Way Tata travelled.

When Tata was in Parbhani,he had to travel sometimes on duty.So, a great meal was prepared then it was put in a Carrier box which had several layers of Dabbas.Biryani, chicken curry with parathas etc.was the minimum requirement.Then the bedding was prepared,in which a small matress was tucked in the bedding and proper bed sheet was spread.The pillows were tucked in which included a small pillow to keep in between knees as he claimed they poke him.Now one peon was deputed to travel with him.His duty was to at dinner time open the carrier spread out the meal with proper dinner plate glass of water etc,then wind up the meal.Spread the bedding `properly`(single mistake he was doomed).Ane then travel back to parbhani while Tata proceeded to his destination.

parbhani memories

Tata was teaching in Parbhani Agricultural college or school I am not sure.
On final exams time students used to come to him and begged him to give clues for possible questions in the exam paper.He will tell them come one hour before exam to my house and I will tell you the whole question paper.And really he used to read the whole question paper,and he used to say if they have not studied in one hour these kids will not have answers any way.

Parbhani memories.

Oops forgot to upload the picture. Here it is.

This must be again either Rahuri or Ahmednagar. You can see from right to left Tinu,Tata, Ammamma, Atta,Nanimama, me , Sonu,Pappu, Baba, CM with the dog may be Maggie and PM with Chunmun. Looks like Pappal was not there yet.I can not say exactly which year but must be some time between 1972 and 1973. Correct me if I am wrong.

This picture was taken in November 1965 at the time of our Engagement.At that time N family lived in 1229 Deccan Gymkhana.

Tata, Ammamma and Atta in a sugarcane farm in Rahuri

Around the same time this picture was taken either in Rahuri or Ahmednagar

I am not very sure about when this picture was taken, however I think it was Tatagaru's 75th Birthday in Rahuri.

pocket money.

When I was in college my friend will sometimes plan to go to canteen to eat dosa.I will not sure how much money I will have in my purse.But to my delight when I used to open my purse there will be lot of change there.Tata always secretly opened my purse without telling me and put what ever change he had in it.Mind you we were really hard up with money in those days.
In those days he was in Bombay working in SBI Nariman point.Every weekend he used to visit us in Pune.I really used to wait for him eagerly as he would go to road side shops and pick up tops and kurtas for me.
When ever he came home from out station he never came empty handed.I still remember he bringing Lahariya saris for three of us,I think they was pink,green and purple.I was 3/4 years then and we were in Parbhani.

PM`s Birthday.

Tata was admitted in ICCU.It was 20th January.And ammamma said `do you not remember it is papa`s birthday today.Wish him happy birthday.` And Tata said in this place I do not know if it is day or night,nor day o the week leave alone date!Then he wished PM/Dad happy birthday.He passed away on 22nd night/23rd early morning.For many years I could not face PM`s birthday as it followed Tata`s anniversary.Painful memories.

Jam or Disco?

I have so many memories of Tata but some of them stand out more than others. When I was in the first year at PICT he used to check in on my financial situation from time to time - the status was always the same I was always broke. One day he said Chunmun I will ask your mother for more pocket money. What are you going to use it for? Buying Jam or going to the disco? I nearly fell over laughing. Only the cutest grandfather in the whole universe could ask such a question.
Chun

what to say

I become wordless when it comes to talking about Tata and Ammama.We all were very lucky to have them in our lives.Probably I never realised how important they were till they left us.And now every day we miss them.There is that strange emptiness in my heart which I know will never fill up.How we take our own people for granted and forget to let them know how much they mean to us! I think all of us should make a special effort in everyday life to appreciate small things people do to help you.Like making a cuppa in the morning, all of us( including me )take it for granted.I know what tata will like the most.If we all learn to be civil to our loved once.We are always nice to outsiders and forget to be nice to close people in our lives.Apart from remembering him and ammama,,in this blog (which is by the way such a great idea),let us try to teach true values to children and learn them ourselves.
By for now,But I promise to put some nice story next time about them!

A warm welcome to T K affiliated family members

Yesterday , January 23rd, marked the 14th Anniversary of TATA's leaving us. Although he left us in physical form I, like you all, feel his reassuring spiritual presence all the time. I seek his blessings and even permission before taking up anything new. Of course I must be wearing him out with the number of new ventures I undertake, some impulsively and some well thought out! But I press on with the confidence and strength that he had imparted to me as he brought me up.

I am sure all of you have drawn and continue to draw similar strength from him and Ammamma as you progress in your lives.

Let this blog, so thoughtfully initiated by Chunmun, be a starting point of something new, of sharing and caring in this beautiful family of ours. Each one of you must have a beautiful story
or stories to tell about tata and Ammamma.

That would be the best tribute we all can offer to the two great souls who shared and were part of our life's journey.