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Nanaji

May 26, 2014 by Khushboo 19 Comments

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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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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Medeia Sharif says

    May 27, 2014 at 1:21 am

    What a great influence on your life. 🙂

    Thank you for commenting on my blog.

    Reply
  2. Sangeeta says

    May 27, 2014 at 4:46 am

    Nanaji is definitely a gem of a person. Loved your post!

    Reply
  3. Holy Abu says

    May 27, 2014 at 1:45 pm

    I adore you Khushboo

    Reply
  4. B says

    May 28, 2014 at 8:44 am

    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
  5. Sunila Karir says

    May 29, 2014 at 9:17 am

    That's such a lovely post. God bless your nanaji with a long life.

    Reply
  6. Somdyuti D. Ray says

    June 2, 2014 at 2:03 pm

    This is amazing. I can almost relate it to my late grandfather. Oh and, I'm a huge fan of J.H Chase. You can never have enough of him. The books are brilliant. Thank you for the comment on my post. <3
    Love, Somdyuti
    http://www.stilettosandtequila.wordpress.com

    Reply
  7. The Side I Hide says

    June 3, 2014 at 8:39 am

    This is a very cute post. 🙂 Made me miss my nanaji. :/

    Reply
  8. Khushboo Motihar says

    June 11, 2014 at 7:30 am

    Yes he is Medeia 🙂

    Reply
  9. Khushboo Motihar says

    June 11, 2014 at 7:30 am

    Thank you Sangeeta 🙂

    Reply
  10. Khushboo Motihar says

    June 11, 2014 at 7:30 am

    And I love you Nanaji 🙂

    Reply
  11. Khushboo Motihar says

    June 11, 2014 at 7:31 am

    Thank you Bikram 🙂

    Reply
  12. Khushboo Motihar says

    June 11, 2014 at 7:31 am

    Thank you Sunila. I hope he does 🙂

    Reply
  13. Khushboo Motihar says

    June 11, 2014 at 7:31 am

    Thank you for dropping by Somdyuti 🙂

    Reply
  14. Khushboo Motihar says

    June 11, 2014 at 7:32 am

    Thank you dear 🙂

    Reply
  15. Homo Sapien says

    June 11, 2014 at 7:40 am

    It was cute to see the picture comparing Santa Claus and Nanaji. 🙂

    Reply
  16. Khushboo Motihar says

    June 24, 2014 at 4:27 pm

    The resemblance is uncanny isn't it?

    Reply
  17. SUJATA TAWDE says

    July 29, 2014 at 10:16 am

    Like GrandPa … Like Grand daughter .
    Congrats for winning Role model contest

    Reply
  18. Anil Kumar Honnappa says

    May 6, 2015 at 4:47 pm

    thats really cute one.. wish i had a role model like him.

    Reply
  19. Nic Vj says

    August 27, 2015 at 3:23 am

    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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