161. Krishna Kumar Parasnath, 37 , A banker , was STAR of his housing Society

A banker, was the ‘star’ of his housing society whose widow Mrs Anju flat in PATNA is captured by just expelled JD -U leader Mr. Jamuar .

Mumbai, December 28: Krishna Parasnath’s apartment in Malad has been locked. His wife, Anju, who was expecting their second child then, couldn’t bear to stay there anymore. Today, five months after 7/11 shattered her family, she has been blessed with a son, their second. And they all live in Powai with her brother.
“You know, Anju delivered a baby boy in September. Krishna was so excited about the prospect of a new family member,” says his friend and colleague at Indian Overseas Bank Rakesh Kumar. “But she left the house as she didn’t want to give birth while staying at the house. She just ran away.”
The “star” of their housing society — Indian Overseas Bank Apartments in Malad — as he was at the forefront of each and every social event or festival, Krishna is sorely missed. More so by Kumar since they were both from Bihar. And both “Bihar ka babus” loved to laugh about the fact that they were in Mumbai to earn a better living.
“He came from Motipur, a small town in Bihar, in 2001. And I landed here in 2003. But ever since I met him, I stopped missing Bihar. We chatted in our typically Bihari accents and spoke of a number of things like our hometowns and the special delicacies we missed here,” says Kumar. But it wasn’t their roots alone that brought them close. Badminton played a part too.
“Krishna was an amazing badminton player,” recalls Kumar. “We had been partners since 2003. Every year, our society conducts a badminton championship and we took part. Though we never won doubles, we did get a cup in singles,” he laughs. In fact, it was while playing badminton that Kumar got to know Krishna well.
“When I first met him, I thought he was serious and reserved. But he turned out to be the opposite. While practising, he would crack jokes and make us laugh. I miss those chai breaks and the gossip sessions we had in-between games.”
What Kumar can’t come to terms with is that on 7/11, he was in the same train as Krishna but in a second class compartment and didn’t even get to know until later that his friend was among those who died in the serial train blasts. Krishna was returning from work at Nariman Point, when he died in the blast that occurred between Bandra and Khar. “I was in the same train but in a second class compartment. And I didn’t even know.”
For the residents of their housing society, Krishna was a livewire. Even 70-year-old Ishwas Dabulkam, the security guard, can’t forget his family. Bahut sweet tha woh. Chhota aur mota sa. Main to itna paan khaata hu, usme koi buri aadat nai thi (They looked sweet together as a family. He had no bad habits).
“From New Year to Holi, Krishna was the main organiser of all events,” recalls Kumar. “He would also have a special dance performance with wife Anju every News Year’s party — I still remember their performance last year. All society members were clapping and cheering them.”
It’s the end of the year now and another New Year’s party is on the cards at Indian Overseas Bank Apartments in Malad. Those who knew Krishna have one wish. “We pray that God gives Anju and her two children the courage to face life,” says Kumar.