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A LOVER OF LIGHT AMONG LUMINARIES : Dilip Kumar Roy “ “None can possibly doubt that he has a rare intellect, perspicacity, penmanship et cetera-I need hardly carry coals to Newcastle-making a list of his manifold gifts to you, a born hero-worshipper."
“Now, now, Subhash," I cut in, “It is hardly fair to give a dog a bad name when one has already decided to hang it. If I admired Das you wouldn't call it hero-worshipping, just because the adoring dog then would be dear to you. But if I admired Jawaharlal a little warmly_"
“But there you are," he laughed. "For when you mention him and Das in the same breath you give your case away --"
"But but but Subhash, that's even worse than unfair. I never said that in greatness Jawaharlal had the same stature as Das."
He laughed outright
“Thank thank thank you Dilip. For you have taken a load off my chest. For now I'll be able to be as frank with you as I want to be."
I laughed at his mimicry.
“But I had to thank you thrice as I was thrice-happy, don't you know," said Subhash bursting out laughing again. "For do what I would, I simply couldn't lump it were you to add another
so soon to your long bag of heroes." -105
As in other portraits, here. too, many other remarkable qualities of Dilip Roy's personality are reflected. Like a true friend, he always stood by Subhas Chandra Bose in the hour of his need and provided him not only mental support, but financial help also. He organized a few music concerts to relieve the miseries of Bose's friends who were helping him in his political life. When Subhas Chandra Bose resigned from his I.C.S., he was worried about how to go back to India without any financial support from his family. At that time, without caring for the consequences, Dilip Roy gave the revolutionary ninety pounds. Moreover, Dilip Roy, almost always tried to bring Subhas Chandra under the influence of Sri Aurobindo so that his suffering could be reduced and his restless heart could have peace, but, anyhow, Subhas Chandra failed to follow his friend's advice. The portrait also reveals Roy's deep reverence for the wisdom of his guru, his love of music and candid confessions of his own lapses and limitations.
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