SISTERS

In "White Christmas", that super evergreen 1954 movie, there was a delightful song and dance number by Rosemary Clooney and Vera Ellen. They sang,

"Sisters, sisters, there were never such devoted sisters....

Caring, sharing, every little thing that we are wearing....

All kinds of weather, we stick together, the same in the rain or sun,

Two different faces, but in tight places, we think and we act as one....

Those who've seen us, know that not a thing could come between us...."

Today is the 103rd birth anniversary of my Mansi, Nirmala, Mummy's younger sister by just over two years. I recall the very close relationship of the two sisters who, even after marriage, got together whenever they could rather than seek company of others or visit new places. Both were married very young but Mummy became a widow at 21 with me at 4. I was then taken care of by my Nana and Nani and Mummy sent to Benares followed by Allahabad for post Matric studies. (Not familiar with these places? They don't exist any more as, let me check....they are now Varanasi and Prayag respectively!). During vacations when Mummy came home, Mansi would come over too. 

Post graduation, Mummy started teaching and Mansi's family expanded. Now she took to calling us over to her place. I remember two wonderful summer holidays, one in Delhi in 1948 in the then Diplomatic Enclave (Chanakyapuri) and the second in 1949 in Dehradun and Mussoorie, the latter famous or infamous for my skating mania which almost got me lost!

I joined the NDA and the Navy and Mansi's visits to my grandparents and Mummy continued. On many of my leaves, Mansi was there too and that added fun to my holiday. I marvelled at the closeness of the sisters and how they were always one in their thoughts and outlook and took the same stand on all family matters.

Mummy passed away in Jaipur on Christmas Day in 2010, just over a month short of 90. Mansi came over twice, once during Mummy's short illness and again for the 'tehravi'. Mansi followed Mummy just over a year later, a day short of 89. So ended the era of the two loving sisters.

Mansi was true to her name Nirmala, meaning pure, immaculate and flawless. The dictionary says it signifies a clean, honest and virtuous nature, true descriptions of Mansi.

And I will always remember her winsome, charming and mystic smile.