It was a few minutes into our morning live show from opposite the Grace Gate, and I could see a lady pushing a pram wanting to have a word. It has happened often on this tour that people have come up and said they watch, and like, what we do. I expected this to be something similar. The lady in question, however, did not say anything for a while. That’s when I asked if she was waiting to speak and if I could help in any way.
What happened in the next few minutes left me speechless, and is something I will never forget.
“You are Boria, right?” she asked. When I said yes, she paused for a second and said, “I am Dilip Doshi’s daughter. This was the exact same spot where my father met you for the last time. That interview you did with him was the last interview he did, and the 8 minutes of that interview is invaluable for us as a family. I just wanted to say thank you for doing it. I had come yesterday also, but seeing that you were doing a live show did not bother you and left.”
The words came out in a torrent. For a few seconds, I couldn’t say anything. I could sense she was crying, and I needed to compose myself as well. Dilip Da had actually said to me that we should have dinner when I was back in London for the Lord’s Test and do something together. I said that to her, and also told her that he was much looking forward to spending time with family. He had in fact said that he was here till August 6 and was very much looking forward to it.
“We have watched that interview many times,” she said. “It means a lot to us. He was on your show, and it was excellent. We also watched the interview in Bangla.”
Thereafter, we spent a couple more minutes talking but, honestly, I don’t remember what we said. It is a blur. All I do remember is that I was finding it hard to focus for a while. These are moments that leave a mark on you and go far beyond the regular scope of work.
The interview was a very normal one. Like we do every day for a living. Who knew it was the last interview that Dilip da would do and be the last time we would meet? For his daughter, it is invaluable memory, while for me, it is now something I will never forget.
By that time, the young child in the pram had started to get restless and Dilip da’s daughter said a teary eyed goodbye as she continued with her morning walk. Only, it had turned into a very different morning for me. One that will be etched in memory forever.
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