The Journey

Veer a quiet man grew up in the vibrant metropolitan city of Delhi. His parents parted ways when he was only seven. This separation left a deep scar in Veer’s mind. His strong-willed mother raised him with love & determination. Veer was a bright student. He found his calling in healing others. He decided to become a Cardiologist. After studying & training at Delhi University Medical College he chose to train in Cardiology in America. His Mother Shakti Swaroop preferred her life in Delhi over living in New York & Boston. Though she visited Veer regularly in America. A routine mammogram in New York revealed a small tumor in Shakti Swaroop’s left breast. She was operated the next week. A lump was removed from her breast. She received radiation therapy and chemotherapy. After her recovery, Shakti Swaroop returned to Delhi. She traveled to America for regular checkups. Veer though busy at work, didn’t neglect his mother’s health. He was deeply involved in his mother’s health care. Shakti Swaroop got the best possible care in America. Shakti was free of cancer on her regular checkups for seven years. It was in the eighth year that the cancer struck again. Despite the best treatment & heroic efforts of her doctors, Shakti died in Boston. Heartbroken Veer brought her ashes to India. He traveled to Rishikesh in a taxi from Delhi. He planned to immerse his mother’s ashes in the river Ganga. He hired a woman cab driver to take him to Rishikesh from the Delhi airport. His cab driver the gregarious Karuna wouldn’t stop talking to Veer throughout the car journey, though he wanted to be left alone. She tried her best to cheer him up without realizing what was going on in Veer’s mind. An emotional Veer finally told her why he was going to Rishikesh. Veer’s vulnerability and sadness made Karuna realize that they had something in common. Their humanity and hurts united them.