We knew dad as a very sensitive and emotional person. It did not take much to make him emotional. In fact any sports match between India and Pakistan made him live the war all over again. This attitude touched all of us as kids. We would be mighty disappointed if India lost to Pakistan, and if India won our joy would know no bounds.
Even today when I hear the National Anthem I cannot help feeling overwhelmed and somehow dad comes to my mind.
I saw my dad cry for the first time when I was very young, in Gulbarga. Indira Gandhi was arrested during emergency. I did not understand the gravity of the situation then but knew that it meant a lot to my dad.
The congress party represented for him - India's struggle for freedom and its achievements thereafter. He would get into heated arguments if anyone spoke a word against it. Indira Gandhi was a woman he admired a lot. He even took me to the barber (the army ones!) and made him give me 'Indira Gandhi Haircuts'.
I remember faintly that once to watch a semi-finals hockey match between India and Pakistan we all got up at three or four in the morning! India lost and we were all so disappointed. Dad swore that day that it would be the last match he would witness. Of course the very next match he forgot his oath as his love for sports was definitely over-ridden by his love for his country.
Friday, July 29, 2011
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