Remembering My Father Gouri Shankar Rajhans

Remembering My Father Gouri Shankar Rajhans

Coming from humble background My Father Gouri Shankar Rajhans initiated his innings in life from Sultanganj in Bhagalpur District in Bihar State in India. Born to Jaideo Rajhans and Kiran Mai Rajhans My Father excelled in studies scoring first rank in Economics (hons) and rose to become a Distinguished Fulbright Scholar. It has been six months since he passed away and here penning a thought or two would be the best tribute to him. 

A Distinguished Fulbright Scholar To Stints in Kumardhubi, Kolkata And Delhi

A man of strong determination not deterred by challenges My Father Gouri Shankar Rajhans's innings as a writer/novelist and in management, media, politics and diplomacy saw him court success from time to time. Having studied in University Of North Carolina in Chapel Hill in the US in Economics  in the '60s as a Fulbright Scholar, he returned to India to work in Kumardhubi and Kolkata. In 1969 he came to Delhi to work in Sahu Jain Company and in 1971 joined Hindustan Times where he worked in different capacities as Circulation Manager, Deputy General Manager and Adviser.

Penning Tum Phir Aana, Salma And Other Novels

A novelist to the core his two novels Tum Phir Aana based on his stay in the US and Salma based on his sojourn in Jammu And Kashmir State in India were hits between 1975 and 1985. These novels can be traced in different Indian Embassies across world. His novel Booth Bahadur Ki Jai came at a time when booth capturing was rampant in Hindi Heartland. Some of other books, novels penned by my father included Biography of Congress Leader Motilal Nehru, "Abhisapt", "Aana Ek VIP Ka", Ujli Rekhein Bhi", "Videshiya", "Pretatma Bikau Hai",  "Practice Politics Ki".  Hindi Satire "Practice Politics Ki" was brought out by publishing house Jagatram And Sons. 

Extempore Speeches In Parliament On Issues Facing Common Man

He spoke extempore in India's Parliament when he became an MP in December 1984 and his stint continued till December 1989. His oratory skills were recognised by political stalwarts of that time like Rajiv Gandhi, Narasimha Rao, Sitaram Kesri, Makhan Lal Fotedar, Mamta Banerjee, S N Sinha, Balram Jakhar, Madhu Dandavate, Sheila Dikshit, P Chidambaram, Ashok Chavan, Ashok Gehlot, Ghulam Nabi Azad and others. He took up issues related to common man and his umpteen trips to India's Main Medical Centre to get his constituency people treated was well recognised in political circles. Employment was a big issue then and whatever resources he had at his disposal My Father Gouri Shankar Rajhans tried his best to get his constituency people Of Bihar and others in Delhi job in varied places.

As part of Parliamentary Delegation he visited Turkey, Mainland China and Hong Kong.

Stints As India's Ambassador To Laos And Cambodia

My Father Gouri Shankar Rajhans was appointed as India's Ambassador to Laos in 1992 and as Ambassador to Cambodia in 1994 as part of Narasimha Rao Govt's Look East Policy. And he did his best to see India's ties with these nations were strong. And here in Indian Embassies his novels could be traced. Once back in India My Father Gouri Shankar Rajhans started writing for Dainik Hindustan and later for publications including Dainik Jagran, Ranchi Express, Purvanchal Prehri, Aaj Varanasi, Jalte Deep Jodhpur, Dainik Navjyoti Jaipur, Lokmat Samachar, Navbharat Bhopal, Prabhat Khabar, Rajasthan Patrika, Haribhumi and others. 

Introducing Me To Lord Govinda Temple In Tirumala In The '80s

My Father Gouri Shankar Rajhans had been a voice of the voiceless and for those on the margins of society he wrote stories in different publications. He had been an all-weather guide for me and others. It was My Father Gouri Shankar Rajhans who introduced me to Lord Govinda Temple In Tirumala by making his first visit in early '80s and bringing prasadam from there. And I visited Tirumala in July-August 1995 for the first time.

Andh Swami's Prediction

Going back to earlier times in Sultanganj his father Jaideo Rajhans (My Grandfather) was told by Andh Swami a religious preacher who could read the future that he would have four sons who would go by the names of Shiv Shankar Rajhans, Gouri Shanka Rajhans, Karuna Shankar Rajhans and Gyan Shankar Rajhans. And My Father Gouri Shankar Rajhans shared a camaraderie with his brothers and his other relations Kalpana, Pramila and Anand.

On October 20, 1977 on Dussehra Day we moved to our own house in Safdarjung Enclave and that was the day when we had Griha Pravesh (House Entry). The house in Safdarjung Enclave was built on the back of loan taken from LIC which was duly paid in time. I have fond memories of visiting Sultanganj in 1988 and 1989 with My Father where I met my grandmother.

Some Of Other Stories Penned By My Father

Some of other stories penned by My Father Gouri Shankar Rajhans in different publications at different points of time were from the arrest made by English Regime of My Grandfather Jaideo Rajhans who was a freedom fighter amidst Quit India Movement to how Arabian Horse ran out of steam when it returned from Bhagalpur to Sultanganj to Japan's bid to strengthen its military given the churning in Asia and My Father weaved these stories with panache.

My Father Gouri Shankar Rajhans toiled hard all through his life with the mission to bring to light the issues of those on the margins of society. Though he is not amidst us he would continue to guide us. My Father Gouri Shankar Rajhans Was A True Gem.

YEDU KONDALWADA VENKATRAMNA GOVINDA GOVINDA