I have fond memories of our dear friend Sushil who passed away a few days back. I know him since 1947 when we came as refugees from Kasur Punjab, Pakistan to New Delhi where we made our home. Sushil’s family were also in the same situation. We settled in a moderate suburb of Delhi known as Sadar Thana. I was then fifteen years old. Both Sushil and I used to go for long walks early in the mornings on weekends and during summer vacations. In the afternoons, we used to play cards.

Even though we had different careers, we continued to be in touch. Sushil joined Air India Airlines, and I decided in 1961 to do PhD at the University of Rochester, in the USA. Sushil helped me to buy KLM airline ticket at a discount. On September 1, 1965, Sushil accompanied me to Bombay to see me off to the USA.

Sushil was impish and was good at cracking playful remarks and jokes. I would like to make one of his such remarks. I retuned to India in 1966 , the Delhi airport was still small, and one could see passengers deplaning from inside the airport windows. I was accompanying and helping my friend’s wife and her one-and-a-half-year-old daughter from USA as they were travelling alone. Watching this, Sushil remarked to my father, ”Uncle you are trying to arrange a wife for your son; look he is already coming not only with his wife but also his child.” All friends and relatives who had come to receive me at the airport also started wondering about who was with me.

Sushil was the first friend who was invited to meet my would-be wife -Manju, and we three had a nice dinner at a famous restaurant, called Moti-Mahal. I returned to the USA after 4 weeks.

After some time, Manju was going to join me in the USA. By that time Sushil was posted at Frankfurt. While coming to the USA, she made a brief stopover in Frankfurt to visit Rani and Sushil for a few days before continuing her journey to the USA. Sushil and Rani also helped Manju to shop a few German goods. Thereafter, we always made a stopover at Frankfurt on our way to India and spent few days with Rani and Sushil. Those memories are still vivid in our minds . On one of such trips in 1969, I remember spending time with Sushil’s parents too who were visiting them in Frankfurt.

Later Sushil was posted at London, U.K. We planned to spend part of our summer trip with Sushil and Rani in London along with our son-Vipin and daughter-Vinita. On that trip, both Sushil and Rani were planning to send their oldest son -Sunil to USA for undergraduate studies but were reluctant to send their daughter Anita. We encouraged them to send Anita too and convinced them about the importance of Women’s higher education. As a result, both the brother and sister came to USA, both did well in their studies and graduated. Sunil received his bachelor’s in business and Anita did bachelor’s in education. At this point, Sushil asked me if Sunil can pursue further education and I suggested that he should go for an MBA. I helped him in joining the MBA classes at Marshall University. While Sunil was pursuing his MBA , both Rani and Sushil visited us in Athens ,Ohio.

It was Thanksgivings time then and we drove them to my sister’s place at South Bend, Indiana to enjoy Thanksgivings. As turkey is the main dish at Thanksgiving, Sushil and Rani had a feel of the Thanksgiving spirit and we think that it was the first time for them to taste turkey. Both enjoyed turkey and the other accompanying traditional desserts of Thanksgiving -such as the various pies-pecan, pumpkin, and cherry.

Later, we always stayed in touch. In 1998, both Sushil and Rani attended our daughter’s marriage too in Athens, Ohio.

About 5 years ago his three children convinced their parents to migrate to the USA, so that they could look after them more. They did move . After that, we were able to talk more often and frequently.

A month before he passed away, he talked with me about his falling health condition. We both chatted and were philosophizing the various phases of life. We both used to chat for long hours and used to philosophize the various phases of Life’s journey.

The golden memories of days spent with Sushil will always stay alive in my heart as long as I live. Back in Delhi, I had a group of my other friends too and slowly all have passed away one by one. Sushil was the first friend I made and the last one who left this Group. Life is indeed a bubble! I feel orphaned today… Sushil was truly a kind person and a sincere, loving friend. was truly a kind person and a loving and sincere friend.

We will of course stay connected with Rani.

I will miss him deeply. I will miss his telephone chats. But we always remember the good times that we had for such a long time. Our heartfelt sympathies to the entire Anand family for this loss.

May God give peace to the departed soul in Heaven. I want to close my condolences with the following quote: “ When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure.”

Yours’ in grief,

Rajan & Manju Koshal, your loving friends.

Papa - Funeral Speech

Thank you all for being here in support of our family. Our dad was a fantastic father, grandfather, brother, and above all a devoted husband to our mom for the last 63 years. Through so many of life’s challenges, including our mom’s lifelong illness, he stood by her side, taking care of her like none other could. He was always the optimist, with a glass half full approach to life, inspiring others to do the same.

Not only was papa generous, he was a selfless man. I remember having a deep conversation with him once about the decisions he and mom made in life, especially the one where they sent all three of their children to the US. I talked about how much more helpful it would have been if one of us had stayed in India so we could be part of their support system in their old age. He held my hand and said that to him it was more important that all three of his children be together so we could continue on as ONE united family. He was a visionary and could see that being separated by distance would mean that we would only meet up as siblings a few times a year and continue with our individual lives. He was not wrong…my brothers, sisters-in-law, and all the grandchildren are deeply connected with one another which is a part of his legacy.

In these last four years of his life, our parents moved to the US and where Sunil and Tina welcomed them to their home. Being an ultimate foodie, Papa benefitted greatly from Tina’s excellent cooking and baking skills. His face would light up with each new bread Tina baked or a new recipe Tina tried.

Papa had a different relationship with each of his children. Sunil, being the eldest, was his close friend and soulmate. They loved each other so deeply and you could see their love for each other grow with each passing year. Seeing Papa and Sunil together made me feel like it was two best friends rooming together. Imagine the havoc they would cause on a college campus!

Rohit was Papa’s right hand man…the logical one of the family, he was papa’s financial advisor, the keeper of all his important documents, and his confidant. In Rohit, Papa had a sounding board for his life decisions. They lived together longer than any of us while Rohit was still in India.Chhavi and Rohit have supported our parents with daily visits, frequent talks, and keeping a part of India alive for them while they have been in the US.

I was his logistics coordinator, the one who maintained his medical appointments and was closely involved with his health and wellbeing. If a prescription needed to be ordered, I was on it…need another physical therapy appointment? Sure, we can make it work. I need to do some research on this, but I have a feeling that we must’ve broken some kind of record in the number of doctors’ appointments we made. Dhruva provided comic relief for my dad when he needed it most. It was his conversations about the politics in India or the details of a cricket match that brought them together. If you look at the picture boards, you’ll see one of my dad and Dhruva playing a round of connect 4…a game they both thoroughly enjoyed.

If you knew our dad, you would know that he was a fiercely independent man. Even as a 91 year old he insisted on doing everything for himself and finding ways to help others! It would not be strange to see him up and about in the middle of the night living his best life, chopping vegetables, and cooking a dal or a subzi - a feat many of us can’t manage as a much younger person.

Through his words and actions, our dad showed us the joy that one gets in the act of service to others and that is what has inspired Sunil, Rohit and me to be the kind of people we are. Om Shanti! 

Rani masi, anita didi, suneel bhaiya, rohit & family .. sending you lots of love and hugs in such times  ... I am deeply sorry for your loss … losing someone after so many years of togetherness is never easy .. may god give strength and peace during such time. You all are in my prayers and thoughts .. 🪴  My mother, akshu and myself had a really deep connection with sheel uncle and he has always been there for us  in our growing years.  

May god bless his soul and rest in eternal peace.

 ॐ शान्ति 🙏

Sushil uncle was rare personality who was selfless and always giving . He was warm ,welcoming and ever loving. 

He will always be missed . 

Dear Sunil, Anita & Rohit,

It has been many years since we last connected but nevertheless, we were saddened to hear the news of Sushil Uncle’s passing.

I recently digitised all of Mums photo albums and found these photos from one of our trips to visit your family in Hounslow in the mid ‘80s.

On that trip Rohit and I had a really fun day out at Windsor Safari Park and there was also a lot of fun with you all at the house as is evident from the photos!

My memories of Sushil Uncle was that he was a kind and progressive man and you were fortunate to have him as your father.

On behalf of myself, Aradhana, Dimple and Mum, we pass on our sincere condolences on his passing. May he rest in peace.

With love, Pankaj

I’m deeply sorry for the loss of your father . My heartfelt condolences to you and your family.🙏

Om Shanti.