Yesterday morning there was news that Banka is no more. For once, I couldn’t believe what had happened all of a sudden because two days ago there was news of improvement in his health. But who has gone in front of the law of law? Ultimately, everyone has to follow the rules of time. But there are some people who are sorely missed. Such a personality was rich in Shri Krishna ji Banka.
Simple-natured, soft-spoken, respectful to everyone, always polite, or rather had all the qualities of a good personality. Due to these qualities, Ajatashatru Bankaji was popular among the cloth merchants. Banka ji had been the president of FOSTA, a leading organization of the Surat textile market. JJ was the secretary of the market. He also had a great influence in the Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The untimely passing of Shri Krishna ji Banka is a personal irreparable loss for me. I always used to get his guidance. He used to respect me as much as he loved me. He never avoided my talk, nor did he allow me to postpone his talk, because he used to explain so lovingly. We mostly met during media bytes. If he never came, I used to insist on calling him. I affectionately called him Kakosa.
Last year, during the second wave of Corona, his younger brother became corona infected. Incidentally, he was admitted for medical treatment at the Vande Bharat COVID Isolation Center run by the Sewa Foundation, where my services also lived. Sometimes his brother used to get nervous and he used to call him and he used to call me. As many days as he was treated, he did as I said. Never argued. Used to say everyday that if you are taking care, then I am sure brother will get well soon. But what an irony that when he himself fell ill, I came to know when he was being taken to Chennai.
Well, we do not move ahead of the law that was there. But whenever I go to JJ Market or face the media, I will always remember him. Bankaji will always be in my memory. As a brilliant, virtuous, humble personality, as my mentor, as my well-wisher, as my guide.