REMINISENCE OF GOOD OLD DAYS
My family consists of five. Daughter Vandana who is BSc(Med), MBA is married and presently working on a post of upper level, in an American Multinational Company based in Gurugram. She has all along been a brilliant student while in school or college. At the same time, she was also good at extra curricular activities like discussions, debates, anchoring and stage performances for which she received number of certificates and trophies.
She had been popular both in school and college because of her talkative nature for which she had been nick named "Chatter Box' by her class teacher Mrs. Haverson at Hughes Primary, Canberra. Vandana has now become more composed and sober, meticulous and more like a board room professional. Our son-in-law, Vishal Mehra is an high flying tourism professional, a Senior Vice President, who remains maximum time away from flying the world over.
Our Son Vivek is a Mech. Engr. and SAP Consultant who has worked in Malaysia, Luxemburg and Florida lately. Presently he is working for a French Multinational based in NOIDA. Being an extremely introverted nature boy, he is less interested in social mix up and usually prefers spending time indoors working on his laptop. Though he is also very sensitive about the family relations, he never display emotions. His unpredictable nature sometimes may send shivers down the spine to one who happen to indulge with him in an unfavorable time and place!
My wife Rama, youngest daughter of Sain Das Shah of Narot Mehra, spent her early childhood in Indora, Himachal Pradesh. Since she was fully conversant with the pahadi dialect already, it helped her greatly to adapt to new environment of our Himachali family after our marriage in 1973. An extrovert, helpful, religious, enterprising, she is a good wife and caring mother who is appreciated, respected and admired in the neighborhood for her all personal charm and positive attitude.
Our Son Vivek is a Mech. Engr. and SAP Consultant who has worked in Malaysia, Luxemburg and Florida lately. Presently he is working for a French Multinational based in NOIDA. Being an extremely introverted nature boy, he is less interested in social mix up and usually prefers spending time indoors working on his laptop. Though he is also very sensitive about the family relations, he never display emotions. His unpredictable nature sometimes may send shivers down the spine to one who happen to indulge with him in an unfavorable time and place!
My wife Rama, youngest daughter of Sain Das Shah of Narot Mehra, spent her early childhood in Indora, Himachal Pradesh. Since she was fully conversant with the pahadi dialect already, it helped her greatly to adapt to new environment of our Himachali family after our marriage in 1973. An extrovert, helpful, religious, enterprising, she is a good wife and caring mother who is appreciated, respected and admired in the neighborhood for her all personal charm and positive attitude.
Her passive nature, however, prevent her to argue or face any untoward situation boldly. It was only because of her submissive nature that in the year 1976, when I left her and one and a half years old Vandana back at home, when I could not get accommodation in Srinagar, Rama and Vandu both were made the victims of serious domestic violence and hatred' by my immediate family. But I was not informed of the 'goings on' by Rama in order not to disturb me on duty!
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Preetika, our Bahu is like ek hazaron mein. BSc(Comp. Sc), MCA first class, she is working on a upper middle level post in an American Multinational Company based in NOIDA. Preeti, as she is close to Papa's heart, is very intelligent, hard working soft spoken, poetic, active, tolerant and constantly weighing below 50.
Our grandson Joshua joined us in December 2007. He is a very lovely child. I felt overwhelmed with joy when Joshua used to ask me 'Dadu Ghora Bano'. Joshua loves spiderman, tom and jerry, chhota bhim and Mr. Bean.. A day scholar, Joshua goes to Presidium, one of the best schools in town. Eight years old Joshua is widely popular in the school for being an amused, overenthusiastic and talkative toddler who can attract attention of anyone meeting with him even in the school corridors.
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Preetika, our Bahu is like ek hazaron mein. BSc(Comp. Sc), MCA first class, she is working on a upper middle level post in an American Multinational Company based in NOIDA. Preeti, as she is close to Papa's heart, is very intelligent, hard working soft spoken, poetic, active, tolerant and constantly weighing below 50.
Our grandson Joshua joined us in December 2007. He is a very lovely child. I felt overwhelmed with joy when Joshua used to ask me 'Dadu Ghora Bano'. Joshua loves spiderman, tom and jerry, chhota bhim and Mr. Bean.. A day scholar, Joshua goes to Presidium, one of the best schools in town. Eight years old Joshua is widely popular in the school for being an amused, overenthusiastic and talkative toddler who can attract attention of anyone meeting with him even in the school corridors.
Fondly called Joshu, he is known by his first name mostly among the large school faculty and even the security. Currently Joshua is attending skating, swimming, music and badminton classes. When five years old, Joshua won gold medal in Taekwondo during Inter School Sports Meet held in Ghaziabad in end 2012. Now, being computer savvy, Joshua 13 plus, studies in 9th class in Mayur International School, Noida.
Joshua is also good at playing video games on mobile as well as on Papa's laptop and his I Pad. He insists for wearing clothes and shoes of own choice except school uniform. While Joshua is fond of chocolates, he is very fussy over meals specially when he is playing, busy on computer or watching CN.
Army life is replete with sweet and sour experiences. Good and bad days come and go. Wounds given by bad days heal up with the passage of time, but memorable moments of good days always leave behind un forgetful imprint on one's mind.
After having led a part of tough life in the Army for 16 years, fortunately, a short spell of good days came in my life, sweet memories of which are still fresh in our minds. While serving in the Army, I had an opportunity to proceed to Australia..........the land of Kangaroos, on deputation, to the High Commission of India, Canberra. It was 1st January 1980 when I, along with my family landed in Australia.
Joshua is also good at playing video games on mobile as well as on Papa's laptop and his I Pad. He insists for wearing clothes and shoes of own choice except school uniform. While Joshua is fond of chocolates, he is very fussy over meals specially when he is playing, busy on computer or watching CN.
Army life is replete with sweet and sour experiences. Good and bad days come and go. Wounds given by bad days heal up with the passage of time, but memorable moments of good days always leave behind un forgetful imprint on one's mind.
After having led a part of tough life in the Army for 16 years, fortunately, a short spell of good days came in my life, sweet memories of which are still fresh in our minds. While serving in the Army, I had an opportunity to proceed to Australia..........the land of Kangaroos, on deputation, to the High Commission of India, Canberra. It was 1st January 1980 when I, along with my family landed in Australia.
I cannot forget the most exciting moments when we first touched the Australian land and walked through the corridors of the reception enclosures at Canberra Airport. At last, our dream had come true! Warm welcome and showers of greetings of a Happy New Year by the members of the staff of Indian High Commission, who had gathered there to receive us, was a matter of even greater enthusiasm and pride.
Happy New Year 1980 had come for us in its true sense. Yes! we were in Australia which is a land of contrasts. One of the sparsely populated countries, Australia also is one of the oldest land masses. 70 percent of its land is semi desert and unsuitable for settlement. As a result, Australia's population is small in relation to its overall size, which is almost twice the combined areas of India and Pakistan.
Australia has developed into an affluent, multicultural, predominantly English speaking industrialized nation with very high standards of living. Australia's first settlers were Aboriginals, a race of hunters who are believed to have migrated from Asia. The first white settlers were convicts who established their colonies, which subsequently joined in a federation of States to become Commonwealth of Australia.
Australia's climate ranges from tropical in the north to temperate in the south. Summer is from December to February, Autumn from March to May, Winter from June to August and Spring from September to November.
Canberra, Australia's Capital, is designed on a grand scale as the seat of Government of the Commonwealth of Australia, It is also a center for learning and art. It is a city of rare beauty with sweeping tree-lined avenues, grand buildings and monuments set in wide area of landscaped parkland along the shores of an ornamental waterways. Lake Burley Griffin, Huge shopping complexes, such as Monaro Mall provide a wide variety of retail outlets for the convenience of the Canberrian shoppers.
Happy New Year 1980 had come for us in its true sense. Yes! we were in Australia which is a land of contrasts. One of the sparsely populated countries, Australia also is one of the oldest land masses. 70 percent of its land is semi desert and unsuitable for settlement. As a result, Australia's population is small in relation to its overall size, which is almost twice the combined areas of India and Pakistan.
Australia has developed into an affluent, multicultural, predominantly English speaking industrialized nation with very high standards of living. Australia's first settlers were Aboriginals, a race of hunters who are believed to have migrated from Asia. The first white settlers were convicts who established their colonies, which subsequently joined in a federation of States to become Commonwealth of Australia.
Australia's climate ranges from tropical in the north to temperate in the south. Summer is from December to February, Autumn from March to May, Winter from June to August and Spring from September to November.
Canberra, Australia's Capital, is designed on a grand scale as the seat of Government of the Commonwealth of Australia, It is also a center for learning and art. It is a city of rare beauty with sweeping tree-lined avenues, grand buildings and monuments set in wide area of landscaped parkland along the shores of an ornamental waterways. Lake Burley Griffin, Huge shopping complexes, such as Monaro Mall provide a wide variety of retail outlets for the convenience of the Canberrian shoppers.
Petrie Plaza, the adjoining paved area, provide shoppers with a pleasant respite from the bustling city traffic. Civic Square with its trees and splashing fountains, is dominated by the Canberra Theatre Centre though each season brings its own delight, from summer's green to autumn's gold!
In Canberra, we lived happily in a well furnished beautiful four bed room house with sprawling lush green lawns surrounded by cherry, apple and peach fruit trees. Being situated prominently on a overlooking ridge, it presented a spectacular view of the suburbs down below spread over a vast area.
Microwave Oven, Cooking Range, Deep Freezer etc. etc. were some of the new things for us, at that time provided in the house. Beautiful, sleek Datsun Sunny YMC-075, also joined us within a week's time of our arrival there.
Each morning came for us with a difference. Life seemed quite different. Long drive on week ends on wide tree-lined highways of Canberra added more fun to our two small children - Vandana and Vivek! Being the staff member of the Indian High Commission, myself and my wife Rama, had the opportunity to attend the official receptions of VVIPs from India visiting that country including that of the then Prime Minister of India and Australia, first High Commissioner for India in Australia late Field Marshall K.M. Carriapa, OBE at High Commissioner's residence, India House. It was considered to be a rare honor for a very ordinary person like me.
Time flees very fast. Three years stay there was over on 12th February 1983 when we were back in Mumbai, It looked as if we had woken up from a sweet dream. Afterwards, enormous problems encircled me which were to be solved one after another. After spending three years at Jalandhar, I retired from my Army service on 31 December 1985.
It was again autumn for us till June 1987 as I remained out of employment. Some English poet has aptly remarked that "there is silver lining even in the dark cloud"
Spring emerged in our life when a stray, redirected inland letter from a lost friend reached us at Jalandhar. This letter was received by Rama in my absence when I was away from home on a military duty. When, on a week end, I came home, Rama handed over that letter to me saying that she had already replied to it. I wondered with amaze! "Kuldip ka letter", I said.
Myself and Kuldip were together in Mumbai after our training at Bangalore. We remained together for a short period and soon became close friends Kuldip left for PA training in 1966 and we never met again. Now it was 1985. He was re-employed in National Fertilizers Ltd., Panipat. He along with his son Arvind came to Jalandhar for a day or two and in turn, I also visited Panipat. Kuldip suggested me to join NFL, Panipat, as perhaps he was in a position to support me in this connection. I made up my mind but "Shorthand" was the main 'handicap' for me as the same was the primary requirement for applying for the post of a Steno.
Needless to say that it took very many efforts for me to learn shorthand like an old parrot. I had to burn midnight oil everyday practicing shorthand nearly six months keeping in view the future of my children. Before going to Panipat, I wanted to try my luck independently twice in the preliminary tests at NFL Bhatinda and the result.....failure! But I was not disheartened and plunged into learning with forceful conviction. Kuldip once again pressed me to come to Panipat. I did.
After a great deal of talks, discussions and manipulations behind the doors, I was allowed by the NFL Management to sit for three tests on the same day. Shorthand dictation, shorthand theory and typing speed test. I passed all the three. I was, then given the temporary job of a trainee junior steno that too pending 'No Objection Certificate' from State Employment Exchange, Chandigarh to the effect that if they have or not, on their panel, any shorthand knowing ex-serviceman. Reply came - they do not have. I was made permanent. I served in NFL Panipat for fifteen years and retired as a Personal Assistant to DGM(Mtls) in May 2002.
It was only possible due to Kuldip and his wife Amita Sahrawat, who first accommodated me in their family and gave me moral support heart and soul and with full conviction. Presently they are living in Newzeland with their younger son Arun.
Myself and my family can never forget the old memories of our stay abroad during our lifetime. Since June 1987, I was employed in NFL Panipat and lived in a company quarter in NFL Township. After retirement, however, I was most likely to settle permanently at Pathankot where I have a residential plot in Abrol Nagar but due to certain unavoidable reasons, I still continue to live at Panipat in my own house.
In Canberra, we lived happily in a well furnished beautiful four bed room house with sprawling lush green lawns surrounded by cherry, apple and peach fruit trees. Being situated prominently on a overlooking ridge, it presented a spectacular view of the suburbs down below spread over a vast area.
Microwave Oven, Cooking Range, Deep Freezer etc. etc. were some of the new things for us, at that time provided in the house. Beautiful, sleek Datsun Sunny YMC-075, also joined us within a week's time of our arrival there.
Each morning came for us with a difference. Life seemed quite different. Long drive on week ends on wide tree-lined highways of Canberra added more fun to our two small children - Vandana and Vivek! Being the staff member of the Indian High Commission, myself and my wife Rama, had the opportunity to attend the official receptions of VVIPs from India visiting that country including that of the then Prime Minister of India and Australia, first High Commissioner for India in Australia late Field Marshall K.M. Carriapa, OBE at High Commissioner's residence, India House. It was considered to be a rare honor for a very ordinary person like me.
Time flees very fast. Three years stay there was over on 12th February 1983 when we were back in Mumbai, It looked as if we had woken up from a sweet dream. Afterwards, enormous problems encircled me which were to be solved one after another. After spending three years at Jalandhar, I retired from my Army service on 31 December 1985.
It was again autumn for us till June 1987 as I remained out of employment. Some English poet has aptly remarked that "there is silver lining even in the dark cloud"
Spring emerged in our life when a stray, redirected inland letter from a lost friend reached us at Jalandhar. This letter was received by Rama in my absence when I was away from home on a military duty. When, on a week end, I came home, Rama handed over that letter to me saying that she had already replied to it. I wondered with amaze! "Kuldip ka letter", I said.
Myself and Kuldip were together in Mumbai after our training at Bangalore. We remained together for a short period and soon became close friends Kuldip left for PA training in 1966 and we never met again. Now it was 1985. He was re-employed in National Fertilizers Ltd., Panipat. He along with his son Arvind came to Jalandhar for a day or two and in turn, I also visited Panipat. Kuldip suggested me to join NFL, Panipat, as perhaps he was in a position to support me in this connection. I made up my mind but "Shorthand" was the main 'handicap' for me as the same was the primary requirement for applying for the post of a Steno.
Needless to say that it took very many efforts for me to learn shorthand like an old parrot. I had to burn midnight oil everyday practicing shorthand nearly six months keeping in view the future of my children. Before going to Panipat, I wanted to try my luck independently twice in the preliminary tests at NFL Bhatinda and the result.....failure! But I was not disheartened and plunged into learning with forceful conviction. Kuldip once again pressed me to come to Panipat. I did.
After a great deal of talks, discussions and manipulations behind the doors, I was allowed by the NFL Management to sit for three tests on the same day. Shorthand dictation, shorthand theory and typing speed test. I passed all the three. I was, then given the temporary job of a trainee junior steno that too pending 'No Objection Certificate' from State Employment Exchange, Chandigarh to the effect that if they have or not, on their panel, any shorthand knowing ex-serviceman. Reply came - they do not have. I was made permanent. I served in NFL Panipat for fifteen years and retired as a Personal Assistant to DGM(Mtls) in May 2002.
It was only possible due to Kuldip and his wife Amita Sahrawat, who first accommodated me in their family and gave me moral support heart and soul and with full conviction. Presently they are living in Newzeland with their younger son Arun.
Myself and my family can never forget the old memories of our stay abroad during our lifetime. Since June 1987, I was employed in NFL Panipat and lived in a company quarter in NFL Township. After retirement, however, I was most likely to settle permanently at Pathankot where I have a residential plot in Abrol Nagar but due to certain unavoidable reasons, I still continue to live at Panipat in my own house.
Your blogs make an interesting reading. The write up about kuthialu brahmins is a revelation for me. All these years I had been wondering about the origin if we kuthialu brahmins. Thanks a lot
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