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Hi Dad, I Hope They Still Make Some Like That

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In a very strange way the true definition of a feminist dawned on me today. And no surprise that it brings me to think of you Dad.   Many girls reading this are likely to think of their fathers in the same way. And that’s good. I grew up in a house where you and Mom encouraged us siblings to have the highest of dreams and you would support us whole-heartedly. There were no boundaries, no restrictions, no limitations based on gender. Ever. In you Dad, I had the world’s most powerful believer in my abilities, the most powerful supporter who would have my back even if the entire world turned against me and the wisest counsel who would advise me such that I could soar to the legacies I could leave behind. I felt you were my best friend, the Krishna to the Arjuna in me. I bounced like I was the chosen one. And then you left us early this year. Hundreds of your friends, colleagues and our relatives have since joined to comfort us. Every single one of them has a story on h...
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When Do I Remember You?

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It's late in the night and I'm finishing a pending assignment from work. Suddenly a radio plays up in the neighbourhood. Old hindi songs and I remember you. How you enjoyed them! Lying sideways on your bed, legs crossed, hands in a semi clasp, right index finger tapping on the left index finger and a smile that made us feel that everything was well with the world! I also remember you when I see a kid running around. A kid could bring joy to you even in the most low moments. I remember you when I see a young person looking for advice on any of their life's problems - you were the most compassionate, experienced and concerned advisor that could be. I remember you when food is laid out on the table - the connoisseur that you were, you loved your food and Mom was always delighting you with new creations all the time. I also remember you every time there is a dip in societal and political values, how sad and disappointed that would make you and how you would continue to tel...
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Heavens Will Not Fall

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Dearest Dad, It's been a little over 2 months that you are gone. The heart keeps on aching every time the worldly distractions fail, which happens often. In the last 2 months, family and I have been going through a roller coaster of emotions without you. Just last week Mom misplaced the keys for the house and was upset. I reminded her what you would have said with a smile - "Relax, we'll get another one. Heavens have not fallen." And then I discovered a swollen blood vessel in my leg and had to get an MRI. As I approached the results' lab with trepidation, I remembered what you would have said with a reassuring smile - "Relax, nothing will happen. Even if there's a problem, it'll be treated and things will be fine. Heavens have not fallen." With your leaving Heavens HAVE fallen Papa! but I would be failing you if I believed that. Coz you are with me every moment to love, guide and reassure. The truth is that Heavens may not have fallen but...
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It's Never Too Late - To Love

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Dearest Dad, The weekend yesterday brought a couple of friends home. Most of them know that your leaving has not been easy for me Dad. I'm blessed to have kind friends who are making the time to comfort me. And as you know Dad, I have friends of all ages :-), from 85 to 18. The 2 friends who dropped by yesterday were miles apart, in age, in backgrounds, in context. One is a 75 year old retired journalist and an author from the heartlands of Uttar Pradesh, the other a 45 year old banker settled in California who is in India on a vacation. Delhi traffic and pollution being what they are these days, both of them chose to visit me by metro. It helps that I live in a place that is not only one of the best connected by metro, it is also a junction. It was decided that I would pick them up from the metro station. Coordinating in these times of mobile phones is not difficult. And it was important because an informal waiting area outside the metro station is on the road and it'...
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When There's No Anchor, Be One!

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Dearest Dad, It's so unreal for me to write, say or think that you are not physically present anymore. As I speak with well wishers, relatives, friends, colleagues, neighbours and all others calling to share my grief, I keep hoping that I'll figure out from someone how to cope up. When those who open up tell me that their wounds feel as raw as they did when they lost their fathers, even when many of them lost their fathers more than 20 years back, I wonder how I'll walk that far with this heavy heart. The truth is that I don't have to look far, as always. My inspiration is right here, in you. You had more than your share of challenges and grief at a tender age when you first lost your mother. Your growing up years were not easy, to put it mildly. Yet the first thing every person  remembers about you is your exuberance, curiosity, joyfulness and the warmest smile. You found your joy in giving, in loving, in caring and in living for others. People found the best a...
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