Pat on the back

Dad worked in Central Bank of India for major portion of his career. We have been to all the branches where he worked from Kurla, Kalyan to Wada, Dapoli. He was good with numbers & use to communicate well the bank schemes with benefits involved to his consumers. He inturn made many business wholesaler friends, who use to call him to buy their products namely fruits, vegetables, grains etc.

I had visited many times with him to buy fruits, grains at wholesale prices. Just because of dad’s good nature, we use to buy less quantities but at wholesale rate. Those were the days we use to have cranes of seasonal fruits. They were really yummy treats. During one of such visit, it came to my notice that while leaving their places, Dad use to touch their back & simply give them a smile. I saw him doing this to all who had helped him in some or the other way. This was his gesture to say that “Friend, I really appreciate your services, I am always there whenever you need my help”.

Later on, after frequent such incidents I tried to understand on how the others feel on his gesture. They felt connected with a thread of mutual respect. Some even started reciprocating in the same way. At times if he was not able to do this gestures then he never missed to say that “ accha hua tum the nahi toh hum log kya karte” & to this handy compliment which he use to give to his friends there was a common reply..

”Arey bhau..dont bother, this is nothing in turn of help which you had done to us”

I frequently ask myself did ever I missed someone whom I have not acknowledged by such gestures

Pickup from school

I would like to recall an incident which is one among my fond memories. the first ever when i felt the warmth of my dad. the scene was such that i was returning from my school, i found my dad had came to receive me. this was the first time, he had came to pick me up. i was glad to see him & began running towards him. My sandals were in a torn conditions & because of running they got more torned (I am careless by nature right from my childhood & didnt cared about anything except books which were to be passed to my younger brother). after reaching to dad it were in more shabby condition. dad leaned to pick me up but paused to see my sandals. the next moment his eyes were filled with water. he controlled himself & asked why didnt i got a new pair instead of wearing the torned one. i smiled & hugged him. he took me to the shoes store & buyed me a black colored sandals. i was very happy & showed my new sandals to all. after discussing the incident with mom, i asked her " Mummy, why was dad crying when he saw my sandals torn?". she said to me that he had no sandals when he was a child. he used to go to school barefooted. he actually remembered that time & had made a promise to himself that i will study & earn a lot that my son's will not be deprived of anything they require & i dont remember any incident where he had refused us anything which we required genuinely.

To recall an incident from my Engineering days. My Dad came to know that i was not carrying a bedsheet while travelling in a train (as usual..careless Mr. Amol Shende). he immediately rushed to a nearby store to buy one & then came hurrily to give me the new fresh bedsheet when my train had actually started.