Krishna ji, as she is addressed by her friends, is an enthusiastic walker. It is an addiction with all those who try to reach Siri fort morning and evening under all climatic conditions – be it rain or storm or bitter sunshine. I am one of those ardent lovers of brisk walking and jogging on the path of the complex. I made friends with Krishna ji when we were on “walking spree”. It started with formal hello and ended with being friends. After every one round of walk we rest for 5 minutes when we talk about everything under the sun.
Got to know about Krishna ji’s birth place i.e Jhang in West Pakistan. She studied in Chandigarh and did BA, B-ed and Masters in music, married to Mr Inderjeet working with the Ministry of External Affairs. This felicitated her foreign trips to places like the UK, Afghanistan, South Korea etc. During this period she concentrated on raising her family. She was blessed with two daughters Meenu and Mala. As a homemaker she exercised her skill in gardening and amassed prizes. By nature she is a socially active person who enjoys meeting and greeting friends, playing cards and doing “shero shayari” as and when possible.
Krishna Ji’s husband was a family oriented person but unfortunately she lost her husband and settled in Chandigarh. Slowly life started moving, daughters finished their studies and settled in life. Duty bound lovely daughters did not want their mother to live alone hence Krishna ji shifted to Delhi and started living with her daughters specially Mala, where she was taken care of and secure. However she was lonely in the Delhi crowd. To kill her time she introduced herself to Siri Fort Sports complex where she could mix around with neighbors in different blocks and introduced herself to Sunday Bazaar within the complex. She was keen to make marmalade with chinese oranges coming from the farms and the contribution of friends. There was no end to her happiness when she was able to bring her marmalade to The Bazaar and sell them. That was a personal sale. She is fond of cooking nonvegetarian cuisine, for example Mutton do pyaza. Her self esteem was satisfied to some extent when she was appreciated. I did not know Krishna ji more than that. Suddenly on one fine day I finished my walk and was dragging towards home till Krishna held my arm and requested me to stay for another 10 to 15 minutes. Before I could say anything a bottle was pushed in my mouth, it tasted so good, there could not have been a better bribe.
Krishna ji seemed to be in a trance, expression of face, movement of body and wading of song mesmerized me. Thank god I stayed back to enjoy that romantizised version of Sangeet. I could not record it that day and the next day she had forgotten it so I had to be satisfied with the song “Yeh Raatein Ye Mausam Ye hansna Hasana”. I recorded the script of one song only the second one was lost to the memory lane. It was shocking to know that this lovely singer is in the clutches of dementia. She forgets everything, even her mobile number, her conversations, her commitments, even her favorite songs. All this while I was appreciating the beauty of God’s creation until I got this shock. If I do get a chance to be face to face with him I shall fight and ask him – cannot you think of a better end to your drama.
Hats off to you my 93 year young friend Krishna ji. I want you to set an example of how to face life under all circumstances and keep the Mashal of life high. May God bless you with strength to rejuvenate with every ray of moon and stars in the evening and bask with morning sunshine.
