Thread by @thebetterindia

Thread: (1/8) After working rigorously for nearly two decades on cancer research, my father, Dr Pankaj Khanna, had to discontinue due to insufficient funding. It was very heartbreaking for him but a few days later I saw him enjoying his new teaching job.

(2/8) That’s how papa was. Haar maan ke baithna unhe nahi aata tha [He never knew what it was to give up].

So when he was admitted to a Delhi hospital, away from our home in Agra, he assured us it was not going to end just yet.

(3/8) On 18 December 2020 my hero, my friend and our family’s heartbeat passed away around 4 am. There is a papa-shaped hole in our hearts that I don’t know how to fill.

He was the jolliest and most pure soul I have encountered.

(4/8) He was completely immersed in everything he did, from music, dance, food to games. We have more than a thousand plants in our house and he took care of each of them for hours like it was his own child.

(5/8) He doted over our dog, Oscar, and was my biggest cheerleader. He would celebrate the smallest of my and my brother’s accomplishments. He maintained a file of all my certificates and report cards. That is parenting 101.

(6/8) Seeing that kind of response, I feel like I can achieve anything. Growing up, dad always came home early to spend time with us and made sure our relationship was that of friends. He had the power to make everyone comfortable around him.

(7/8) My friends visited our home to talk to him. He taught me to always do the right thing, and he never wished ill for anyone.

I don’t think the pain of missing him will ever go away but I hope to make him proud by becoming the person he was someday.

(8/8) As told by Tanvi Khanna, daughter of Pankaj Khanna

(@notaprat @tanvi_khanna @mynk2707 @khannasunanda on Instagram)

#IndiaRemembers