At 6.30 pm on Monday, January 26th, 2015, friends and relatives had gathered in my Pune house hoping and praying for my father’s speedy recovery. Time was ticking away. Some were pacing up and down nervously. Then, at 6.50 pm my mobile buzzed. I was nervous to take the call as it was from the hospital. The doctor said that Laxman had breathed his last just now. I had dreaded this moment as I was left with the tough task of conveying this sad news to my mother and family. I called my husband Srinivas aside and told him dad’s heart had stopped beating. Everyone at home including mom sensed our silence and understood the stressful situation.

Within few minutes the world came to know of the sad demise of R.K.Laxman.