HAVE YOU THOUGHT OF (AND PLANNED FOR) AS TO HOW WILL YOU LIKE TO BE REMEMBERED AFTER YOU ARE GONE

A few days ago I put up the two photographs of my ancestors on my office wall. On the left is my paternal grandfather Risaldar Amir Singh Sudan who was from King Edward’s Own 6th Cavalry and was conferred Indian Distinguished Service Medal TWICE!
On the right is my maternal grandfather Hony Capt Teja Singh Ranyal of 54th SIKH (Frontier Force) who was decorated with Order of British India which was accompanied by a jageer of 25 acres of irrigated agricultural land.
I am proud of them and indeed proud of my parents who instilled in us the values and character qualities of responsible citizens and good human beings. But this event of hanging these photographs on my office wall set me thinking !
Do we ever think, while living life on the go, as to how our future generations will remember us? What kind of legacy we will leave behind for them? Most of us think in terms of money, houses & other fixed assets, intellectual property, business, factories, rental income, etc but very little in terms of the value as a person.
Apart from the uniform, medals, and regimental history, I remember both my grandparents as dedicated family men, good human beings, true to their word, and who helped thousands of needy people in their lives. We thrive in the wake of their good reputation and the only thing that came to my mind was what will my grandchildren and great-grandchildren think of me when, one day, they put up my portrait on their walls.
Dear friends, we need to think beyond our immediate needs for survival to ensure a grand family history and pass on to your future generations something bigger and wider in scope than only money and material things.
We must plan for such things starting from our youth and the very first job! Only then you can build grand memorial for yourself which will stand the vagaries of passing time!
I have been jolted out of complacency when I realised I am already past 60! I have started my thinking in real ernest and will plead with you to please start your thinking about it now lest it is too late.