Leela Mavshi (Mansi)!

This is about my mother in law! Well almost, because she was her younger sister by a few years. She passed away on August 15 when she was about to reach 94 years of ripe age. May God bless her soul!

We called her 'Leela Mavshi or Mausi as in Hindi. When she was a young woman in her twenties, I am told that she was very beautiful. She did not study beyond a couple of years in college, but was intelligent and well informed for her times. Did her looks and intelligence work in her favour in matrimonial matters? Not really, because she became very finicky in her choices and soon missed the bus as they say! Did she?

Well, time passed on and by a stroke of destiny, when she was in her forties, she got married to an elderly widower from a respected family. As luck would have it, her husband's son from his first marriage fell in love with her niece and as expected, they tied the knot. This niece, Vijaya happens to be my dear wife, Vinodini's younger sister. They all lived happily as one family for many,many years in Pune.

By a cruel quirk of fate, Leela Mavshi and Vijaya both lost their husbands in succession. Time moved on, I retired from my army service and my wife and I chose Pune to settle down. That is where I came in close touch with Leela Mavshi.

As I soon found out, Leela Mavshi was full of zest for life. Because of her health problems, she was bound to a wheel chair in her later years. But her love for life was very infectious. We visited her and Vijaya almost every week. Though not an expert, I had the privilege of teaching both these ladies the basic knowledge of bridge and soon they both became ardent bridge players. My wife and I both enjoyed playing with this duo of Mavshi and her niece and looked forward to it.

As you can guess, we were not playing any high standard bridge. But importantly, we enjoyed it, especially Leela Mavshi. She was really smart the way she picked up the game, system of calling and the points. For her age, it was truly remarkable! Thanks to her enthusiasm, we became eager bridge foursome. We met at her place at least twice a week for this game which were easily our high spots in our dwindling social life.

Let me also share another interesting thing about my interaction with Leela Mavshi, she unfailingly gave me the status and respect of a son in law in which she exceeded my late mother in law who had passed away many years back. In her eyes, I could do no wrong. I was always moved by her this gesture!

Now that she is gone for ever, I personally miss her so much! When we visit Vijaya  now, I almost visualise Leela Mavshi quickly wheeling in their living room with a cheery smile and eager anticipation for a session of bridge.

May God bless her wherever she has gone, I will always remember her most as my bridge sparring adversary!