I belong to a pahadi brahmin family. That is to say, I am a pahadi pandit. We (pahadi pandits) are very few in number as compared to those from the plains and hail from the Uttarakhand region of India (the new state having been christened Uttaranchal). Specifically, my roots lie in Pauri district of Uttarakhand. And the name of my ancestral village, interestingly enough, is Thapli!

Dad (G.B. Thapliyal) belongs to Dehradun. Having obtained his Masters degree in Chemistry at the tender age of 19, he was set for achieving more than just that. He was selected for the NDA as well as the AFMC. However, he finally decided to join the Indian Forest Service. What is worth noting is that dad always managed to get through in his very first attempt at anything.

Dad’s alma mater, the Indian Forest College (see campus) is situated in the FRI (Forest Research Institute) in Dehradun. The FRI has a sprawling campus that makes it a must-see for any visitor to Dehradun. (Know more about the FRI.)

My paternal grandpa, Maj. J.M. Thapliyal, was a dashing armyman (and that’s an understatement) and it was he who purchased what is now our ancestral property at Hardwar Road in Dehradun. As on today, one half of it is occupied by my paternal uncle’s (chachaji’s) family. We intend to renovate our half in the near future. Once renovated, it would serve as an ideal summer retreat.

The H.I.G. flat we own at Dwarka (New Delhi) is unoccupied and will remain so till dad retires from office. Even if dad lands the post of Director General of Forests of India, which will require us to move to New Delhi, we won’t be occupying the Dwarka flat. We shall be living in the official flat/bungalow provided to us. The Dwarka flat, however, might get to see its grihapravesh before it is actually occupied by us.

Dad has 4 years to go before he retires. Presently (28^th Jan, 2002), barring the PCCF, he is the seniormost IFS officer in West Bengal. He has been so for more than an year now. His current post of Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), West Bengal (i.e. Chief Wildlife Warden of West Bengal) is a very sensitive one. [You can read articles from <1> The Indian Express and <2> The Asian Age in which dad has been quoted.] Dad will, later, occupy the top post of PCCF (Principal Chief Conservator of Forests), West Bengal for a substantial duration of 3 years and a month.

Mom (Dr. A. Thapliyal; who’s maiden surname is Naithani) belongs to New Delhi. She has fond memories of her childhood spent in the C-1 Bungalow near Safdarjung Airport. My maternal grandpa, M.M. Naithani worked for the All India Meteorological Service. He also served the Air Force as a Warrant Officer on deputation.

Mom’s a doctor. She obtained her MBBS degree from the LHMC (Lady Hardinge Medical College) in New Delhi, which is a reputed all-girls medical college. She has a post-graduation degree (diploma) in Clinical Pathology from the School of Tropical Medicine, Calcutta.

She is one of three doctors handling cases referred to the Haematology Division at SSKM (PG) hospital in Calcutta (see pic). Mom, despite her vast experience in Haematology, hasn’t ever delved into private practice. That’s because, for her, family came first.

Mom is a recipient of the National Science Talent Scholarship, now the more general National Talent Scholarship given on the basis of the NTSE (National Talent Search Examination). She received her award from none other than the then President of India, Dr. S. Radhakrishnan.

I have an elder sister named Priyanka. She is married to handsome Anant jijaji from New Delhi. He’s a chemical engineer from Manipal Institute of Technology and is working for GAIL (Gas Authority of India Limited). Our in-laws (the Purohits) live in Saket Colony in New Delhi. Sis’ father-in-law, Mr. G.B. Purohit continues to work post-retirement as a consultant in the union fertilizer ministry. Didi’s sis-in-law has just obtained an MBBS degree from the LHMC.

Pretty as a picture, sis was also a pretty good student too! She was ranked 5^th in the North Bengal region in the class 10 board exams. She always had an interest in English literature. She obtained a Bachelor’s degree in the subject of her choice and then followed it up with an MA. Her percentile in the MA finals was a substantial 66%.

To talk only about Didi’s academic achievements would be to do grave injustice to her superb culinary skills. Didi is an expert when it comes to non-vegetarian dishes, especially the Chinese variants like Chilli Chicken, Garlic Chicken, Sweet N’Sour Chicken, etc. Carnivores like me couldn’t ask for more. Still, I would say that my mom is the best cook on the planet. Ask didi and she would agree!