India’s greatest national treasure Lata Mangeshkar has passed on into the ages. But she left a dream behind. And it is a matter of great pride and joy to know that her family is working on her dream project full-throttle.
Lataji whom we lost four months ago, had a dream. She wanted to build a posh old folks’ home for aged retired or ailing actors of our film industry.
Shortly before her going,Lataji had spoken to me about her dream project: “It is such a joy, blessing and comfort to have one’s family with you in old age. But what about those who are old alone in their twilight years? My heart reaches out to the veterans of our film industry who have died alone.Maine suna hai Lalita Pawarji aur Achla Sachdevji, jo kitne mahaan kalaakar ttthe, unke saath koi bhi nahin ttha (I’ve heard that two great actresses Lalita Pawar and Achala Sachdev died alone). Kitne sharm aur dukh ki baat hai(how shameful and sad).”
Lataji wanted to build an elaborate vridh ashram(old folks’ home)where the old and abandoned could spend their last years in peace.
We now hear that Lataji’s family is going full-throttle ahead with the project and that the Maharashtra government has already allotted land for the project probably in Thane.
No dream of Lataji can remain unfulfilled. This dream of building a home for the aged was her most favourite dream. I can see her smiling down from up there.
