h2>Dating : Celebrating the life of a remarkable woman
Lilanty — we miss you
This blog is dedicated to Lila Aunty — a most remarkable woman who would have been 99 years old today. She was a spinster who was an aunt to scores of people. Everyone called her Lila Aunty but I just said Lilanty one word.
Lila Aunty was born on this day in 1920 in Karachi in a household of nine children. Being the only unmarried female in the family in 1947 she had to flee to Bombay suddenly with one day’s notice when it was rumored that single females were being kidnapped by Muslims in Karachi. Whether the rumor was true or not her family put her on the first boat to Bombay and at the last minute I jumped into her arms so my parents let me go with her.
She was my mother and father for the next few months until the rest of the family arrived. I did not leave her side for a single minute so she had to take me with her to the bathroom as well and I distinctly remember sitting on a baby potty while she sat on the toilet.
She was a tall graceful woman with a hearty laugh. She had just decided early in life to be always happy regardless of the circumstances. She remembered the birthdays of everyone for at least three generations. She had a remarkable memory for dates and names. She helped me assemble the Advani family tree.
Her primary quality was her ability to spread good cheer to family and friends and make everyone happy. She always greeted everyone with a bear hug and a kiss. I never knew her to hold back her praise.She showered it abundantly and made everyone smile. She was an aunt not only to her actual nephews and nieces but to the entire neighborhood. She befriended everyone in the building she lived in including the help and the vendors. They all did small favors for her and she reciprocated with gifts and good cheer.
She lived alone in an apartment in Bombay and one day suffered a fall which left her with a broken hip. As she was being prepared for surgery she died. Although saddened I was also happy for her because I knew the surgery and subsequent recovery would be both uncertain and extremely painful.
Bombay, a city of 20 million now seems empty without Lilanty.
