Recalling My Father Gouri Shankar Rajhans's Life Journey

Recalling My Father Gouri Shankar Rajhans's Life Journey

Hailing from docile and pliable Sultanganj In Bhagalpur District In Bihar State In East India My Father raised an innings of prominence and patience. Second among four brothers going by the names Dr Shiv Shankar Rajhans, Gouri Shankar Rajhans, Karuna Shankar Rajhans and Mr Gyan Shankar Rajhans the bonhomie shared among four was exceptional and much in first rank deliberation in Sultanganj town in India. 

Securing First Rank In Economics (Hons) And Gaining Fulbright Scholarship; In Hindustan Times For 21 Years

Having secured first rank in Economics (Hons) he went on to secure Fulbright Scholarship to pursue higher studies in University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Having returned to India he chased and pursued jobs in various regions and finally settling in Delhi in 1969. His association with Hindustan Times Newspaper was for 21 years carrying on his shoulders the responsibility to ensure Hindustan Times and sister publications won the heart of the masses. A celebrated author the two novels penned by him Salma based on his sojourn in Kashmir and Tum Phir Aana based on his stay in North Carolina won admirers from different background. 

A Man Of Principles, He Accepted Each Challenge With Aplomb; Familiar With Rural Distress 

A man of principles he accepted each and every challenge with aplomb and his confidence in adverse circumstances were hallmark of a journey well lived for over Eight Decades. Had it not been for his stint in Parliament (Winning Lok Sabha Elections From Jhanjharpur in Bihar State) he would not have come face to face with distress the rural regions in India unveil each passing year. He worked for downtrodden and his credentials were impeccable for bringing relief to his constituency people. Medicare for those in rural hinterland he raised the voice for the same in Parliament and outside Parliament and he was the one who would troop in with constituency folks to medical centre in Delhi every other day. He knew the pain and career blues the people in rural territory faced and he made every attempt to see those in unemployed club have access to some adaptable conditions. An economy not liberalised and an economy to this date penalised and during his days in office he came across tales of anguish without break. 

Tryst With Diplomacy

The tryst with diplomacy began when the then Foreign Secretary J N Dixit sounded him that he was being considered for an assignment. An assignment that first took him to Laos and later to Cambodia, the two promising nations in South East Asia where he learnt the much celebrated India's Look East Policy was raising a wall of gratitude and dividend. He shared camaraderie with US Envoy to Cambodia Charles H Twining in the '90s and I was witness to this episode when I visited Cambodia. He relished his stint in these two nations and stories after stories that he contributed for various publications immaculately captured the emotions of that period. 

Throwing Light On Lord Venkateswara Temple In Tirumala; Asking Me To Put In A Prayer In Shirdi in January 2007

My father was the one who threw light on Lord Venkateswara Temple In Tirumala as he had visited the aforementioned place in early '80s itself. As for Shirdi when I was there in January 2007 he asked me to put in a prayer for others including my two sisters. 

My Father Continues To Guide Us

It has been three years since he left us and not a day passes by when I place thoughts on him. His stories that appeared in various publications during his lifetime are shared by his younger brother Mr Gyan Shankar Rajhans in other forms of media and this is a noble endeavour.  His elder brother Dr Shiv Shankar Rajhans now and then recalls the days spent with him. As My Father Lived For Masses and with deep thoughts articulate a vision for India where none go hungry at night and at every given opportunity bring to the table comfort and reprieve for those on margins of society. My Father continues to guide us and a prayer before his portrait is for the well being of all. 

YEDU KONDALWADA VENKATRAMNA GOVINDA GOVINDA