Ram Narayanji, my Nana, was a bit of magic for me. His stature never allowed us to take too many liberties. We held him duly in some awe. In my growing up years, senior politicians would come to meet Nanaji and seek his advice and blessings. I used to ask him: “Why did you not take up any role in government?” He would unhesitatingly respond: “I will never accept any position of power and profit.” A true Gandhian, sacrifice was everything for him and he even gave up palatial family properties in his youth to live a life of simplicity. We always knew that such renunciation would not have been possible without the active consent of my Nani, Shrimati Anjana Chaudhary, who was Nanaji’s perfect partner, if not ahead of him. Nanaji could speak without fear and speak always the truth to those in power precisely because of his detachment from material possessions. He never flaunted his stature within the family and carried out his day to day activities all by himself even when he was in his nineties. I wonder how small we are, compared to Nanaji and Nani.
Sadhana Rout is former Principal Director General of Publications Division, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India.