The year was 1989 . I had received my posting orders as All India Radio correspondent , Kathmandu . Me and my wife were busy packing our luggage at our Janakpuri 2 bhk flat . My son Ankur who was in class sixth was to move with me to Kathmandu , where he got admission in Central school , Kendriya Vidyalya . My daughter was to stay in Lady Irwin college hostel where she was doing honours in BSc Home Science . My wife to stay back in Delhi where she was a teacher in Delhi government school . She was to shuttle between Dellhi and Kathmandu looking after two establishments .
In Delhi , I was working as AIR correspondent . One fine morning , I was covering Lok Sabha proceedings when my colleague Rama Rao approached me with a big grin on face . Hi Segon , since you have been posted to Nepal , Please give me keys of your house . My best friend , Ramabrahmam , is in dire need of a house in Delhi . He is from Hyderabad and is posted as an engineer in Akashvani . He has two sons and a daughter and he is only earning member in the family . He cannot pay you market rent . He will pay you just 10000 rupees a month as maintenance charges for your flat . I gave him a smile and said , OK ,you will have keys tomarrow . But please remember , we will keep one bedroom for our use . Of course , keys of the room will be with Ramabrahamam . The family can use the room in our absence . It never occurred to me that why I agreed to hand over keys of my house to a stranger ,that too without verifying his details and without signing any rent agreement with him . It could have landed me in trouble . Perhaps destiny willed it that way . May be , they were to become best of our family friends . May be , God willed it that way .
I left for Kathmandu along with my wife Uma and son Ankur without meeting my tenants . I first met the family when I came to Delhi on some urgent personal work . My flight from Kathmandu to Delhi was delayed and I reached my Janakpuri flat around midnight . Mrs Ramabrvahmam opened the door and greeted me with a smile and folded hands . I apologised for disturbing their sleep . I went to my room where a child was sleeping on my bed . Let him sleep here ,I said , this bed is good enough for two people . She politely asked me if I needed any thing . I shook my head saying no . In the morning , a hot cup of tea was waiting for me when I woke up . I. was served hot South Indian breakfast before I left for work . I liked the family instantly . They were hospitable ,soft spoken but non interfering .
Sri Hari was eldest of siblings. He was hardworking and intelligent and loved computers . He had completed his schooling and knew his father could not afford his admission to an engineering college . He joined a computer institute at the lowest level . He learnt computers in his spare time and started doing certification courses . He applied for a job with IBM computers in America . He was selected and there was no looking back for him . He is American citizen now .
I visited New York in 1998 to cover visit of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee
to the USA . He addressed UN General Assembly in Hindi and his speech was received with thundering applause . He also met former Pakistan prime minister , Nawaz Sharif over lunch .
Sri Hari visited me in New York and stayed with me for a night . He took me to a suburb of Newyork to show me his house . He also took me on a sighting of seeing tour of the city .
Ramani , daughter of Ramabrvahmam’s was 25 years younger to my wife Uma but the two became best of friends. Their friendship lasts to this day . Ramani and her husband always visit us whenever in Delhi . Uma visited Ramani twice at Houston , once alone and second time with me . Both Ramani and Venu looked after us like their parents . They showed us places of interest in Texas including NASA centre known for its exploits in the space . We saw first buggy to land on moon ,a historic event . We touched the buggy as well as rocks brought from moon . The rock was greyish black .
For ages, lovers compared face of beloved with moon to say how beautiful she is. Even in Karva Chauth, fast is broken by looking at moon through a perforated utensil and offering water. Moon has always been considered an angel. Even now when we know that moon is a rocky area, this myth has not been broken. Both worship of moon on Karva Chauth and comparison of beloved with beauty of moon continues.
We also visited Dallas where John F Kennedy, former U S president was assassinated. We also went up the building and upto the window from where Oswal shot ex-president. We also attended a convocation in Dallas where nephew of Venu received his engineering degree. We spent the night at the palatial house of Venu’s friend.
Enroute, we saw some oil wells. We also went to some Indian temples. We also visited George Bush Presidential library and museum. We had the pleasure of sitting behind the President’s desk in the museum. Ramani, completed her education in America with few certification courses in accountancy. She once told me, uncle, I want a job with my own chamber where I sit in my black executive suit. Her dream has been fulfilled. Hats off to her determination and hard work. Whenever Venu and Ramani come to Delhi, they make it a point to visit us.
Youngest member of the family, Amarnath is as tall as his father.
Mr Rama Brahmam retired from AIR and settled in Delhi in a flat purchased by Shri Hari. This boy looked after his parents very well. He always made sure to look after their needs . Being a highly religious couple, Bramham's visited several holy places. They now wished to go on Mansarover Yatra which Shri Hari fulfilled.
He came all the way from America, made all arrangements and took them for Yatra, their life long dream fulfilled. Rama Brahmam did not last long and breathed his last in Janakpuri flat of his son. Mrs. Rama Brahmam was now alone. Like a responsible son, Shri Hari showed his mother as his dependent and got her American citizenship. She now lives with her son.
Their own home in Hyderabad is still there. Whenever Mrs. Rama Brahmam desires, she can come here for a change.
Well, that is story of my friend, Rama Brahmam . We met by chance and our bond of friendship lasted throughout life.
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