I reproduce Maj Gen Ian Cardozo's poem remembering our fallen heroes.
The Marigold, In Remembrance
Our Marigold, this simple flower
In many ways it meets the hour
Of valiant soldiers who in combat die
And to their Maker skywards fly.
From ancient times, the favourite bloom
Has commemorated 'womb to tomb'
Of life and death in equal measure
And other moments we all treasure.
But in time of war, this flower has shed
Her fragrant petals to mourn her dead
For those who fought for you and me
And sacrificed their destiny.
So pause a moment all that care
And offer up in silent prayer
This sacred flower for a soldier's death
To remember lest we soon forget.
* * *
Remembering Suresh, my brother-in-law
Today happens to be Suresh's third remembrance day(As per the Malayalam calendar), my brother-in-law and the husband of my cousin, Reshmi - the younger daughter of Indira kunjamma. Suresh was a Chief Engineer in the merchant marine who was known among his seniors, colleagues and subordinates as a hard nosed, no nonsense engineer who was enormously fond of his profession.
He was extremely fond of their son, Kripa-shankar and used to gift him with presents that the youngster asked for, every time he returned from a sortie.
Have spent some great times with him, going out for movies and having food from outside. He used to mirthfully laugh at my PJs and was fond of me. He had felt sad that he wasn't available to perform the last rites of his parents, by some quirk of fate, because he was out sailing and was not in a position to return in time. He was closer to his mother than his dad.
Just like his mom - she'd a cancerous growth on her tongue he, too, was diagnosed with oral cancer - his gums were affected. I can never forget the trip that he, Reshmi and I undertook to meet up with the Plastic Surgeon-cum-Encologist, Dr Subrahmaniam at the Amritha Hospital about, eight months before his passing away. Before reaching the hospital, we'd made a halt at the Edappalli church where he'd lit candles and prayed. He was - in fact, we all were - confident that everything would go all right because Subbu was well known for his professional acumen and he happened to be a good friend of mine.
At the meeting, he'd painstakingly explained as to how he was going to conduct the surgery and my only request to him was, "I want my handsome brother-in-law back, fully fit, so that he can go out to sea again". Subbu had promised me that but then, doctors aren't gods and fate cannot be thwarted. The malignant growth had penetrated deeper, causing Suresh great pain towards his last days and he had an unwieldy swelling on the cheek.
This morning, Kripa-shankar had offered the 'Bali Tharpanam' for his dad while his mom had driven her two-wheeler all the way to the Parasurama Temple at Thiruvallam, to offer the 'Thil Homam' for her husband.
Suresh, we all miss you......feel sad by your life shortened by the deadly illness.
Tailpiece.
Got up half an hour late, the chores and was ready by a half past 9. It was a quiet Sunday.
We'd a family get together on Google meet, between 4 and 5 in the evening. The complete family could not be mustered because of the short notice but it, definitely, is a step in the right direction!
,
No comments:
Post a Comment