My Mother Ramjhuri Devi

My Mom was a sweet and caring person.She never forced me to do house-chores but let me free like my brothers to live life and educate myself.In 1960s there were hardly any gas stoves,my mother had to cook on a earthen stove with coals and wood.And in hot summers that was a difficult job.She came from a village in Sultanpur and visited with us to see her brother.Later on my Father built up a house in Chhitwapur,we would spend half the year in village and half in Lucknow.He passed away in 1969.

Mom was very fond of her younger son Radheyshyam and lived with him till her death.He also took good care of her.She had a sweet tooth and especially loved "Jalebi". She knew how to deal with the world,for us she would be soft and caring for outsiders she would be strict and no-nonsense sort. Shukla lady that lived in front of our house would complete her house chores and come and talk with my mother.Her son played "Dholak" really well and was a intrinsic part of any religious function like Kirtan,jagran etc. .Her brother-in-law Dwarka was a learned intelligent person and lived with us on the upper floor.He guided my mother on financial matters and she would ask his advice on important issues.

She lived on to her 80s,she would visit her ancestral village,comeback and say that all her childhood friends are dead only she is alive.She left us after a long illness in 2006.