Personal vignettes from an old colleague and socialist: Vora Ji had a sweet tooth and time for all  

In 1966 we were not in Congress. I had moved to Delhi after obtaining a Master’s degree from Allahabad University. It was while working as the secretary of Samajwadi Yuvajan Sabha that I first heard of Motilal Vora. The magazines edited by late Dr Ram Manohar Lohia those days would host weekly round tables and one of the activities was to read aloud letters received from readers. And virtually every week there would be a letter from Motilal Vora. He was active in the Socialist Party around Raipur and Durg.

I remember his persistence in persuading Dr Lohia to unveil a statue of Mahatma Gandhi that Vora Ji had installed with crowdfunding. Dr Lohia did finally relent and travelled to Durg to unveil the statue. It was after Dr Lohia passed away that Vora Ji joined the Congress.

That we became close is an understatement. During the past two decades he would drag me to accompany him to various events. Even when I was reluctant, he would say, “Arre, Pandit Ji, Chalte Hain” (Let’s go together) and come over to pick me up.

He had a sweet tooth and was particularly fond of ‘Rabri’ and ‘Jalebis’. I would sometimes alert the hosts and joke that they better ensure that both sweets are served. I would occasionally remind him that there were other equally delicious dishes that he should try. But he would invariably insist on tasting all the sweets on offer. His logic was that while other dishes could be prepared at home, Jalebi and Rabri were difficult and time consuming to make. He would also point out that at home he would never get to taste so many sweets together. Strangely, he was not a diabetic and took full advantage of it.

He was never short of time for anyone. He would be attentive to people and go out of his way to help them. He would write letters of recommendation at the drop of a hat. He could never say ‘no’ to anyone. Sometimes I discovered that he had recommended three or four people for the same post. I would remonstrate and ask him not to entertain people but, I guess, he felt it was his duty to listen to people and try and help them.

He was always friendly and courteous to even people with whom he had serious differences. Not all of them were friendly or friends but nor were they his enemies. In fact he had no enemy. He epitomised a different era and upheld humility and simplicity. People and politicians in public service had a lot to learn from him.

I last spoke to him on December 19 over the phone. The next day was his birthday and I ensured that a bouquet of flowers was delivered on my behalf. But on December 21 he passed away. One of his last wishes, I was told, was to speak to me. I wish we did.

(As told to Ramshiromani Shukla)