27th May 2025
They say, “Something that is loved is never lost, for all that we love deeply, becomes a part of us.”
As I reflect on Dad’s life, I can’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude. He wasn’t just an amazing father, he was an incredible human being.
His love, wisdom & strength will continue to guide us & his memory will be a source of comfort and inspiration.
Even though he’s gone, his spirit lives on in those he touched & his legacy will always be a part of us.
To my amazing Dad, my hero, I just want to say thank you.
Thank you for being there for me every step of the way.
Thank you for your guidance, your support & your unwavering love. I can never put into words how much you meant to me, but I hope this tribute comes close.
Dad, you were one tough cookie.
You faced life’s challenges with courage & grace, never letting them define you.
Your ability to stay positive and hopeful, even in the face of adversity, was truly inspiring. You taught us that strength isn’t just about being physically strong, it’s about having emotional fortitude and the ability to keep going on, no matter what.
One of the most important lessons you ever taught me was to find joy in the small, everyday things. Whether it was a quiet evening at home, a family dinner, or a walk in the park, you showed me the beauty in the little things that make life special.
You were the living embodiment of discipline.
I mean, who else could stick to a routine like you? Every day, you moved through life with a precision that amazed me. It was a testament to your unwavering commitment to excellence.
You always listened to your body and fed it only good stuff. Those long walks you took at the lake, every day, rain or shine, showed how much you cared about your well-being and your discipline.
I had never heard you complain or compare yourself to others. I remember a time when there was an extended period of an electricity breakdown and we all were complaining and you were sitting at ease and when I asked how come you are not affected, and you just smiled and said, ‘I remember the time when there was no fan in the house.’
You accepted people for who they were, including yourself. That was a rare quality and taught me many a lesson. But what was truly amazing was how you made everyone feel comfortable talking about anything. You had this uncanny ability to connect with people on any subject & make them feel at home.
No matter how much success you achieved, it never went to your head, but you shared it with all. And when faced with failure, you bounced back with the spirit of a true champion.
Life hadn’t always been easy, and I had seen you go through some tough times. It broke my heart to see you in pain, but those moments of vulnerability showed me the true strength of our family. You led us through those storms, like a true commander-in-chief, without allowing us to break up.
Even at 80, you still turned heads. Your charisma hadn’t faded one bit. You still had that magnetic personality that captivated everyone around you. Back in my school and college days, my friends would be in awe of you. They thought you were the coolest dad ever!
One of the greatest lessons you’ve taught us Dad, was to get out of our comfort zone. You pushed us to pursue better education in leading institutions away from Chandigarh and ensured that we were not pampered and taught the value for money.
We would debate & argue with you to no avail, for every hundred bucks increase in our pocket money, but then you would splurge on us, and take us for meals to the fanciest restaurants and also ensure we were always better dressed.
I cried when you refused to buy me a bike when I was in college but, then you gifted me a Maruti without my asking, when I started earning.
We were always overawed by your suave style and would wait for you to travel out of town, to indulge on the toiletries and huge range of your After shaves and colognes, in your washroom.
Knowingly, you always overlooked the missing portion in your favourite bottle of Scotch and the cigarettes in your ‘India Kings’ pack.
I shall always miss the ‘Hungama hai kyon barpa’ and ‘Afreen Afreen’ melodius evenings while sipping the choicest whisky with you, in your favourite bohemian crystal.
I don’t remember ever being hit by you but shall never forget the ‘This is not expected from you’ line after getting an ‘Unsatisfactory card’ in the 9th and there was no looking back for me post that.
I grew up watching you dress with aplomb; your Tweed coats, the matching pocket square with your silk ties, the ‘L sheng’ handmade shoes and a dash of your favourite cologne. Your discipline of ‘Browns for the day, greys and blues for the evenings’ and the perfectly creased whites for your morning walks and your often repeated quote, ‘The way we dress affects the way we think, the way we feel, the way we act and the way others react to us.’
Your gift of ‘Lay her among the Lillies, the famous James Hadley Chase novel from your library in my high school, followed by the collection of Arthur Hailey, John Irving, the occasional PG Wodehouse and not to miss ‘Harold Robbins’ made me fall in love with books and a reader for life and create my own library.
Countless people benefited from your generosity. You always opened our home to everyone, providing many with a safe haven, without ever expecting anything in return.
When people asked you about it, you brushed it off like it was no big deal and Dad, that for me was the true essence of a gentleman and taught us that karma is not about doing good, but doing good without expectations, only for the happiness it makes you feel and contentment it gives.
I can go on and on but I just want to make you a promise; Dad….I promise to strive every single day to bring a fraction of the happiness and joy that you brought to the life of countless people.
God knows how much I want to hug you one more time and tell you the things I never said when you were here, thinking that there will be another day.
Your life was a gift, and your memory will forever be a treasure.
And as a friend of his wrote, “The song has ended but the melody lingers on…”
Thank you Dad….Thank you for making us stay blessed forever.