Hello all. I am Raneeta (Nitu), the youngest daughter of Parshu Ram and Sakhina Bachu. Allow me to share a few of my precious memories. Firstly, thanks to my older cousins for the history lesson on our grandparents. I feel so privileged in the knowledge that I now know what to accurately tell my own children about our heritage. Thanks again.
“There are no limitations to our dreams; it is just our limited perception of what is possible”
Parents and Siblings
I wish to acknowledge my parents for their wonderful parenting. I have beautiful childhood memories, which has been the solid foundation for building the rest of my life on. I was loved, encouraged, supported and got everything I wanted. Having older siblings meant I was mature beyond my years at a very early age. Thank you Bhai and Pom. You have taught me a lot about life.
My Papa is a man of few words but what he says carries a lot of weight. Some of his sayings that have stuck with me are:
- The path of true love never runs smooth.
- Don’t expect from other and you will not be diappointed.
- A stitch in time save nine.
- TIme and tide waits for no one.
- Everybody is somebody’s fool.
My mum taught me strength, the value of hard work and dedication and how to save. She also told me the value of good grooming, hair and makeup and having good taste in clothes, shoes and jewellery. We Bachu women and girls had to look our best! I do this with my own kids now, so this proves she was a good teacher!
Fuas, Dadas and Cousins
I remember attending evening parties as a child with alcohol and dancing and yummy cake…one was Didiya fua’s sweet 16th,(she was a leap year born) one of many parties I’m sure! I remember countless weddings, almost weeklong events with great opportunities to dress up! I remember Raksha Bandhans where Mum and Papa drove us all day from house to house until all our brothers were honoured, fed with sweets and paid us for our trouble. I always needed help with tying the strings.
I remember my Nandoo Dada who always told me:
“Remember, you are a Bachu girl and Bachu girls can do anything.”
I took this to heart and have never looked back. I even followed him and my fuas’ footsteps and had a recent career change to teaching, which I feel is my true calling. Thank you Dada and Fuas! You were great role models and I hope I can be the same.
What have I inherited from the previous generation?
The one thing I have inherited from my Aaji, according to my Papa is her unusual number of teeth. She had 32 teeth, four more than the average person and as the Indian saying goes if you have 32 teeth you should not tell lies!! I am proud to have something in common with her. I also despise hearing and telling lies. I wonder if I have inherited my firm beliefs in maternal values, truth and integrity from her or others from the previous generation. I guess we are all products of nature and nurture working in unison. There is one certainty; our ancestors had a definite can-do attitude and were risk-takers, something I can see we all share in common. Let us all stand proud in the knowledge of our heritage.
I remember Tulsi Dada’s visits to our home. I always heard his distinct whistle and would run to him. He always had Columbine caramel sweets in his pockets for me. He also dressed uniquely and casually. I missed him when he migrated to USA.
I remember Babuji (Balram Bachu) waiting on the footpath whenever I visited him in Sydney. He was always pleased to see me, show me his vegetable garden, things he had made and share stories from the past. However, the real expert on stories from the past was Barimaa and she loved correcting and adding to his stories. I’m sure we miss them both.
I had wonderful fuas’, all very unique and special and who taught me different things. Unfortunately, I only remember 3 of them. Pat fua (USA) was gentle and loving and always smelt wonderful. Laatch fua had gorgeous hair, loved a good time and spoke her mind always. My favourite was Didiya Fua because she was a woman before her time – her motto was to do everything in moderation. She drank alcohol, smoked, danced, loved her meat, a good laugh and parties, and yet was one of the most spiritual people I know with her unfailing commitment to the Methodist faith. She had strong beliefs, yet she never bragged about it or forced her beliefs on anyone. She was there for me when I came to NZ to study as an 18 year old and got so homesick I was ready to pack it in and go home. She made me promise her I would stay for 6 months and if I still felt the same after that I could go. After 6 months, almost to the day on 21 July 1988, she died. I have since kept my promise and my life has changed forever. I always think it is uncanny that I married a Catholic. I think she would have been pleased to know that.
I have attached some of my favourite family photos. They have special meaning to me and I would love to share them with you – my extended family.
Wishing you all peace, love and happiness.
– Raneeta, David and our precious twins Renee and Damian. May 2007
