I have been the most fortunate and a blessed person to have been provided with an opportunity by Almighty to work with Papa Ji, and feel very grateful for this grace of God!
I got associated with Papa Ji in the year 1993 when he took the reins of Kashmiri Sewak Samaj Faridabad becoming its President; however, Almighty gave me a real opportunity to work with him in 2002 as I was nominated the General Secretary of Kashmiri Sewak Samaj Faridabad, while he was the President.
As General Secretary it was a part of my duty to be in touch with him and would almost daily apprise him and take necessary guidance from him about the community affairs. It was pertinent for me to meet Papa Ji at least thrice a week, and feel honored to put it on record, and believe that I came up-to his expectations.
Papa Ji had a tremendous love, affection, respect and regard for the members of the community. I have noticed the pain and anguish in the inner of his heart for the members of our community, those who could not adopt themselves to the changed circumstances on account of migration from Kashmir.
During my tenure of six years as General Secretary, I do not remember any incident of his inconsideration towards any request for assistance; may it be for Medical assistance, related to Education, marriage of a daughter etc. In such a case, he would advise me to call special Executive body meetings for urgent consideration and action. He believed, “assistance not rendered timely looses its relevance”. He would help the needy and deserving cases even out of his personal resources and would ensure that nobody knows about it. He would always say, “if you are helping the needy by your right hand, left hand should not know about it”. The self esteem of a Kashmiri Pandit was very dear to him, and he tried his level best to ensure that it is not affected.
He was a great host. I remember the days, when he invited the Executive body members to Bhimtal for a four day trip. He was really very caring. He would himself enquire about the minutest details and see that all the fifteen members feel homely. He would even travel with us in the bus for visiting site scenes of Uttaranchal, leaving his own car behind. Even at his residence, he would not allow any body to leave unless he received a gift of Kehwa and sweets and even some of the vegetables grown in his kitchen garden.
His love, regard and respect for his spouse Memi Ji, was really a lesson to be learned in our family lives.
He was a visionary with an insight in all aspects of life, be it Engineering, Architect, Education, Housing societies, Religion and Spirituality, Fine Art and Poetry. He believed in the concept of doing things than criticizing things already done, he would say, “If you want a thing to be well done, do it your self”. He would always get involved in all projects big or small, be it construction work, be it management of space and time, purposeful environs or utility of objects.
Who could have imagined the materialization of the magnificent Hari Parbhat, the grand Sharika Bhawan Complex and the Three Cooperative Group Housing Societies; but for the vision of Papa Ji. During the creation of Lal Ded Memorial on the top of Aravalli Hills, I was amazed to see him visiting the sculptor at Noida to check his artistic proficiency and also his visits to Jaipur to interact with the Murti Makers for precision.
He would always believe in the maintenance of the transparency in the affairs of the Samaj and advised, “Transparency and Honesty should be felt and seen as well!” He always believed in team work, and would nominate three to four members for every team, so that more and more members are involved, thorough discussions are held and transparency is maintained. He would always say, “being honest is not enough, one should be seen as honest”.
His top priorities included wider intellectual interactions, practical knowledge of things, personal attention and time management; I have yet to see a man as punctual as he was! I remember number of occasions, when I got an opportunity to travel in his car for meetings or functions. He would ask me to inform on phone the organizers that we are on the way and shall reach the site within 20 minutes or so. In case of any abnormal delay, he would apprise the organizers and also would not mind feeling sorry.
Papa Ji was widely revered, honored by government and non-government agencies, yet he was an embodiment of humility, compassion and humor. I have personally seen politicians, Industrialists and even bureaucrats visiting his house and taking blessings from him. Once, we were invited by the Deputy Commissioner of Faridabad in connection with allotment of land to Kashmiri Sewak Samaj Faridabad for Golden Age Centre (Old age home) a dream project of Papa Ji, I can never forget, how both the Deputy Commissioner as well as the Administrator HUDA stood up from their official chairs and forgetting about the protocol, both bended to the feet of Papa Ji to take blessings.
Papa Ji of course had a unique weakness, he would never believe that every body could not be trusted, and this was embarrassing at times. I wonder how a person of his stature could be so positive about every one else; what a faith in people !
Papa Ji was the harbinger of programs such as Mochi Phoul Saith Atharot, Athrot Foundation, and many other programs, under these projects, he helped many deserving and needy families and he had high plans of extending this project and ensure that none of our community members go to any Government or Non government organizations for any type of assistance. He would always say that “we, as the community are self sufficient to take the care of needs of our Biradari members”. Alas his two other dream projects, such as; Community Education University and Golden Age Centre (Old age home) have yet to see the light of the day!
His six years association is a life time experience for me. I pay my tributes to Papa Ji and am deeply inspired by him, shall long to see another Papa Ji emerging from amongst our community; sooner the better!
