'Sachin ka khayal rakhna'

A college mate remembers Dr Farooq Abdullah who entrusted him with son-in-law Sachin Pilot

A college mate remembers Dr Farooq Abdullah who entrusted him with son-in-law Sachin Pilot

Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah was sitting on a high chair on a dais where everyone else was sitting on the floor when, like a whiff of fresh air, a visiting card arrived. He read the card and a smile followed.

It was from a college mate.A courteous "adaab" was exchanged after which the burly politician asked his friend to join him on the dais.

Class of '55: Dr Abdullah with college mates at the Golden Jubilee of Jaipur Medical College in 2007. Dr Udai Bhanu Jain (encircled) is also included in the frame

It was only the third meeting of Dr Udai Bhanu Jain with his mate from the Jaipur Medical College.
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They graduated together in 1960 and Abdullah, being the son of the illustrious Sheikh Abdullah, answered his true calling and joined politics. However, Dr Jain remained in Ajmer the city of Khaja Gharib Nawaz and set up a hospital.

After that the two met only twice. Once in 1988 when Abdullah, the then chief minister of J&K, had come to Ajmer to inaugurate a hospital and then in 2007 for the golden jubilee celebrations of the Jaipur Medical College.

It was a sentimental moment for the two friends. Both hugged each other, shook hands and Abdullah told Dr Jain to take care of his son-in-law, Sachin Pilot, who is contesting the Lok Sabha election from Ajmer.

"Sachin ka khayal rakhiyega (Please take care of Sachin)," Abdullah told Dr Jain.

MiD DAY catches up with Dr Bhanu at a poll meeting in Ajmer reminiscing about the college life with the "tall, fair, handsome Kashmiri guy".

For the fear of ragging we did not take hostel and started living in a rented accommodation near the college. However, our seniors encouraged us to join the hostel and we got away with some very mild ragging. Actually it was not like what happens these days.
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Ragging was very civil in our times. In fact, our seniors used to sit with us and have tea at the college stall to make us comfortable.
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Though Farooq was the son of a great politician he used to live with us in the ordinary hostel. We also ragged our juniors but it happened with decency.

Farooq was a very pleasant company, used to joke often.

There was no affair to remember yet, Farooq with his great personality and looks, was a charmer. Many girls of our college were after him. Again, it was all very courteous and civil. There were no sexual overtones to relationships like it happens today.

There were friendships and affairs but we knew our limits. We never indulged in drinking or eve-teasing. Farooq was an average student but he was a great orator.

He used to participate in debates and won many admirers. He left the college soon after graduation in 1960 as he had to carry forward the legacy of his father, the great Sheikh Abdullah.

He is still his old self warm and friendly. It was our third meeting since we left college. He told me to take care of Sachin and said that he had asked Sachin to ask me if he needs any help in Ajmer.

Now, it is my responsibility to take care of him. He has promised me to come over to my place with Sachin for dinner the next time he visits Ajmer.