Memories

The most significant memory I have of my Dad is the courage and hope he always gave me when I was depressed. He shared with me what he learned from his Dad. He said that whenever you are sad because you think you do not have something think of the millions of people who are suffering instead of the few who have more than what you have. This is similar to the man who was crying that he had no shoes till he came across a man who had no legs. Then the man who was crying that he had no shoes thanks God for giving him legs to help him walk. Count your blessings name them one by one and you will be surprised to know what the lord has done!

-----  Aruna (daughter)

I was born on June16th 1958 to my beloved parents, Mother Smt. Thirunagari Pattabhiram Kalyani and Father Sri Thirunagari Krishnaswamy Pattabhiram. 

Here are some of my fond memories of my daddy whom I miss very dearly NOW. 

My daddy was a self made man.  Being born with lots of financial challenges, he never flinched from his goal of shaping his life.  He was brilliant in studies and had the distinction of being awarded " Nizam Scholar"  He did his textile engineering from V.J.T..I.  ( Victoria Jubilee Technical Institute) This institute was regarded as one of the premier institute of engineering in those days. 

My dad was fond of pets, and had two pet puppies in his room while studying in Mumbai.  My dad was very fond of his children. He named us Prabha, Aruna and Prakash which means Morning Sunshine.

The name of the house where I was born was " Saraswati Nivas".  It was a nice little house with two rooms and a kitchen.  It had a nice backyard and my dad planted nice plants all around.  When my daddy came home from the office, he would play with me cricket in front of the house.  He would take us to the Kankaria Zoo and Balvatika ( Children's Amusement Park).  We used to play in the gardens I specially remember chasing my dad as a small child with my small legs around the one tree hill garden.  It was fun to be with him. He loved his children very much.

My dad would take us to picnics.  He used to get nice polson butter, breads, sugar rolls, pine apple cans,  biscuits and fruits and so many things.  He was a wonderful daddy. 

My dad during his working days, used to visit Mumbai for official works. We children would eagerly await his coming back.  He unfailingly bought us lots of toys and famous Mumbai sweets and beautiful dresses.  He loved to see his kids well dressed.

My dad had predicted my going to United States before my marriage.  He was a voracious reader and once he was reading " Ram Charit Manas" by Tulsidas and at the end of the book is astrological chart.  He studied that chart and predicted my going abroad.  I thought he was joking  because I did not have any credentials to go abroad.  But today I am here in US for the past 15 years.  This Prediction was a miracle in my life.

 ----- Saiprakash (son)

When I open the closet in my room, books about math puzzles, magic tricks and science experiments that my grandfather used to read to me, show themselves reminding me of him. The  time I spent with my grandfather during my elementary school years is a memory I will always cherish. A voracious reader, he constantly pored over his books and brought them to life for me by showing me how to solve the puzzle or perform the trick. At one point, my grandpa became very interested in magic squares.

Magic squares are math puzzles where numbers are placed in a grid such that the sum of any row or column is the same. Fascinated with the idea, I randomly tried combinations in the hope that one would work. Fruitless in this endeavor, I asked my grandpa how to solve it. He showed me that everything had a pattern. Once I learned the trick, I eagerly applied to puzzles of larger size, though I had to tweak the logic as puzzles became larger. I showed it to my grandpa and remember the distinctive smile on his face.

I did not understand it then, but now I realize I have the same look when I engage a child’s curiosity. My grandpa showed me that the world is not just a place that controls me, but a place where I have the ability to motivate others and change the future. Through tricks like the magic square, he showed me that the world is not random and has a pattern and definite order. It is my ambition to uncover the patterns in the world and apply that knowledge to shape the future.


----- Tarun (Grandson)


My grandfather believed in supporting education. My fondest memory of him is driving me to the Exam hall during my high School exams and waiting there in the car for several hours and then driving me home everyday. He took several magazines and news papers with him which he read while he waited for me in the car. When I came home my grandmother Kalyani  made hot delicious food and fed me lovingly.

My grandfather taught me how to drive at an early age. He had great confidence in me and encouraged me.  When I decided to come to U.S. to pursue my Masters degree, he blessed me and lovingly gave me his winter Jacket which he bought during his stay in U.S.

----- Tushneem (Grandson)