Birth of a Relationship
Visit to Reno/Tahoe with Vinod Kohli
Vinod's Dad late Mr Mohan Lal Kohli was a neighbor to my Nani Ji Mrs Kesar Bai's house in Jangpura Extension, a rehabilitation Colony established by Government Of India to settle refugees from West Pakistan in the aftermath of 1947 Partition. This gave birth to many brand new relationships to overcome the trauma of murderous riots in the annals of Modern history. A close to one Million lives were lost and about 12 Millions were uprooted. One of the new relations that developed was between Mr Mohan Lal Kohli and Mrs Kesar Bai. Mr Kohli quickly adopted my Nani Ji as his mother.
On every morning, Mr and Mrs Pushpa Kohli will go to nearby Gurdwara along with new found mother. On every Tuesday afternoon, Mrs Kohli will take my Nani Ji to near by Hanuman temple in D Block. The relationship developed into a strong association between the two and led to close bonding relation between off shoots of of both persons.
Mr Mohan Lal Kohli respected my Nani Ji like his own mother and affectionately addressed her as Bebe Ji. Very soon nothing in his house would move without the blessings of Bebe Ji, come weddings, parties, Kirtan or any other ceremonies. Bebe Ji would keep a strict motherly watch on Mr Mohan Lal Kohli (now Mama Ji for all of us) family. While her command was authoritative and used to habitually rule roast, but her love and affection for his adopted son and his family was selfless and overwhelming.
I joined Nani Ji after moving from Panipat on getting a Central Government Job and hence came close to Kohli family.
Mama Ji had a flourishing Motor Parts business jointly with his younger brother Mr Rattan Lal Kohli. The two older sons Joginder Pal and Vijay joined him in the family business of Motor Parts at Kashmere Gate, the youngest Vinod got into a highly established professional job. Vinod was very studious and always found with books in his hands and studying ferociously. I recall him involved in deep studies adopting the landing of the open cemented stairs of their ground floor house as his desk. He got admission into IIT Delhi and so was destined to succeed in life. Three daughters Kamla, Late Bimla and Sunita were married off to affluent families. The brothers Joginder Pal, Vijay and Vinod continue to live amicably and in wonderful harmony at the same place after redeveloping the property and occupying an independent floor each. The souls of Kohli Mama Ji and his beloved wife Pushpa still live here.
So suddenly after 40 years, I happen to meet Vinod again at a common friends house and re-established our links. Vinod and me started a joint business and hence the relation with Kohlis was extended.
Vinod is visiting USA presently, he has two very bright sons. Older Aman is with an Investment Bank and married to Mitali with a lovely grandson Arham and is settled in Pittsburgh PA. Younger one Ashish a Software Engineer, married to Shilpy, is also in the process of settling in USA. It was at Ashish wedding last Dec that I was able to reunite with Kohli Mama Ji family.
Vinod came all the way from East to spend a few days with us in San-Francisco Bay Area.
Visit To Reno, Nevada known as "The Biggest Little City in the World", Reno is situated just east of the Sierra Nevada on the western edge of the Great Basin at an elevation of about 4,400 feet.
Winning a Soft Toy tiger for his grandson Arham.
Enjoying a show
In front of the Signature Advertisement by city of Renu.
Vinod trying his hands at the Slot Machine in the Casino.
A ring show by an artist in Circus Circus
Vinod and me trying aggressively to win a gift. While both Harvinder and Vinod won, I came out blank.
In front of the Entrance lobby.
On way to Reno driving on the wide tracks of road.
Another view of famous hoarding "the Biggest Little City In The World"
Visit to Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe is a large freshwater lake in the Siera Nevada of the United States. At a surface elevation of 6,225 ft, it is located along the border between California and Nevada, west of Carson City. Lake Tahoe is the largest alpine lake in North America. Its depth is 1,645 ft, making it the second-deepest in the United States (the deepest is Crater Lake in Oregon, being 300 ft (91 m) deeper, at 1,945 ft. It is about 22 miles long and 12 miles wide and has 72 miles of shoreline and a surface area of 191 square miles.
It is said that the lake was formed about 2 million years ago and is a part of the Lake Tahoe Basin with the modern lake being shaped during the ice ages.
Lake Tahoe is home to a number of ski resorts, summer outdoor recreation events and tourists attractions. Snow and skiing are a significant part of the area's economy and reputation. Mountain and lake scenery are attractions throughout the year. Lake Tahoe never freezes.
It is best known for the clarity of its water and the panorama of surrounding mountains on all sides. Lake Tahoe is world famous for Ski resorts, water sports and golf courses. Celebrity Golfs Games are very common.
July 4th fire works are another big attractions and tourists throng to visit Lake Tahoe at this time of the year to escape from heat in the low lying towns around.
Vinod was simply nostalgic on seeing the vast and wide view of the clear waters of the lake.
On the beach, Lake Tahoe
Another view of beautiful Lake Tahoe showing multi colors.
Harvinder and Me
With the statue of an Indian
In Eldorado Hotel Lobby
Sep1, 2013
There is one more milestone in our relationship. Vinod has very successfully managed to open a world class office of our Jointly owned company named QGS Infotech Pvt Ltd complete with a beautiful Front desk space, Individual cabins, a Conference room, Private offices for Directors, Pantry and a huge resting place with nicely laid out bed with closets. This has all been conceived, designed and implemented by acquiring the professional services including that of Guneet who did an awesome job as the pictures and reports are to be believed. The basement Floor at A-21 Jangpura Ext has been fittingly utilized for this purpose.
After Kirtan and Ardaas, Vinod being given a Saropa by the Bhai Sahib from Jangpura Gurdwara Sahib. Mr and Mrs Joginder Pal Ji and Ajit Singh Ji are seen gracing the occasion with their presence.
Fortunately the opening of the office coincided with 'Guru Gadi Divas' when the first ever Prakash of Sri Guru Granth Shib took place in Golden temple Amritsar. A very auspicious occasion indeed. On my behalf my sister Tripat Chhabra, Harry & Harleen Chhabra participated and enjoyed. Harry, my favorite nephew, as usual did lot of spade work to make it a successful function and accepted the Saropa on my behalf.
