UDAAN - FLIGHT OF LIFE

INTRODUCTION

LIFE IS NOT A MATTER OF MILESTONES BUT OF MOMENTS – ROSE KENNEDY

What a beautiful summation of life. It is a human tendency to measure one’s life with milestones but more important is the moments of one’s life as they are the essence of human life. You have to remember the good moments of your life to enjoy that, which will not be achieved by counting milestones.

In this context I remember a beautiful philosophical song from the film ‘ANDAZ (1971)’ which is one of my favourite songs. I take the liberty of reproducing the same here under.

जिंदगी एक सफ़र है सुहाना 

यहाँ कल क्या होगा किसने जाना 

 No one knows what will happen tomorrow in one’s life and therefore one should enjoy the present moment. But later on if such moments are to be relived, a person has to reminiscence. Autobiography is one medium to do so. While putting on paper memoirs of one’s span of life, one has to take care that one is open enough to narrate bad moments along with good moments. Impartial presentation is essential for a good autobiography.

I have attempted writing my autobiography keeping in mind this principle and yet somewhere I might have strained. Readers who notice this may excuse me.

The autobiography that follows has been divided into various segments, they are:

1 Childhood

2 School Days

3 College Days

4 Marriage Bliss

5 Family

6 Professional Career

7 Varied Activities

8 Literary Activities

PREAMBLE

To tell one’s life story is not an easy task and has to take into account a long span of life in which the person has both good and bitter experiences. How much of this he has to include in his autobiography is a matter of discretion, as there is a doubt that on one side good deeds and experiences only may show narrator’s one side, as also may prove that he is egoistic. On the other side it will show how much courage he has to narrate his mistakes and misdeeds. 

The writer has to consider the span of life from childhood till the date he is writing his autobiography. In the process he may not remember all the facts and experiences and therefore he may not be able to give proper justice..

The narrator has passed through innocence to maturity in his life span and to put all these in his writing he gets emotional and may not be able to present his narrative in a balanced manner. The writer has therefore to be very particular to avoid such occurrences so that the reader gets clear view of the life of the narrator.

In writing my life story I have taken utmost care to present a balanced account of the same and yet somewhere if I have crossed the balanced view, the reader is requested to ignore self-indulgence and should not judge the same as some kind of egoism.

In the narratives to follow, I have started with my childhood and ended with my present life. Everyone has to go through such a phase in his life and therefore may connect himself with my narrations. If it is so then in such a case it will be a proud moment for me.

I thank Storymirror for giving an opportunity of writing my story.

CHILDHOOD

The psychologists believe that the instances of your childhood play a major role in build-up of your adulthood.

I am reliving my childhood for you. I recollect a very famous song heard in my childhood which is relevant in anyone’s life:

बचपन के दिन भुला न देना

आज हसे कल रुला न देना

Why such a wish from all to relive? Because everyone’s childhood is full of innocence. You will have sweet memories of your childhood and now you feel that you have missed all the fun and innocence of the childhood. You wish that if those days return, you can once again enjoy the life. Alas, this does not happen and you have to carry on the present life with all the ups and downs which are out of your control.

Though I was born in Ahmedabad in 1940, my whole life so far is spent in Mumbai, first from 1940 till mid-June 1991 in Vile Parle and from mid-June 1991 till date in Borivali. My childhood memories are very deeming. The nation was still under British Rule and as a child I had no idea about independence. Even when our nation achieved Independence, for me that word Independence had no much impact. Yet I remember that whole Mumbai was illuminated and my father took the whole family from Vile Parle to the city to see this kind of illumination. Following this, for many years, our neighbourhood would hire truck and we all will go till the time, because of the austerity, such illuminations were discontinued.

By the year 1952 I was already an adolescent.

I had a very brilliant school career standing 5th in the class consistently till 10th standard. My school was Gokalibai Punamchand Pitambar High School, which was two minutes’ walk from my house. We all six brothers and sisters had studied in the same school till SSC.

In school days every year Independence Day was celebrated by each class, decorating the classroom with a theme. All would participate enthusiastically so that their class gets more attention. No prizes were kept for best decorated class and yet all would take part.

During those days in the compound of our school, every year during Navratri some programme like drama, musical night, magic show, etc. would be arranged during night, which was open for all at no charge. I would go with my friends of neighbourhood and enjoy such programmes every year. There was such a rush for seeing these programmes that the ground would be almost houseful.                                              

Most of the young boys tend to have a crush on a girl when they are in the adolescent period and I was no exception to this rule.

In my class there was a girl on whom I can say I had adolescent crush. During the 15th August celebrations I would try to be as near her as possible. I believe she was also to some extent get pleasure in working with me. Why I am narrating this is because during the Navratri programmes as narrated above, I would keep a place for her and eagerly await her to come. Others realized my attitude of reserving a place for her and would be smiling within. This was the age where innocence played its part and after completing SSC, when school days were over, the contact was lost.  

In school days I was never participating in any sports activities as my body structure was such that I was not capable of undertaking such activities. In fact because of my thin body and structure I was considered girlish. Even my tailor would tell me while taking measurement for pant that I have a waist of a girl. So thin was I. My thin structure continued for a long period even after my marriage. Presently I am having good waist and reasonable body.

While the first five rankers had good camaraderie, after completion of school education this friendship faded after some time. Except a few names I do not remember any of my school classmates.

In my building and in the opposite building boys and girls were studying in such a way that we were following each other in a row i.e. student in one class was followed by the other in the following class in descending order. As a result we had unwritten rule that when passed, his/her books will be given to the other who has passed the lower class and has entered the higher class. Even notes were given away in this manner. This would be ineffective when new course would come and new books were prescribed.

From childhood I had interest in literature and would read good Gujarati books. In our school, yearly handwritten magazine was published and I had submitted two/three times articles which were also published. Unfortunately I had not preserved those articles and therefore do not remember on which topics those articles were written and published.

Opposite my building, Late Dr. Harivallabh Bhayani, a Gujarati scholar in Jainism was staying. I was his pet boy amongst others. He had seen the potentiality of literature in me and encouraged to read good books in Gujarati. He would also teach me correct grammar etc. Today I am writing stories and articles in Gujarati, only because of his teachings and guidance. I therefore till date consider him my Guru. The credit of my becoming a writer at my later age is because of his influence on me.

My writing career I will narrate in later part but here I have laid the foundation of the same.

Another remembrance of childhood is going out of Mumbai during school vacations. No, not tours as are undertaken in the present days. No sooner school vacation would start, my father would take all of us to our native place Ahmedabad. That was the only place we were visiting for years to come.

Ahmedabad is one of the prominent cities of India. With its unique town planning since decades, it has become more famous. The walled city has various segments known as POLES and there are POLES within POLES. A stranger to the city would get lost in this unique maze of POLES. 

My house in Ahmedabad was our ancestral property which was situated in such a POLE within POLE where my uncle no. 2 was staying alone. The house had wooden construction with carved entrance and designed doors and windows. In Ahmedabad such types of constructions are common. Whenever we would visit Ahmedabad my uncle would be happy to see all of us.

This being summer time mangoes would be available in abundance. We would enjoy sucking the mangoes every day. We would also enjoy cold bath in the evening when water supply would start.

Opposite that house my maternal uncle’s house was situated. We would go to that house quite often in a day. We would play with cousin sisters card games and pass the time. Sometimes we would go for a movie.

For a long time this ancestral house has witnessed not only our visits but except two marriages all marriages of our family members. When we were young, for us such marriage was a festival when all relatives would get together and enjoy.

The two buildings opposite each other where I was staying in Vile-Parle had a few boys of almost same age. When the schools were closed for summer vacation we would get together and play various games like Carom, Cards, board game Vyapar (Business of today) and enjoy. We would not know when the vacation was over. We even would go on a picnic from morning to evening to National Park in Borivali and other nearby places. In those days from Vile-Parle to Borivali was a long journey and we all would enjoy that. We would carry refreshments and enjoy nature.

I distinctly remember that when I was of the age of eight, Gandhiji was assassinated on 30th January 1948. As an eight year boy I had not much effect of the news at that time but had heard greatness of Gandhiji. I vividly remember having informed my mother, who had a shock hearing this news. Only later I understood the importance of Gandhiji and effects of assassination of Gandhiji in political arena of India.                                                                                                           

COLLEGE DAYS

A student in school has dreams of the college life because he has heard a lot about that and wishes that he also should have such an enjoyable college life.

Life goes on and after completing SSC the time came to go for college education. In the SSC examination I had secured second class with 56% marks. In those days the standard was high and even my getting 56% was for me an achievement. Now I had to decide my future education plan. I had no liking for science faculty and arts was considered faculty for girls in those days. Further I was fond of mathematics and so I decided to take commerce faculty. In the fifties only two established Commerce colleges were there, Sydenham College and Poddar College. My inclination was for Sydenham College because a Sydenhamite is seen with respect.

Luckily I was able to get the admission in Sydenham College. When I received confirmation of admission, I was very happy that my dream has come true.

But the problem was the teaching medium. Till SSC I had received education in Gujarati medium and in the college medium of teaching was English. I could not grasp the lectures of various subjects and therefore unable to understand the same. I could not cope-up in college studies due to the change of the medium of instruction. No one was there to guide me and as a result in spite of my school career being brilliant, I failed in the First Year of the four years’ course.

This disturbed me so much that I refused to get out of my house for three four days. Even neighbours would not believe that I could not get through in the first year of the college considering that I am a brilliant boy.

When my Guru staying in the opposite building came to know of this, he sent message to come and meet him. I was hesitant to come out of house but I could not disobey the message also. Ultimately on fifth day I met him. He was very considerate and solaced me. He also explained that in the life ups and downs occur but one has to face the same and move ahead. This proved to be a motivation for me and provided stimulus to go ahead in the life. The next four years were without any hitch and I graduated in 1961. In those days the course was of four years.

In the repeat First Year I came across many co-students but friendship was with very few. This is because basically I am an introvert and I do not easily get mixed up with unknown people. Except a few, I do not remember names of others, but one name is still in my mind and our friendship is alive till date. His name is Surendra Adhia.

We would study in library together, go to nearby Satkar Café for a cup of tea regularly and occasionally go to see English Movies in the nearby Eros theatre. Now a days because of old age it is not possible to meet personally, yet occasionally we talk on phone and exchange greetings on phone on each other’s birthday and marriage anniversary.

All young men have a curiosity for sex. In my case I also got a few sexual material through a few Gujarati co-students who had passed them such material to me. No doubt as a growing young man I naturally enjoyed these. However as I was made prone towards other various interests, thankfully I did not get fixation for such material and soon gave up reading those.

During those days, in the commerce faculty a very few girls would take admission and therefore when I entered the repeat class and show some girls, I was surprised. These girls were from reputed families of higher strata and therefore to get acquainted with them was out of question. But I had to keep contacts later on with them. How? This I will explain.

In the college there was Gujarati Sahitya Mandal in which all Gujarati students were members. The Mandal was managed by a committee under the supervision of Gujarati Prof. Murali Thakur. I had developed good relationship with Prof. Murali Thakur during the days I was in the college till my M.Com course classes. After the college days I lost his touch but suddenly and surprisingly when in 1965 I had gone to Matheran for honeymoon, I met him with his young daughter. Both were happy to see each other. He was happy that I have married and asked me to visit his house in Khar with my wife. The daughter became fond of my wife in the three days that we were together in Matheran. We had visited Prof. there after quite often and also were aquainted with his wife who was a charming lady.

In the college there was a Gujarati lady professor by the name Miss Desai. She was teaching Commerce subject. She was also connected with the Gujarati Sahitya Mandal and therefore I had developed good relation with her also.  

The Mandal would organise programmes like tours, lectures and annual programme consisting of Dance, Musical items and Drama.

As a committee member of the Gujarati Sahitya Mandal I was also entrusted with some responsibilities. The committee had also representation of girl students and in that way I would come in contact with them. One or two such girls were attractive and I would have day dreams about them but I knew that as a futile exercise.

In the years to follow I became Hon. Secretary and in the last year I became Chairman. This way my contacts with a few girls were developed but without any repercussions. Though I was Hon. Secretary, actual work would be decided and carried out by some active fellow students who were expert in such kind of work. You can say that I was a namesake in that organisation but I enjoyed that position and the limelight I received.

This exposure proved to be a boon for me as in the life thereafter I was not hesitant to take up social activities during my employment as well as present day life. These will be narrated later on at appropriate places.

I knew that simple commerce graduate has no importance and I must take up further study. My oldest brother was a Chartered Accountant and I knew at that time in 60s how difficult it is to complete Chartered Accountant’s course. Barely 2 to 3% students would pass.

I had no inclination to undergo this hassle as I knew my caliber. Further my father had retired from services since 1956 and I would not like to burden him by taking up C.A. course. In fact I had decided to search for a job immediately after passing B.Com. so that I can be of help to my father financially. In those days the salary would be a meagre amount but I knew that at least a token contribution will give him solace.

However I had not forgotten of further studies and therefore I opted for M.Com. Course. This course was conducted in the evenings and in my college only i.e. Sydenham college. Therefore the environment was known to me. The course was of two years. I was sanctioned only a week’s leave before final examination, but I managed to complete study along with service and I passed out in 1963, not with flying colours but in pass class. However I could thereafter boast that I am a post-graduate fellow.

I had also tried to do the Company Secretary course, which was postal course. Unfortunately I could not complete that course because of various constrains. Otherwise the story of my life would have been different.

After S.S.C. examination, during the vacation, I had joined typing and shorthand courses. Though I could not complete shorthand course, the knowledge of typing then is helpful to me presently for my work on computer.

Thus I completed my educational stint with mixed experiences and remembrances.

MARRIAGE BLISS

On hearing the word marriage, any boy who is yet to get married has quite a romantic feeling. He has already dreamt a lot about his marriage and his married life. What kind of girl he would be marrying, whether she would mix with his family, whether she would walk with him shoulder to shoulder, whether she would be understanding one to support him in all his difficulties and problems, so many such thoughts come to his mind.

But there is another say which says that JODIS are made by UPARVALA. I can say that for me that is true. My story meets appropriately that film title

तेरे घर के सामने

In the building opposite my building, a south Indian family was staying. They were three sisters - Kamala, Saroja and Leela and three brothers – Balkrishna, Laxman and Venkat. We knew each other very well from childhood and all six were good friends of mine. From childhood we all would be playing together. The three sisters were studying in Gujarati medium school in which I was studying and the three brothers were studying in Convent school. However because of the Gujarati neighbourhood and having many Gujarati friends all six would speak fluent Gujarati. In fact in my building also south Indians were living and the boys here also had picked up Gujarati language quite well for conversation due to the contacts of Gujarati friends like me.

Though I very much wished to get married and enjoy marital life I was hesitant to meet a girl, ask questions during the meeting and decide after such meetings whether she will be good enough for me or not. As much as I wished to avoid this ritual, I knew that I have to go through this ritual sooner or later. I had already completed 24 years and I knew any day I will be facing this situation. But the Venus was playing its role and I was saved of all these troubles. You will be thinking how I managed to get married without going through all these rituals but it is a long story worth knowing.

Many a times my friends and acquaintances would ask me about my love life and marriage and every time when asked I narrate the same in details with pleasure. Now I share that love story here with you all.

After the marriage of two elder sisters the whole burden of household responsibility had come on the third sister Leela because she had already lost her mother.

To support her father she was working as a primary school teacher. As she had to go early morning for the job, she would complete cooking and leave for the work. All these were known to all the people in the two buildings.

As I said earlier, we knew each other since childhood and studied in the same school till SSC. However, I had not thought that innocent friendship of childhood will take another shape later on in my life – of permanent companionship. Entering youth is one thing and its reaction is another matter. I saw that girl entering youth but without any related reactions. But with passing of time this turned into a one sided love affair. As friends we would go for a walk in the night after dinner but without any other motive. But by passing of time I realised that I am attracted to her and would like her to be my wife. However I was unable to open up my mind to her and wasted my time in dilemma of how to ask whether she also has similar affection for me. In the decade of sixties love marriage and that also inter-cast marriage, was a daring thought, not only to others but to me also. I was hesitant to move ahead because of the thought that my orthodox Vaishnav family would accept a girl of a different cast. I ultimately decided to put up my thoughts of my affection towards her in a letter and decided to give the same to her during one of the night walks.

Basically I was bookworm and introvert and therefore I was not sure whether she would accept my proposal. She would also consider the issue of inter-cast marriage and refuse. Anything was possible. In case she does not accept my proposal then I had decided that I will go ahead in my life without her and go for arranged marriage. But the circumstances turned to be different and before I could give my letter to her, I was compelled to open my mind to her face to face.

For the first time in my life my mother informed me that a marriage proposal has come from known source. That night I informed Leela during the night walk that I had some serious issue to discuss. Hesitantly I opened my mind and conveyed my liking of her and also the way she was carrying out household responsibilities along with her service as a teacher. I also informed her that I had written all my thoughts in a letter and was to give her the same as a proposal, but due to changed circumstances I had no choice but to open up my mind to her personally.

As this matter was very sensitive and required serious thinking, she said that she needs one week’s time to think. She had to think of her family and resultant difficulty to them after the inter-cast marriage. I in turn informed my mother that I need one week’s time before I give my answer. This happened in July 1964.

Now indirectly almost all in the neighbourhood were aware that we two are going for a walk in the night and by considering 1+1 it was taken for granted by all who knew us that we would get married. Even my mother had inclination of this and therefore she asked me is there any one in my mind? On saying yes, she bluntly asked me whether that girl is of our neighbourhood? I again replied yes and informed that let her think of my proposal and if for some reason she does not agree I will go for the proposal that has come.

As usual my mother argued that in our cast, or even in any Gujarati community good girls are available then why to go for a non-Gujarati girl? I said that instead of an unknown girl, I prefer a known girl, if she agrees. Further my mother was knowing her since her childhood, being in the opposite building and she was also aware of that how she is handling situation by balancing household work and service as a teacher in absence of her mother.

But my father had no objection to my marrying a non-Gujarati girl as he had positive attitude and also knew her since her childhood.

I am so lucky that at the end of the week when we met again at that time she conveyed that knowing me since childhood she has no problem of accepting my proposal. Thus her consenting to come into my life as my life partner became a unique matter for me. A thought had come at that time that how long would be her companionship, but looking back now I can say that this Bania has not done a losing business!

No doubt she conveyed later during one of the night walks that for the marriage I have to meet her father and take his consent. Frankly though I knew her father since childhood, and he also knew me as a good boy in the neighbourhood, I was slightly hesitant to approach him because of the sensitive issue and also because I was introvert. However, she was insistent that unless I meet her father and ask for her hand she will not go ahead with my proposal. 

In the end in the Diwali days of 1964 I ventured to meet her father. Like others I was known to him as Niru. When I met him he conveyed that he knows me and my family since years and he has no problem of my getting married with Leela. However he cautioned me that his elder son–in-law being an orthodox one, he may oppose this kind of inter-caste marriage and therefore I should go for court marriage.

Though I knew my co-brother since long and he also knew me after his marriage to my elder sister-in-law, as expected, he objected to our marriage. My second co-brother had no objection to my getting married his younger sister-in-law. His such forward thoughts also were evident when though a Tamil Brahmin, he accepted for his son, a Christian girl. As of today, they are also living happily like us. Love marriage is in my life as many of younger generation have done so.

Ultimately I decided to get married through Civil Procedure and fixed date of 18th May 1965 for our marriage. I fixed this date so that she is having vacation and we can go out of Bombay after marriage to avoid any hassle from her family.

For this kind of marriage presence of three witnesses are required. One from the bride side, other from the groom side and a third one a neutral person. Her younger brother was in favour of our marriage not only because we were childhood friends but also because he was of forward mind. As there was no objection from my family for this marriage, my elder brother volunteered to be witness from my side. For third neutral witness I requested my Guru late Dr. Harivallabh Bhayani, who readily agreed to come to the court and be a witness since she was staying in his neighbor and he knew both of us from our childhood.

After we had decided to get married in July 1964 and before actual marriage took place in 1965 we were now meeting with a different perspective. We would take available chance to meet unknown to neighbourhood. She would return from the school in the evening and my time of returning from office also was almost same. I would synchronise the time of my returning in such a way that from railway station to our home we could walk together and talk. On reaching the corner of our road she would go ahead of me so that no one sees us together and starts gossiping.

I cannot resist to say that the period between her consent and our marriage was a golden period. Sometimes we would go to various places instead of going to service. We had no problem in adjusting the timings for roaming around to various places. However I would take care that we return back home to our normal time of returning so that our families have no suspicion of our not going to service and roam around. 

To enter a joint family with a new environment and then get mixed up with that family is very difficult for a woman especially for a non-Gujarati girl. However, she adopted our family traditions with ease. Later on this pleased my mother very well. This proved to be one more reason that my decision to accept her as my life time partner was correct.

In our togetherness of five decades, we have carried out all our responsibilities very well and now it has become a past. But how can I forget those beautiful memoirs? 

Many ups and downs have come in our joint journey. It is not so that we had no differences, but because of our thinking and understanding, we were able to come out of these and keep our married life in good shape for which I am very much happy and satisfied. It will not be out of place to say that both of us have sacrificed a lot and I am sure will continue to do so because after so many years of togetherness I do not see any major difference between our thoughts. Even today we have such an intimacy between us that we can discuss our thoughts and opinions with each other freely.

With the passing of the time we came out of joint family and started our own independent domestic life. She handled with a smiling face the changed situation and maintained house hold in perfect condition. Living independently with financial squeezes, with responsibility of household, maintaining relations, bringing up children and their education, to establish their household, in all these fields I have gone through many a hassles, but in all these situations she has shown understanding and stood with me shoulder to shoulder. This is praiseworthy. Even my family and friends have praised her for her understanding and support to me.

Remembering all these, today I feel that in our togetherness of more than fifty years, if she had not managed all these responsibilities superbly, I am doubtful whether I would have reached where I am today. It is undisputed that she was behind me in my success. I have said this to others and will continue to say so. Today I am able to remember such a long past and its sweet remembrances because instead of becoming hindrance, she has supported me. Her nobility has become ideal for my family, friends and others. I pray to the God that our balance life of togetherness continue to pass this way and our life-chariot will run smoothly during future ups and downs.

Presently we two only live together as siblings have settled of their own. Yet we reconcile with the situation and are not bored of each other. We understand that this is the reality and we have to live by ourselves. We have accepted the same with pleasure.

I would like to mention here that the elder co-brother, who had reservations about my getting married his sister-in-law, came around after six months of our marriage and accepted our union. There by our relations with each other once again started a smooth run. In fact subsequently he had some domestic problem when he called both of us for consultation. By nature I would not keep in mind any grudge against any one and so I had no hesitation in helping him whenever needed. So all is well that ends well.

FAMILY

The system of joint family was prevalent in India since ages. The head of the family had all the authority and his saying would be final whether liked or not. A child from his childhood would be taught of abiding by rules and regulations of the joint family and therefore there was little scope of going beyond elder one’s authority. Being in a joint family had both advantages and disadvantages. Being together, each one feels safe and can share his/her difficulties and expecting help and solution of the problem from others. Joint family helps in sharing household expenses and there by the burden of financial responsibility is divided and reduced on each member. The disadvantage is that you are not independent and cannot have your say or cannot easily express your opinion or wishes.

From birth I was in a joint family and have adjusted my life accordingly. I was living with a loving joint family happily. I have three brothers and two sisters – Ghanshyam, Gajendra, Bharat, Suvarna and Aruna. I was the fifth one of the six. Ghanshyambhai has two daughters – Meeta and Archana, of which Meeta has expired. Gajendrabhai has two daughters and one son – Nimisha, Krina, Gaurang. Bharat has one daughter Hetal. Suvarna has two daughters and one son – Bijal, Alpa, Nishith. Aruna has no issues.

Ghanshyambhai, Bharat and Suvarna have expired. So also my two Brothers-in-law – Bipinbhai and Rameshbhai.

In Mumbai the shortage of living space is well known, but circumstances like children in the joint family becoming adult and requiring own space etc., unfortunately made me decide to have my own separate home for my family. By that time I had lost both the parents. In June 1991 I separated from my brothers in Vile-Parle with mutual understanding and shifted to Borivali, having a spacious two BHK flat. But we continued to have co-ordeal relations with Vile-Parle family till date.

I have an ideal family consisting of two children, a boy Pranav and a girl Khanjana. Both of them are married and well settled. I am happy that even after his marriage, for more than 20 years my son continued to stay with me and there by the tradition of joint family continued. Only after the inset of Covid pandemic and because of circumstances, since last two years he has started living separately. But the relations are still maintained. Both my son and his wife are working persons and not only are happy with their job but their management is also happy with them. My granddaughter Bhumika is going to be a graduate this year.

My daughter is married happily with Biren. She is a housewife. Biren is a freelance accountant and quite settled in that line. My granddaughter Moksha has already graduated and she has IT job. Apart from that she has learnt French and Mandarin languages.          

Our Mehta family is a large family. My father Girdharlal had three brothers, Ranchhodlal, Chimanlal and Kanaiyalal. He had no sister and therefore I was deprived of love and affection which usually is given by a FOI.

My father worked with Burmah Shell Oil Co. which is now known as Bharat Petroleum Co. He worked diligently and was praised for his work by his British superiors. He retired in 1956 and thereafter had a long retired life till he expired in 1982.

My mother Padmavati was a good housekeeper taking care of and upbringing all her six children. She was a good cook also. On festival days she would cook special dishes which were delicious. She expired in 1986.

On my mother’s side I had three uncles and two aunts. Their names were Anandlal, Rasiklal, Jagdishchandra, Anasuya and Jaya. All were living in Ahmedabad except Anasuyamasi who settled in Mumbai after marriage to Kantilalmasa. It was a regular feature to visit their house, first in Girgaum and later on in Nepean Sea Road.

My eldest mama, Anandlal had three daughters, Avantika, Rita and Harsha. Harsha has expired but I have still contacts with the other two. Rasiklalmama had no issues and Jagdishmama was unmarried. None of the Mamas and Masis are now alive.

Anasuyamasi had five children – three boys and two girls – Jayant, Bipin, Jatin, Hemlata and Kishori. All three cousin brothers have expired and two cousin sisters are well settled.

I would now like to share a few things about wife’s family. She has three brothers and two sisters – Balkrishna, Laxman, Venkat, Kamala and Saroja. Balkrishna and Kamala have expired. Both Balkrishna and Laxman have one son and one daughter each. Venkat has no issues. Kamala has three daughters and Saroja has one son and one daughter. All are well settled. I have cordial relation with all.

Health has played a very important role in my life. From my childhood my health was a problem. I was underweight, the range being 42-44 kg. With six children and financial constrains my father was not able to take care of my health, more so as in those years health consciousness was NIL and even our country lacked proper machine to monitor health of the population.

With poor nourishment I could not participate in sports activities.

With passing of time I was victim of Asthma since 1957. As years went on this was aggravated and I suffered a lot especially in the nights. I have passed many nights without sleep, sitting on bed with a pillow on which I would bend and try to get some relief. Ultimately the family physician would be called. In 1971 on one such occurrence the family physician was unable to treat me at home and I was hospitalised.

Subsequently the family physician was changed and though suffered from Asthma never had I to be hospitalised.

But in 1986 a known MS was consulted who cleaned my system from the root and thereafter I never have any attacks of Asthma.

Presently I am 55-56 kg.

Another age related problem I had was cataract. I was operated for cataract of both eyes in 1994 and in 1997 respectively.

With the passing of years, age related health problems started appearing. Starting with BP in 2004, coronary problem in May 2009 occurred when blocks were detected and Angioplasty was done.

Similarly in 2017 I was operated for prostate gland.

Now at the age of 82 with regular food and regular activities, I can say that I am fit and fine subject to intake of certain medicines regularly.

In spite of all precautions, my wife and I were victims of Covid in January 2022. It was a mild one as we both had taken two vaccinations. We were confined at home only for seven days. Now we have also taken the booster dose. 

PROFESSIONAL CAREER

One’s professional career is based on one’s education, attitude and nurturing. 

With my academic degree in Commerce faculty and looking to my personal acumen, though being Gujarati I chose a professional career instead of becoming a businessman or a stock broker, as many Gujaratis are, and so I decided that my professional career should be connected to corporate world. I started hunting for a right job. It was through an advertisement in a newspaper that I applied to Kamani Metals & Alloys Ltd., one of the group companies of then very famous Kamani Group, an organization which had multiple manufacturing units and trading activities. To join an important company would have been a dream of any young one.

As luck would have been, after several rounds of interview I was selected as a junior clerk in the Accounts Department. I worked very hard with full sincerity. This did not go unnoticed by the top management and within a year I was promoted as the senior grade clerk. After this promotion there was no looking back for me. Promotions after promotions followed and within a few years I became an Executive in the Accounts and Finance Department of the same company. In fact the Personnel Manager of my company specially commented by saying that rarely any person has climbed up the professional ladder so fast.

My experience in corporate like Kamani gave me two things – firstly a very sound career as an accountant and secondly a finance man. I also made lot of friends at my work place and some of the friends continue to be part of my life even in this age.

In 1975 there was a change of management and with that it was felt that there may be changes in the operational level. No doubt some changes were made but for me contrarily status quo was maintained.

In my long career of 33 years in KAMANIS from 1961 to 1995, I was involved initially for book writing and slowly with my performance I was entrusted with important assignments. By 1975 I was assistant to the Chief Accountant but after 1975 I became assistant to Financial Controller.

In 1981 the company decided to form a separate company, as an international contract was likely to be received. Having M.Com. Degree and having some secretarial knowledge I was entrusted with the work of formation of this company as a private limited company. With the help of Company Secretary and Financial Controller of KMA I completed assignment successfully and formed a company by the name of KMA International Pvt. Ltd. (KIL).

Though thereafter I was to come back to the parent company KMA, the Chairman of KIL informed that I must continue as the Company Secretary as it is permitted under Companies Act to have a person with M.Com. Degree if the share capital is less then Rs. 25.00 lacs. Accordingly I had to continue in KIL till its natural death.

In 1991 with the labour problem in the parent company KMA, the management declared lock-out. This affected my salary. I was part of the group with the Managing Director but only token salary was given. Thereafter in 1994 I discussed with the Financial Controller that I cannot continue for more time in this manner and requested him to find for me some alternative opportunity. After some months he engaged me in his son’s company Metropolitan Industries Ltd. (MIL).

At the end of 2004, at the age of 64, I decided to quit the said company for personal reasons, with the intention that even if I do not get any alternative job, I can pursue my hobby of writing and reading. Both my son and daughter-in-law were working. When informed of mu resignation they assured me that I have no need to work anymore and enjoy my retired life. In this way I was at home from 2005 beginning and started my literary activity.

Full 2005 and mid-June 2006 I was having retired life when on 5th June 2006 I received a call from Auditor of my previous company KIL, asking whether I was working or free. I conveyed that I am free. He then asked me whether I am interested in a job. I informed him that I do not want full time six day job. He asked me to meet one gentleman who was having cigarette factory Gorkha Lahiri Pvt. Ltd., in Nepal, as he required immediately a person like me to work for him.

The next day I met that gentlemen at his residence and during the discussion, conveyed that I do not wish to work again for six days a week from 10.00 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. I would like to work three days a week i.e. Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 12.00 noon and 4.00 p.m. He agreed readily to my terms and asked me to come to his office the next day to get acquainted with his company’s workings.

After four days he said that the subsequent week he is going to the factory in Nepal and I should accompany him so that I can get acquainted with people there, as well as I would have first-hand working of the cigarette manufacturing process. Though I had no passport, he informed that on voter’s card I can travel to Nepal. Accordingly my travelling was arranged with him. Not only I was shown the cigarette making process but I was accepted on day one itself by the staff as one of them and not CHAMACHA of MD. In these 16 years’ association all the personnel there treat me respectfully. Even my MD treats me respectfully because of my age and knowledge. Whenever I have visited Nepal in these years, special care is taken for my comfort.

Not only that, I am consulted wherever there is some problem related to accounts. I am happy to say that in later years of my life the present days are golden days as I am working from home for the Company, as also pursuing my writing work and other social activities in full form.

VARIED INTERESTS

Besides my professional and literary activities I also was involved in variety of social activities.

Though I have said that I was introvert for a long part of my life, as narrated in CHILDHOOD chapter, I participated in 15th August celebrations in the school every year. I had also written articles in the school magazine which was foundation for my present writing ability, which I will describe later in a separate chapter.

In the college I was associated with Gujarati Sahitya Mandal, details of which I have narrated in the chapter titled COLLEGE. This social activity continued even after I left college and started professional career. The company KMA, where I was working, was part of a big group – KAMANIS. Here also there was a social group under the banner KAMANI SOCIAL CLUB. I was actively participating in its programmes. Subsequently I was the Hon. Treasurer. The Chairman and Hon. Secretary of the Club were my good friends and our trio gave very good programmes including low cost picnics and tours. This ended when our department was shifted from Head Office to the factory. But I still have fond memories of those days.

The building where I was staying in Vile-Parle and the opposite building had a group of couples and other senior persons to celebrate every year Navratri. Here I would participate in RAS and GARBA. Moreover, though I am not a professional, I would play DHOLAK and keep the tempo. Friends would tolerate my performance as they could enjoy playing RAS, GARBA. After this programme there would be refreshments and that way the atmosphere would be like a party. Everyone was a chum to others. This continued for some years but subsequently for some reason or the other this activity stopped.  

We had a small group of married people from the two buildings, who would meet every Saturday night in some one’s home in rotation and would have a cup of coffee. There we would discuss any subject and enjoy the get together.

As said earlier, in 1991 I shifted from Vile-Parle to Borivali. After formation of the Co-operative Society of our Building, having M.Com. Degree, I was entrusted the work of the Hon.Treasurer. I am proud to say that except one year in between, I have continued to be Hon. Treasurer till date i.e. 32 years. I also assist the Hon. Secretary in his work for smooth running of the affairs of the Society.

Our Building is part of a complex having five more societies. Time to time meetings are held where representatives of all societies come together to discuss common issues. I am also invited to take part in the said meeting. There I contribute relevant information.

LITERARY ACTIVITIES

Literature widens one’s horizons. Books are windows to the world. 

As narrated earlier I had the habit of reading books. In the childhood I was reading good Gujarati novels, apart from good magazines. When I started my college life I started reading English books, mainly suspense stories of Agatha Christie, Perry Mason, Sherlock Holms etc.

I had writing passion in school days and had contributed to the school annual magazine for two three years. Unfortunately those have been misplaced.

While in college it was not possible to do any literary activities as I had to concentrate on studies more so as once I had failed in the First Year.

After completing my studies and stabilising my life with new responsibilities after my marriage, in 1968 an opportunity came to revive my writing skill. A new weekly magazine had declared competition of story writing. One day an idea came to my mind and I developed the same in a story and submitted for the competition. Of course I did not get one of the three prizes, but I was given consolation prize. This was a proud moment for me and encouraged me to continue writing. Thereafter a micro story was published in 1969 in a prominent Gujarati monthly magazine ‘KUMAR’. To get published your story in such a reputed magazine makes you feel that you have become an established writer, but it was not so.

After 1969 till 2004, with family responsibilities and office work, no fruitful ideas came and my writing activity did not go further.

After 2004 I retired from services and then I had free time to pursue my writing activity. In January 2005 I had suddenly realised of my skill of writing poem which was published in Gujarati daily newspaper ‘JANMBHOOMI’.

In January 2005 I also won second prize in an essay competition. Thereafter at regular intervals I continued to write stories, micro stories, articles, poems, which were published in various reputed Gujarati magazines and newspapers. Apart from ‘JANMBHOOMI’ and ‘KUMAR’, the others are ‘MUMBAI SAMACHAR’, ‘ABHIYAN’, ‘AHA! JINDAGI’, ‘ANAND UPVAN’, ‘MARI SAHELI’, ‘NAVNIT-SAMARPAN’, ‘MAMATA’, as well as other periodicals.  

Someone suggested that I should submit my write-ups in Gujarati blogs. Accordingly I started with one blog and now I have contributed to many blogs like DADIMANI POTALI, SAHIYARU SARJAN, GUGAM, E-VIDYALAY, BETHAK, WEBGURJARI etc. and also Gujarati portals like, STORYMIRROR, MATRUBHARATI, GUJARATI PRATILIPI.

Till date my total number of published write-ups has reached over 440.

I have also done translation work. I am able to do so in three languages – English, Gujarati and Hindi – (English-Gujarati, Gujarati-English, Hindi-Gujarati, Gujarati-Hindi). These I have done many a times.

So far I have authored five books. Three books are collections of my published stories and two are Novels. The three books of story collection are ‘ઓળખાણ’ (OLKHAN-(2017), ‘સ્નેહ સંબંધ’ (SNEH SAMBANDH-2018) and ‘શતરંજનું પ્યાદું અને અન્ય રચનાઓ’ (SHATARANJNU PYAADU ANE ANY RACHNAAO-2020). The first Novel ‘વિપુલ ઝરણું’ (Vipul Zaranu) (2021) was based on an idea and developed in a full length novel. The second novel ‘અતિથિ દેવો ભવ’ (Atithi Devo Bhav) (2022) is a full length Novel which is a development of my own story of the same name.

In the attached annexure are listed a few awards and appreciations which I have received in my literary career.

I am fond of Music, especially Hindi Film Music. On this subject I am regularly contributing to one blog WEBGURJARI articles based on one subject each. This is written twice a month. Till date such articles are numbered 165 and continue to grow.

Annexure of literary awards and appreciations

1 Storymirror

Category                 Title              Year

Kalam aur Khayal – Poetry     Valentine Day          September 2019

Book of Love – Story           Kak ane Manjari       September 2019

Prerana Panth – Story          Matrudin              October 2019

Editor’s Choice – Best Story    Pratyaropan           March 2020

Certificate – Poetry            Virah                  June 2020

Nomination – Author of the Year 2020

Author of the week – Story    Matrutvani Vedana    February 2021

Certificate                     Draxnu Zumakhu      April 2021

2 Maharashtra State Gujarati Sahitya Academy 

First Prize for Book of Stories   Sneh Sambandh       2018

3 Brihad Mumbai Gujarati Samaj

Novel Competition- Third Prize Vipul Zaranu           February 2021 

CONCLUSION

I am neither a celebrity nor a great man whose autobiography or biography would impress millions of people all around the world.

I am just a simple person like millions of other Indians who fortunately have been given an opportunity to share my life. Hence this autobiography.

When I look back at the span of 82 years I can only thank God for his abundant mercies, gifts and the beautiful life and lovely family granted.

Perhaps I in my humble way have achieved a lot compared to many people who aspired.

This beautiful life of mine about what I have just written is like looking into a mirror and having a flash back.

A flower may be beautiful but without the scent it misses out the very essence. I would say that the scent of my life has been my better half, my children, my many close relatives and friends, who have been a great support for me for which I sincerely thank all.