Friends in the Neighbourhood

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Vipin, Gitanjali, Vansh and Dev

I wish to thank you for looking after our flat in South City II Gurgaon till I moved from Delhi. I appreciate how carefully and beautifully you kept the house for nine years and got it in perfect condition for me to move in. You respected my husband a lot. You have kept his photo in your house. You stay in touch and give me a lot of love and respect! It is a satisfying feeling to find Vansh and Dev grow so beautifully, good in values, academics and with a strong coping mechanism. Gitanjali, you help so many children academically and emotionally when you take special classes in Maths. With a hectic schedule, all of you looked after Vipin’s father till the end, at a time when you hardly had resources to survive. His needs and medicines were always taken care of. God bless you for passing on beautiful values to your children.

Earnest Fanthome

You were the first person I interacted with in South City II, when I shifted from Delhi. I was struggling to adjust to a place which was unfamiliar and unfriendly. During the morning walks, it was a blessing to find you sitting under the shade of a tree, reading a book. You smiled when I said, ‘such a beautiful experience to

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find someone reading in the morning’. You talked to me warmly and we began to have a brief conversation every morning. I felt so good that I had someone to talk to in a place where I was gradually adjusting. Meeting Margaret Ma’am, Jerry & George, Roopa and their daughter was a unique experience. All of you became ‘my family in South City’. Your kindness, warmth and effort to reach out to me helped me to survive and adjust. Your concern, for my well-being and safety is something that I appreciate and value. Your love for books, reading, music, flowers, sensitivity and your meaningful interactions kept enriching my life.

When you learnt that I did not have help as my maid had to leave suddenly, you brought food at 8:30 in the morning. This kept me going for the next two days. Each time I ran into you during morning walks you came up to say Hello. Ma’am, Gerry and you have been warm and generous.

Your concern for my health was always there. You sent me to Dr Major Meenaxe, the dentist in South City II. Your logic was ‘why travel for hours when a good dentist is in our colony’. You believed that she was good as you yourself went to her. What touched me most was your effort of texting me her phone numbers, coming to my house when I was about to leave to inform that you would speak to her. You left the message with Mahender.

After going through the draft manuscript of this book, you called up to say that you found it beautiful. You sent a beautiful message ‘Life is a severe taskmaster, it goes to drastic limits to make us use the gift or talents—sometimes so hidden that we do not know we have them; given to us by our creator. Use your talents before they are snatched away from us for good. Happy Writing!’ It gave me the strength to keep working to finalise it and resolve a conflict, whether the manuscript was worthy of publication.

I was still in the process of fine tuning the manuscript when you left for the better world.

In your passing away after a brief illness, I learnt something, which strengthened my childhood learning that one does not have to be rich to reach out, to be meaningful and to get the respect of family, friends and neighbours. When your body came from the hospital, almost everyone from our Block came to pay respect. A unique experience was to find quite a number of children, many

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aged below seven years there. You were their ‘Dadu’ who prepared trays of glasses of water knowing that so many of them would rush to your house when thirsty. Jerry helped you in your effort to reach out to every child. It gave you joy. You taught these children patience to wait for their turn. You listened to their stories and helped so many by counselling. When your coffin was being placed in the hearse, a six year old boy sang the National Anthem in a sad and low tone, feeling that this was his way of paying his respect to you, the last time. All these children went for your funeral, some broke down, others watched sadly. Their parents held them tightly to support their emotions. Your goodness in life made you leave the world with dignity and respect, surrounded by your family and many others who respected you!

I was terribly upset. I was going to miss you everyday during my morning walks. It was on this day that George assured me that even after you had left the world Ma’am, George, Roopa and Jerry will continue to be my family.

Thank you for being my family in South City II.

Major Dr Meenaxe

It was a relief to find you. You are a sensitive and concerned dentist. You let me reach out to you whenever I have excruciating pain. You address my dental problems keeping in view my other health issues. Your clinic, The Panacea, provides relief to so many ordinary people as your consultation and treatment is affordable. You left the Army to spend time with your family. It is a joy to visit your clinic and home. Both have focus on aesthetics.

Shishir and Deepika

You live in the same block as I do in South City II. Interacting with you gives me a lot of happiness. Shishir, you are a young Economist responsible for Solar Energy Project. Earlier you were on deputation to the World Bank from the Ministry of Finance. I felt good when you shared with me that you had met my brother Anand in many briefs. You said, he is so good to the young people. He ensures that they are comfortable. He is so thorough in his work himself. He has been one of our finest Commerce &

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Industry Minister! Deepika, you work for a private company. You both touch my heart when Shishir and you get out of your car to talk to me in spite of your anxiety to reach your office. Deepika, you always stop to talk me, sitting in your car. Many a times you reverse your car to ensure that you can talk to me before leaving for work to let me know that you are sure to have a good day at work because you have met me!

It is a joy to see your daughter Arna growing beautifully. The presence of your mother is a blessing for all of you.

Thank you Shishir and Deepika for your loving spontaneity to let me know that you care! Shishir, I love your way of making tea, selecting snacks and setting up a folding table for me to ensure my comfort!

Uma, Chandni and Shreishthi

There has been a lot to learn from all of you, facing ordeals, maintaining dignity and striving everyday to meet challenges with smiles. Thank you, each one of you, for your concern and respect for me.

Parul

It is a beautiful experience to see you during morning walks. You shared your paintings with me once and told me ‘auntie, you can pick any one whenever you wish to give someone a gift. Parul, you are very peaceful person. Your love has helped me to adjust in many ways.

Mohit and Deepa

You leave whatever you are doing, getting into your car, doing exercises in the park or while talking to someone, to rush towards me to find out how I am, and request me that I should call you up whenever I am unwell. Thank you Deepa and Mohit for warmly served tea, snacks and meals. You insist that I join you for these! I love your simplicity, your discussions, how you managed to stay in Chicago to get a degree in Computer Engineering and later to work for seven years. It is a joy to talk to your two beautiful daughters.

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Mona

Thank you for your warmth and assuring me that I will always be in your prayers.

Amit

Thank you Rosy, Amit, your Mom and, most of all, your five- year-old son Akshu for your respect and concern for me. Your visits are always reassuring. I learn a lot from you. You take Mom along with you everywhere, in and out of India. You remained calm even when your platelets dropped to a very low level. Rosy, Mom, Jolly and Rosy’s mom managed with exceptional coordination by staying calm. Akshu was surely disturbed and missed you so much, but cooperated. You shifted to your new house close by only after assuring me that you would be just a phone call away. You stay in touch with me.

Saurbah Bhatnagar

Thank you for your smiles during morning walks and finding time to have brief conversation even when you are attending to your business calls. I share a beautiful bond with you.

Anshu Varma

You are a friend who has given me a lot of love and affection. Your sister Dolly, your children Gaurav and his family, Sonu and Nitin give me a lot of love and respect. It was a satisfaction for me to find the whole family looking after your husband from the heart till the last breath he took.

Each time I talk to you, visit you, I feel enriched. I need to thank Chandni for introducing me to you.

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