TRILOKI NATH NAGPAL

Happiness arrived in the house of Naraindas and Leelawati Nagpal, in the form of a baby boy on 29th December 1945. There was a curfew in town and it was very early in the morning. They already had five daughters and had desperately wanted to have a son. They had been to all the pilgrimage centers of India including Amarnath, Golden Temple and Vaishno Devi wishing and asking a boon from all the Gods to let them have a son. Their life’s desire was fulfilled and it was the greatest day of their lives, on this day. Their eldest daughter Phoolan who was already married, hired a musical band to go with fanfare to congratulate her parents. Oh! What a glorious and desired entry to this world was yours!!

You Trilokinath Nagpal were that baby.

You were Prince of Wales to Jijaji, Salaar Jung to Kailash, Kakoo to Avinash and Saale sahib to GK, and you were treated as an exceptionally loved brother in law. To your sisters, who each excelled in her chosen field you were the best brother. Each sister of yours made a name for herself and her achievement was enough to make her parents proud. Neena with her gold medal in Medical College, Prem with her P hD and published books, poetry and critiquing skills, Devi reaching her desired post in the Education department of Delhi and her numerous Degrees, Pholan bahenji a girl from the early 1920’s pursuing a career in teaching, Pushpa doing very well in her Medical career. Each one made her parents proud.

Being from such a distinguished family of achievers, you too had immense potential. You were given the best opportunities, guidance and examples in front of you, you too excelled in studies. You were always a topper in your Engineering degree class. Correcting your teacher also in the class room, you did become known as a person with all ‘fundas’ clear.

As a son you were par excellence. No one could have hoped for a better son. I always thought that you were actually a replica of the mythical Shravan Kumar. In fact even for your in laws, my parents, you were more of a son than a son in law.They trusted you implicitly. They loved you as their third son. My brothers also are exceptionally fond of you.

As my friend in Ranchi you were really great. Humorous, lively, insistent, always ready for adventure, fun loving, and full of life and joy. Such a great letter writer!!!

As a father, you were good. Friendly, steady, being always available to the children, to talk and listen to their stories. You were the epitome of patience, being there for them. Patient, loving and caring. A good teacher, who solved all their maths and Science problems in a jiffy.

My repairman and handy man, who always repaired each and everything that broke in my house. Every cup was repaired, every watch was dismantled and put back together again. Every electrical gadget never went to it's death until you had examined and investigated into it's potential. No repairman was good enough for you. You had to be the one to decide if it was repairable or not!

Even to this day, no plumber, electrician, mason can work in my house, unless he has been given exact instructions by you. I think it is a boon for me. Your immense interest in perfection in the sphere that you know very well, is really appreciated. I know, I grumble, but in my heart of hearts, I DO appreciate it.

For me, life has been good with you. Even if you are surprised by this statement, remember, truth is stranger than fiction!!

Thank you. Thanks for your patience, thanks for being the foil for my huge and bad temper.

I wish you a very happy birthday.

I wish we could replicate your birthday as it was celebrated by your parents. When Puris were piled up to your height and distributed to the poor. Your sisters staged plays for you. It must have been a gala event. Let your grand children become a bit bigger, then we will try to revive those days.

Till then, remember, you are a much loved nana and dada to Kunaal, Aaliya and Aaria. Little Aaria, looking at the laptop and asking for Dada...does it not make a shiver go down your spine? So much of love?? Kunaal loves playing with you. Remember those walks back from his school when you always bought a small White chocolate bar for him everyday? Aaliya, always asking, where's nana?

Enjoy your day. Have a great time. Have a great year. I wish you a lot of happiness, great health, lots of cheer, lots of slimming down, and lots and lots of money, money, money!!!

May all your dreams come true and all your wishes be fulfilled.

Thanks once again, Trilokinath for being what you are. For being who you are and always being there for me.