32 years ago on 29th July 1980, a young man from the city of Nawabs (Lucknow) came to the city of dreams (Mumbai). It was raining cats and dogs. He had a date with destiny. He was to be interviewed by the grand old man of Indian Cinema, Dr V Shantaram.

Dr V Shantaram

He had prepared himself from the pages of The Illustrated Weekly of India, Edited by MV Kamath,(  a father figure of print journalism in India). The young man had never met MV Kamath .

The magazine that changed the course of life

 But  his magazine  was the stepping stone of his career, for he read the Views of Dr V Shantaram on the  Children cinema in The Illustrated Weekly of India. So when he was being  interviewed, he was talking V Shantaram. Needles to mention he was selected for the post of Production officer in Children's Film Society Of India.

With Satyen Bose and Kidar Sharma

Every year he remembers 29th July, a date which moulded his career and gave him an opportunity to work very closely with the likes of V Shantaram, Kedar Sharma (Raj kapoor's Guru), Satyen Bose (Director of Chalti ka naam Gadi), Jaya Bachchan, Amol Palekar, Shabana Azmi, who were Chairpersons of CFSI.

At CFSI with Shabana Azmi

Destiny had stored some thing more for him. 
The young man (now not so young ) moved out of CFSI and joined Doordarshan, Prasar Bharti. In subsequent years Mr MV Kamath became the Chairperson of Prasar Bharti and he got an opportunity to work very closely with him. 

With MV Kamath former Chairman Prasar Bharti

 Mr Kamath and all others (except V Shantaram, Kedar Sharma Satyen Bose) continue to support him till date in all his endeavors. 

With Shabana Azmi

With Amol Palekar

                               Thank You All for being a part of my life

The old man in the picture (inside the train) is living life at its best, has no responsibilities, surviving on love care and affection, has no one to look after other than.....well that's not important. He is physically drained out & mentally challenged. But he is a fighter. He was born normal but the child hood sickness and parents ignorance has made him live a life of a 4 years old. I am sure given a chance he could have been a great singer.His vocal chords are laden with honey. Of late he has stopped talking. Yet he laughs both in pain and pleasure. The best part is he never complains. So its all the more important for me to ensure that I do not make him suffer in his silence.Though he has been with us for the last 32 years and my family has taken care of him, now its me & him only. My friends and family know him as... Mamaji. ..Persons who are mentally disabled oftentimes find it difficult, if not impossible, to journey through life without some type of assistance..

Take care of your elders especially the physically & mentally challenged...celebrate their company round the year. Posted on the No Occasion of world Elderly Day.