Pratap Bhogilal Journey Through Life

Author(s): Rauf Ahmed
Publisher: Bhupendra Singh Anand

Page 11

PRELUDE
5
nursed him with utmost care, paying meticulous attention to even the smallest detail of his treatment.
Papa has always been humble and self-effacing. He is a man of few words. He speaks very little unless he is drawn out. Once he gets down to talk, he does share a lot. He doesn't like confrontation. In personal matters, if he feels that the divergence of views is too wide, he accepts the differences more readily than most would, even if it might hurt him. He accepts that he may be wrong but his understanding of the situation is based on the principles he stands by. He is one of the few men I have known who would, as a matter of principle, withdraw from an argument for the sake of harmony. I have read somewhere that the body needs harmony to remain healthy. My father's life seems to exemplify it.
He has consistently maintained a balance in his life, setting aside time everyday for work, prayer, religious activity, leisure - like walking and playing bridge - and to connect with the self. Even at the age of 95, before going out to attend a meeting - now mainly those pertaining to religious and social organizations he is involved with - he does his homework diligently.
For me, this book has been an enlightening journey. Though, I must admit, I almost gave up on it at one point, but thankfully didn't. It was revealing to have those who were associated with him and worked with him talk about him and share their experiences. It made me realize that he comes closest to the ideal of a karma yogi as I understand.
By writing about my father Pratap Bhogilal, I am not just paying him a tribute but also to my grandfather, who shaped his individuality, and my great-grandfather, whose deep sense of values my father and my grandfather had imbibed and passed on to the family.
I have divided the book broadly in two parts. One traces the early history of the family leading up to Papa's rise to eminence and his own trek down memory lane, and the other projects how people, who
Greed is the root cause of sin - My grandfather