The last meet

Friday was a very difficult day for us, my father's elder brother passed away. He was being treated for some health condition since last several years, and gave up after struggling for almost two weeks. They were four brothers and he was number two and my father is number three. The eldest and the youngest have passed away earlier. So this was a pretty challenging situation for us - how to tell him this news and handle it. Initially we thought, we would not tell considering his age and health condition ( he has heart problems and is fitted with a pace maker) but then later we decided to reveal the ultimate truth. Because otherwise if some day he will ask about his brother, then it will be difficult to explain and handle the outcome. So better he sees himself for the one last time and accept the truth.

After getting the news in the morning, we went to the hospital and asked our mother to bring him later. It took more than 2-3 hrs to get out of the hospital and then the body was taken to his residence for one last glimpse. He is survived by wife, and three daughters, and one daughter and her family was present as they are living in the same city as we are. Others were on their way as soon as they received the news.

As part of our culture, we offer flowers and Gulal (colored powders) and then family and relatives offer the holy water of Ganges on his face and 'Nirmalya', the dried Mahaprasad of Lord Jagannath Temple. A Tulsi (Holy Basil) tree is given to him, that goes till the funeral.

They had lost their mother at early childhood so there was tight bonding between the brothers. He had a very strong affinity towards his village where they completed their schooling. He made his school proud by becoming the first Engineer of that school as well as that village. And then he joined the government job and retired in a very senior position. He regularly used to visit his school and provided big financial assistance for its welfare. Anytime there was a need of finance, they would approach him - he was a very respected and known face in his village. He knew his conditions and had given strict instructions to take his body to his village and do the last rites there. And many people after knowing the news, were desperately waiting at his school for his last sight. Knowing my father's condition, I decided not to take him there ( its 50 miles away) and decided to spend some time with my aunt and then take him to my home.

The school authorities and other respected old people along with all the children gave him a very heartfelt tribute, that was well deserved. We stayed at his home and spent time with my aunty, and came back to our home after few hours. As part of the ritual, we had to wait till the funeral was over and then take bathe. And then there will be several other rituals, we are following for ten days, as our family. It's difficult, but we have to respect our traditions and follow them. And we are closely watching my father , being with him always. My younger brother flew from Bangalore to just stay with him, so that he does not face alone or depressed.

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