Page 18 - seniors today november 2020

together most hours of the day. It is very rare and developing meaningful conversations. He
for our family to see our grandparents apart. is also a passionate shopper and when he goes
They ride to the office and back together on his trips, he always brings us back titbits –
trying to spend every minute with each other, from jewellery to clothes to shoes to bags!
discussing business plans, family and the However, every great story has a grim lining.
latest prank to play on me. Even in parties In 2012, we had a very unfortunate incident
and weddings, they are seen together sticking where Ma had an ischemic stroke, which
by each other’s sides. shook all of us, but especially Dadu. Before
Dadu (as I call my grandfather) is Ma’s her stroke, she used to supervise all the
biggest and happiest supporter. He plays administrative work in the office. However,
the perfect balancing act by always being things changed and slowed down after the
involved in the kitchen and whipping up new stroke and without a flinch, Dadu took over
recipes for the family. Like Ma (as I call my and supported her with work and took an
grandmother), he always works hard not only active interest in her work departments.
in the office but also in the house. Ma was
very involved in our business and later in the
Gujarat Chamber of Commerce (as the first
woman president) and I have witnessed Dadu
being her biggest fan all the way through. At
the same time, Ma is also dependent on Dadu
and always asks for his opinions and listens
to him. Both of them are so supportive of and
in sync with each other that I have rarely, if
ever, seen them fight. Fun bickering though, is
a whole different ballgame!
Even though Dadu and Ma had extremely
hectic social and work schedules when I
was growing up, they always held a special
place in their heart for family, especially us
grandkids. I have distinct memories from
my childhood, where the grandkids (all four
of us!) would sleepover at my grandparents’
house almost every weekend. They used to
tell us stories, play games with us. They had
made an extra-large bed in their living room
for all of us kids to watch television and sleep
together.
Speaking of Dadu, his hospitality and
charm is something that leading hotels can
aspire for. A meal with him is apt for a young
playful child, as well as the most insightful
philosophers of the world – he can cater to
any audience while contributing useful ideas Mrugesh and Paru Jaykrishna now

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