A Tribute To My Grandfather

Recently, I lost a person that meant a lot to me. And in losing him, it closed a chapter of my life that I was not really ready to close. And so this is a tribute to my grandfather, a man that will be missed very much by his 5 surviving children, numerous grandchildren, and a new crop of great-great-grandchildren.

Words escape me as I look to the loss of my grandfather, Ramniklal Worah, surely the human mind is not equipped to fathom the depth of this tragedy, and that too early on Sunday morning, when you are still in your bed.

As I stopped to reminisce about the past and take a trip down memory lane, tears welled up in my eyes when I thought of all the sacrifices he made for us and the great love he had shown to all. Black-haired, with tanned skin and a big forehead- my grandfather was one giving and selfless man, who found contentment though leading a simple life. He was frugal and spent little on himself but was extremely generous when it comes to his family. He always put his family before himself; he never did things purely for his own benefit. He loved us all very much- his grandchildren especially, whom he pampered so much.

Ask me being the only son in family!!!

Within this man there was no shadow of turning. A true friend, he has supported me through the various battles of vilification and sharing experience with me of many historical watershed moments of our country’s new birth. His skills, acumen and innate diplomatic qualities qualified him perfectly for the necessary negotiations which ushered in our valuable families ties. Ask him about underground maps of our colliery and even the satellites will not point that accuracy which he had. That’s why his colleagues used to call him “Mining Sardar”. A voracious reader to the extent that he reads even the labels of the mineral bottle, and everything he lays his hands upon leave aside just books, newspapers & magazines. Mind you he can read complete “Chitralekha” and “India Today” in a single night!! He was a person who keeps on thinking something or the other and the result you can see is the lands over his skull getting barren due to overwork underneath it i.e. grey cells. Ask my local librarian, first person to visit library and last one to leave!!

Another good quality which he followed till his last journey also was his value for "Time". He was so punctual about the time. I remembered numerous occasions where he used to send me to railways station hours before the train timings. He will hardly get late in any of the occasions or functions. Even his last breath was on Sunday and as usual all people came to his funeral at right time without disturbing there usual work timings. He was a wonderful man and lived his life in kindness and service. His example still motivates me to be a better person.

Grandpa’s passing ends our living three generation. He had leave behind all aspects of his features in my faces. This past week, I’ve noticed this as I have looked at myself in the mirror. I have your smile and your eyes. And when I smile, my eyes squint and nearly disappear. Many of us Parker’s have these very features. How can we forget you when your presence is so visible in all of us? We never will.
Grandpa, thank you for teaching us hard work. Thank you for your kindness and support to us and our families. You always seemed interested in what we were making of ourselves. We greatly appreciated this. We will miss you.

I wish I could have lived closer in his last days to this wonderful man!