My Father's Profile and some of his memories!!

My father Late Roshan Lal Talwar was born on 04th Sept 1915, and left us for heavenly abode on 25th Dec 2006.

Early child hood:

He was brought up, by his dad, my grand father, from age of two years as his mother died. He was youngest of three brothers and a sister.

He was seventeen, when he got his first job to work in in Army and when his first salary came,  his father passed away, to whom he could not give his first pay packet, as his wishes.

He had a great career in army, and when India wanted freedom, and all Indians were playing there role, he joined Netaji Subash Chander Bose army, as Captain and took there oath at Singapore when INA was formed.

On return to India, from Singapore via Burma, he and all his fellow army soldiers were made prisoners of war, and had court battle at Red Fort. He had privileged to travel with Netaji in under water submarine etc, while they were on war, against British/Colonial rule.

On 15th Aug 1947, India got freedom, but INA freedom fighters were never honored, till 1977. I would write his history as narrated to me later.

Any way, where head of the family, has to place food on the plate, he worked in Independent India at:

1. M/s. Pearey Lal & Sons Pvt Ltd, CP, Janpath, New Delhi as stores cum sales person, bringing imported cars for the company from Bombay. He worked there from early 1948 to 1955 or so.
2. Later he joined M/s. Saran Motors, CP, Janpath, New Delhi in better position and carried on till 19th Oct 1957.
3. On 20th Oct' 1957, he opened his own show room, namely New Delhi Motor Agencies Ltd, Karol Bagh, New Delhi selling motor parts for Austin, Chevrolet, Plymouth and other imported cars, until era of Birla's, Land master to Ambassador cars came in.
4. As per his promise/ his initial intuition / prediction, with few setbacks, due to partnership problems etc, he finally closed /sold his business on 10th Oct 1977, 10 days before 20YRS. He did added one more show room in South Extension, New Delhi, during those 20YRS. 
5. In Oct' 1977, when our show room was first opened with full fanfare that he will run it for 20 yrs only, on the assumption his first son would have started his job, by then. He helped family to uplift with best of education, built family home etc, during his life time.
6. My dad wish was that when I get employed, which I did on 01st Jan 1972, that if I will give my first salary to him, minus my second month expenses. He used to always say, I (my father) could not fulfill his father (my grand father wish) as he passed away while his first salary had not arrived.
7. I was lucky, that I could fulfilled his wish, but sent him my full wage, when I got it on 05th Feb 1972 to him by bank draft through State Bank of India. (My first wage was Rs.450.00), equivalent of NZ15.00 in today's value.

His Departure:

1. He got permission from God Almighty to leave on 25th Holy day, as his first grand daughter's Gitanjali birthday was on 24th Dec, which he always fondly remembered. 
2. A night before his departure, he did come in dreams of his grand son, gave all of his blessings. He was telling him that he was feeling very cold. My son Arjun, as per his narration of his dream, he placed all quilts, blankets on him and sat with him to hear, before he finally bid good bye. When actual news was broken by my wife, nest afternoon, he could not believe and was shocked, as he loved him most as we all miss him today.
3. On that 24th night after I finished my daily work (those days I was running my Video Ezy Store, here in Auckland, New Zealand), that when I placed my mobile near my bed, I was shaking in myself, as if my hearts was with my Dad as if he was talking to me, and saying to me, that I am not with him physically, but emotionally I was. I am pretty sure I slept around 1 to 2 am Auckland time. I was just praying I should not get any call or news from home, which was from my younger brother whom we fondly call Kuka. But as what was to happen happened, my Dad had his last breath, and I got a call in the early hours of 25th Dec 2006.
4. No tears could make or console me or my family. I could not attend to last rights, as in our customs, body is cremated before next sunset. Did leave to new Delhi next available flight, completed all the rituals back home, and came back with heavy heart.

His memories, we still cherish, that to be honest, humble with people in all walks of life. Be happy by giving than in taking anything from anyone.

Arun Talwar