Indian Hospitality Industry 18

 

Pitah Se Hai Naam Mera - Pitah Se Hai Jaan Meri

   Pitah Se Hai Saans Meri - Jiya  Jiske Sahare  Mein - Hai Pitah hi Rab Mera

Vidya Sagar was the oldest of eight children of his father Shri Daya Ram Varma, they were three brothers and five sisters.  Shri Daya Ram Varma retired as Superintendent in Indian Railways in the late thirties before Independence.

Vidya Sagar, as my father was called, Graduated from Hindu College in 1933.  He was only five feet five inches tall and was very good in studies. He was also famous for his bouts of anger, even his father was scared of his anger pang. As I remember him on this day, I realize how mediocre I was as a son, as a manager or even as a human being. Today, I also realize, how difficult it must have been for him to discover that his only son, was an average student of a brilliant father. But, I guess he still loved me all his life, trying to make me a better human being.

On this ‘Father’s Day’, I would like to dwell on the fond memories of the years I spent with my father and share the same with my loved ones. Here are some interesting anecdotes and high points of his life worth a mention. I hope all of you are as proud of your father as I am and will remain in this life and beyond;

·      His first job offer was with Reuters in Shimla, just after his graduation and when he went for interview he was rejected as they felt he looked too young. He was furious and walked into Chairman’s office and demanded an audience with him. His secretary was so amused she let him have the meeting. Even to my father’s surprise he not only got the job, but a better job as Executive Assistant to the C&MD. There he was trained by C&MD’s secretary, she made him polish name plate, learn filling before he learned to write. Due to this hard work and extensive reading and writing he had great command on the English language and administration;

 Vidyasagar’s training was tough and what he learnt, remained with him throughout his life. Here is an interesting incident he uses to narrate about his experience in the executive dining hall, where the staff use to have their lunch. Once, while eating the soup with slurping sound he told C&MD’s secretary “Soup is delicious Ma’am” and she replied “I guess I can hear it”

·       My father’s first serious job was as Business Manager to Indian National Chronical (Times of India). After India got freedom, he decided to join Indian Government and was offered a job in Ministry Of Information and Broadcasting for less than half the salary. He was comfortable with that, but got confused when some people started criticizing the working of Government.  He was very impressed by Mr. C.D. Deshmukh who was our first Finance Minister, he wrote to him putting his fears and asking for his advice. Mr. Deshmukh replied, he wrote “No Job is good or bad, Job is what you make of it.” That became his motto all his life and mine too – for better or for worse.

My father had the distinction of getting selected as Press Attaché to Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel at the time when all the royal states and principalities were being merged together to form one country called India. On completion of his assignment, he was asked by Sardar Patel if he wants something in return, he refused and went back to his Government Job in the Ministry of I&B. He was one of the most honest persons I have ever come across in my life, for this he paid very high price. The Government took away his seniority of 27 years as punishment for not allowing bureaucrats to make money. Although while growing, up I wanted to be the most dishonest man in the world, but genes I guess run deep, and like my father  I have also paid a heavy price for being honest manager for my employers during various assignments.

·    Dad was a great parent. His life was not easy and to top it all my mother’s health was always a major issue. As father of four daughters, he was always a worried man. Although being the only son, I was never enjoyed a special treatment of the sorts, on contrary he was he was very harsh on me. I have some beautiful memories of him taking care of me, whenever I was down with fever. Those mesmeric and tender times that still linger in me with happy memories. 

·        Vidyasagar Varma was a terror to all his brothers and sisters as well. Of five kids, first three including I, where petrified of his temper and discipline. I still remember the brutal beating which I got when I got back home very late, after watching Ram Lila. He thought I got lost or missing. Today as grown up father I can understand his predicament-with no unpleasant feeling. Later on - more than beating - I remember him crying and hugging me and taking care of me through the night-quite naturally my father had a very gentle heart.

·    My father passed away in 2005, he was 95 years old. His last ten years brought us all very 
close. I had opportunity to fuss over him and had the privilege of getting so much love and affection which was visible in his eyes; I could sense that he was proud of what he and Bhisham had made me.

 Although, I never mentioned it in the open, but I have always loved him, for he was  a strict disciplinarian. He was  my hero, my inspiration.  

 Written by Anil Chak & Virat Varma