy news that Dhruva, the second of Monika’s son took birth
and on Sunday, the 26th we went to Jeevodya Hospital to
congratulate Monika and blessed the new born baba and thanked
the Almighty. On 8th March we came to Janakpuri as my wife had
completely exhausted and felt unwell because of hectic exertion
at Rohini. On 9th Monday, Sonika came to our home, did some
shopping with my wife at Tilak Nagar. On Tuesday the 14th,
March we went to P&RP Association meeting for holi celebration
and Shreya also accompanied us and there we had a heavy lunch.
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The next day, being Dulhandi, the colourful day we received a
call from Shivendra and Sunita and they congratulated us on this
day and for Monika’s new born son first festival and at night
Sonika, Dheeraj and Shreya left for Ghaziabad. From 14th to 19th
and particularly on 18th and 19th we found ourselves helpless and
did not move our from the house because we both had become
the victim of cough, fever and cold. On 20th we went to Kartik
Clinic for our treatment and medicine and on 23rd we both felt fit
and normal. From 30th March to 5th April 2006 it was the Nav
Ratre days and on 2nd April we were at Rohini and on 5th April it
was the Kanjak Day and there was also Bhandara in the society.
On 8th April we came back to our home and from 9th to 15th April
there was Swami Ram Dev Yoga Camp at Dwarka Sector-10 and I
alongwith Ashok Sachdeva, attended it. On 23rd the Sunday we all
went to Krishna Ratna, Raj Nagar and had there dinner and my
wife preferred to take Masala Dosa but not full. During this
period, we happened to visit Govindpuram flat booked for Sonika
and Dheeraj. On 7th May the Wednesday we came to Rohini to
attend Daksh Birth Day party and it was a nice celebration
attended by Sanjay, Neeraj and their mother. And Sonika and her
family were presented and after the function they dropped us to
Janakpuri. On 13th, Monika-Sandeep alongwith their family
stayedwith us for a week and they were provided all the facilities.
On 14th Sonika alongwith Shreya also turned up to our home and
both the sisters and their families felt overjoyed and seeing them
happily, my wife joys knew no bounds and she felt pleasure to
nurse their children descently. On 18th my cousin Charanjit came
to our home and discussed about the share business while my
wife had no interest in his talks. On 20th May 06 Shivendra’s
brother in law alongwith his mother and wife come to our home
and we all went to Paschim Vihar to Shanti’s Parents house and
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congratulated them on their youngest son’s marriage. On 21st we
got Sunita’s letter alongwith Shristi’s photos and my wife puffed
with joy to see Shristi’s snaps as she had the deepest affection
from the core of her heart with her and seeing her tall and slim,
she used to recall her own childhood. On 23rd the Thursday,
Shivendra’s in-laws the whole family came to our home in the
evening and seeing our newly renovated house, they appreciated
my wife’s architect’s hand. On 10th June, there was Shivendra’s
call and we congratulated Sunita on her birthday and luckily
Dheeraj, Sonika and Shreya came to our home. On 16th Guru
Arjun Dev’s Martyrdom Day, we went to Gurudwara and in the
evening Neeraj came to our home and met Pushpinder Singh and
asked about his prophecy.
On 26th, June Charanjit cme to our house with sweets and
invitation card on his daughter’s wedding to be held on 28th June
and on this day, we went to Monika’s house and alongwith Daksh,
we attended the marriage function at Khatir Banquet, Madipur
and there was a small gathering, even Charanjit’s mother and
brother and sisters were not invited but we were given warm
reception. On 12th July the Wednesday we made a call to
Shivendra and wished him on his birthday and on the same day
there was Shristi’s council operation and Thank God, luckily it
was all right and we celebrated it with the Prasad at DESU
Mandir. On 16th the Sunday we attended the marriage party at Le
Meridon, Connaught Place, of maternal uncle Lajpat Rai’s
grandson, Gulshan’s son with the Sikh family and it was the great
and grand ceremony to be attended. On 23rd the Sunday I went to
Satya Sri Ram International Centre, Lodhi Road to get my ID
Card for the journey to Sai Prashant Nilayam. And on 28th July at
9 PM I alongwith my group of around 20 persons, boarded
Karnata Express train for the pilgrimage to Prashant Nilayam
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and there we stayed upto 10th August, 06. We did service in the
Super Special Hospital and had a darshan daily of the divine Sai
Ram Ji sitting at the heavenly place.
On 13th August, the Sunday, Sonika, Dheeraj and Shreya
came to us on Rakhi and we all celebrated Janam Ashtami and
15th August descently. On 27th August, we both attended the
Medical check up camp at Sarswati Bal Mandir BI Janakpuri
organized by Khetarpal Hospital Staff through our Retired
Teachers Association and there we got checked all our health
problems. On 1st September, 06 I made a trip to South India
starting from 1st to 15th Sept. through our Senior Citizens
brotherhood, organized by Tamil Nadu Tourism Bus and travelled
for 15 days and nights seeing all the important places and
temples of South India and then back to Delhi on 15th. My wife
was not in position to travel such a long journey due to her
stomach problem otherwise local and short journeys she did. On
1st October my birthday, I distributed sweets to all the members
of our morning health club. On 2nd being the Dushera and Ved’s
birthday we ceremonised it by taking Jalenbi at home. On 22nd
October the Diwali day and we celebrated all the festivals with
great pomp and show. Then on Tikka Day, Monika came with
family but Sonika could not turn up to our house and Monika
being annoyed but at the time of departure, she became happy
and we all took dinner at Kadimi Restaurant. On 1st Nov. being
my wife’s birthday, we enjoyed the day by exchanging gifts. On
6th November we went to Kailash Colony for prayer and then we
went to Mr. Chopra my Guru Bhai Friends’ house at GK Part II.
On 8th November, 06 we both went to Passport Office at Chankya
Puri and got fulfilled all the formalities to go to abroad for the 2nd
time. On 16th Nov. I accompanied by my friends Mr. D.S. Negi
and Mr. Bagga, went to India Trade Fair, Pragati Maidan and did
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there shopping and brought gifts for my wife and children. The
day of Shivendra’s family of arrival to India was approaching and
the day of 27th November 06 came and the period was full of busy
schedule. First of al we celebrated Shristi’s happy birthday at
home and all the near and dear families were invited to grace the
occasion. Then on 5th December 06 Shivendra took us to
Amritsar, Golden Temple and there we saw many places like
Jallianwala Bagh, Bagha Border, Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s
Panoroma at Ram Bagh and on 6th night we came back through
Shatabdi Express. The snaps taken at Bagha Border, Golden
Temple, of my wife and Shristi were praise worthy. From 12th to
16th Shivendra Sunita and Srishti had gone to Goa to meet Raja’s
family. On 17th we all went to Prithvi Raj’s house at Patel Nagar.
We also had been to Rajesh, Neeru’s house at Alaknanda. On 22nd
December, Shivendra went back to Auckland while Sunita and
Srishti stayed with her parents house at Dwarka. Our
preparations to go to Auckland started and I was very busy in
Telephone disconnection, insurance of medical, tickets collecting,
house insurance and packing etc. New year greeting cars were
also sent to our relatives and friends. Many shoppings were done
and on 12th Sunday I gave a small party to all my friends.
On 14th Tuesday I, my wife, Sunita and Srishti left for New
Zeeland and boarded Thai Aeroplane at 11 PM and reached at 4
AM on 15th at Bangkok. There we had a halt of twenty hours and
stayed at Ambassador Hotel, got there breakfast and lunch and at
7 PM. We took Thai Airways again and at 2 PM on 16th. We
reached Auckland and there Shivendra was already there and we
reached Albany, his new house. We both were overjoyed to see
our son’s house, having a big swimming pool, greenery all
around, with fruit trees and vegetables and adjoining public
school fences. We both used to have a stroll to Albany main road
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and Beechorth Senior Living Centre and sometimes to Albany
Junior School, Srishti’s School in the evening. On 27th January
Shivendra dropped us to Mr. Grewal’s house, my known fried and
then to Krishna’s House, here old friend and we had a long chat
and dinner. On 30th January my wife went to Sunita’s office at the
university and there was an Indian Women Health Camp. It was a
free health check up organized by the Massy University
Authorities. On 6th Feb. the Waiting Day on which the agreement
between the Maoris and the British Empire was done on 6th Feb,
1840, we went to Pahorea, Binu’s house met her brother, Raja
and her husband Tinku, stayed there for three hours and after
lunch we came back to our home. On 10th the Saturday, we all
went to Srishti’s Swimming pool and then to Mt. Wellington
Volcano and in the evening to Sri Lankan’s house and there we
had a heavy tea and my wife praised high of the descent family.
On 11th being the Sunday we all went to the Eskon temple,
donated something did prayer and had a heavy lunch. We met
there many Indian Families known to our son and daughter in law
and my wife appreciated a lot of their style of living. On 16th
February the Shiv Ratri we went to Bala Mora, the Bhartya
Mandir, the nicely decorated one, we performed Puja to Lord
Shiva and after having “Langar” we came back to home late at
night. On the next day, the 17th the Saturday we all five members
went to Mr. Ram Pal’s elder son house to attend the marriage
reception of his younger brother. We both presented them two
big gifts and took there heavy lunch. There we met 15 Indian
families including Ram Pal’s brother in law who had settled there
in 1930 with his grand parents.
On 21st the Wednesday we had a long chat on Telephone to
Sonika and also came to known about Sunita’s father’s Operation
of Prostrate and Harnia done well. On 22nd Feb. we all went to
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Mahadeva Temple and Mahatma Gandhi Convention Hall and
fixed the date of our home Mahurat with the Panditji and he had
agreed to be present to our place on 3rd March at 10 AM. On 25th
the Sunday we all went to Papa Toetoe Gurudwara, donated
something and had the Guru ka Langar. My wife alongwith
Srishti sitting side by side in the hall felt pleasure. On 3rd March,
the Thursday, very auspicious one and there was a good
gathering say about 30 persons at our Home Mahurat and the
panditji of Mahadeva Temple performed the Puja and did Satya
Narain Katha nad all the guests praised it and enjoyed the heavy
lunch. We both donated and blessed our son and daughter in law
and in the evening we also attended the birthday party of our
next door neighbour but it being a non – vegetarian one, my wife
didn’t touch anything and we came straight to our home. On the
next day the 4th March, it was Holi festival, put the Tilak to Lord
Krishna then to all of us and greeted to one another and at noon
we all went to Eskon Temple and after donation, we took there
lunch and met some Indian families. On 17th the Saturday our
Whites neighbours organized a nice party in our honour and
there were many and more vegetarian and non-vegetarian items
hosted by Mrs. Trudy and seven families more.
On 21st the Wednesday, my wife did not feel well and we
went to Medical shop to get her checked and the next day, she
became all right and did all the works of kitchen as usual. On 25 th
the Sunday we all were invited to Krishna’s House, my wife’s
childhood friend on tea and we exchanged the gifts to each other.
The next day, the 26th it was the Ashtami day and my wife
prepared all the items with the help of Sunita and traditionally
ceremonised the festivity, gave first Kanjak to Srishti and
Shivendra carried the Prasad to his office too. On 27th being Ram
Navmi we all went to the Bharti Temple, performed the Puja and
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got the Prasad and blessings from the Almighty. On 1st April, 07
the Sunday we all went to Otawa hoohoo Gurudwara, bowed to
Sri Guru Granth Sahib, and then had Guru Da Langer and then
on the way back, we all went to Devon Port to enjoy Ferry
journey which was like Cruise and enjoyed to our heart’s content.
On 13th April the Baisakhi Day, the Punjabi Festival, my wife
prepared Halwa with Desi Ghee and Puri also and we all took it
and our son Shivendra took it in large quantity to his office for his
colleagues. On 15th the Sunday we went to Manurewa Gurudwara
and had not seen such a big Gurudwara in abroad and there was
the gathering of at least 700 people and then to another
gurudwara at Takanini and it was nice to look, moreover, there
was the editor of “Kook” magazine and heard his lecture. It was
the Gurudwara Hall arrangement of the Langer distribution milk
sweets, drinks and fruits. My wife spoke very high of Gurudwara
and particularly their system of langer Prasad and we too
donated there much and carried the Prasad to home.
To us it was the second to the Golden temple, Amritsar in
size and grandeur. Its golden polish and the Nishan Sahib was
beyond description and after three years completion its
construction was still in progress. On 25th April 07 the Anzac Day
being a holiday we all went to Taposh, Shivendra’s friend’s house
and took their heavy tea and my wife, Sunita and her friend went
to parlour for hair cut while we he gents waited for them. On 1st
May we congratulated Daksh on his seventh birthday and had a
chat with Monika too. On 4th the Friday my wife did not feel well
and she had strong fever and shivering too. My son and daughter
in law both took half day leave and we all went to Mt. Roskell
Medical Clinic for her treatment. Dr. Mukul Dheish, an Indian
doctor examined her and gave her strong injection but her
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condition remained stable for four days and nights. She started
loose motions and got extreme weakness. Then with the passage
of time, she felt some improvement took rest and slept soundly on
13th May, the Mother Day, very auspicious day, our son, daughter
in law and Srishti wished good morning saying “Happy Mother
Day”, to my wife and presented an electric Automatic Kettle, with
greeting card and some cash on this day. My wife’s feelings were
beyond description and she blessed them whole heartedly. What
a nice day and the particular scene it was! On this day, Sonika,
Dheeraj, Monika, Sandeep, they all wished “Mother Day” and had
a long chat with my wife. On 20th May the Sunday we all went to
Mt. Roskell Medical Centre for my wife’s illness and the doctor
examined her BP, HB and checked fever also. Her HB got down
to 7.9 and the doctor gave her injection of double dose. Then we
came back home and in the evening, I alongwith Shivendra went
to Sherton Hotel to meet Mr. Sanjeev Prasad, Ravi Chopra’s
friend and discussed regarding immigration for Sonika and
Dheeraj. The Sunday night was unforgettable to my wife because
she and Sunita exchanged some hot words to each other but in
the morning they both were perfectly all right and Sunita went to
her duty smilingly saying “Bye” to my wife. On 24th May, I
alongwith my son went to Carry Park Henderson and brought
Srishti back to home after attending four days Scout Camp. On
4th June, the Monday, the Queen’s birthday the gala day for UK
and all the colonies of England including New Zeeland, we all five
members left for Pieroa, Beenu’s house to meet her parents who
had come from Jullandur getting PR of NZ. They all welcomed us,
amused us with good chatting and served with heavy lunch. My
wife felt happy to meet such a nice family and in the evening we
saw old movie, “C.I.D.” Dev Anand’s hit movie. On 10th June, the
birthday of Suntia we all went to Gurudwara at first, then to Mall
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and did a lot of shopping there. On the next day, the 11th we both
had a chat with Shashi and Mohinder and congratulated Mohita
on getting 82% marks in the 10th class. On 15th June at 10 PM
Shivendra left for Kualalampur, Malaysia for almost one week
conference and we all bade him “Bye”. On 23rd June, the
Saturday, Monika’s birthday and we had a chat with her and
luckily Shivendra had come back from Malaysia and brought
many gifts from there for all of us and they went to a friends
party on dinner and we both saw T.V. programmes of “Star Voice
of India” a popular show. On 29th I alonwtih srishti went to Kristin
School, near to our home to see the stage play, “West Side Story”
spending $50 say nearly Rs. 1500/- and I enjoyed the show
depicting the European Culture. On 30th June, my wife’s friend
Krishna alongwith her family of five members came to our house
on lunch party and she had brought many gifts alongwith $100
cash for my wife and we thanked them much. Our day of coming
back to India was approaching and we started preparations
already. On Sunday, the 8th July, very busy day. We visited many
places and first of all we went to Sri Lankan’s Budha Temple,
then to Shivendra’s office, took there coffee and I became
nervous and forgot the lift system ad then we went to Mt.
Roskell Medical Centre and there Dr. Mukul Dhish examined and
gave injection to my wife to increase Hemoglobin. After coming
back to home, we saw the TV best programme “Star Voice of
India”. On 10th July, we did the full and final preparation for
packing and Shivendra brought our passports, tickets and other
valuable things from the bank. It being Tuesday, we distributed
Prasad and then I rendered Mukesh’s two songs and my son and
daughter in law praised a lot. It was the scene of our departure to
India. In the evening of 11th July. We three including Shivendra
went to our neighbours houses to say them Good bye and gave
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them the birthday cake of Shivendra. And on 12th we both gave
Shivendram the birth day card with cash and after sometime I
alongwith Shivendra and my wife went to the neighbours houses
and presented them bottles of wine as according to their custome
and they hugged us and showed a nice see off. And at night
Shivendra and Suntia’s friends circle came to our house
alongwith many gifts for us and had a good dinne with us. At 11
AM after breakfast on the 12th July, we were on holiday and we all
left the house, went to Auckland airport, got our passports visa
checked to the immigration authorities and boarded for Bangkok
through TG990 Thai Airways saying Shivendra, Sunita and Srishti
“Good Bye”. It was the scene of heavy heart with tears in all our
eyes. At Bangkok, we stayed at Ambassador Hotel for one night,
took breakfast in the morning and went to Thai Market for some
shopping. In the evening at 6 PM Thai Airways TG 315 after all
formalities flew off for Delhi and at 11 PM we reached Delhi
Airport. There we were received by Monika, Sandeep and family
and reached Monika house at Rohini. Really it was better trip
than the previous one. In the morning on 14th July Sonika,
Dheeraj and Shreya come to Monika’s house to greet us and in
the evening left for Ghaziabad carrying their materials which we
had brought for them. On 17th Tuesday after taking breakfast, we
went to our home at Janakpuri. On 22nd the Sunday we attended
the Greh Pravesh of our Ground Floor flat owned by Mr.
Bhatnagar. On 31st July, we left for Monika’s house at Rohini. And
on 1st August, we went to the Society Temple, being my parents
Death Anniversary and handed Dakshna to the temple priest. On
4th August, we both went to the Astrologist, opposite to Monika’s
house and clarified our queries and predicted about us. Sandeep
was not feeling well and seeing his condition, my wife told him
that it was the disease of Harpiece and his doctor also confirmed
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and gave him the treatment. Had my wife not diagnosed, it would
have spread to the whole body, which was very dangerous. On 5th
August the birth day of Dheeraj, we left for Ghaziabad through
Metro and they took us to South Extension Market and there we
purchased three sets of footwears and then to Dheeraj’s sister
hosue at Sahibabad and after taking dinner at Krishna Sagar we
came to Sonika’s house. On 19th we came back to Janakpur and
took dinner Kadimi restaurant and masala dosa was my wife’s
favourite. On 28th August, being Raksha Bandhan day we both
along with Monika’s family went to Ved’s house living in C3 Block
and there we took breakfast to our heart’s content. In the
afternoon, Sunita’s elder sister Dalia, cme to our house and we
handed over the packet to her sent by Shivendra and Sunita. And
in the evening Sonika, Dheeraj and Shreya came to our house
and after taking dinner, We all went to Ghaziabad. On 1st
September the Saturday we all went to the Shipra Mall which is
the unique market for shopping and entertainment. On 2nd
September we set out for Rohini through Metro and there was
Monika’s family waiting for us at the Rohini West Station. On 6th
September being the marriage anniversary day of Monika and
Sandeep, we both wished them and blessed them for their happy
long life and on this day, a Panditji Prakash Sharma, the
astrologer came to their house and predicted many fore say for
us. On 8th night we all including Monika’s family went to attend
the Bhagwati Jaagran as invited by Usha and Satish Verma, the
sister in law of Ved and there we had a heavy dinner and took
Prasad at home too. It was like that of a marriage function and
Narinder Chanchal rendered many melodious hymns. On 12th
Sept the birthday of Sonika, we celebrated it in the evening at
Ghaziabad but being Dheeraj out of the station, we celebrated it
on Sunday, the 16th very gracefully. On 15th there was a call from
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Sandeep Aggarwal, our 2nd floor neighbour that Mr. Goswami,
our opposite neighbour had expired. On Monday, the 24th T20
final cricket match to be played between India and Pakistan in
which India got victory and declared to be world champions and
we both felt happy to see the match on T.V. On 1st October 07 our
39th marriage anniversary day we went to Satyam Distt. Centre
and saw the movie, “Dhamal” which was a big comedy and had a
dinner at Kadimi Restaurant. On 7th Oct. my birthday at
Ghaziabad we all had a lunch at Sukh Sagar restaurant, cut the
cake in the evening and at night Dheeraj left for Jaipur on
officially tour. On 17th Oct. 07 the Wednesday, we both went to
BB Block Mandir, Pand RP Office and boarded the bus for
Akshardham, the miracle piece of art, where there was the
history of India depicted with music and sound, multi coloured
watery fountains and seeing the gesture, my wife spoke very high
of it. On 18th Oct. there was a good atmosphere at our home
because Monika, Sonika alongwith their families had come to our
home to see the Sampuran Ramayan programme at Ram Leela
Ground which was a big entertaining for the children. On 21st
being the Dushera Day, we went to C5 Ram Leela Ground and
took Jalebi as a Prasad. On 29th the Monday, Karva Chowth Fast
day and my wife performing the puja, then we took dinner at
night at night. On 1st Nov. the Thursday, my wife’s birthday and
we remained busy from morn to night. Like mine birthday, we at
first went to Satyam Distt. Centre and saw the movie, “Bhool
Bhuliyan” which was our last move to see in the hall and then we
had a dinner at Kadimi Restaurant and she ordered for “Masala
Dosa” while I preferred “Idli” and we both shared together. On
3rd November, the Saturday, we hired an auto and went to Patel
Nagar, my elder brother’s hosue to give them “Baye” and there
we wonder struck to seem my Bhabi’s condition as she was
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completely bed ridden, unable to sit and stand properly. On 4th
Sunday we attended the senior citizens brotherhood meeting at B
block and had there lunch. On 6th November we could not got to
Kailash Colony, prayer for Behnji’s anniversary because my wife
was not feeling well on that day. On 9th Nov. 07 the pious Hindu
festival the Deepawali Day, we decorated our home with new
photos and distributed the sweets and other eatables to our
friends to our friends and neighbours and illuminated our home
as usual. On 11th Nov, the Bhaiya Dooj Festival and both the
families of Monika and Soniak came to our home and
ceremonised the festivity descently. Moreover there was a call
from Shivendra and we all of us had a long chat together. On 13th
we had confirmation about the tickets and on 15th November we
alongiwht Sonika nad Dheeraj, Shreya boarded the train at
Safdarjung Rly Station for the pilgrimage to Mata Vaishno Devi.
But before reaching Jammu, we got the sad news of the death of
Sandeep’s father. We had the complete Darshan and my wife’s
long cherished wish was achieved. We were extremely overfoeyd
to see Mata Darbar and came back to Delhi via Rajasthan
Express. We thanked Dheeraj for the nice arrangement. On
Sunday at home being exhausted, she did a great labour and
arranged Kanjaka and after performing Puja and Kanjak, we both
went to Rohini, to console Sandeep and his family. On 19th
November, we attended the Uthaoni ceremony of Sandeep’s
father at Rohini and stayed there for six hours. There we met Vid,
Shashi, Raji, Rajinder, Sonika, Dheeraj, Sunita’s parents and
Monika’s in laws. We performed the ceremony traditionally and
after bidding “Bye” we came back to home. We were so tired that
without taking anything, we went to bed. The next day, the 20 th
November, Srishti’s birthday and e congratulated her on her
birth day and luckily our greetings had already been received by
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them. On 25th November we again went to Patel Nagar to ask
about my Bhabi’s health and to give them the Prasad of Mata
Vaishno Deviand on the way back we came through Metro. On
30th, Friday, there was a religious conference at our home and on
the topic of “Mind, Body and Soul” attended by eight persons, the
disciples of Sai Ramji, my wife had a spiritual joy and served
them tea with snacks. On 15th December, Shreya’s birthday, we
reached Sonika’s house attended the festivity and it was nice to
be present among 20 children, descently celebrated with Coke
and snacks and other eatables, enjoyed music and fun with
games. And on 17th Dheeraj dropped us at Dhaula Kuan and by
auto, we reached home at 8 PM. On 20th December 07 being the
coldest day of the season with the temperature 4.2. I remained at
home and could not got for trading. And at 7 PM, it started pain
to my wife and Suntia Sharma the sister was called in and she
gave her injection and my wife got some relief and had a sound
sleep. On the enxt day, the 21st the Eid Bakreed Monika, Sonika
and their families all came to us and on 22nd the Sunday we made
a call to Shivendra and asked about the earthquake that fell in
Giberton, New Zeeland and there was everything normal. On 25th
the Christmas Day at 3 PM we both went to Sanatan Dharm
Temple to attend the Uthaoni of Anu’s father alongwith Monika,
Sandeep and his mother. On 27th December, 07 we got the news
that Sonika’s mother in law who was admitted in the hospital got
operated for her two ankles and she was perfectly well. On 30th
the Sunday very busy scheduled, at firs ti attended the meeting at
Mr. Chhabra’s house, then to DESu Mandir and then alongwith
my wife went to P and RP Association programme and my wife
used to attend it every year.
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On 1st January, 08 New Year Day Shivendra, Sunita,
Srishtiwished us Happy New Year and we also exchanged good
wishes to them. On 6th the Sunday, we both went to Monika’s
house at Rohini and from there we all left for Ghaziabad to ask
about Sonika’s mother in law who had recently undergone ankles
operation and then on the way back we all went to Gurudwara
Moti Bagh, Historical important one and then they dropped us
home at Janakpuri. On 13th January the Lohri Day, I went to C4G
Gurudwara, had a lunch and took Prasad for my wife. On 18th the
Friday there was a cell from Shashi and Mohindra of Nangal and
on this day we both went to Chander’s hosue at Hasthal and
there we had an exchange of talks with Chander Krishan Gopal
and their son Inder Mani. On the next day the 19th we went to
Distt Centre shopping centre to buy Reebok shoes but there the
shop was closed and then we went to Rajouri Garden Market and
purchased the Reebok shoes and met Raji at her house. On 25 th
January we received a call form Shivendra and came to know that
they were going to depart for Australia to meet their friend for
three days. On 27th we got invitation for Raj-Prem’s daughter
marriage to be held on 1st February and they wanted our
accommodation for their guests. And accordingly, their guests
from Jammu stayed with us for four nights from 29th January to
2nd February. On 1st February 08 the Friday the marriage day and
we both went to C4G Park to attend it but we came earlier and
did not participate the function properly because of my wife ill
health and at night she had the problem of loose motions and
indigestion and at 12.30 night. She was given injection and then
she had a sleep. On 5th February the Tuesday I went o C5c/IC
house S Gobind Singh and then to CP Singh’s house to pay them
homage and on 8th we both went to S. Gobind Singh. On 17 the
Sunday I alongwith Mr. D.S. Bagga went to Gurudwara rakab
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Gunj and there after bowing my head to the Guru Granth Sahib
for my wife’s health, I had a longer there and purchased a good
suit for my wife from Baru Sahib Stall and that suit my wife wore
well. On 24th the Sunday we were ready to leave for Monika’s
house and luckily Mr. Amritpal Singh fo C5A-148 gave us lift to
Rohini, Monika’s house and they, husband and wife were happy
to meet Monika’s family. And in the evening there were 25
children of the society attended the 2 birthday of Dhruva and
there was a good arrangement of cake, snacks and heavy tea.
Sonika, Dheeraj, Shreya also had come from Ghaziabad to attend
the party. At night they went to their home but we stayed there
for the night and on the next day morning we reached our home.
On 29th February 08 it was the day of the General Budget
presented by P.Chidambram in the Parliament and it was the
nicest budget in the history of India but the opposite parties
called it a election budget. On 6th March being the “Mahashivratri
Day”. I read out the article written by me being the cultural
secretary of the Health and Laughing Club and all the 60
members appreciated it and on the next day the 7th March we
both went to Rajiv Gandhi Hospital to get my wife checked and
from there we went to Monika’s house but come back to our
home in the evening. On 9th March the Sunday I went to Green
Valley Flats near Faridabad to attend my guru bhai friend
Chopra’s “Greh Pravesh” ceremony but my wife stayed at home.
On 11th the Tuesday we went to DDU Hospital Hari Nagar to get
Medicine being the Delhi Govt. Medical Card Holder. On 13th
March Thursday my wife got herself checked at Verma’s
Laboratory of various tests like X-ray, Lever, Kidney, Hb Sugar as
prescribed by RGCI and luckily all the tests were O.K. On 18 th I
went t DDU Hospital and met Dr. Swami and Mr. Bakshi and got
information and procedures for the treatment of my wife from
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Rajiv Gandhi Hospital. On 21st we both went to DDU Hospital and
my wife got checked from the concerned doctor and the doctor in
charge signed and referred to the RGCI Hospital as we required.
Then we went to the P and RP Association, BI to attend “Holi
Function” met there known friends and had heavy lunch too. On
22nd the Duhlandi Day, in the morning I gave a speech on the
festival among my health club and we went to Ved’s house took
their breakfast and celebrated the festivity with friends and
nieghbours. On 23rd the Sunday there was a great pomp and
show in our house as Monika, Sonika and their families had
gathered and celebrated the day much and in the evening, they
all dispersed. On 24th we went to DDU t get the certificate with
all the formalities completed for Rajiv Gandhi Hospital treatment
and on 25th we went there and got the date for MRI but being in
haste, we on 26th went to Green Park GMRI and got done the
MRI got the report on 27th the Wednesday and showed to the
RGCI, Rohini on 28th and they also recommended for biopsy and
on 31st the Monday, they declared of the reoccurrence of the
same problem which was nine years before and there was
thickness found on the left side of the vagina and we both were
stunned to know. We immediately locked our house and set out
for Monika’s house at least for one month to get treatment from
RGCI. On 1st April the Tuesday all the tests done on my wife like
Biopsy, Sigma Doscopy, Nuclear Medicine Cytoscopy, Histopath
Lab., ECG, X-ray, Echo, All blood and Urine tests from the RT
Deptt. and then the case was discussed in the conference hall for
two times and there they concluded that Chemotherapy could be
given and the first dose fo chemo started on 14th April she was
admitted to the hospital on 14th for one day and night. And for
this Sandeep and Sonika helped a lot. On 17th April night
Shivendra came to us from New Zeeland for a month. From 7th
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April Mrityunjay Path had already been started from the Panditji
and his associates who lived opposite to Arya Apartments,
Monika’s house and for that he was given around ten thousand
rupees for 51,000 jaaps. It was performed as my wife wished. The
round of Chemotherapy of Type I started from 14th April and
finished on 14th June, 08 for seven time and each Chemo costed
nearly Rs. 25,000/- with day and night care and for that each and
every member of the family contributed but after the 7the
Chemotherapy the doctor concerned (Col.) Dr. Ranga Rao openly
told that the Chemotherapy did not effect but it spread more and
the new type II chemotherapy would be fixed on 28th June. On
19th June, we all went to Max Hospital to meet Dr. Amit
Bhargava, known to Dheeraj and he also did not satisfy us. On
24th June, Tuesday, we hired a taxi and reached AIIMS and met
Dr. Mohanty, HOD, radiation and got the 2nd opinion and he told
that the treatment given by RGCI was sufficiently good and there
was no other option. On 27th June, we both along with Sonika
went to RGCI and there all the concerned tests were completed
and got the room through Dr. Ranga Rao for the new Chema to
be given on 28th and there Ved and Shashi met my wife and
Sonika while I was busy in the hospital work. On the fixed date,
the chemotherapy started at 8 PM and remained upto 11:30 PM
and with no side effects and Sonika stayed at night with her
mother and on the next day at 2 PM, she was discharged from the
hospital and we stayed at Rohini. On 29th The Sunday morning,
we alongwith Monika, Sandeep and family went to Gulabi Bagh
mandir, had the Mata Darshan but could not participate the
Bhandara with them because my wife didn’t fell well and we both
immediately came back home on 4th July at 2 AM, midnight, my
wife got a severe pain at the stomach and was admitted in the
casualty ward at RGCI and I stayed at night while Dheeraj and
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Sandeep both donated blood to her and then on 5th. She was
given Chemotherapy 2nd dose in the morning and then was
discharged in the evening. On 12th July on a Shivendra’s birthday
there was a call from them and we congratulated him on his
birthday from Ghaziabad on 13th the Sunday, babu and Neeru
came to Ghaziabad to ask about my wife’s health and presented
her some gifts too. On 18th Friday we alongwith Dheeraj went to
RGCI, Rohini, but due to THC Cells week Chemo could not be
given and on 21st Monday we set out for RGCI from Ghazibad
and reached there for my wife’s next chemotherapy and after the
blood tests, it started chem. And after that in the evening we
came back to Monika’s house. And the same dose of
Chemotherapy was repeated on 28th July after all the blood tests
done. On 0th July the Maha Shivratri day at night my wife again
had the trouble of severe pain and lose motions, she had to admit
in the RGCI in the causality Ward and there she was given drip
and injections and on 31st in the evening she was discharged. On
5th August, we all were not feeling well and couldn’t celebrate
Dheeraj’s Birthday at Ghaziabad and on 9th August, the Saturday,
being a lucky day, we all went to Silver City Cinema Hall and saw
the movie “Singh in King” and we all particularly my wife enjoyed
the movie it being a great entertaining and comedy. On 10th the
Sunday there was a call from Shivendra and Shashi Mahindra of
Nangal made us call too.
On 12th Tuesday, we left for RGCI, Rohini alongwith Dheeraj and
got tested all tests, HB was down 8 degrees, on the next day, the
13th August, blood was givens by Suresh Gupta, Shivendra’s
friend and by Sweety, Ved’s daughter and then my wife was
admitted to Hospital for the next Chemotherapy for two days and
released on the 15th August’08. The next day, the 16th being Rakhi
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day there was a good gathering at Monika’s house as Bhaiya ji
from Kailash Colona, Sonika, Dheeraj family and Ved Shashi all
came to meet us at Monika’s house. On 21st August being the last
dose of Chemotherapy and it was given free of cost by the Delhi
Representative of Dr. Reddy’s Company and my wife was given in
the proper way and Dr. Ranga Rao gave us the next date of 3rd,
September’08 to meet. In between on 24th August we started the
Ayurvedic medicine prepared by the Vaid ji of Dichaon Jalan
Village near Nazafgarh and for that from Ghaziabad to the
village, we all went there met Pt. Hari Chand Ji Vaid and got the
medicine but in the first two three doses being not suited to my
wife, left it. On 3rd September’08, I along with my wife and
Dheeraj went to RGC & Rohini to meet the concerned doctor and
there MRI and other lab. Tests were done and then we went to
Rani bagh Pandit ji and gave him the balance of Rs. 15,850/- and
got the Ring for Dheeraj. On the next day, 4th September, we
collected the MRI and all the blood tests X-Ray reports and met
Dr. Ranga Rao and Dr. Sankhen and they both advised us to stop
chemotherapy for ever and gave oral capsule and other
medicines and called us to meet the next week and in between
the treatment given by Dr. Munir Khan of Bombay started and
the medicine sent by Sanjay Kumar was collected from Savita, his
wife at Noida, by Dheeraj and Sonika and made them the
payment of Rs. 15,000/-. On 18th September, we all Sonika,
Dreeraj, his mother too went to Janakpuri, our home and there
our all neighbours particularly Raj’s Wife, S. Amarjeet Singh,
Mrs. Gulati and Mrs. Yadav welcome us and they asked about my
wife’s health. And Dheeraj’s mother went to Nishant Jewellers to
purchase something and we all came backs to Ghaziabad.s On
23td September at night, my wife didn’t fell well, did vomiting
and felt stomach pain. She was so weak that she could not stand
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properly and found no relief with any of the medicine and the
treatment. She had reduced 5 kg weight, her face had become
mild pale and her health was going to deteriorate with
chemotherapy and Dr. Munir Khan medicine but what to do being
helpless. On Ist October’08 our 40th Marriage Anniversary, we
congratulated each other and our children wished us many
whishes, Shivendra and his family made a call, Monik and her
family too made a call to us and we both alongwith Sonika,
Dheeraj his mother and Shreya, Dheeraj his mother and Shreyas
went to Krishna Sagar Restaurant took their lunch ands on the
way back we all took Ice-cream and my wife was very happy to
ceremonise the occasion. And similarly on 7th Oct my birth day we
all took dinner to our fill at Krishna Sagar and took Ice-cream
from Narula, Raj Nagar.
On 9th October’08 a very special day Dushera Day, We hired a
taxi and reached Rohini to attend the Mundan Ceremony of
Dhruva, attended the Havan, then barbers work of cutting hairs
then heavy lunch and we both gave them sweets, fruit, cash and
above all Gold coins to Monika and Sonika families and it was my
wife’s long cherished wish. On 16th Oct’08 we both went to RGCI,
met the doctor and got the new oral medicine and on this day,
Rajji, her niece came to Monika’s house and we all met her. And
in the evening at 5 P.M., we hired a taxi and we all reached
Ghaziabad at 7 P.M. and we all went to Krishna Sagar, Raj Nagar
at night because of Dheeraj’s mother birth day and took eggless
pastry and my wife gave her some cash. On 17th Friday the Karva
Choth Day my wife performed all the ceremony but she was not
feeling well and at night she started vomiting and lose motions
but she took Dr. Munir Khan’s 12th dose. On 20th October again
she felt unwell and not in a position to stand and walk. Because
of cancerion pain she could not sleep soundly and always
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preferred to sleep all the time. No medicine seemed to be
effective and she reduced her weight from 54 to 48 in three
months.
The date of Shivendra’s coming to India was approaching and on
25th the Saturday, he came to Ghazibad from New Zealand via
Hyderabad and met all of us with open arms. And my wife was
profusely happy to see him and it looked as if she had no an
problem and there was a natural smile on her face after a pretty
long time. On 28th October’08, the Diwali Day, we three including
Shivendra hired a taxi and went to our Janakpuri home and there
we met Ved and Shashi and all our neighbours too and my wife
illuminated Diya and performed the Puja and came back to
Ghaziabad in the evening. And at Sonika’s house, we both the
families performed Deepavli Puja with systematic Hindu ways.
We also met Kapur Sahib and Reshma at their house. Shivendra,
Dheeraj, Sonika, Shreya and upper neighbours unfurled crackers
too and the Prasad was distributed to all.
On 30th October’08 on Bhaiya Dooj Festival my two daughters
along with their families and my son all assembled at Sonika’s
house and my wife was very happy to see all of them after a petty
long time celebrating this Tikka Festival and Shivendra had
brought many gifts for all of us and particularly for children. It
was also the day of Sonika, Dheeraj 10th Wedding Anniversary
and it added the charm of the function. On Ist November’08 the
Birth day of my wife and we all the members of three families
bade good morning as well as Happy Birthday to my wife. It was
her 66th birthday as per official records. At 8 P.M. we all went to
Sagar Ratna for dinner but my wife took almost nothing as she
was not properly well but we all enjoyed her birthday. That night
Shivendra could not even a wink of sleep because his ticket was
not confirmed due to some mistake. At the eleventh house it was
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done and he got ready for the USA flight, left the home at 7:30
A.M. and reached the airport for USA and then for New Zealand
too.
On 7th November we hired a taxi and left for Rohini and on the
way we dropped Dheeraj’s mother at Sahibabad and took the
appointment to meet Dr. Ranga Rao and on 8th he examined and
suggested to paste a Patch for pain relief and my wife did it.
Munir Khan’s medicine continued side by side. On 13th,
November, we handed over the Ring to Dheeraj by the Pandit Ji
of Rani Baghs and got the news from Sonika that Dheeraj got the
job from Videocon but the posting would be at Karnal. On the
next day, the 14th, my wife got sudden pain and she was rushed to
RGCI in the Causality Ward and then shifted to Room No. 354B.
There she was given drip injections, other procedures under the
guidance of Dr. Ranga Rao for t two days and then she was
discharged on 15th evening.
And on 17th, we collected the MRI report and found that it was
stable on 20th November, Srishti’s Birthday, we congratulated her
on the day and Shivendra made us call for three times asking my
wife’s health and she could not go to the Hospital to meet the
doctor. On 22nd the Saturday we got the bad and sad news of my
brother Prithvi Raj’s wife death and we three Sandeep and
Monika got ready for Patel Nagar and attended the funeral and to
Sant Nagar Cremation Ground but my wife couldn’t attend it
owing to utmost weakness. And on 24th, the Monday I went to
Patel Nagar, Neelam’s house and remained there till evening to
attend the Uthavni Ceremony of my Bhabhi, Monika, her mother-
in-law, Sonika, Dheeraj, Charanjit his wife, Bunty, Satinder his
mother, Krishna and her family were all present there and it was
the gathering of 200 persons at Lal Mandir, Patel Nagar. All the
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last rites ceremonies were performed by Neelam’s elder son,
Bunty(Sandeep).
On 26th, November’08 at night my wife got again abdomnel pain,
the componder was called in and he gave Boscopin injection and
then she got relief and slept. On 27th we at first went to ours
Janakpuri house, and in the same taxi, we left for Ghaizabad. On
the two days i.e. 26th and 27th November’08 there was heavy
blast and Counter attack by the Terrorists and the Military,
Police at Taj Hotel, Oberoi Hotel and Nriman House at Mumbai
and there more than 200 lives lost and multi crores damage
occurred. Reaching Ghaziabad, my wife was given injection at the
Sarvodya Hospital and then she went to sleep. O n 4ths
December’08 at 9 PMs, Abdomnel pain started again to my wife
and at first went to Aastha Medical Centre and then at midnight,
same problem occurred and then she was admitted to the
Sarvodya Hospital and there she got the treatment and on the
next day at 1 PM, she was discharged from the Hospital.
On 11th December, being the marriage anniversary day of
Shivendra and Sunita, we made a call to them and wished them
Happy Marriage Anniversary Day but for the first time, we could
not send them the Greeting Card as being busy in the treatment
of my wife. On 12th, my wife did not feel well and had to be
admitted in the Sarvodya Hospital and then ultimately went to
Rajiv Gandhi Hospital by hiring a taxi and there the doctor
concerned Dr. Ranga Rao checked my wife’s condition, got the
medicine and came back to Ghaziabad in the same taxi.
On Sunday, the 14th, while coming back from the Gurudwara, I
stumbled down and got injuries at my ankles and hands and
thank God there was no fracture. Dheeraj took me to the
Sarvodya Hospital and there I ws infected and got the medicine.
On 15 th December, Shreya’s birthday, we gave 5 kg floor each to
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the both maids of Sonika’s house and donated some cash and
sweets too and they both blessed to my wife. On 19th December,
my wife had a problem of urine pass and a cute pain also in the
abdomnel and she had to be admitted in the RGCI, Rohini and
the Dr. Ranga Rao suggested to tie urine bag on her right side
and then she got some relief and the urine passed on but looking
awkward. Monika also accompanied us to the hospital and we
both came back to Ghaziabad in the evening.
On 24th December at 4 PM, Shivendra came to us from New
Zealand for ever and joined an American Company Dupont at
Hyderabad. It was a good news for all of us and my wife got
much relief and felt overjoyed. On 28th December, after Dheeraj’s
arrival from Karnal, we all celebrated Shreya’s Birthday and it
was a special day because Monika and her family, Reshma and
her family and almost 20s children had already gathered. There
was good arrangement of spl. Snacks, drinks, cake and dinner
and we including Shivendra enjoyed it to the maximum. On the
next day Dheeraj went to Karnel on duty and Shivendra went to
Dwarka to bring car of his in-laws. I paid Rs. 30,000/- through
PNB cheque to Monika for the double dose of Munir Khan’s
medicine to continue. On 30th December, my wife felt the same
problem of vomiting and lose motions and we hired a car to go to
RGCI, Rohini and there she remained for two days and then was
discharged on Ist January and there Monika and Shivendra both
did a lot to get relief to their mother. So the charm of New Years
Day had been vanished.
On 2nds and 3rd January, Shivendra and Sonika had to struggle to
search for a permanent maid for their mother and for that they
moved to Shakurpur and Palam Vihar Agenciess and ultimately
they successed to get the maid belonging to Darjelling, Nepal, my
wife’s choice. On 4th, the Sunday we both hired a taxi and
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reached our home at Janakpuri and Shivendra, Sonika along with
the maid were already there waiting for us and after our arrival,
my wife felt tremendous relief and happiness and it was our
cherished wish to be found at our sweet home, full of all
amenties.
On 7th, Ved and Shashi, on 8th Babu and Neeru and on 11th
Chander, they all came to meet my wife but she was deterioting
day by day and was unable to stand properly. Moreover she was
unable to change clothes herself and found difficulty in moving
independently. She was going in the stage of oblivion also and
started murmuring. On 13th January, the Lohri Days, important
festival for Punjabis and it happened for the first time that we
could not go to Monika and it happened for the first time that we
could not go to Monika and Sonika houses to present gifts and
they too realized the situation.
We along with Shivendra and our maid, Uma, celebrated the
festivity at night at our home, my wife participated but with great
difficulty and did the customary formalities. And similarly on 14th,
the Makar Sankrati Day, we did God’s prayer and donated to the
poor as we could. On 16th night at 11 PM, my wife felt again the
problem of acute pain, vomiting, indigestion and we all set out for
RGCI and there she was admitted in the Causality Ward and
remained there for five hours and in the morning at 4 AM on 17th.
We came back home. On 21st, Jeet, my cousin came to meet us
and was wonder struck to see my wife’s condition. On 23rd we all
went to RGCI as my wife felt the same problem and the doctor
after examining told us that in future Home Care Team would
come to our home to examine and needed not to come to the
Hospital and on 27th, the team alongwith the hospital van came
and checked her condition thoroughly and provided the help they
could. Raji had also came on this day. On 31st the Saturday,
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Sonika and Shreya came to our home and in the evening Ladi and
Arun came to our house to give us the invitation card and sweets
to attend the marriage of their son to be held on 19th Feb’08. On
11th February, Mrs. Gauri and in the evening Shivendra’s in-laws
came to our house to ask about my wife’s health and her
condition was going to be deterioted day by day despite being
given injections by Sunita Sharma on 12th Feb.
And on 13th Feb. in the morning the doctors team came from the
hospital and examineds my wife and in the evening at 5 PM my
wife got another complication and we immediately rushed to
RGCI in the causality ward and there the doctor alongwith
Surgeons examined and replaced the urine pipe. On the way back
to home she was so weak that she could not cross the stairs and
she had to crawl to get in the house and that scene looked to be
very touching but what to do. On 15th night Shivendra all alone
attended Usha’s daughter marriage at Hari Nagar Banquet Hall.
On 17th her condition was not good and she could not get food to
eat and there started swallowing on her feet and fell from the bed
while taking water on the stool.
At night 9 PM my wife didn’t feel well and we all went to Hospital
and there she was admitted first to causality and then to Ward
Room No.-107A and remained there for four nights and there she
was given medical supporting care and after many diagnosing
tests, she was given satisfactory medical care. Shivendra, myself
and Uma looked after her then she got some relief from the
problem and then discharged from the hospital. On 24th the
Tuesday the 3rd birthday of Dhruva was ceremonised at Rohini
and from our side Shivendra attended the function while we
could not because of my wife’s in capability. On 27th the Friday,
Home Care team from RGCI, Rohini came to our home to check
my wife’s health and gave her satisfactory treatment. On Ist
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March’08 my wife got stomach pain and was given injection by
the sister Sunita and again she had a problem of constipation and
was given Anima by the same sister. On 8th March, the Sunday,
there was a great hustle and bustle in our home because Monika
and Sonika alongwith their families had come and Dhruva’s
birthday was celebrated with cake, snacks and dinner and same
snaps were also taken. My wife was over whelmed with joy at
seeing the happy occasion. But in her heart she knew the fact. In
the evening Raji and Rajindra also came to our house and Sonika,
Dheeraj welcomed them in the absence of Shivendra as he had
gone to Hyderabad for his official meeting. On 9th March,
Chander, her sister came to ask about my wife’s health and she
was given due welcome by us.
On 10th and 11th the Holi and Dulhandi Days respectively. I paced
Tikka of Holi to Lord Krishna at home, then to my wife, Shivendra
and Uma and congratulated them on this Auspicious Day. On this
day Ved, Shashi and Sweety came alongwith Hujia and Pakores
and my wife took one Pakora being her favourite and we all
enjoyed the festivity much. Our neighbouring ladies had also
come to congratulate my wife but did not enjoy as in the previous
years. In the evening there started a mild pain to my wife and
Sunita, the sister gave injections of Boxopain and she got some
relief.
On 12th March’08, we made up our mind to go to RGCI, Rohini
and after lunch, we with great difficulty alighted the stairs
carrying my wife and she took back seat with the support of Um
and reached the hospital and at first in the Causality Ward and
then to rooms.
From 12th to 25th March, it was her last journey period and in the
hospital, she struggled with death. From Room No.-259B to ICU,
she was shifted on 17th being multiple problems of suffocation,
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cardiac, acute and unbearable pain in the cancerion part,
uneasiness, memory lost, unutterance and high blood pressure
and on 21st she was shifted to ward room no.-108B and there
also she did not improve and her pulse rate was shooting up, she
got breathing problem and actually going to the conditions of
helpnesses and mentally disordered being blood pressure not in
the normal position. She was not in the stage of fainting and
permanent silence and ultimately on 25th March at 3:05 PM she
breathed her last in the presence of Shivendra, Sunita and the
maid while I and Sonika had gone for lunch at Monika’s house.
Shivendra informed us on the mobile and we both reached there
on the spot and bade her “Good Bye” for ever.
We three, Sonika, Monika and Sandeep came to our home,
unlocked it and did the prior arrangements and in the mean time,
Shivendra, Sunita and the maid brought the body through
Emergency Ambulance Van and with all the traditional Hindu
rites at home and mandir, she was cremated at Delhi Cantt.
Cremation Ground, Pankha Road in the evening. There all our
family members, neighbous, friends reached in time and she was
given profound Hindu rituals and ceremonies for the last human
journey and all the last rites ceremonies were performed by me
and my son, Shivendra and she left for heavenly abode for ever
and gave us heavy set back and irreparable loss. Her
unforgettable image will be kept in our heart and the rest of my
life will be spent with her forty years past memories, shared joys
and sorrows, at all seasons and festivals.
For full four days I didn’t move out of my home and on 28th
morning at 8 AM, we the male family members gathered at the
cremation ground and performed the Phool Chuna Ceremony and
from 4 to 5:30 PM there was the Uthawni Ceremony at C3, Ram
Mandir, Janakpuri in the presence of almost 400 people. All my
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relatives, neighbours, friends and political, religions leaders were
present there. She was given homage with heavy hearts by the
Mandir Authority, our block secretary, Retd. Teachers
Association Dharmik Maha Sangh Secretary and Bhaiya ji Sh.
B.R. Bajaj and then it was Pagri Rasam and in the last light
refreshment.
On 29th March, the next day we four persons (myself, my son,
Sandeep and Dheeraj left for Haridwar carrying her immersions
and ashes and flowed them in the holy water, of the Ganga’s
River at Kankhal and we all took a dip and bath at Har ki Pori and
met our ancestral Purohit too. On 3rd April, being the 10th
Ceremony, we performed at Nigam Bodh Ghat, on 6th April being
the 13th day ceremony for the purification of the house, there
was a Havan by the Arya Smaj Pandit Jagmal Ji, Arya and then
the 13 Brahmans including one female were fed with heavy lunch
and were given donation alongwith nine items to each were also
given. And all our family members presented the occasion. And in
this way, she was bidden “Farewell” for good and forever.
To analyse Darshi’s personality, I can say that she was an ideal
housemaker. She loved her family much and that is why all the
members of our family loved her more. She had a deep affection
with Srishti, being the first child in our family and had an equal
love for others. She had better understanding with all the three
sisters in comparison to brothers. But she had a great admiration
for Behnji of Kailash colony. She was fond of reading but not
writing. She had a complex of having not good hand writing. That
is why she was jealous of my writing beautifully. She had an
enough stock of vocabulary and particularly household articles
and had formed a dictionary of English words for children. She
was introvert and did not like to be mixed up with all the ladies in
circle. To my mind, she never uttered a lie in life and used to
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speak spade a spade openly. She disliked gossip making among
women and was a reserved type of woman, confined to family and
household activities. She hesitated to go all alone for shopping
and preferred my company. She was always neat, clean and tidy
and did not like to visit remote, thickly-populated and backward
areas. She loved to see TV serials and specially based on society
like Bidaai, Krishna and Balika Vadhu and for this, she had a
separate TV in her bedroom. She had an extra knowledge of
construction, machinery and medicine. She took a great concern
when any of my ailment occured and took care of my regular diet
being myself the patient of diabetic and heart. She was broad
minded lady and did not like old rituals, orthodox, superstitions
and old dogmas like other old ladies around our vicinity. She was
religions but not fanatic and prejudice. To her Mandir, Arya
Samaj and gurudwara all were one and the same. She was not
only sensitive but also sensuous. To some extent she was
pessimistic and looked dark side of the world. She had a soft
corner for the poor and used to pay extra to the rickshaw pullers,
street vendors, washer man, sweeper, maids and other down
trodden people. That is why they miss her even today. She was
very much contented what she had and never wanted me to work
extra after my retirement. She believed in giving more and
expected less from relatives and friends on occasions of joy and
merriment. Being delicate, she did not want to indulge in fighting
over trifles with neghbours and others. She had a sweet voice
and did not like to speak loudly. She was very much hospitable
and did not differiante between her and my relatives and friends
to serve. Being tall and slim, clothes and ornaments suited to her
much and particularly on joyful occasions. She had two wishes-
one to dine at five-star hotel and other journey to abroad and
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thank God she had fulfilled the both in life with the support of our
son and daughter-in-law.
In short, she was a perfect virtuous lady to be an exemplary for
others. Need not to say any more.
Thus married life journey started on Ist October, 1968 and ended
on 25th March, 2009. May God grant peace and solace to the
departed soul and strengthen us to bear such an irreparable loss!
Written and Presented by :-
Jugal K. Bajaj
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