11th April is celebrated as World Parkinson’s Day, it is also the death anniversary of our member Mohan Kulkarni. He was very Soft spoken, intelligent, large hearted and a lover of music. Once when we went to visit him, he commented, “Parkinson’s is one of my many ailments.” He was a man of less words, maybe because he was hard of hearing. But my husband and he belonged to the same line of work hence became good friends. He was the HR head at KSB. He had studied Civil Engineering from Pune Engineering College, but done his PhD in Human Resources. We became friends from acquaintances during our journey to Anandvan. Taking into consideration his overall health, it was daring of his better half, Usha Tai, to take him on this journey. The usual quite Kulkarni, slowly began to open up during his annual picnic. He was basically from Dharwad, his mother tongue being Kannad, but he was fluent in Marathi also. On the way back from Nagpur in the Garib Rath, we were playing Antakshri, Kulkarni suggested many old Marathi songs. During his childhood, he had participated in many children’s program at Dharwad Akashwani Kendra. We realized this also during the same journey.
The journey to Anandvan, the atmosphere there had given a boost to his self-confidence. He spoke of a Kannada poet (I have forgotten the name) who said that one has not lived life until one has visited Hampi. His desire and confidence to see Hampi became stronger. Usha Tai and he booked a private car and travelled to Hampi and Badami. He invited us to see the CD of the tour and was very happy when we went over to his house to see the same. Usha Tai and he had become very friendly with Keshavrao and Anjali Mahajan during our trip to Anandvan. One afternoon they were visiting the Mahajans, from where it was decided to see the laser show at Bagul Udyan. . Many of those who had come for the Anandvan trip joined making a small outing of it.
He began attending the monthly meetings. Earlier, he used to resent coming to these meetings as he couldn’t hear the speaker’s speech. But now he enjoyed coming to the meetings as could meet his friends. Once we planned to meet at our house, but Kulkarnis went to Dharwad and by the time they returned we had gone to visit our daughter. We still regret this.
His, many ailments were raising their heads. First he was operated for hernia, then he had to undergo Bypass heart surgery. They were oscillating between the hospital and home. Due to this, Prayag hospital had become a second home and its workers had become family members. Usha Tai alone held fort.
Usha Tai continues Mohanrao’s legacy of philanthropy. He made many large donations to the board on condition of anonymity. Donations were given to Anandvan and Muktagan also. He never blew his trumpet. I am breaking my promise by disclosing this, so that others may know about their silent charity. Usha Tai still joins us for picnics and meetings. Parkinson’s Mitra Mandal has become a family now. So even after the patients have passed away, their family members and caretakers are welcomed to join us with open arms.