An inspiring visit to Chicago!

We made a quick visit to Chicago! Sheela, Tara's paternal cousin and her husband Soumitri have been living there for many years. Interestingly Soumitri is also related to Tara! He and Tara's mother are cousins.

They are 96 and 91 years young!

In this visit to USA we were drawn to Chicago, especially to meet Tara's uncle, her father's brother, Sheshadri (Gundu) and aunt Swarna (Sonu). They both are in their nineties, and touch wood, they didn't look their age one bit! You will agree with me as you see their picture above!

The evening we reached, an aarthi was performed for Ganapathi. Tara sang a few bhajans, sure enough it included a Marathi prayer and Sonu also joined! I had no idea that she knew Marathi so well.

Tara said her memory was amazing and could quote poems and sayings in both Hindi and Marathi!

When we came down next morning, we saw Sonu already active in the kitchen and so was Gundu, helping Sonu. We could see they had their own set routines! While Sonu made Badam barfi and a savory, Gundu went for his walk, erect like a soldier. Only a slight bend at the neck. Sonu did need a bit of help with a walker while walking.

Gundu has been always a silent worker. We always remember his role helping us in Nandini's wedding! He took complete charge of the kitchen. We had employed cooks and not caterers ! Hence he managed to supply them provisions and vegetables on demand from the store room. A very critical job in those days!

As we kept chatting during the day, I realised their story was special and requested Sonu to write about it. They had adjusted so well to a life in USA as Seniors!

We also had a good time generally chatting with them all about our families!

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If you wonder why I found her story interesting and wanted her to share it!?

We, as emigrants also have a role to play! We keep hearing about 'Mannina Maga" (Sons of the soil)! Yes they are very important and necessary!

However, there are many reasons why one chooses to move from ones birth place! The contributions emigrants make within the country and abroad is equally important! Sonu inspires us as she coped with events over which she had no control and managed very well! We are the living proof of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (Sanskrit: वसुधैव कुटुम्बकम्) "The World Is One Family".

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My Journey

My Husband and I moved to the US from India in 1996 post retirement. Prior to that I worked as a teacher for young children for 35 years.

I enjoyed my time teaching and

have fond memories of the children.

I did not start out to be a teacher,

the profession chose me, I think.

At the time we were living in Bikaner,

Rajasthan, India.

My daughters were attending

Sophia school and I would go to

pick them and drop them off.

It was a small convent school and

the Nuns and teachers were

very friendly.

One day, out of the blue Sister Superior

( Principal) asked me to teach as a

replacement

for another teacher who was on

extended leave. As she did not

take ‘no’ for an answer

I agreed and that was the beginning

of a satisfying career.

I worked during the day and in

the evening attended classes for a

Degree in Montessori teaching.

When we moved to Udaipur, Rajasthan,

I continued my teaching career at St Paul's School for Boys and enjoyed my time there. I was the pre Kindergarten teacher and it was such a pleasure to see the children growing and graduating from HS to go on to the careers of their choice.

I was born and brought up in and near Pune, Maharashtra, India. I am the second of 7 children. My parents were living in Bhivpuri, when I was very young.

My father worked at the Hydroelectric Plant at Bhivpuri. My mother took care of us kids. Fun fact: The plant celebrated its hundred year anniversary in 2022.

The school in Bhivpuri was one room

with all ages of kids learning together,

taught by an absent teacher.

The school only went up to 4th grade.

So when I was 10 years old my siblings

and I went to

Boarding school.

It was a shock to realize that all

the other students were ahead of me

in all the subjects

thanks to the absent teacher.

The Boarding school gave me a

strong foundation in academics,

the teachers encouraged me to

work hard and gave me a

wonderful work ethic.

I had a lot of opportunities and

it helped me to be creative and

explore ideas.

I learnt English and read all the

English newspapers in the library so

I could hold a conversation in English.

I cherish my time at the Boarding school.

I completed my schooling in Pune.

Being the oldest girl in the family

I learnt to cook and sew very early.

I remember making crochet lace clothes

for my younger sisters,

cooking with my Mother and

taking care of our youngest sister

and brother.

My Mother was a talented spinner

and worked on the Charkha

spinning Khadi cloth.

After marriage is when I moved to Rajasthan. My husband was working at a Mining Company. The move was quite a challenge. It took more than 48 hours to travel by train from Pune to Bikaner and then to the Mines. Rajasthan was very different from anything I had experienced. There was sand stretching as far as the eyes could see, and sandstorms so severe that visibility was zero at times, the heat was oppressive during the day and nights were very cold.

Water had to be transported on Camelback. There was always a danger of scorpions and snakes. One night my husband almost stepped on a snake as it lay curled on his slippers! Though the environment was harsh, the community was supportive and we made good friends.It was an opportunity to learn Hindi, a language I was not familiar with.

Change has been a constant in our lives.

We live in the US now to be close

to our family .

I have been successful in working as

a teacher here as well and

I am grateful for that experience.

We have a lot to learn from children.

As Wordswoth said ‘Child is the

father of Man”.

I believe in that. Children have

taught me about Patience and Tolerance.

I took up drawing and painting

again in my later years after a long gap.

I was inspired to take up drawing

Ganesha and Krishna pictures.

It's never too late to learn new things,

is my Motto. I am thankful for every

opportunity

I have been given and though there

have been challenges in my life,

I am also grateful to have overcome

those with the help of God's grace.

Sheela and Mala have a published a book of their mother's paintings and drawings!

It is available with them. The money which is collected by distributing the book will be given to a charity of Sonu's choice.

Sheela as a doctor was busy and Soumitri took us out for walks! He did give us a choice between walks and sightseeing. We chose to walk! It turned out to be both! Naperville is known as an outdoor museum of an old town. The Pizza we had for lunch was very special!