In Memory of Badabapa !!

As I gather my thoughts to pen down a few words for Badabapa, I realize how hard it is! What can I possibly write about someone who had such an influence in all our lives and who was revered, admired and loved by all around him! I can only sum up that I lost someone who was more than a father to me, more than a brother to my father and more than anything he was to all of us… someone we have always looked up to, someone whose presence made us feel home and brought that sense of family in our hearts. Losing Badabapa has left such a vacuum that is hard to fill!

My early memories with him were what I heard from him. His home at Cuttack was literally my first home! Every time we met later, he would talk about all those childhood and talkative days of mine. I lost my grandfather while I was a kid, so for me, Badabapa was more like him. He was the head of our family! He would be there in all the festivals, celebrations and important occasions we ever had in our family. I cannot recollect any event where we ever missed taking his blessings! We would always visit him from time to time. I remember spending some of my school vacations also with him at Cuttack. When I moved out of home for studies and eventually to Bangalore, I would still make a point to visit him! Even though he would not be keeping well, yet he would always enquire everything about me, my work, my life in Bangalore and would remember those childhood days of mine. In the last few years while his health was failing, his aura was still the same! It was extremely difficult for me to see him bedridden in that state, for he was always one of the strongest persons I ever knew. The last beautiful memory I have of him was when he came to my wedding even when he himself was not able to move. I would probably cherish that moment forever!

Now that he has left us bereaved and went to the heavenly abode, I am happy that he is relieved of the worldly pain and sufferings. The family above including my grandparents and other uncles, will forever remain our guiding angel and bless all of us! I just did not lose my uncle, I lost my grandfather all over again. I will always miss him! May his soul rest in peace!

There are few special people in our lives who never leave us, even after they are gone!