Dadu , my Dadu!!

As the pyre was lit up, I saw a part of my life being put up in flames. A relation ended forever, with memories to pour through as the time progresses. The irony was, 28 years back, he had carried me on his shoulders and taken me home for my first step in this world and 28 years later, I carried him on my shoulders for his final journey.

Dadu (grand dad in bengali/nanaji in hindi), as I fondly called him, was a man of discipline and was a total family man. To him, the well being of the family members was of prime importance. Having seen troubled times right from his childhood, he valued money and always stressed on saving it. He was a man of simple taste and had core values. Tall he was, with a strong body frame, he could give today's youngsters a run for their money in terms of physique. He loved us all and always cared for others even when he would be under crisis.

My early memories with him go back to the times, when he used to carry me in his arms to a nearby park in Chandigarh. There he would sit for hours watching me play to my satisfaction. He loved all the grand children equally and called them Dadubhai affectionately.Often, he would make me sit beside him and tell me stories about his struggle, about his life and he never failed to tuck in a 50 or a 100 rupee note each time I went to Kanpur. The short but sweet banters which he used to share with my grandmother were a treat to hear. He used to have his food at specified timings and had a good sense of humor. He had a tumbler made of brass in which he used to have water. Dadu woudl always ask me about my lifestyle, my job everytime i visited him. I never realised that while I was touching my youth, he was approaching the last years of his life. For me he always used to be the same loveable Dadu who would sing songs in the morning and would fan his grandchildren during summers with a small hand fan. He always told me to be a good person and always respect my upbringing. The last time i met him, in Nov, 2009, we chatted a lot on life and about past. He kissed me and told me ' Don't know when I will see you again'

Today, he is no more. He left for heavenly abode on 10th of August, 2010, exactly a week before. As i remember him, tears do fall from my eyes. The fact that the next time I visit my Mama's house, Dadu wouldnt be there, gives me immense pain. The fact that whenever I call up, I dont hear Dadu, troubles me.

On 10th of Aug, I met him the last time on his bed in the ICU. He was trying to come into senses but the body wasnt supporting it. For one moment, he looked at me, tried to hold my hand and then released it. The moment will remain etched in memory forever.

Dadu had a wish - to attend my marriage. I had a wish - to talk to Dadu at least once before he leaves us all. We both couldnt fulfill each other's wishes.
That is life's way of balancing out things.

RIP, Mr N C Chatterjee.
Dadu, I will miss you and your love forever! How I wish, just once, you had opened your eyes and called me 'Dadubhai'.

P.S - I wanted to write more but my hands and brains are failing me.

An unfortunate Grandson
Gullu