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Dear All:
I thought you would be interested about my meeting with Dr. Sumanas Rakhit after a lapse of 68 years; who knows in your life too you would likewise be able to meet someone after such a lapse of time to compare with current scenario!
Sumanji, (as we called him then), last time we met him, was a Sakha-Promukh in RSS that we went for healthy revelry after school hours between 1946 through 1948. The national government branded RSS as a communal organization after the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi. However, history has shown otherwise that it was no more than "mass hysteria".
So all of our after school hours were left without the disciplined life we had with RSS.
The current Modi Government by way of making amends decorated the so called "Hindu Nationalist" Late Madan Mohan Malaviya with a Bharat Ratna in 2014 - nearly 7-decades after he died, setting right the secular national government's erroneous claims. Incidentally, this is the highest national award ever given to any one POSTHUMOUSLY since Indian Independence in 1947.
Perhaps the GLOBAL WORLD of to-day goes beyond the narrow ideologies and considers every issue on its own merit!
I continued after the temporary lapse of lack of meaningful after school engagements, to busy myself with my books and graduated from Banaras Engineering College.
Sumanji, I heard joined Pharmacy College at Banaras Hindu University. Later I and my younger brother Late Dr Subrahmaniam who moved to USA in 1959 tried in vain to locate him. Last year, thanks to Google, I could see his name on the web and found that he started a pharmaceutical company in Canada with a staff including several Ph.D.s working for him and has over 100 pharmaceutical patents to his credit! Thus, the intent of this trip to Toronto was for my meeting with Sumanji for a 'sentimental closure' of nearly 7-decades.
I am writing this on flight from Jackson to Chicago and intend to attach a picture of Sumanji of then (1947) with a picture of now after checking into Toronto downtown Sheraton where I expect to see him!
Till such time Regards – KRPost Script: Few pictures are attached of our trip to Toronto and Nova Scotia, including Sumanji. Indira will post on www.krrao.net other pictures of our trip hoping you will get time to browse through them. We also had an opportunity to meet Annapurna Kocherlakota, a student of University of Toronto, granddaughter of my brother late Dr. Subrahmaniam Kocherlakota. (Westin, Nova Scotia, 9-9-15
narenderkumarjain jain <drnarenderkumarjain@gmail.com
Sep 12 at 1:46 AM
My dear KR,
I did not know that you have been through the crucible of RSS discipline. Congress fans still say that RSS is communal while Muslim League and all christian and casteists like Mayavati and Yadava s are SECULAR. I recall a western press write up in 1994 that India is really secular becase a Roman Catholic is heading the party in power but a Sikh is Prime Minister and President a muslim. No mention of the communal Hindus. They are meant to be ruled. Even now every foreign visitor is shown Humayun tomb, Qutab Minar, Jama masjid -- none of the well built temples of Southern great Empire. The only concession is Ashoka pillar for a Hindu Raja, forgetting Chola empires.
Recently I have been reading about ancient Indian astronomers, scientists, yoga system of medicine & c in children's' books that Shirin's son left behind while going to University of Illinois for Under grad. But the western civilisation takes over the far more ancient Indian achievements. Murty, son of Infosys fame Narayana Murthy has recently written in a news paper article how achievements and history of great Hindu empires have been forgotten. When Modi says that Mission on Mars followed a path described by Arya Bhatta, they disbelieve him. How can Modi live on Nimboo pani during Navratra even on his business visit in the US. Many spied delivery of food by stealth to him at midnight. But Indians have proved to the Westerners that they are no less than any of their great financiers and scientists
Let us stop here lest somebody accuses us of saffronising the science and history.
Rummy joins me in wishing you and Indira a good visit to Canada in the company of a friend you met after 68 years.
Yours sincerely
Satinder Mullick <smullick@stny.rr.com>
Sep 11 at 2:57 PM
KR; RSS in 1947 saved many lives in Lahore and I am a witness to that.In june,1947,trouble started in Lahore-got worse in July and came to Climax around Aug.9—20th,1947.
A bomb was droped in a truck bringing my uncle back from work in late June,1947—I saw the big fire in Shaha Almi(written up by Khushwant Singh-last days in Lahore in 1997 in Outlook).Every night there were threats to our community in Dharampura,Lahore-close to Lahore Cantonment.RSS/Arya Smaj/Sikh Gurudwaras had their volunteers guarding our area as POLICE was 80% Muslim in Lahore.
Even in March,1947,when there was mass Killing in Rawalpindi area—RSS/Arya Smaj helped the refugees with clothings,beddings and food. I myself-9-10 year old-collected blankets.My older brother learnt SWORD fighting—and was part of NIGHT Patrol.
Approx. 12 mil.were displaced,a million killed/raped around 1 million.In Dharampura—after we left for Dalhousie on Vacation—I have read that over 10-50K were killed—in one attack they killed 2000.My father came to Dalhousie to pick us up in early Aug.1947—the roads between Dalhousie to Pathankot were damaged due to heavy rain. So he could not go back until Sept.4th,1947—but he learnt that Major Ghosh-a friend tried to collect our belongings-but when they reached near our house-looting had started by 1000—so firing on them by 8 soldiers accompanying Maj.Ghosh in Pakistan territory was ILL ADVISED. So we lost everything.
In our family home in NWFP—my grandmother,aunt/kids managed to escape protected by Gurkha soldiers inspite of attempts to stop the train.They made it safely.
RSS along with Sikhs/Arya Smaj helped many to escape.
Actually 2 days before Gandhiji was assisinated at Birla House,we went to his prayers at 6PM. On the procession date- I sat for 10 hours at India Gate-front SEAT-to see the Procession with Gandhiji-Nehru/Patel go to place of cremation.That meant-NO FOOD/Water-because if I left-I will lose my SPOT—as people had gathered on RAJPATH—India Gate to George6th Statue-to Old Delhi. I lived across from India Gate in Military Officers Mess—Jodhpur Mess-next to Jaipur House.
All the best,Satinder Mullick
Vasantha Devi tadepalli <vasanthadevitadepalli@yahoo.com>
Sep 13 at 1:44 AM
Dear Indira and bavagaru
Iam excited to see ur mail with beautiful pictures.
The contents were so thrilling, which makes us feel ur thrill and delight to meet a friend after such long years. Thanks to technology.
Indira, both of u r looking very nice with normal health. I think u have put on some weight.
Trust children and grand children are doing fine.
swetha left for Australia one month ago on a long assignment. Chethu and Nidhi will be leaving next month most probably. Sowji is ok in Usa. She visited India twice last year. Iam ok in health. For the past four months i have been associated with an organisation who is doing a programme educating slum children. Iam doing voluntary service, as I strongly believe that we should give something by way of service at least after retirement. You know the socioeconomic disparities are too wide in the society.
This is a voluntary organisation headed by one mr..Venugopala reddy. He was personal secy. to vajpaye when he was PM. Very dedicated person. now i have some satisfaction that Iam able to do something close to my heart atleast after 15yrs. of retirement.
MANY HAPY RETURNS OF THE DAY 22ND sEPT.2015 IN ADVANCE.
god bless u with health and peace.
love
Rajaram Tadepally <trajaram31@gmail.com
Sep 13 at 3:33 AM
My Dear Indira,
I just saw the e-mail forwarding photos of your trip to Nova Scotia and Toronto. They are nice. More than that, you both look good and in good health. Here, we three (including Raghu's wife) are O.K. After 2 -1/2 yrs in a nearby rented flat, on 27 Jun, '15, I moved back into my own flat constructed by the developer on my original site. We feel settled now, more or less, in our new dwelling.
My Brother-in-law Anand & his wife came over from H'bad to help us move from the rented flat. Also at about the same time Madhu, her second daughter and son came over for about 10 days. By end October i.e. 30th October, both girls Sudha & Madhu (without husbands & children) will be coming over for a week's stay. That is the quantum of vacation they could squeeze in to be together. Almost at the same time, Papai and ISP also will be returning to Vizag, after a 6 month stay in USA.
Are you planning any trip to India in the near future? All going well, I am planning to visit USA next summer i.e. May - Sep,15. You will be glad to know that after the formation of AP separately, Vizag is improving (in relative terms) with better Air connectivity both Domestic & International. There are and will be direct flights connecting Vizag to Singapore, Kaulalampur,Bankok, Colombo and Dubai. So plan a trip and come over soon. We, the Tadepally brothers and sisters, like all others, are advancing in age (of course at the same pace) and let us get together whilst some of us are still active and in reasonably good health. You and Papai can play a decisive role in enabling this, at my place in Vizag.--------RAJA
<seetachaganti@verizon.net>
Dear Indira. Extremely interesting how Rao garu found his friend after 67 years.
I feel like look for some of our AU people who are here and don't know where they are.
Very nice pictures . It looks like it is cold in Canada.
Here also to day it is in 50s
Love
Mehta, Hardayal S. (GE Power & Water) <hardayal.mehta@ge.com>
Sep 13 at 3:59 PM
Dr. Rao,
Very interesting photos that revive the memories of long time ago. Your friend Sumanji must be a very accomplished person. Thank you for sharing the photos. With best regards….Hardayal Mehta
Uma Sashti <usashti@gmail.com> Awesome pictures
To
indirarao@bellsouth.net
Sep 10 at 8:48 PM
Narayana Kocherlakota <koche151@gmail.com>
Sep 10 at 9:06 PM
Hi Pedda Uncle,
Great story! Congrats on seeing your friend after so long. Glad too that you and Auntie got to see Annapurna.
Sunder Sashti <sundersashti@comcast.net
Sep 10 at 9:16 PM
Uncle,
Very nice pictures of then and now! You and aunty are having a very sentimental trip. That’s very nice. Hope all is well.
Also, I wanted to let both of you know that I have returned to Accenture as of this past week. It’s good to be back.
Love,
Sunder
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Vasant Dandekar <dandekarv@yahoo.com>
Sep 11 at 5:41 AM
I didn't know you were member of RSS.
I was too. When we were in California we used to run shakha.
I was then heavily involved in Vishwa Hindu parishad.
Dandekar
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Maya Rao <mrao104@gmail.com>
Sep 11 at 7:46 AM
Wow. Such a nice story. Enjoyed it!! Pictures are beautiful!!
S. L Sethi <sethi@jackiesinternational.com
Sep 11 at 9:07 AM
Dear Mr. Krrao:
Thank you for your email of today. Just wanted to let you know that I agree with your comments and believe as you do. Thanks again,
Respectfully
Rani Panicker <ranihoney@gmail.com
Sep 11 at 10:00 AM
Dear Dr. & Mrs. Rao,
Good Morning!
Appreciate sharing your amazing & incredible meeting with your bosom friend, along with splendid pictures!
Obviously you had a remarkable & enjoyable time and we are immensely happy for you! Cheers!
Best regards,
Deepak Rao <drao104@gmail.com>
Sep 10 at 8:43 PM
Highly interesting! Happy journey tomorrow!!
Arora <sumesha@gmail.com> Dear Dr. Rao,
Sep 12 at 5:18 PM
Dear Dr. Rao,
Thank you very much for sharing this incredible story. What a rich resource we have amongst us who can narrate accounts of pre-independence India.
Best regards and safe travels home.
Sumesh Arora
Soma Sekhara Rao Majety <msmajety@yahoo.com>
Sep 22 at 7:30 PM
Thanks for forwarding. We enjoyed by reading to your past memories.
Devaki and Sekhar
