Page 30 - Seniors Today - Oct 2019
P. 30
Life Lessons
Of propriety and
property
It doesn’t take much to turn daugh-
ters from loving children into abusive
strangers, writes Vickram Sethi
The year is 1948. Daryaganj in Delhi is a qualified as a marine engineer and has got a job
predominantly Muslim locality. Many families in the merchant navy. Family friends suggested
have migrated to Pakistan and many are still a match for Inder and he married Rama.
in the process of doing so. Two brothers, both The younger brother Sardari Lal is called
working for railways, decide to buy a property Chachaji and his wife Kanta was Chachiji. They
jointly and they buy a large haveli in Daryaganj. have one son, who did his hotel management,
It’s the kind of haveli that you see in old movies fell in love with a colleague, married her and
like Pakeezah – Hakim sahab’s haveli. But it moved to her parent’s house in Daughter 1endra
was going cheap, and both the brothers put in Nagar. Chachaji had one daughter who died of
Rs 5000 each and purchased the property. You cancer.
enter into the haveli into a large courtyard that Chachaji had a massive heart attack and died
leads to a large veranda on three sides behind at the breakfast table, after which his wife Kanta
which are the rooms. There is also a first-floor closed her part of the house and moved in with
terrace that has two rooms. After the veranda her son in Rajendra Nagar.
is another courtyard that has a pomegranate Pitaji and his wife Savitri continue to live in
tree and a small vegetable patch. The second Daryaganj. Inder was on board ship and he got a
courtyard leads to a drawing room, three large job where he could take his wife along on board.
bedrooms on either side and a small storage Later on Inder got an opportunity to be based
room, a toilet and a bathroom. The brothers had in Hong Kong for two years. Rama and Inder
built two kitchens. Beside the main entrances, moved to Hong Kong and the entire family was
there were two side entrances for the servants. very excited at the prospect of going on vacation
The two brothers are married to two sisters. to Hong Kong. One by one all the sisters and
The elder brother’s wife is Savitri. They have their children travelled to Hong Kong.
four children one son and three daughters. Life in Mumbai
He is called Pitaji by the entire family and the Inder decided they would move back and found
extended family. Pitaji’s eldest daughter Raj himself a shore job in Mumbai. They bought
(daughter 1) is married to a wealthy timber themselves a two-bedroom flat in Bandra.
merchant’s family in Lucknow. Usha (daughter A few years later Savitri had a heart attack and
2) the second daughter is married in Delhi. died in her sleep. Rama flew to Delhi with her
Aruna (daughter 3) the youngest daughter kids and announced her decision to bring Pitaji
is also married in Delhi. Pitaji’s son Inder back with her to Bombay. Pitaji happily agreed.
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