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Mr Shiv Narain Gupta, an ardent supporter of Operation Asha, passed away on 15th Oct, at the age of 93. He died peacefully in his sleep, and, in death, his face had the calm and peace of those who are truly saintly.
But what constitutes sainthood? Is it renunciation of the world and worldly pleasures? Is it a life spent in prayer and meditation? Or is sainthood simply a way of life, whereby one lives life in strict accordance with principles of uprighteousness, integrity, honesty, combined with tolerance and kindness to all.
Mr Shiv Narain Gupta was my uncle. In truth, he was more than a father to me. He was one of the few who supported me whole heartedly when I started Operation ASHA. In a world full of sceptics, where everyone believes that whatever is done is done with an ulterior motive, he trusted that I would do my best to follow the principles laid out by him, and encouraged me in my task. He believed that I would do no wrong, and told me to fight on in my crusade against TB, irrespective of the jibes and sneers of the cynics.
He was born in the year 1915, and participated in India’s freedom struggle, where he followed the Mahatma (Gandhi) and his policy of non-violence and peaceful resistance. He was president of the District Congress Committee in Moradabad for more than a decade, and President for one year. All through his life , he had been a strong social activist, who worked tirelessly in the fight against social evils. In an era where men would marry for dowry, he chose to forego dowry and married a highly educated lady, who had done MA in those times when women were kept in purdah. One of the leading lawyers of his district, he was a champion of the downtrodden, and used his skills to protect the helpless and to work pro-bono for the needy.
At a young age, he joined the board of the Aman Samiti, an organization that spawns Hindu-Muslin unity in Moradabad, otherwise a volatile city that does not carry a great reputation for harmony amongst various communities. He joined the Rotary Club in 1947, and was the President for a year. He was on the board of Hindu Degree College for more than 25 years, and served as vice-president for a year. He was a member of the Bar Association all through his life, and its president in 1975. As an executive member of the nonprofit Arya Samaj, he strived towards excellence in his personal and professional life, and believed in the dictum of simple living and high thinking.
With his passing, Operation ASHA has lost a staunch supporter. But his ideals will live on. A chapter has closed. But tomorrow is another day, and with his guidance and inspiration, we will continue to work ceaselessly towards our goal of eradicating tuberculosis from India.
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