Adieu my Brother Om
Welcome to Hotel California, It’s such a lovely place; it’s such a lovely place… I remember you in the lines. I remember you in your own fine lines that you created and wanted to publish someday. I remember you in the innumerable jokes you used to crack. I remember you in the fun we used to have. I remember you in the debate we used to argue; I remember you in the humanity you served. I remember you in my home with my children and family. When I drive my daughter back from her Day Care Center, she still points to your place (though it was short lived) and tells me ‘baba lets go to Om Bada’s house, he lives over there”. I remember you amidst circle of friends. I remember you in our difficult times and in our joyful moments. I remember you in your intelligence; (and sometimes of your stubbornness). I remember you in the lanes you treaded and the bars you have combed. I remember you for all that you lived thus far. You drank your life to the lees and are no more any more, my brother.
Perhaps you have influenced my life more than any other person on earth-more than my teachers, parents and friends. You added colors to my life and existence. You helped me shape my life from my childhood. You were for me more than a brother- a true friend. At times you were bad to yourselves but always good to me. I am already judging you. I am not here to judge you my brother. Almighty as all of us will be.
When I walk back the memory first flash that the memory is of your energetic childhood. Playing rug-balls in that undulated village pitch you used to play and joke. As we walk back from school you and other seniors would speak in English. It was then considered elite to speak English. At first it was all Greek. But you left that impression on my mind for me it was following your footsteps. Many instances I narrated define your identity; they represent you.
Like me, there might be who would have benefitted more than me form your influence, inspiration and above all your company. You were simply a rare man of our time but gone unnoticed like the flower that flowers in a forest and withers before reaching to anyone’s altar. I am mindful of your struggle to avail education. Born in a big family amidst poverty, yours was not a smooth sailing story of success. I don’t remember you failing in your school and your grades were always first class. You were an epitome of our village, a real role model to emulate for your younger ones. When the rich guys failed and never made it to high school you outshone and went to a boarding school. You were simply the pride of our village, clan and above all your family members.
Being my senior, you brought back experiences and shared with me during vacations. I still remember you drawing a map to guide me reach my high school in 1986 when I had to leave our village. You introduced me to English country music early. You loved to enjoy life.
Your friends report that you always excelled in studies all through and I fully endorse it. Sometimes I wonder that if you had landed up in the right place after attending degree the course of your life would have taken a u-turn. You would not have ended your life untimely and you been placed where you ought to have been placed. For this, I must blame the then prevailing situation in the country. His is fate of course. In this short account I cannot recount your entire anecdote. I cared you my brother more than I cared anybody else. I helped you through several opportunities to survive and to live. Yet, you choose a different path that led you to your dusty end, untimely. Blame destiny-you were born in wrong time.
We shared moments that I will always cherish. I can only say that you were cruel to me for you never fulfilled my dream that I had dreamed for you. You loved me and I loved you. Only that I could not be present to see you turn dust. You lived a rich life I should say but the end was a sorry sight. You have a reason to take a rebirth.
My only prayer will be for you to be reborn as your daughter’s child again. Goodbye my brother, you will remain in my mind and memory at all times”.
(Editor’s Note: This memorial written by one of his closest cousins, who remained very close to him in all his life and has felt his inner fill in. The author wished to remain anonymous.)