Ram Ram!
Thinking about Madan uncle on our way back to NJ & such rich legacy that he left behind.
He was Madan uncle to me & Madan dadu to my kids, whom we all knew our entire life’s.
Almost 50 years of knowing him, getting bit more closer to him for the past 22 years since I shifted to US, Madan uncle was a pillar of strength, person who left me in awe each time we met or spoke over a telephone call.
As everyone shares, truly an absolute gentleman, simple man and such a noble soul, that even if you didn’t interact with him directly, his mere presence had a shining aura and a huge impact on you. We met regularly each year, on all family occasions, and each time he took charge of performing any religious ceremonies and knew entire Gita, Ramayana by heart!
I recall he once told me how he took Sanskrit classes to read the holy scriptures, and I always felt he was the rare person who really understood them too!! Hundreds of stories come flashing my mind with him, his style of using a different way to explain things to kids compared to adults, yet everyone felt totally relaxed conversing with him and he had so much wisdom to share on any subject.
Sample this - a very sharp Engineer by education with double Masters degrees from reputed colleges like Thapars & Michigan University, 35 years of distinguished service doing R&D work for Ford Motors as Sr Engineer, teaching Yoga, volunteering for so many causes for the fallen & deprived, his active role in Hindu society/temple for the past 30 years, translating a Sanskrit book of his Guru in English etc. were some of his known accomplishments. I am certain more shall get disclosed to us through the life’s he touched in his own philanthropist ways. He loved photography, playing chess, enjoyed travel (Rishikesh being his fav destination), a great listener/healer, he had amazing sense of humor. “Ek baar aisa hua” (once so it happened) was his catch phrase, followed by a great story or a rib tickling joke.
This isn’t really an eulogy or even a tribute per se, it’s merely saying Thank You for giving us the opportunity to know you uncle and thanks a lot for all you did for your family, friends & community. It’s been an absolute honor!
May you continue to brighten & enlighten us with your teachings.
Am certain, Gods must have embraced you with his open arms.
OM SHANTI!!