Friendship++: Sharing memories with Paaji (Akash Mehta) on his B'day

"Thinking of what could be your b'day present, here I am with this..."

We all know "Akash Mehta" (hereafter Paaji) from different roles of his life. His roles include but not limited to a responsible son and a brother, a sports champion and a mathematics scholar, an orator and a fabulous "Punjabi" dancer, SRCC's (Shri Ram College of Commerce) Mr. Fresher and President later, DPSite (DPS, RK Puram) and a political associate. 

What many of us do not know is his soft corner for everyone he meets, rather known or unknown. His attitude is what makes him so special, different from other and above all an inspiration. From what I know, he almost every year celebrates his b'day with friends, unknown friends. Till now these unknown friends were from the localities of his city, Delhi, or any village he was visiting on that day. Yes, he spends this day of his life with people who need something. He with family and friends distribute food items, clothes and provide whatever generous help he can do to support the community people who are in extreme need. This is just a small excerpt from the countless things he did to help others. Another such incident I remember is his hug to the guy distributing food in mess and saying we are brothers so keep calm don't be tense, enjoy your job. The guy was surprised and also cherished that moment by giving an extra piece of the sweet dish to him. 

Something from the present now-

It so happened that Akash accepted a Masters course offer from London School of Economics this year, although he had another from Oxford University. As Paaji, was planning his travel to London, I (already in London) was excited to meet and welcome him right from the Heathrow airport. Then the day came (12 Sep'18) and in the evening I took that one hour of tube (London Metro) journey thinking the following... 

"सोचते यही थे की स्कूल के बाद हमारी दोस्ती कैसी होगी,

ये नहीं पता था की इतनी दूर फिर लंदन में आज मुलाकात होगी।

सबके हो चहीते तुम, तुमसे अरसे बाद आज बात होगी,

मिलकर फिर दोनों के चेहरे पर, वही मुस्कराहट साथ होगी| 

बाबा-बंसल-बोस, बल्लू-टोपर-HK,

हॉस्टल की वो याद साथ होगी,

मेहता के आ जाने से, नयी खुसी साथ होगी।

सात साल की ये दोस्ती, स्कूल हम साथ जाते थे,

साथ में पड़ते पड़ते, कभी साथ ही सो जाते थे,

अंकल के हॉस्टल आने से, सब ही खुश हो जाते थे,

आती थी मातू राम की जलेबी, सब जो मजे से खाते थे।

जो भी मिले तुमसे, उसे  हसकर गले लगा जाते थे,

जन्मदिन हो तुम्हारे, आइस-क्रीम पुरे हॉस्टल में बटवाते थे। 

डांस से आपने सबके चहीते बन जाते थे,

कंप्यूटर वाली क्लास से थोरो घबराते थे। 

किसी और का पता नहीं, हमारा साथ जरूर निभाते थे,

गाँधी क्लब के प्रेसिडेंट तुम वाईस हम बन जाते थे। 

हमारे इक फ़ोन पर, दिल्ली में मिलने आ जाते थे,

बंसल की दी की शादी में सबको डांस तुम करवाते थे। 

कहने को तो काफी है, सब लिख दे तो भी सारा बाकि है,

यूँ ही मुस्कुराते राहों, कुछ कर देखने की अब फिर बारी है,

बढ़ती रहेगी हमारे साथ, ये यादे जो हमारी हैं।

आज देखो आयी फिर मिलने की बारी है,

साथ समुन्दर पार, हो रही फिर मुलाकात हमारी है।"


Interested in the dance video- here on Facebook