Hailing from a very remote village in Karnataka and educated up to 10th class in a Kannada medium school... with almost no knowledge of English... very little knowledge of Hindi.. a man left for Mumbai .. the land of dreams to make a living ... or to live his dreams... he lived in a one room chawl with his uncle with many other immigrants from his hometown ( since the generous uncle was a one stop sarai for all immigrants from the home town who had come there to pursue their dreams.)
Not being educated is a curse... but sometimes it is a boon as well. Sometimes not knowing precisely what to do .. opens your heart and mind for opportunities.. and he did the same.. he had a technical mind and got an opportunity to learn how to operate textile machines.. to be precise knitting. Those were the hay days of embroidery, knitted curtains and fabrics. He quickly learnt the art and became the master. Masterji as people now used to call him... Knitting master.
The journey which began from a small village near Udupi... traversing through Mumbai then Amritsar and then Delhi. He was earning money. Lot of money. He bought a car (the first to buy a car from his hometown, a fiat, and that too self owned.. no finance those days ... only upfront cash) lavish lifestyle .. TV Fridge etc ... which were a luxury in those days... and a cash down purchased house in Faridabad. mind you cash down .. no finance.
His children studied in convent schools.. even though he was barely 10th pass... his children had the best schooling.
No his children were never pampered. The grudge which every child may have of not being pampered even though there was no money challenges. Though looking back now their children feel that it was for the good. Had they been pampered they would not have come strong.
Life was never smooth although. There were ups and downs in life. The textile recession.. Knits going out of fashion.. job shortage.. had its toils.. even though having his own family in Faridabad, he had to move to Amritsar, Surat, Dombivili, Bhiwani Mandi, back to Amritsar etc.
He even tried his hands in business and failed miserably. He was too honest and straight forward for business.
All this and some habits forced health issues.. and health started deteriorating.. but he worked till his body permitted.
In his last 10 years he fought bravely with diabetes, BP and other health issues. Though off and on he would be through ICU ( 7 times in 10 years to be precise) he never complained.
HE NEVER HAD THE HABIT OF COMPLAINING... NEITHER WITH HIS FAMILY MEMBERS NOR WITH GOD....!!!
And he always had the fighting spirit.
That for you is and was my Dad.... my handsome hero ...
Many a times I wonder where do I get the strength to fight and never give up...
Now I realize it is in my genes....
Never give up.... and never never never COMPLAIN.... !!!
I have learnt and imbibed lot of things from my dad... I miss you dad... and as I write this a tear trickles down my eyes ... to pay homage to him... this month he would have turned 79... !!!
FOREVER INDEBTED TO YOU.... DAD
