Enthusiasm : Thy name is Shankar Pandit

Enthusiasm : Thy name is Shankar Pandit

Year 1988. It was morning as usual. We were all busy with our morning routines. As we settled, a couple walked into our office. The gentleman had retired recently and had several US 64 certificates. They wondered how to handle so many at one go. While I guided them about the process of consolidation and got the necessary forms filled up generally exchanging a pleasing conversation, somehow we seemed to bond so well.

The lady enquired about my family and after few pleasantries they left. Later on, she invited me to their house as ‘Sawashna. ’ With my daughter in tow I had visited them and we came to know more of each other. It emerged that he had retired as Executive Director of Sarabhai Chemicals and that they had a son and daughter who were well settled in USA.

For some reason there was a long gap and in December 2007, while I was in Tanzania, I got a message from my husband that Dr. Vikram Pandit has become the CEO of Citigroup.  Yes my dear friends, the couple that I mentioned above was none other than the parents of Dr. Pandit – Shri S.B.Pandit and Mrs Shailaja Pandit. So I emailed a congratulatory message to Pandit Kaka wondering whether he would remember me / respond.

To my amazement he clearly remembered me and responded to my email. He still continued his six month sojourn to New York and  back to India.

His time in India is fun filled with activities. I had the fortune to participate in many of them and got to learn a new way of life. I closely observed how Kaka has the ability to connect with people not just known but he can engage himself into conversation even with persons whom he meets just the first time.

He plans his America trips …what does that mean? Well he has been authoring books: almost 2-3 books per year that touches all genres. A collection of poems, a translation of a classic - the likes of Dasbodh, Meghdoot  and a book of fiction – that is the writing menu every six months. Poems cover many subjects:  humorous, reflections of life, momentous, love, longing. Some are free verse while some are lavnis, gazals and songs.

Is that all? Oh know that is just the beginning. He can pen a poem or a song within hours of request. Be it wedding, festivals or any such occasions a request to Kaka and the poem is ready. He has a wonderful and vast vocabulary. It seems as if Ma Marathi is nurturing this favorite child of hers.  

   

After reading some of his love songs one wonders, what his real age is, for a person so young at heart. While several guests are visiting his house he greets them with warmth, the smile on his face is with the original 32 teeth intact. 

Also known as Raja, Rajabhau…..he truly rules peoples’ heart.

While in school we learnt a poem which had inter alia,

 The Queen of Hearts, she made some tarts.

Today I wish to re-write it as:

 The King of Hearts, bestowed with art. 

Affable as he is he loves to have a collection. Collection of stamps and coins?......no no….collection of people. His contacts diary keeps swelling every year and he is in touch with all of them, every year the moment he arrives in India.

The family has a vintage car and he loves to dress up in period costumes for the annual vintage car carnival.  At 92 fit as a fiddle, loves to draw up programs for rendition of his poems.

Founder of Maina Foundation, recipient of many awards, fantastic health but his real introduction is that he can handle any situation tense, ugly any with élan and a smile. Actually words fall short to fully capture the spirit of this man.

For he's a jolly good fellow,, 
Which nobody can deny.
For he's a jolly good fellow, 
And so say all of us.
For he's a jolly good fellow, 

Do you remember this nursery rhyme of yesteryears? They say that it is the second most popular song, after Happy Birthday to you. Charles Dickens quoted it in his book Household Words.

How aptly it applies to you Kaka. On your  birthday, Kaka we want a return gift : wish that you continue to light our lives with your verve and enthusiasm, as always

With fond regards

Anagha

8^th February 2015