The year 2024 has been the most challenging chapter of my life, a journey marked by profound grief and heartache. It was this year that I lost my beloved father, the strongest pillar of support I have ever known. Our struggles began in October 2022 when we received the devastating news of his cancer diagnosis. In our desperate search for hope, we explored every possible treatment—Ayurvedic remedies, pranic healing, sound therapy apart from allopathy treatment —anything that might offer a glimmer of recovery. Despite his skepticism towards these alternatives, my father embraced them for our sake, driven by our shared anxiety and hope.
As we navigated through countless hospitalizations and tests, we found ourselves caught in a relentless cycle of hope and despair. Ultimately, we faced the unimaginable: the loss of the head of our family.
This year has tested my mental resilience like never before. My father’s passing has left an irreplaceable void in my life—a chasm that nothing can fill. From the moment I took my first breath until his last, he was always there for me, except for a few brief moments when he was away on work. Losing such a loving and devoted father has plunged me into an ocean of grief.
In this fragile state, I took on the responsibility of caring for my mother, who shared a deep bond with Dad for over seven decades. This was perhaps the most daunting task I have ever faced: managing my own emotions while providing comfort to her. Until Dad’s health declined, he managed all household matters while I focused on my job and social engagements. Suddenly, I found myself stepping into his shoes—organizing medical appointments, accompanying him during hospital visits, and overseeing our home.
I remember how Dad would carefully select the best fruits to nourish me; now it was my turn to offer him the finest food and medicine available. My parents had always taken care of me; now I was thrust into their role. This shift marked an entirely new dimension in my life—a bittersweet opportunity to serve those who had devoted their lives to nurturing me. I am eternally grateful to God for granting me the strength to care for my parents during their time of need.
As I supported my mother through her profound depression, I found myself acting as both caregiver and emotional anchor, even while grappling with my own grief. To foster independence in our household, I invested in modern cooking devices like an air fryer and an instant pot.
Despite these personal challenges, I remained committed to our Trust’s mission—creating films with powerful messages of inclusion and screening them across various cities, including at the International Film Festival of India. My father instilled in me the belief that personal hardships should not hinder our responsibilities. I strive to uphold his values as best as I can.
In the past, hearing stories from friends about losing their parents filled me with dread. However, experiencing my father’s loss has imparted a profound understanding: death is inevitable, regardless of how much love surrounds us. It has become clear to me that we must cherish our loved ones and act while we can—never postponing what truly matters.
As I move forward into 2025 and beyond, my focus remains on caring for my mother as best as I can, dedicating time to our Trust’s initiatives aimed at empowering persons with disabilities and promoting inclusion in society. Alongside this, I am preparing for a significant change in my professional life; With renewed determination and faith in God’s guidance, I embrace this new chapter with hope and resilience.
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