Hyphenated-Homestead

Part 7: Viju Dada: A Guiding Light and Lifelong Cheerleader

If you are binge reading, please carry on. If you just landed here from internet ether, I request to start reading from the top (Part 1)

Some people enter your life and leave an imprint so deep that no passage of time can fade it. For me, one of those people has been my cousin, Viju Dada. But calling him just a cousin would be an understatement—he has been a mentor, a cheerleader, a problem solver, and at times, even a fatherly figure.

Viju Dada has always personified the belief that anything is possible. Born nearly 25 years before me, he belonged to a generation where relationships weren’t defined just by bloodlines but by the strength of the bonds people chose to build. Though technically my father’s nephew (his mom being my father’s older sister), their relationship was more like that of brothers. And to me, he was that ever-reliable presence—someone who effortlessly blended wisdom with mischief, responsibility with an unshakable zest for life.

Growing up, we knew him as the one who would break norms and challenge conventions. Though he held a chemistry degree, his heart was always with the arts, and despite family pressures, he never let go of that creative spark. He had this magnetic energy—the kind of person whose arrival at home meant bursts of laughter, impromptu family gatherings, and a reminder that life was meant to be celebrated. As the eldest in our generation of cousins (our Gen 2.0), he naturally took on the role of unifier, the one who made sure we stayed connected as a family.

But what I will never forget—what I can never repay—is what he did for me when I was at my most vulnerable, preparing to leave for the U.S. for my master’s degree.

My father had passed away while I was still in engineering school, and though my goal was always to pursue higher studies abroad, that loss changed everything. Instead of leaving right away, I decided to stay back for a couple of years, working to support my education. Anyone who has been through this journey knows that it’s not just about securing tuition funds. There are educational loans, financial securities, endless paperwork, visa hurdles, and a constant mental battle between doubt and determination.

Through all of this, Viju Dada was my unwavering pillar of support. Whether it was navigating the complexities of bank loans, figuring out the logistics of moving abroad, or simply offering a pep talk when things seemed impossible, he was always there. His ever-positive attitude, his belief that everything would work out, was often the only reassurance I needed to keep going.

And then, life moved on. I built my career in the U.S., and he settled into his well-earned retirement. Yet, when I visited India this time, nothing had changed at the core. A simple phone call to let him know I was in town was all it took—without hesitation, he adjusted his plans and invited me over for lunch at his new home.

Some bonds don’t need constant reaffirmation; they endure the test of time.

Sitting across from him after all these years, I couldn’t help but reflect on how much he had shaped my journey. His guidance, his generosity, his unwavering belief in me—they were among the silent forces that propelled me forward.

Viju Dada, I don’t say this often, but I hope I’ve made you proud. Thank you for being my guiding light when I needed it the most.

If you missed the opening blog post about this series, please read it here.

Next Up: The Heart of India: Generosity, Hospitality, and the People Who Make It Special.

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