Ramakanth Achrekar was the king of a very small empire. In terms of area, it was all of 400 square yards. For Ramakanth though, it was more than a piece of land. The Swami Vitthal Rao park near the Chandan Nagar bus stand was Ramakanth's family, parents and friends -- all clubbed into one. His heart filled with nostalgia whenever he thought of that day, eight years ago, when he had first set foot on the park. "She is all yours! Take good care of her." was all he had been instructed, when he was given the keys of the park gate. But, what other instruction could he need. Can a father be really instructed as to how to take care of his children ? All he had to do was love his children, and, love was the greatest teacher.
The first couple of years had been the most difficult ones. Running from pillar to post to get an uninterrupted water and power supply. Once that had been achieved, then the children also started coming. First it was jasmine, then sunflower, then the red roses. Soon, the whole park was filled with flowers of all colours and hues -- a collection worthy of earning any botanist's praise. But, as they say--life is not a bed of roses , and, soon the thorns started pricking. Bosses decided that the park should have a walk-way also. Well nothing wrong about it,except that there was no space for one. So, some plants had to be uprooted, and , Ramakant was asked to keep the most beautiful flowers and to remove the rest. "How can you keep your most beautiful child and kill the rest?" Ramakant had asked, tears rolling down his eyes, and , he had got the response that he had expected. A studied silence , indicating "just get the damn thing done!!!".
A shock went down Ramakant's spine whenever he thought of that day. The day when he had committed the ultimate sin . The day when a father had killed his own children.
Soon the walk-way came and along came the walkers and joggers. He could see their feet stomping on the graves of his beloved children,but, these dark thoughts were always cleared away by the laughter of the small children who would keep running around the legs of their parents. The children became such an integral part of the park that soon the park came to be known as "Chacha Nehru Children's Garden" and Ramakant as Ram Chacha . In due course of time, benches were put for the joggers to take rest.But, tell me, which couple can resist a bench in a park filled with flowers? So, the benches for joggers became hangouts for couples, and, Ram chacha became the ultimate philosopher, helping out couples in sorting out their numerous quarrels, teaching them about priorities in life, guiding them to help others and to embrace happy and sad moments with equal enthusiasm. Ramakanth's heart would fill with joy during the april months, when the couples would give way to children from the nearby orphanages , who would use the benches as study tables and the walk-way light as reading lamps to study for their exams. How many students used this park library and graduated in the university of life?--god alone knew.
Ramakanth's train of thoughts were disturbed when he heard the park gate squeaking. "The hinges need to be oiled. Maybe I will do that tomorrow" thought Ramakanth. But, there was no tomorrow, because, today was Ramakanth's 60th birthday and the day for him to part with his family. His replacement had already come and he seemed like a good young man. Ramakanth handed him the gate keys. "Any special instructions?"--the replacement asked. "Nothing beta. Just be like the park. Always help others in whatever way you can, whether they punish you or please you. And do take good care of her. She is all yours"--Ramakanth heard himself saying.
The first couple of years had been the most difficult ones. Running from pillar to post to get an uninterrupted water and power supply. Once that had been achieved, then the children also started coming. First it was jasmine, then sunflower, then the red roses. Soon, the whole park was filled with flowers of all colours and hues -- a collection worthy of earning any botanist's praise. But, as they say--life is not a bed of roses , and, soon the thorns started pricking. Bosses decided that the park should have a walk-way also. Well nothing wrong about it,except that there was no space for one. So, some plants had to be uprooted, and , Ramakant was asked to keep the most beautiful flowers and to remove the rest. "How can you keep your most beautiful child and kill the rest?" Ramakant had asked, tears rolling down his eyes, and , he had got the response that he had expected. A studied silence , indicating "just get the damn thing done!!!".
A shock went down Ramakant's spine whenever he thought of that day. The day when he had committed the ultimate sin . The day when a father had killed his own children.
Soon the walk-way came and along came the walkers and joggers. He could see their feet stomping on the graves of his beloved children,but, these dark thoughts were always cleared away by the laughter of the small children who would keep running around the legs of their parents. The children became such an integral part of the park that soon the park came to be known as "Chacha Nehru Children's Garden" and Ramakant as Ram Chacha . In due course of time, benches were put for the joggers to take rest.But, tell me, which couple can resist a bench in a park filled with flowers? So, the benches for joggers became hangouts for couples, and, Ram chacha became the ultimate philosopher, helping out couples in sorting out their numerous quarrels, teaching them about priorities in life, guiding them to help others and to embrace happy and sad moments with equal enthusiasm. Ramakanth's heart would fill with joy during the april months, when the couples would give way to children from the nearby orphanages , who would use the benches as study tables and the walk-way light as reading lamps to study for their exams. How many students used this park library and graduated in the university of life?--god alone knew.
Ramakanth's train of thoughts were disturbed when he heard the park gate squeaking. "The hinges need to be oiled. Maybe I will do that tomorrow" thought Ramakanth. But, there was no tomorrow, because, today was Ramakanth's 60th birthday and the day for him to part with his family. His replacement had already come and he seemed like a good young man. Ramakanth handed him the gate keys. "Any special instructions?"--the replacement asked. "Nothing beta. Just be like the park. Always help others in whatever way you can, whether they punish you or please you. And do take good care of her. She is all yours"--Ramakanth heard himself saying.
