After a nice home-cooked Italian dinner, reminiscing stories of some family members.
Cousin’s Grandmother (“Amma”) married at 18. She would climb, sit on a tree waiting for the man she loved to pass her home delivering letters, the local postman! He would write lovely long letters to her, then sprint over on his bicycle to deliver it. An excuse to meet her for 5-10 mins each day. They fell in love, married. He died early at 45.
She raised 7 kids on her own despite being partially educated till 11th grade herself. Started her home business of tailoring and embroidery. Two sons, Vir and Raj were earliest Indians to be selected for prestigious Indian Civil Service (ICS), then still British-run and were sent to Oxford for higher studies, on scholarship (1930’s).
They became Governors of Delhi, Kashmir. Another son, Ish joined newly formed Indian Foreign Service (IFS), first to venture abroad. He’d smoke his pipe, correct our English, invited me to play chess with him. Founder-President of Delhi Golf Course.
Another son, Ram was Ward of Courts. Administratively ran affairs of princely states, which were dismantled after Independence (1947) when the old tradition of ‘Rajah’s’ ruling small principalities was ended. He was by all accounts, a jovial and large-hearted man. Generous to a fault, fond of food and revelry.
In her last moments, she just remembered her postman! Huge respect, admiration for “Amma”, a woman who’s courage, inner strength, belief, selfless nurturing raised super brilliant achievers, contributing immensely to country’s growth, evolution. Inspirational.