A journey of just about 25 years with George Shalom

George Shalom said a swift bye-bye on 25th January 2010 at his place of work. The doctor said he died of heart attack but did not know a thing. He just slipped away, painlessly. This was in Jamta village, Himachal Pradesh, where both of us had more or less settled to pass the rest of our lives. Seven years down the line I am still passing my life, sometimes in Delhi, sometimes in Calcutta. 7th April 2010 would have been 25 years of married life with him. We got married in 1985 on that date. It was sunday in Calcutta and before presenting ourselves before the marriage registrar, George thought why not go to the church and get blessings.. We landed up at St.Paul's Cathedral and George said - no. This is a protestant church, We need to go to a Catholic church. I am a catholic. In the rush and excitement I totally forgot about my school church _ St.Marys'. So it was just the registrar.

One thing I remember George said when we got married - "We will rough it out." I liked the sound of it - pretty romantic. anyway life was quite rough and adventurous as it is with my 3 kids and striving to keep a balance. 

George was not a perfect person - none of us are. He was a package of everything included. The highlight of this marriage was that I got a taste of a normal married life, albeit for a few years. Yes, I was the homemaker, looking after home and hearth while George went out to earn the goodies. He even celebrated the kids' birthdays in the most homely manner. He cooked well, arranged games for the children, sang and played along with them in the parties. Looking back it was not so bad. Thursdays were his off days and we would all go to the market. But before that, he would scrub the children clean and give them a bath. and always would say - see how dirty your children are - you don't even look after them properly. Hahaha! this routine continued even after Kuki was born. We soon had dogs and thursdays were great days for them too. Fresh meat and other goodies daddy would get for them!!!!

Educational awareness in Himachal. I was even allowed to watch live classes taking place even though I was just a visitor!

Leaving behind a small village in Himachal on my solitary tour after George's death. I found the Village Pradhan was a lady. Wish she was around I would have taken her photo.

The view from my Jamta balcony.

George with our first grandchild. On her first birthday, 28 February, 2009.

But it was not hunky-dory for me. Imagine looking after 3 growing kids and a baby and 3 dogs. We could not afford to hire help. But we managed. It was a rough and tumble life-style but there was fun, too. Most often on thursday evenings we all played throw-ball or net ball within the compound. Big advantage living inside the Club.

Icecream (Shib Shekhar), Vimto(Pavitra), Pussycat(Clara) in front of the little house we lived in Tarnaka, Secunderabad. These three musketeers used to have a whale of a time running around in the open.

Kuki (Sharon) came into our lives in 1986 and became quite the darling of the family. This is in Secunderabad Club house. 

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In Delhi in Sarah's house. Sarah in the middle, me in left and my two girls - Pussycat and Kuki.

George gave me a great friend in the form of his elder sister, Sarah. She was a marvellous sister-in-law. All women would love to have such a sister-in-law. Sarah taught for donkeys' years in Springdale School, New Delhi. She was very liberal in her views and quite a champion for women's causes. And she loved her brother very much but did not falter to give him a mouthful when he misbehaved with me. We often came to Delhi and stayed with her in her small flat. It always used to be a big party, except when she had her students coming over for tuition. Even the dog had to keep silent. We were either shunted out of the house to the near by park or loitered in the attached terrace. But a couple of hours later it used to turn into a madhouse, full of love and cheer. Sarah's 2 daughters were just about the age of my boys, so the kids got along very well. Her husband, Trilochan was a great buddy to George. Their best togetherness was sharing a bottle or two. Hahaha! But they had a long history together, as all of them grew up in Connaught Place area.

Aurangabad, Maya apartments. Relaxing after a birthday party of one of my kids.
That is Kuki resting her head on  my lap. 

We lived for a few months in a barsati in West Delhi in 2002. Pussycat curled up on the charpai. I am the laughing mother.

Our first car bought on 9th September 2004. The credit goes entirely to Pussycat. She dared to take loan and buy this Maruti 800 AC. Of course, we were all working then. Here she seems worried if Vimto will let her drive it!!!!

Our flat in Defence Officers Apartment in Dwarka, Delhi. Vimto busy watching TV. Pussy and Kuki just came back from a shopping spree.

Hadimba Devi in Manali. This deity is brought in a palanquin to the place of festivity in this state.It was such an occasion at the hotel where we worked in Manali. 

Vimto with guest, Sunil Shetty (film star) at Ambassador's in Aurangabad.

Manali

Secunderabad Club

I remember this day because it was not only Kuki's 2nd birthday but also I got full marks in my first exam of COBOL at NIIT in Hyderabad! And yes I fortunately found the same type of dresses for both the girls with matching shoes. It can turn into a nightmare with one girl's birthday and the other being seemingly ignored.

George relaxing in the Spa section which materialised with his enterprising efforts. At GrandView Resorts, Jamta, Himachal Pradesh.

George you loved hotels and admitted you knew nothing but hotel. You simply excelled in your hotel jobs. I still have some of the letters written by guests who got a taste of your hospitality in the different hotels you worked in. People from far and near, all across the globe. You did good in your service life. And see you died with your 'boots on' - very fortunate. Even at the age of 63-64 you held on to your job and worked diligently. You loved Jamta and you were buried there. The same spot where you used to take Lucky for his walks. As if, it was pre-determined. And the whole village assembled to go along with your coffin down the hill proved how much the local people loved you. Your ten years in Jamta created a solid bond between you and them. Bless your soul. If possible look out for our daughters - Pussycat and Kuki. They could do with some added blessing from a father. Cheers!

Jamta, oil massage for one of my grand daughters.

From my balcony in Jamta. This car is carrying the new bride, who will be carried up the mountain in a palanquin, behind me.

George and I once went on a tour and visited this important temple. 2009.

Jamta house, Vimto relaxing on one of his visits.

George saw these two grand children from Haryana.

And saw this grandchild from Bombay.

George did not see this grandchild, who arrived on the 22nd of December 2016.

The day Vimnto, Kuki, Kuldeep were about to drive back home to Delhi and Haryana after the final services for George. 2010. I stayed back with Icecream, who stayed back for a few more days before going back to work.


I am a total dud. Could not straighten some of the pictures. Will try later.