THE PORTRAIT OF MY FATHER-RITA TYAGI

 

   THE PORTRAIT OF MY FATHER

    

Light has gone out it seems in our life he is no more physically with us but emotionally and spiritually will remain with us forever as a torchbearer. He was dark, tall and handsome in his youth. He seemed ordinary but was not. He was an extraordinary person quiet , calm  and had some divine qualities which were visible from time to time in the time of adversity. He was born on 15^th of April,1936 in a middleclass family and like any middle class person worked hard to achieve all that is desired by an individual. He breathed his last on 21^st November,2023 in Metro Heart Hospital Meerut U.P.

As per Indian tradition all his last rituals were performed very smoothly and with heavy heart by his younger son since his elder son passed away six years back. Father was not an ordinary person I am compelled to say so again as he lived his life with the basic principles of life which help a person to lead a pure life with honesty and sincerity to achieve success. Father was a learned person with masters in Philosophy and English Literature. He served in Indian Army for 28 years in Army Education Core. In 1972 he was sent on deputation to West Sikkim Pelling Higher Secondary School as an English teacher to teach Secondary and Senior Secondary classes. That time Sikkim was not in India but was a small country ruled by a King.

Father had a very long and fruitful retired life adhering his daily routine to good timely cleanliness and food habits. He was fond of reading detective novels of James Hadley Chase  Agatha Christie and Arthur Canon Doyle. In the afternoons he used to watch Indian T.V serials C.I.D and Adalat. In the mornings and in the evenings, he used to listen to the English news. Like any demise that takes place in a house of an elderly person he too is missed a lot. The whole house seemed to mourn his death.

His suitcases, bags, purse, sunglasses, kindle, shoes, dresses in almirahs, towels and undergarments seemed to be discarded in minutes but diaries and bank documents were very carefully preserved. After the death only money and gold is important for the survivors. This is the only truth of life that what you do throughout your life to achieve success comes to end by showing zero result in the end.

He was brought home as a body only which was laid down on the floor in verandah, a printed cloth was spread on him and a blanket on my mother’s recommendation to save him from cold weather who with her teary eyes was clueless, the companion of 64 years left her shattered and broken. My father’s favorite pillow was brought which supported his lifeless head. His sharp features were very clear it seemed as if he was sleeping very peacefully. I touched his face for the last time, rolled my fingers in his hair and felt him of his last physical presence. A divine glow was there on his face as I felt then was unforgettable which I still cherish in my heart. It was heart wrenching moment, shivering with a cold wave through my spine no words can describe the pain of his demise. The man who introduced me to this world is no more.

All relatives and friends were informed of his sad demise and with in an hour all of them surrounded us a custom of consoling started explaining them the condition, time and causes of my father’s demise. Soon Panditji, the last ritual performer was called and as per Hindu religion his last journey was scheduled. For next 13 days mustard oil lamp was lit in front of his garlanded framed photo and on 13th day of his demise was mourned by a religious feast known as Brahma Bhoj Divine Feast with relatives and friends. Still clueless of the secret of life and death. May God give peace to the soul of my father and strength to us to bear the greatest loss of our life. The life continues without him just his memories in our heart of a divine person. The light has gone out of our lives with our nears and dears.

OM SHANTI OM SHANTI OM

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