Shadi Lal Tayaji

As I wrote before, my uncle, Tayaji couldn't financially support himself, so he shifted to Verka where the factory was located. He couldn't get married either. He was a very impractical character with a compulsive personality. He was a health freak and he spent all his earnings on maintaining it. He was a San Sangha follower and spent most of his time and money on that. Babuji's sisters often asked Chai ji to get Tayaji married, but Chai ji's reply was plain and practical - "Who would take responsibility for his family?" This would silence Chaji's sister-in-laws. Tayaji remained a bachelor, bearing no responsibility for his own family or his brother's. He felt entitled and lived comfortably off of his brother's support. 

When Babu ji opened the second office branch in Delhi, he brought Tayaji along. So when I joined the business in Delhi, Tayaji was already there. After Babuji's return to Amritsar, Tayaji lived with me in 114 Khurshìd Market, Sardar Bazar, Delhi. He helped me deliver goods in the bazar. Even though I had fixed a daily allowance for him, I could never refuse him the extra money he asked for. Both of us used to cook food in the office. We had hired a servant who helped out for chores and delivered goods in the morning with Tayaji.  When we shifted to Kamlanagar, Tayaji was still living in the office. 

Only when we rented the to 3/37 Roop Nagar house, Tayaji moved in with us. He was getting old to work.  As our family expanded in Roop Nagar, we constructed a tin shed in the verandah for Tayaji. My nephew, Vicky, was his  favorite. Rest were rightfully worthy of his anger and wrath. 

My father never thought highly of his brother and routinely spoke harsh words to Tayaji. I could never disrespect him. He was my elder and I supported him against my Babuji's wishes.  I took responsibility of his food, money, and health. I never wanted him to feel alone in the family. In his late 70s, he was struck with a paralytic attack. Chaiji's effort and care brought him back from this severe sickness, and against all odds he recovered fully.  

For his last days, we tried our best to get Tayaji the best medical treatment at Ganga Ram Hospital, but it was in vain.  A man who lived without any purpose passed away peacefully.