यू.क.पी.

I always loved that Dadu coined a private acronym for each grandchild. Because I was his “favourite"-child’s child, mine felt extra-special: यूकेपी (UKP).

One afternoon curiosity got the better of me, so I asked what the letters actually stood for. He burst out laughing and finally confessed:

“उल्लू का पट्ठा” (“Ullu ka pattha” — a tongue-in-cheek way of saying “you son of a fool”)

Naturally I shot back, “But that would make your own son the ‘fool,’ wouldn’t it?” His comeback was vintage Dadu:

“तुम्हें आज बता रहा हूँ, मुझे बहुत पहले से मालूम है।”

(“I’m only telling you today; I’ve known it for ages.”)

Miss you loads, Dadu

आपका यूकेपी

-Aman