Some More Thoughts On My Father Gouri Shankar Rajhans

Some More Thoughts On My Father Gouri Shankar Rajhans

The year was probably 1981. My Father Gouri Shankar Rajhans was in Madras (Chennai). It was HT's Branch Manager probably going by the name Mr Ramanujam who suggested to My Father Gouri Shankar Rajhans that he should visit Lord Govinda's Temple in Tirumala if he was facing tough times in Delhi. My Father Gouri Shankar Rajhans accepted his proposal and henceforth went to Tirumala. Having returned from Tirumala My Father Gouri Shankar Rajhans came back to Delhi and we relished having famed Laddus (Prasadam). 

Visiting Ajmer, Allahabad, Ahmedabad

There were three publications HT launched in the early '80s prominent being Weekend Review and Contour. Weekend Review picked up but Contour was facing all sort of issues. The staggered issues faced by Contour led to its closure. Other Publications launched much earlier like Morning Echo and Overseas Hindustan Times were doing well. But Contour circulation did not see a rise. Challenges that cropped up from time to time in his capacity as Deputy General Manager / Printer Publisher were not few and far and My Father Gouri Shankar Rajhans was steadfast to negotiate them. As part of official duties he visited Ajmer, Allahabad, Ahmedabad, Kanniyakumari, Madras and other places. He even visited Bombay (Mumbai) and besides official responsibilities attended Filmfare Award Function. Ajmer for one remained in his thoughts for long. He had visited Kashmir as well to attend to office work and warm hospitality shown by Kashmir people he penned thoughts on the same. During that time Indian Airlines Flight (Indian Airlines was the solo airline functioning in India) was hijacked and My Father kept posted the neighbours whose relations were on the flight on the status of the same.

Restaurants In Delhi We Visited

I have fond memories of My Father taking us to different restaurants in and around Delhi. Restaurants we visited were Sona Rupa, Kwality, United Coffee House all in Connaught Place, restaurant in Lodhi Hotel, restaurant in Bengali Market and others and here Sobha Mausi, Sushma Mausi, Govind Mama, Pramil Mama, Anand Bhaiya, Pramila Didi would join us as and when the occasion came. In 1982 India hosted Asian Games and I made umpteen trips with My Father to Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi. Those were the times when Congress was in power at Centre and host of states and everything looked to be smooth. Those were decent days with no politico of whatsoever hue out to hit at the base of the country. 

Bonhomie With Lok Sabha Members

There are fond memories of My Father Gouri Shankar Rajhans staging a historic win from Jhanjharpur Constituency In Bihar State In India and post oath took up the task of making speeches after speeches pertaining to common man. During his stint as an MP he would make it a point to visit constituency every month to address grievances of his constituency people. My Father not only helped his constituency people, he took up the cause of HT people and people of other publications working in different capacities at different point of time. My Father shared bonhomie with Lok Sabha (Lower House Of India's Parliament) Members like Mamata Banerjee, Harish Rawat, G S Dhillon and others. 

My Father's Three Brothers Visited New Delhi Quite Often

My Father's three brothers Shiv Shankar Rajhans, Karuna Shankar Rajhans and Gyan Shankar Rajhans would often visit us in New Delhi and he would ensure their comfortable stay. His brothers came with their families and My Father would take them to Nehru Park, India Gate and other places. His brother Gyan Shankar Rajhans would come in winter months and they would fondly recall the times spent in Sultanganj in Bihar. 

Twin Plank Of Hard Work And Giving Relief To The Needy

My Father Gouri Shankar Rajhans cruised to success on the twin plank of hard work and giving relief to the needy and his goal in life was not to hurt anyone irrespective of his/her religious affiliations. My Father Gouri Shankar Rajhans lived at a time when peace prevailed across country and inflation was not a behemoth refusing to surrender. My Father Gouri Shankar Rajhans was an inspiration for many and his stories ignited scores of people to not lose hope in times of distress. In particular taking up the cause of migrants he plainly brought forward the challenges facing humanity. India's seasoned leader Jawaharlal Nehru was his inspiration and My Father Gouri Shankar Rajhans would ask me to go through the tales of wisdom that Jawaharlal Nehru penned. 

YEDU KONDALWADA VENKATRAMNA GOVINDA GOVINDA