Saturday, May 03, 2014

Scootaappaaa

 
Our Grand Dad have seen 4 generation in his life time and he never called me nor my brother by our real name, always Pattu & Jillu respectively !! He also lived by his nick name as we also never called him with his name :D To his delight and will power till the last day he was driving "Scooter" and since he was a Father (appa) figure to the whole family and his name was coined as "Scootaappaaaa" by my First Cousin - Krithika Akka, I thank her for this as he lives and for ever will live in our heart and memory as Scootaappaaaa only !!
 
What all I could remember of him, I want to add here so that I can just keep a tab of his memories intact ( already I might have lost something but I will seek inputs from my family for amendment ) !!
 
 My first remembrance of him, is also my First B'day (that I could remember) in Gobi, I still remember the dress he bought for me (cream color stripe dress with horse in it) and then the gift for us never stopped, it kept flowing every year for "Diwali" in the form of dress, crackers, mangoes, watermelon, chips, ride with him to finance and badminton court in Scooter & the first ever TV, Telephone and Car experience that we all had in our life time is because of him !
 
During Bagyam chithi's wedding preparation we all have been taken to Kancheepuram and Madras for wedding purchase, we also happened to see Sankarachariyar during this trip !! He has  bought small little things that I asked for and made sure I'm well fed as he know I have a liking for food (which he also enjoys) and always ask me during any trip - Pattu enna vennum unnaku (what do you want Pattu ?), pattu panneer soda kudikaraya (Pattu do you want Paneer Soda ? - Happened in our trip to Palani, where he was the first one who gave us the chance to get in to a Tram - new experiences that you can't forget easily !!
 
As long as I can remember, he always started his day very early with the best news paper in my country " The Hindu " & I wouldn't have read if not for him ! I also can't remember a day where he didn't devote a time to "God" and one of the best trips I have had with him was also a spiritual trip with him and scootamma to "Tirupathy". He was a strong devote to God and he dedicated part of his time towards spiritual activity in home as well as outside !! His contribution in building temple in Kaveri river - Soleeswarar Temple and just recently in Old State Bank Colony were immense and I like him for what he has done to the society and not only for family !!
 
I also remember the best times I have had with him was when I was in Erode and my parent's were in Hyderabad for attending some important things, he bought me the "Scouts Name Batch - My First Ever Name Batch" which  I treasured for the same reason he had one from Bank with his name and he inspired to have mine from my young days !! I used to play basket ball and while I was doing a district level camp from colony (this was like our second home during our growing up days and all the holidays were spent here) and I was so enthused to get a calling for State Level camp and he was the one (along with Scootamma) who gave a suitcase, bed and all that I need for those month long camp & dropped me in the VOC park and he used to visit me as well during these times to make sure I'm all ok - it might be normal thing for him but he did that for me !!
 

Last time we could spend some time was in Hong Kong when he and Scootaamaa were invited to come to Hong Kong and China by Parthi Chitaappa & Bagyam Chithi. It was a great co-incidence that I was moving to a new house and I got his & scootamma's blessing along with Chitappa's mom as well in the house warming function ! I remember one incident in that trip, he was slightly not comfortable with the escalators and once he slightly fumbled and I thought he might fall and I was trying to hold him, he steadied himself in no time and said Pattu no worries - I'm alright, when I shared this with mom, she told he was always "Self Reliant & Never Complains/Moans" which I felt is true, as I never seen him say anything in negative form even though he had multiple health issues for many years. Also never gave reasons not to be physically active as well, he told me he played as a goalie in School level Football and later went on to play badminton for so many years even with knee problem - I admire him for that character of his, where he never succumbs to situational pressures that were thrown at him and I'm glad I got a chance to take a snap with him in Hong Kong ( that happened to be the last ) !!   


 
I believe he was one of the simplest person I have seen, and he lived modestly even though he was one of the graduates in his times from Loyola (BA) and then went on to work in State Bank of India (SBI) and he also opted out of promotions as he wanted to stay with family in Erode itself. His last day in SBI was his FIRST & LAST JOB (very rare these days) and that was my first ever "Employee Leaving Party" that I attended, whole branch was there and applauded his work and he was sent off very well !! He sowed the seeds then for his grand children to follow his foot steps and he inspired us all with his "Actions" than talks !! I have rarely seen him loose patience and almost always calm but loud & gregarious when ever the situation called for !! He took the family duty seriously and made sure he dealt with all family members same !!  I can't call any better than him as my "Grand Dad" as he has given all of us the BEST CHILDHOOD MEMORIES we have got and we speak about till date & for ever. All I can think of is this, I will definitely miss him for now I can't put lemon juice for him nor he will be my side to see his great grand children from my side but I wish he will be reborn soon and live with us all again but as per Buddha if someone can do the best he could and which he did his soul will attain the divinity - "May his Soul Rest in Peace"!!
 
 

8 comments:

vijai prasad said...

Very good blog on Scootappa bro, I too typed down some of the memories and special moments I had with him and after seeing your blog thought to add in some more points and share the same
The night I heard the news I went to bed only at 2 AM after quiet some crying but still couldn’t sleep
During school days
He always wanted us to study well and get good marks , I remember once I got low mark in math , he was very worried and was teasing me for couple of days , I was having dinner , got angry and just threw the plate in the hall..then he tried to console me, his real intention was not to tease me but to make me realize that I should improve and get good marks
I even remember he signed the report card once when Appa and amma were in Hyderabad , that was the time when I got 3rd or 4th rank in the class and he very much appreciated it
Would go with him to state bank and have spent time with him in the bank cash counter, then will take to mail room as we were collecting stamps that time , have been to finance , shuttle court etc
When he comes home for lunch , he would honk at the gate ,we would fight for who will go first and open the gate , Aaya used to peal groundnut and keep separately for him which he would finally share with us 
Best times were during Diwali , we will have a big family get together , he used to buy us lot of crackers , snacks etc
I was very interested in playing tennis , immediately he got me one and dad bought another one
Vinod and myself used to play
During my end of school days I had the privilege to drive him in car to almost all the places ,there were some drives to kullampalayam and other nearby places where only we two had gone in the car, those were special moments for me that I still cherish
During college days
Whenever I come from Chennai , I will go to park Aanjanayer temple then to colony , this was my regular routine , both scootaapa and scotaama would love that early morning visit and I even felt good to visit them first
He used to have very good sense of humor, very rarely he would get tensed and if he gets then he would all of a sudden start in a high pitch and lower the tone , all of us in our family are used to that and now we will miss all that 
I’ve seen real happiness in his eyes watching us progress in life , we are really fortunate to have grown under his shadow and in fact the whole family for that matter, have learnt many good qualities in life that any school or college will not teach
Knowingly or unknowingly I’ve inherited some of his qualities and I can never ever forget him in my life
Scootaapa if we have another birth we sincerely pray to have you again as our Grandfather, please continue to watch and guide us in right path for the rest of our life

Unknown said...
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Preethi said...

Whenever I see/hear about anyone's death, all that comes to my mind is that life is very short and let's live life n forgive each other. I also use to think what I learnt from that person. I will share few lessons & memories what I learnt from colony thatta. I didn't happen to interact with colony thatta much not even as much as my sister (Aarthi) but I still found few qualities which I admire in him like patience, family importance, being ahead in all events, positive attitude, etc. most of all he kept saying that he was fine when ever I asked him how he was even when he had problem with his leg. That positiveness even now it use to amaze me. I also never found him worrying. I think all these qualities are hard to see these days in people. I'm happy that he was able to meet us all few months back. I also thought he won't be able to come for varshu's tonsure but he & colony ammai were the 1st to come to the temple and was with us till the end. I'm still stuck with a small guilt that I didn't speak with him recently. But I'm happy in a way that he didn't have any trouble in his last breath. Only few lucky people will be able to pass away like this n he is one of them. I'm sure his blessings will always be around us at all times. May u have rest in peace thatta.

Vidya said...

What immediately comes to mind when I think of him is his upbeat voice and hearty laugh. From the many accounts that athai has shared with me and from your blogs, if I have to describe him in one phrase it would be - The Banyan Tree, for the Banyan Tree epitomizes Joy, Hope & Kindness in life just like he has been to all of us. Bringing up 5 well cultured children and to be the pillar of support to all their families is no easy feat and he has done that without much ado. Hearing all of you repeatedly say that he should be reborn again is an ode to his prosperous, contented, virtuous and simplistic life. If all of us could live even half as happily and contently as he and Scootamma did, then we should consider ourselves lucky and blessed.
Jillu & Pattu, if I can write and miss him so much just based on the few visits and all your recollections, I can relate to how huge a vacuum he must have left in your hearts. But guys, when winter comes will spring be far behind?
Death is inevitable, but what he has done in the journey between is remarkable. His immortality lives on in our memories and the values he has instilled in our lives. May his life serve as an inspiration & guidance to all of us for the rest of our lives. May his soul rest in peace.

Abinaya Viggnesh said...
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Abinaya Viggnesh said...

When I think of Scootappa the first main thing which strikes ma mind is his positive attitude.Even at this young age we are not able to work continuously,but he was always riding his scooter at this age and going to many trips and running business.its something really great.Iwant to
Share one of my personal experience here.During tanu's namakaran function in thindal temple we all were standing and thinking of how to climb the steps and finally decided to walk via road so that thought it might be better than steps.But Scootappa didn't even think about anything.He just started climbing up the steps.I was just wondering of how he is making this at this age.But he didn't even bother.Think that's his attitude.Feeling happy at least we have a picture of tanu with Scootappa and scootamma..
Hope he will shower all his blessings to our family members and share his loud smile and energy.May his soul rest in peace..

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