My family and our times: Living Legends

On his 80th Birthday

Harvinder's Dad Mr Mohan Narain Singh Kapoor would be 85 on this Vaisakhi. Papa Ji, as he is affectionately addressed, had a long innings starting his career in 1946 as a temporary clerk in the personal office of Chief of the colonial Indian Army Chief, in the army barracks behind South Block, New Delhi. He was very proud of the fact that British General with whom he had worked also participated in World War II.

In mean time, he continued to hunt for a regular job in the Government of India, the only agency which offered jobs in immediate post Independence era. With multiple jobs offers available, initially he did a stint with Reserve Bank of India. Here he made a friend of his life named Mr O P Puri and along with him, joined the Western Railways.

He served the Western Railways for long 25 years and distinguished himself by reaching to the level of Divisional Accountant (equivalent to CA or CPA in private) and had postings at various towns of Gujarat, UP and Rajasthan. Finally he settled in Ajmer where he raised his four children Harvinder(Dari), Tejinder(Guddu), Jagjeet(Jaggi) and Charanjeet(Baggi).

Preparing, appearing and qualifying the exam for an Accountant in the Railways was extremely huriculean task. He came out successful and the whole family celebrated the occasion by performing an Akhand Path. He was very honest and above board and will not scum to the pressure of superiors for overlooking the irregularities for making extra money.

To supplement his meager salaried income and meet his growing family needs, he would rather do some side business. In Ajmer, he involved his family and kids to earn extra income through dairy and poultry farming, while in Delhi he had a roaring business of Loud Speaker renting systems and Electronic parts. Famous philanthropist as he developed, he learned this philosophy by offering free services for providing Loud Speakers to local Gurdwara and Temple. By engaging school going kids, he offered a wonderful opportunity for them to earn handsome pocket money. He had a strong following of young and enterprising kids.

With business in his brain and vein, he moved to San Francisco in 1975 on the basis of Immigration petition filed by his sister Mrs Satwant Khanna. It is a matter of honor to record that having served at plush job in Indian Railways including first class traveling perks, he had absolutely no problem to start afresh and even do a job of dish washing in a Restaurant on Fisherman's wharf in San Francisco.

With Children, Grand Children and Great grand Children on 80th Birthday

From there on, he moved on and on and pooled together with his two sons and raised an Empire well known in the Bay area.

Harvinder, me and Shiv joined them in USAin early 1991, he was extremely happy and contented to have his whole family together at one place. He had his golden period of his life traveling, driving, throwing and enjoying parties. He took a lot of interest in Gurdwaras functioning. He made huge contributions for Gurdwaras and was the main architect for establishing the Hayward Gurdwara in 1993 through Guru Granth Sahib Foundation where he remained the founding Chairman of the Trust for first five years.

In 1991, he suffered a setback when he had a mild heart attack. Brave person as he is, recouped very quickly and reverted to active life once again soon. He will keenly visit India during this period. He was 911 to the family and was always ready for any support needed for the family from trifle works to emergency cashier jobs at stores.

He was all through very healthy and looked younger to his age and continued so till after his 80th birthday. But to our ill luck, he had another heart attack and also a stroke which really felled this Lion of our family. He is presently under constant medical treatment and home nursing. He is able to walk up to the bath room, but needs physical assistance all the times for doing other chores.

He is mostly struck to his bed during the last five years. A wife of 58 years, Mrs Pritam Kaur Kapoor (Mommi Ji) has remained with him all through in rain or shine. She is a pillar of immense strength and serves him 24/7, at times feeding him, at times cajoling him, at times caressing him and at times giving him the medicines.

Jaggi has to do his hard jobs without any blemish. One day as we were leaving for a party and we had to give a ride to Jaggi. He was all ready to go and we were sitting in the car outside the car garage when he suddenly disappeared. After a while I saw Jaggi all re-dressed up and in unusually unironed shirt. I questioned him as I had never seen him like this before. He kept quite. Later on Mommi Ji told Harvinder that Jaggi had to change Papa Ji's clothes effected by accident and in the process spoiled his own. Now I understood his shirt was worn in a hurry so that we may not have to wait longer.

While Charanjit and Rashmi have looked after them earlier times, Jagjit and Pammy are presently at their beck and call, taking over their turn for the last one year or so.

With Jagjit, Pammy, Rashmi, Charanjit

Today Harvinder and me were here to see them. Both Mom and Dad were really delighted to

have us in their presence. To our good luck, Papa Ji was having a good day and mood today. He was communicative and responded very well to our anxious questions.

He told us that he checked from Jaggi's office last week that his pension amount was being credited in his accounts and up to date. He had earlier persisted to visit the office of Kapoor Enterprises Inc. personally and took his regular help Fernendo to drive him all the way.

He confirmed that he had no pain of any sorts thus making us believe that he was not physically suffering. He looks and feels week & fragile owing to his heart's low efficiency though.

It was a very nice day spent with the nobel souls. I wish and pray that they continue to spend jolly good time at this stage of their lives too as they have spent during the past 58 years of togetherness.