Akshit Kumar

A message for introspection. It was 3:00 PM at a large crematorium in Pune. Rohan (35), who was a Vice President at a major software company in the United States, had just landed from his flight and come directly to the crematorium. His father, Sadashivrao (75), had passed away the previous night. Rohan was holding an expensive laptop bag and wearing Ray-Ban sunglasses. He was sweating and constantly checking his watch. There stood Sumit from Moksha a funeral service agency Sumit had arranged everything. The firewood was stacked, the priest had been called, and Sadashivrao’s body had been bathed and prepared Rohan arrived he glanced at his father’s face. A tear or two rolled down his eyes He asked Sumit: Mr. Sumit, everything is ready, right? I have a 6 PM return flight to catch. I have an important meeting tomorrow. Please finish this quickly Sumit was shocked. The father who had raised this son didn’t deserve even three hours of his time? Sumit quietly nodded The rituals were performed Rohan lit the funeral pyre Smoke rose into the sky Rohan took Sumit aside and pulled out his checkbook Sumit, thank you. You made good arrangements What’s your bill? 50k? 100k? Tell me the amount; I’ll write the check now. I won’t be able to come again. Please handle the ashes immersion as well. Sumit looked at Rohan with a strange smile. Sir, there is no need to pay. Your bill is already paid. Rohan was confused. “Paid? Who paid? My uncle?” Sumit replied: No, sir. Five years ago, Sadashivrao (your father) came to our office. He was very ill. He could barely walk. He asked us, ‘What is your package? Will you handle everything so my son doesn’t face any trouble?’ We told him the package details. That very day, he deposited 50,000 rupees in advance. And he gave me this letter. He told me, ‘When my son comes, give him this letter. And if he doesn’t come, you perform my last rites.’” Sumit handed the letter to Rohan. With trembling hands, Rohan opened it. In his father’s shaky handwriting, it read: ⸻ “Dear Rohan, My son, I know you are very busy. In America, you barely have time to breathe. I know that when you hear about my death, you will feel tense. ‘Will I get leave? Will I get a ticket? What about my meeting?’ — these questions will trouble you. Son, your time and your career are very important. I raised you so that you could conquer the world. Don’t suffer losses for the sake of an old man’s corpse. So I have already arranged everything for my death. I have paid the agency. They will take care of it. If you come, it’s good. If you don’t, I won’t be angry. I have only one request… When I used to drop you at school as a child, I never let go of your hand. Today, when you light my funeral pyre, don’t let your hand tremble. Go back soon. Your wife must be waiting. Yours, Baba.” ⸻ After reading the letter, the checkbook slipped from Rohan’s hands into the mud. In that crematorium, where the sound of burning wood filled the air… Rohan’s ego and pride in his career burned to ashes. He fell to his knees. “Baba…! Forgive me, Baba!” Rohan held Sumit’s feet. “Sumit, I don’t want to go back to America! I want to stay with my father! I earned millions, but I turned out to be a beggar! My father, even at the time of his death, thought about my meeting… and I was bargaining over the price of his last rites?” That day, Rohan could not catch his flight. He sat there all night in front of the burning pyre. Because he finally understood— “Prepaid” can be for a SIM card… But a father’s love is never prepaid. A father’s love is unlimited — And no currency in the world can repay it. ⸻ No matter how big you become in the world, how much money you earn… When the parents who once changed your diapers need you at the end of their journey, don’t turn away in discomfort. An agency can perform the funeral. But the tears… Those cannot be outsourced. They must come from blood. Courtesy: Shanthi Wadhwani

BREAKING ICE reportedly detained two Indian students at an Indian restaurant in St. Louis Park yesterday afternoon. STUDENTS, BE VERY CAREFUL. DO NOT TAKE UP ANY PART TIME JOBS THAT ARE NOT LEGALLY ALLOWED.