Even after years of research and development in medical field, Cancer still remains one of the biggest killer diseases. If not detected earlier, it not only snuffs out a life but takes away the happiness of the suffering family as well. It is never easy for any individual to cope up with the loss of his or her loved one but people choose various measure to deal with that loss.
IPS officer Jitendra Mani Tripathi chose ‘Kindness for Others’ as a way to pay homage to his wife who lost her life in fight against cancer. In conversation with Indian Masterminds, the 2008 batch officer currently posted as the DCP, Delhi Metro talked about his journey and inspiration behind helping people, and writing a collection of poems.
I know that pain’
In 2015, Mr Tripathi’s wife Ms Kiran was detected with breast cancer. Unfortunately, the disease reached her brain during the treatment and she breathed her last in 2018. These three years were very painful and depressing for the whole family.
As Mr Tripathi recalled, “We did all that could be done, from consulting the best doctors to moving around hospitals. I have experienced all the struggles and felt the pain. Even though I was an IPS officer, the whole process of treatment was really difficult for me. I can only imagine what it is to be like a common man going through same situation. So, I decided to help all of those in need with whatever I have. If a single person lives because of me, that will be the biggest tribute for my wife”.
Mr. Tripathi has circulated his contact number through all the social media platforms, including WhatsApp and Twitter. Any person who needs advise on doctors or hospital can contact him. Not only this, Mr. Tripathi also helps them to get the appointment and bed in hospitals like AIIMS and Sir Gangaram etc. In emergency, and at times, he himself accompanies them. Apart from that, he and both of his children organize stalls and serve food to the patients outside various hospitals on a regular basis.
When asked about the struggle of being a single father he said, “My wife got into various jobs including PCS. She left behind our children. It is never easy to fill the void after the mother is gone, especially when she is extremely close tothe children. I am still trying to figure out the ways to be a good father. At present I only try to be there for them whenever they need me.’’
Poems for her wife
Said Mr Tripath,“We were married in a traditional manner. I only knew about her after my father told me that he had fixed my match. But, it was beautiful. I was in her awe of her when I got to know about her. She was a lady with lots of love and talent. Not only a topper of Lady Sriram College, she was also a good artist. Our house is decorated with her paintings. When I lost her, I lost everything. The poems I wrote poems where the only way to be with her”, said Mr. Tripathi.
In the memory of his wife, Mr. Tripathi published a collection of poems in a book titled ‘Kahin to Hansi ho’. These poems delve into the period of the last three years of his wife’s life. He is now ready to publish his second collection of 100 poems, under the title ‘Mani ki Kiran’.
