Munni of all Trades

Award winning Lifestyle and Travel Blog by Khushboo Motihar

Nanaji

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“Take this girl away!”, were the first words my Nanaji uttered when he met me. I was a few months old and had decided that his beard was meant to be pulled. I used all my might and my tiny muscles to do just that. That was my first meeting with my Role Model.

Over the years, summers meant one thing. Spending a month in Devi Cottage, Mount Abu and raiding Nanaji’s library. Back in those days, with a pocket money of just Rs. 10, I could not afford to buy any books. But when I returned to Mumbai, after a summer of being pampered by my grandparents, I was loaded with books.

Perry Mason series and Tom Brown’s school days were my favourite! In fact Tom Brown’s School Days was a book he won when he was in sixth standard. 


I cannot imagine my Nanaji as a little boy. I have always seen him in a turban with a jolly smile and twinkling eyes.

In fact it was his beard and twinkling eyes that led me to believe that he was in fact Santa Claus! He did have a godown full of toys and would let me take as many as I wanted back home. He did not live on the North Pole but Mt. Abu did experience sub zero temperatures in the winters. So my theory completely checked out. J

Check the photographs. Isn’t the resemblance uncanny? 



               

One of the incidents that I still remember is of him admonishing my mom. I was browsing through his book shelf as usual, looking for something new to read when I came across another detective series by James Hadley Chase.

I took them out and started reading the first book. When my mom realized that I was reading that particular book, she took it away from my hand and asked me not to read as it was not age appropriate. Nanaji overheard her and said, “She is old enough to know what is right and wrong. Give the book back to her and let her decide whether she wants to read it further or not”. It was nice to know that he trusted me and believed me even at such a young age.


My Nanaji encouraged me to a voracious reader. I cherish the numerous books he has given till date. In fact half the books in my book shelf have been gifted by him. 

Along with loving books, he taught me the importance of sharing them with others. I ensure that I donate my pre loved books to a nearby library so that others can enjoy them. 


Do you know that my Nanaji is past 70 and has a blog? Yep, he blogs at http://holyabu.blogspot.in/whenever he finds time. Do check his posts out, they are wonderful and I am not partial because he is my Nanaji.


He was the one who inspired me to start my own blog. Initially, I didn’t have too many readers and I used to be upset when nobody would comment on my posts. But he was always there, proudly sharing my posts on his Facebook page, asking his friends to read them. He still does.



Whenever I write something, I know for sure, that he will be amongst the first ones to read it and write something nice about it.


I haven’t met him in the past 6 years. Somehow my schedule did not give me time to meet him. But we are in touch through email. He continues to inspire me, motivate me and nudge me towards perfection so that I become a better person and a better writer.

Needless to say, I love my Nanaji. 

I am writing about #MyRoleModel as a part of the activity by Gillette India in association with BlogAdda.com.
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Comments

  4. awwww.. please please do extend my sincerest regards to your Nana ji..

    Loved your post .. thanks to you We know of a lovely human being

    Bikram

    Reply

  19. This so much reminds me of my nanaji..I miss his presence ,his tender love and warmth subtly expressed. I remember reading his books and digging through chocolates and sweets together.
    So glad I came here !

    Reply

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