Bumrah grandad’s last wish: To meet him after 17 yrs
DEHRADUN: It’s a story of fate taking turns, twisted circumstances, love and an unending bond between a grandfather and his grandson.
Indian cricket sensation Jasprit Bumrah is a star bowler. His grandfather Santokh Singh Bumrah, who lives in Kiccha of Uttarakhand, 260 kms from here, is one among the lakhs of Jasprit fans.
Known as ‘Yorker King’, Jasprit Bumrah was separated from his grandfather after the death of his father in 2001. Blood is thicker than water, and again after a gap of 17 years, grandpa wants to hug his grandson.
“It feels great to see Jasprit on television screen performing so well in international matches. I pray to god for his success and meet him once before I die,” Santokh Singh Bumrah (84) told HT over the phone.
The senior Bumrah was a successful businessman during the 80s and 90s, having three factories in Gujarat. Santokh says Jasprit’s father Jasbir would assist him in running the business.
“After Jasbir’s death in 2001, the fate turned and I started running into loses. Sold out factories and shifted to Kiccha with my brothers” Santokh adds.
In Kiccha, Bumrah’s grandfather purchased an auto to make two ends meet. Now the senior Bumrah lives in utter penury with his other son.
He sobs often on sharing stories of the good days. Santokh doesn’t shed much light why he didn’t meet Jasprit all these years but he indicates of ‘sour relations’ with his daughter-in-law.
“Jasprit’s mother was not willing to see us. Though recently my daughter visited Ahmedabad. I tried hard to get Jasprit’s contact but couldn’t. I would be grateful if you could please help” Santokh tells this correspondent.
It is learnt that Jasprit was raised by his mother in Ahmedabad in Gujarat. He indeed started his cricketing career from Gujarat.