Baba Bhai - A Man of all times..!!!

A person influenced by the society is common to hear but a person who influenced the society is exceptional. Soft shoulders bearing hard responsibilities, sharp mind to take firm decisions, kind heart to love everybody and convincing gestures in every aspect will earn huge stardom to a person. Raising from the bottom individually to leave an inspirational life for others is hard to achieve. Maintaining the fame, nourishing bonds, filling the gap in relations, living a king's life and of course leading a big family makes a person - A Role Model. 

In 1940s, there used to be a family of Shariff's in a small town called Eluru. As the surname says, they were landlords owning good properties. One of the child from that family who was christened Hameedullah Shariff was a talented chap. Without taking the liberty of their family status, Hameedullah Shariff burned his young blood to stand on his legs handling responsibilities. He was married to a beautiful lady named Noorjahan and took one more responsibility to share his life with her. Later on the couple were blessed with 10 children by The Almighty Allah, among who 5 are male and 5 are female.

Due to Hameedullah Shariff's skills, punctuality, talent and hard-working nature, he became a well known personality. People started to call him Foundry Baba and more shortly Baba Bhaai. Baba used to work in a foundry and dedicated his career getting many contracts. Very soon he became a Municipal Contractor and motivated many other minds towards hard-work. If this is his professional record, then a more magnificent journey starts If I speak about his personal life.

His commitment and love towards his family won many hearts. He never made their children feel sad or scarce of something. The thing they desire or a wish they make will be always provided by their father. He lived a balanced life and never felt that 10 children are really a burden. Introducing his children from their order of birth, Fathimunnisa, Meherunnisa, Sherajuddin, Taherunnisa, Thayyabunnisa, Imthiyazuddin, Araazuddin, Nazirunnisa, Hussain and Khaleelullah were his 10 hearts. He loved maintaining relations in his neighbourhood and extended a helping hand to one and all. All of his daughters and sons were given in the best families and they are leading a happy life till date. Taking the responsibility of his family, balancing the professional life, looking into other activities for the society were so easily handled by him. He became prominent in Eluru and almost everybody in some corner of the town knows his name.

Being one of his grandson out of his 20 grand-children, I have witnessed a blooming journey with him. He taught all of us to love and here also no grand-child was ranked least. We used to visit his home in the vacations and always found happiness in our stay. Toys, Toffees, Sweets, Mangoes, Ice-creams, money, clothes and what not for us if we stay at our grandfather's house. He prefers to watch old movies and we used to change the channels..but still he used to enjoy seeing with us. He wants to take rest after a tired day but still spend time with us cracking jokes. He used to eat mango in curd rice but used to share half of it with his grandchildren. Though he had commitment outside, he never hesitates to ride his grand-children on his vehicle. Seat gets filled with children for a single round asking....Nana ek round..!! He made us to identify his vehicle's horn though there is a lot of noise outside. Before he knocks the door, it will be always open for him as the eagerness took to the heel to welcome him. A common question "Mera beta kaun?" was asked by him to all of his grand-children for which we always replied "Mai". Immediate questions were asked by him in such a way for which the answer was always "Mai". Then suddenly, he asks "Mujhe maarne vaala kaun?" for which we say "Mai" in our usual flow. He asks "Mujhe maarte?" and we say "Nai Nai". There used to be a moral in every word he speaks. There was always appreciation though we do wrong. He used to give rupees to us if we ask a rupee. He is a helping hand for many families and used to be part of many occasions. He was fond of mutton biryani. Whenever his daughters come to visit, he not only brings their favourite item to eat but sends bag full of items while they return to their in-laws home.

Describing him shortly is not possible and words will not end if we start to speak of his attitude. He became a role model to many of the people and we always miss his presence. Unexpectedly, due to a strange illness, he fell sick and experienced lot of pain in his last days. I was shocked to get a call from my maternal uncle about his death on a fine day and rushed to Eluru for the funeral. People who got inspired by him, people whom he helped, people whom he cared were there to see him for the last time. Finally, we carried him on our shoulders to the grave yard remembering "Mera beta kaun?", "his vehicle's horn" and many more... to rest his soul in peace.

Decades went on, generations went on, but he was adaptable to every generation. His nature to mingle with everybody was a boon to him. He hoisted his flag in every heart and made his life an inspiration to every person. People still speak about him. People still take his name wherever necessary. People still use his vehicle. People still need him. But, god granted him rest and peace for his deeds and said "Baba...ab aajao mere ghar mein...tumhe khushiyaa mai detha hun...jo thumney duniyaa mei baanti". Forgive me Nana..If I hurt you or wrote something wrong about you. May you rest in peace.

We miss you Nana.............Your grand-children says. 

We miss you Abba.............Your children says.

We miss you Maamujaan.....Your sons-in-law says.

We miss you Baba Bhaai......Your people says.

Baba Bhaai is the man of 40s, 50s, 70s, 90s..and of course he is a man of all times.