Page 14 - NAMAH-Jul-2020

Namah Vol. 28, Issue 2, 15th July 2020

actually taken off! that in 1961 or 1962, I cut my chin while
practising on the trampoline and required
Nothing gave us more joy and excitement a few stitches. When Udar, who kept Her
than being able to perform before Her. I recall, abreast of the preparations for the 2nd
on many occasions over the years, finishing December programme, informed Her of my
first in athletics events. And when I went in injury, She wanted to know whether I would
line to get prasad from Her, I got double the be able to participate on the 2nd, which I did.
amount and a memorable smile!
In the US
An example of how closely She observed
everything when we were in front of Her is I left Her physical presence in 1964 to pursue
the following incident. I lived next door to the a doctoral programme in Chicago. I left with
Ashram, above the Atelier . One morning, I her Blessings and the love and discipline of
1
came racing out onto the street and was faced physical education that I had imbibed by the
with a bicycle. Having no option, I jumped example She had set, day after day, year after
over the front wheel, landed on my legs and year. I promised myself that I would make
bruised my knee. I did not bother to get first every effort to keep myself as fit as the last
aid for fear of drawing my parents’ attention.
That evening, I came in front of her for prasad.
She asked me, what I had done to my knee?
I proudly stated, “J’ai knocké mon genou.”
She laughed heartily at the new French word
I had created! Nothing escaped Her gaze,
internal and external.

Being good in gymnastics, specifically vaulting
and agility (floor exercises), I had been
participating in the 2nd December programmes
in Her Presence from a pretty young age. In
all the years I participated from the late 40s,
I only missed one, in 1952, due to an ankle
injury during the practice. I got to perform
on Pranab-da’s birthday, October 18th, every
year. I was chosen to perform floor exercises
in the Playground when Jawaharlal Nehru
visited the Ashram.

Even after She had retired from external
activities, She remained involved and informed The author on the voulting box during the 2nd Dec
about the Physical Education activities. I recall programme, 1950

1 An Ashram workshop

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