The Place Where Shiv was born

​Returning to Shiv’s Birthplace After 45 Years

In 2019, as Shiv reached his 45th year, Harvinder and I decided to revisit Kathmandu and Lalitpur—the place where he was born and where some of the most precious memories of our young family began.

Shiv just 9 days in Hospital

Shiv was born at Shanta Bhawan Hospital, Sanepa, Lalitpur, on the night of March 10, 1975, when Mahashivratri was being celebrated. The hospital had been established in 1954 by the United Mission to Nepal, with pioneering missionary doctors such as Dr. Bethel Fleming. It operated from a rented old Rana palace called Shanta Bhawan, named after its owner, Shanta Shumsher JB Rana, son of former Prime Minister Juddha Shumsher JB Rana.

Newly renovated Gurdwara Sahib at Patan. A Gurus Rumala after Ardaas at this Gurdwara was brought and Nani Ma then wrapped the first worldly cloth around Shiv. 

In those days, Shanta Bhawan was one of the highly regarded hospitals in the Kathmandu Valley, with an international team of doctors and patients that included members of the royal family, diplomats and senior officials. Harvinder had a particularly difficult pregnancy and was under the care of Dr. Eldridge, a gynecologist who had been transferred there from Christian Medical College, Ludhiana.

I was then working on the Trishuli hydroelectric project, about 70 miles from Kathmandu. Because of the difficult pregnancy and Shiv’s birth, I took 59 days of leave to remain with Harvinder, while her parents also came and stayed in Kathmandu to support us.

Shiv in my lap to the delight of Harvinder

Nine days after Shiv was born, I went to Patan town nearby and persuaded a professional photographer to come to Shanta Bhawan Hospital. He photographed me holding our newborn Shiv, with Harvinder beside her. That photograph became a treasured historical record of the beginning of our little family.

Shiv 30 days at ‘Photo Concern’ New Road Kathmandu

When Shiv was about a month old, we returned for his pediatric check-up. It was mid-April and becoming warm. We then went to a well-known photography ‘Photo Concern’ studio on New Road for another professional family portrait. 

A close up of the ‘Photo Concern’ Studio.

Afterwards, we stopped at a small restaurant nearby and ordered a Coca-Cola. Little Shiv tasted Coke for the first time through a straw. He became so excited, kicking his tiny legs and wanting more, that we finally gave him almost a spoonful. It was a tiny incident, yet somehow it remained fresh in my memory for the next 45 years.

Corner street side restaurant where Shiv had his first taste of Coke.

When Harvinder and I returned in 2019, I suddenly spotted that old photography shop on New Road.

“This is the shop where we brought Shiv for his photograph,” I told her.

Iconic photo of 30-day Shiv among his delighted parents.

She was not quite sure, so we went inside. The young man there confirmed that the establishment was indeed around 70 years old. Naturally, the people running it had changed, but the old photography business had survived. I was thrilled to find this little landmark of our family history still standing and photographed it for our records.

Newly transformed Shanta Bhawan Heritage building now.

Shanta Bhawan itself had changed completely. In 1982, the hospital merged with Lalitpur District Hospital and moved to a much larger facility at Lagankhel, becoming Patan Hospital. The original Rana palace that housed Shanta Bhawan no longer exists. 

Another view of new Shanta Bhawan where Harvinder is trying to look for a room in old place where Shiv was born.

Over the decades, the old site has passed through different uses, and today the surrounding area contains modern medical, commercial and event facilities. Yet the neighborhood is still widely remembered by the old name Shanta Bhawan.

Our return after 45 years was therefore much more than sightseeing. We had come back as grandparents to the places where, in 1975, we had walked as young parents carrying our newborn son. The palace hospital had disappeared, the city had transformed, but remarkably the little photography shop was still there and our old photographs continued to preserve those precious days.

Places change, buildings disappear and generations move forward, but photographs and memories have a wonderful way of defeating time.

Love letter to my Grand kids

​Hi kiddos,

Since now we all are grown up and understand and communicate with each other in a more healthy way.

In Cabos Aug 2026

We are a small family of seven, and we have worked hard to remain a closely knit family. This spirit has successfully carried us through the last three generations, and our earlier family history also shows the strength of staying connected.

We certainly do not expect your generation to follow exactly the same methods. Times and lifestyles have changed, and the modus operandi can and should change with the present environment. But the basic spirit, remaining connected, caring for one another, and enjoying life as one family, should continue.

I would therefore like to discuss on our next get-together with the next generation and suggest how you feel this bonding can best be maintained in your own natural way. We elders will be happy to understand, support, and merge into whatever works comfortably for your generation.

Love and blessings,
Dada

A Childhood Promise at Sis Ganj Sahib Gurdwara, Delhi

​A Childhood Promise at Sis Ganj Sahib

Sis Ganj Sahib in early days 

More than seventy years ago, as a small boy, I regularly visited Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib with my father whenever we travelled from Panipat to Delhi.

Dad and me

One day, Papa explained to me the supreme sacrifice of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib at that very place. Deeply moved, I looked at Guru Sahib’s Bani engraved high around the marble walls and asked, “Why isn’t this written in gold?”

Papa replied, “That would cost a great deal of money.”

With the innocence and conviction of a child, I immediately said, “Then sell my part of half  land. I will have Guru Sahib’s words written in gold.”

Papa sharply stopped me: “Never say that. We are too poor for such things.”

Harvinder and me on the morning of May 7, 2026, before departing for Badbar for Demarcation mission of our farm lands and prayed for the success.

The conversation ended, but the thought never left me. Looking back after more than seventy years, I realize that the gold was not important. What mattered was the feeling born that day—the desire to dedicate whatever life gave me toward spirituality, service and the welfare of those in need.

Jo

Supporting as DunAnand Ambassador of  Oneness.

Today, I feel blessed to see that same spirit being carried forward by our son, Shiv. Through DhunAnand Foundation, established in both India and the USA, he is living that idea of sewa, using his resources and efforts for spirituality, service and the welfare of those who need support.

Perhaps the small seed of sewa planted in me that day at Sis Ganj Sahib has found another life in the next generation.