I always thought my mother is a remarkable person. That has come out, late, but beautifully. She always had the ability to speak directly with people and communicate.

She somehow manages to convey that she is one with the people and a part of the larger community. For all of us it was lovely to watch her. She kept a little space for herself and came out into her own.

My father is dependent on my mother. Throughout his illness my mother was like a rock. She would not allow anyone else to take any responsibility. She would give us some minor role to perform. She took total charge and did it nicely. She would talk to doctors and nurses. She would cross-check information.

A lot of my mother's hidden talent has come out in the last five years. She didn't know she has so much in her. For her, it was a huge self discovery. I think even my father didn't know she has so much talent. Not just communication, but the way she handled the situation. It is about dealing with problems, not just family problems.

So many people came to her and lots of them were total strangers. She tried to help them. She replied to letters that came to her.

Image: Gursharan Kaur with US First Lady Michelle Obama. Photograph: Toby Melville/Reuters.

Also see: We need only 10 years to rid India of poverty: PM | India Votes 2009

Back

|

Next