‘My dad, in his own words’ is a series paying tribute to our fathers, ahead of Father’s Day. We asked children to interview their fathers, showcasing the intergenerational bond between them and celebrating the wonderful and eventful lives they’ve both had. Here Tarang Chawla, award-winning writer, speaker, violence against women activist and Victorian Multicultural Commissioner sits down with his dad Umesh Chawla, mechanical and marine engineer and later self-employed.
Tarang Chawla: Dad, tell me about your childhood.
Umesh Chawla: I was born and brought up in Ghaziabad, UP. I am the middle child and have two brothers. My brothers and I used to wrestle a lot growing up, but there was a lot of love, too. Sometimes my Nani had to lock us in three separate rooms so that she could have an afternoon nap in peace without us quarrelling. All three of us would snuggle with our mum to sleep when we were little. I remember all the vacations I took with Mummyji and Papaji to Nainital, Mussoorie, Haridwaar and Rishikesh.
Tarang Chawla: What do you remember about those times?
Umesh Chawla: I remember once we went to a river 10km from home with our family and cousins. We played in the water and ate mangoes. We used to be able to buy fresh mangoes directly from the people who cared for the mangroves next to the river. You could never do that here in Australia. Ghaziabad is now considered part of the NCR, but back then it was considered far from Delhi and I remember going to the light and sound show at Red Fort. I spent a lot of time playing with a Meccano set I received for my birthday. I used to make cranes, trucks and other machinery using my set. This was long before iPhones and I did not have a camera so I had to just take a mental image and then dismantle my creation before moving onto the next thing.
Tarang Chawla: Tell me about the day I was born.
Umesh Chawla: The day you were born, I was very nervous. Sunila (Mum) had been having pains for more than 60 hours. You were our first-born child, so we did not know what to expect. I was trying to meet with the doctors to ensure everything went well. After your birth, you and Mum stayed in the hospital for a few days and I stayed there too. I had to go back to my job in less than four weeks on the ship and I was going to be away for a full year, so I did not want to miss a single moment with you and Mum.
Tarang Chawla: What about Niki – what is your earliest memory of her?
Umesh Chawla: It is difficult to list just a few. Niki would always sit in my lap and suck her thumb. She never liked having a dummy. Even when we went to friends’ houses, she would sit in my lap and would stay stuck to me, so much so that everyone thought of her as Dad’s Daughter. Niki was like a doll and we used to all call her “Ladi”. I remember once we had gone to Lorne in a Toyota Tarago and Niki got her foot jammed in the door and screamed in pain, but she was laughing again in a moment while I was the one who spent all day crying that I had hurt my daughter by accident.
Tarang Chawla: What were your favourite movies / songs / books from your early years?
Umesh Chawla: Movies, I loved James Bond. My favourite song was “Do Lafzon Ki Hai Dil Ki Kahani” from the movie The Great Gambler. I used to read comic books. I read all the Phantom comic books and I remember you giving me a collection of Phantom comic books on my birthday in Australia.
Tarang Chawla: Speaking of Australia, what brought you to Australia and what do you like about being here?
Umesh Chawla: I was working on ships and married Sunila in 1985. After your birth, we had to make a life decision for your schooling, education and where we would settle. Your mum had thought about going to the US or Canada, but I had only thought about Australia. We decided to come to Australia because my elder brother was already settled here with his wife. At the time we had a very positive feeling about the country. I could never predict that Melbourne would be voted as the ‘World’s Most Liveable City’ three times! In comparison to many other countries, Australia does offer a good quality of life.
Tarang Chawla: What do you miss about India?
Umesh Chawla: My family, my cousins, “Mitti ki Khushboo”, flavours of the produce, hustle and bustle, laughter ringing in the ears on every nook and corner, manufacturing and engineering expos.
Tarang Chawla: Finally, what advice do you have for aging well?
Umesh Chawla: I may not be following it myself but everyone should at least take this advice:
- Yoga
- Meditation
- Follow a disciplined lifestyle
READ ALSO: My dad, in his own words: Manan Luthra
