Aatya , the only sister among the 10 siblings .Pushpa and Padmaja both mean flower / lotus . Padmaja also means Goddess Laxmi .She indeed spread her fragrance (love) around her and she was liked & loved by all . Àaji must have had such a beautiful bond with her ; where both could share their thoughts and someone to talk to as a woman . She must have been a great helping hand too for Aaji . Wonder if being the only girl in the family , was she aaji aapa's favourite ? Unknowingly many a times as a child I used to call her aaji . Like Aaji she had a short stature & pleasing personality , she was soft spoken & kind hearted and pious . Like Aaji ,she too believed in the thoughts and philosophy of Sant Dynaneshwar . She was well versed in Dynaneshwari and also the Geeta.
Pappa and she both gave the best upbringing to all 3 children ; Pratima, Raju and Sanju .They were taught the right morales to lead in life . She was very intelligent and well read . She always kept herself updated with the latest happenings around the world . She told me that only she and Prakashkaka had not failed anytime in their school / college exams or did not have to repeat a year.
She had a special name for me Bakuli , such a sweet name . During childhood days I remember visiting her at Mukundnagar , accompanying Bhau on his scooter when Bhau had his office at CPWD , Mukundnagar . I remember being treated to kairi panhe , limbu sarbat made from the nice cold water from the earthern pot . She was a good cook , her speciality was puranpoli . Mukund liked the shengolya which she used to prepare. I have not seen this food item being prepared by anyone else in our family . Aai used to call her as savashna for lunch during navratra . Then along with Aai and Aatya , Seema & me would all go to Chaturshingi for devi darshan . Aai also went went to Sajjangad along with Aatya. . Aai always remembers the good , spiritual time they both spend there. The most remembered or should I say the most unforgettable memories amongst all regarding Aatya is the Bhaubeej celebrations at Mukundnagar . Aatya = Mukundnagar= Bhaubeej . We all will always cherish these memories throughout our lives. When I used to stay at her place , she used to take me with her to the Ram mandir . She had quite a big friend circle coming to the park there.
Aatya was a very artistic person , be it the decorations during gauri poojan or rangolis , the poems she used to write , she wrote mangalaashtakas for quite a few of our weddings and thread ceremony .She used to sing well too . She sang a beautiful song at the my seemantpoojan programme , a day before my marriage . Aatya & Pappa had enthusiastically arranged our kelvan and dohalejevan too.
The last family get-together that she attended was at Raju's place in 2019 for Diwali Bhaubeej. She was so happy to meet all the family members.
Pray to God to keep her happy and at peace and may we always receive her blessings and guidance.
Thanks a ton, Vinaya.
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