MANDIRA REMEMBERS UNCLE ARJAN
As the nation mourned the death of Marshal of the Indian Air Force, Arjan Singh, who died on Saturday after suffering a cardiac arrest, actor and TV anchor Mandira Bedi remembered him as one of the “best conversationalists” she has ever met in her life.
Singh was Mandira’s maternal uncle — her mother’s sister was married to him. “Even at the age of 98, he was such a great conversationalist, he spoke so well, so correct and coherent. He defied age in every way. If one looks back at his life, he has lived such a full life, so distinguished and respectable. I feel privileged that I am a part of his family,” said Mandira, who reached Delhi on Sunday morning.
Recalling how the Air Force Marshal was unlike others from his generation, who would share tales from their era, Mandira said that Singh was more interested in others. “There are so many [of his] achievements, but he never wanted to talk about what he did in his life. He was a very good listener and always wanted to know about your life, how you are doing,” she said. “My maasi and he shared the most beautiful relationship. Not a day would go by without them saying ‘I love you’ to each other.”
Mandira recalled, “As a kid, on each visit to his house, I’d go to his study and check the dustbins, because he got so many letters from all over the world, and I would pick all the stamps.”
She last met Singh last a few weeks ago; the old gent was courteous, fit, and still played golf. “Every single time we [visited] his place, he’d come to the door and see us off to the car. That’s the kind of person he was.”
[Arjan Singh] and I shared our birthday — April 15. Every year... we would wish happy birthday to each other
MANDIRA BEDI, ACTOR AND TV ANCHOR