The Final Years

In 1987 the Jamia Millia MCRC was officially transferred from CIDA's control to the Indian government, and my parent's involvement tapered off. My Dad had started to get absent minded and was not able to concentrate very well. In 1988, in Toronto, he was diagnosed with Multiple Infarct Dementia, an ongoing series of mini-strokes to the brain, which has a degenerative effect. One year later, my Mom was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. She passed away in Toronto in November, 1990.

Dad was given a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Academy of Canadian Film and Television in April of 1991. At that same moment, I was scattering my Mom's ashes in Rishikesh, India. When I returned from my trip, my father was diminishing rapidly.

My relationship to Dad changed dramatically in those last few years. I became his trusted caregiver. I made sacrifices for him. It became a relationship of mutual love, respect and humility. It was only then that I realized how little of his life he had shared with his children. But by then it was too late to learn about him, as his ability to express his thoughts was severely compromised. His speech had become very refracted and he was delusional. It was cruel for a man of his acumen. Dad mercifully passed away from complications arising from his disease in February, 1993. He was 75 years old.