Our Fazilka Visit - Mr Vinod Gupta & His Family

Mr Vinod Gupta visiting his School- Government Model Secondary School (Boys) 

by Rohit Gupta-

Finally – we finally visited Fazilka!  My father, Mr. Vinod Kumar Gupta, grew up in Fazilka, and his father, Dr. Brij Lal Aggarwal, was the first MBBS in Fazilka.  My parents moved to the US in the mid-1960s, and I grew up in the US.  Even though I've lived outside of India most of my life, I've always felt that Fazilka was also part of my background.

My Parents in front of famous Fazilka Clock Tower Car Free Zone

For many years my parents and I had discussed visiting Fazilka sometime.  We tried twice in recent years, but both times we had to cancel the planned trip due to unexpected situations.  Thus, it was hard to believe when we reached Fazilka on January 29th, 2011, that we were actually here!

My father had not visited for 40 years and the visit brought back many memories to him.  My father met with old friends and their children, and they all showed such wonderful warmth and hospitality towards us.  It was truly an exciting and memorable visit.
And we all found the city of Fazilka to be absolutely charming!  We visited places such as my father's high school and where their house used to be.  We also saw the Clock Tower, the Asafwala War Memorial, and the Border Ceremony.  We really appreciated the Car Free Zone near the Clock Tower which offers a unique walking environment.  We also went shopping and bought jutti and tosha.
But one of the most special memories that we took away from visiting Fazilka was the warmth and friendliness of the people of Fazilka.  Everyone we met was very friendly and talkative, and this made our visit even more memorable.  We hope that we can visit Fazilka again soon!

My parents and me in front of the house where my father grew up

Special thanks to Mr. Surinder Ahuja and his family, Mr. Anu Nagpal, Dr. Bhupinder Singh, Mr. Navdeep Asija, Mr. Gurdeep Kumar, Mr. Ashok Rai, and Dr. Kewal Pujara, for all of their help and support both during this visit and during our preparation for this visit (apologies if I missed anyone's name).  After this visit, I now feel that I can call myself a Fazilite; hope to visit again soon – Rohit Gupta (rohitgupta999@yahoo.com)

Fazilite Honored in US : Vinod Gupta’s work with homeless honored by City

IDOT PRO TECH SPREADS PEACE IN SPRINGFIELD
Vinod Gupta’s work with homeless honored by City

Vinod Gupta’s personal philosophy is that we are all born debtors and spend our lives repaying that debt. If it sounds familiar, that’s because it paraphrases one of the most famous of Mahatma Gandhi’s quotes – “we are debtors all our lives and thus for ever bound to serve the universe.”

“Vinnie” Gupta has read volumes about the spiritual leader of his native India and proudly admits that Gandhi’s ideologies guide him. The IDOT Pro Tech has been a well known figure at Helping Hands homeless shelter in Springfield for years as well as at the Springfield Overflow Shelter run by the Salvation Army. His work at the latter earned him a special recognition by Springfield Mayor Tim Davlin who thanked him for his “tireless dedication” in volunteering.

“I was surprised by the award,” said Gupta. “I enjoy serving meals and talking with the people staying at the shelter.” Archie Ford is the director of the Salvation Army in Springfield and said volunteers like Gupta are the reason the Shelter can survive.

“In the last four years, we’ve had to purchase about three meals ourselves, thanks to the volunteers,” said Ford. That’s saying a lot, Ford says, considering the Shelter houses between 40 and 60 people every night between November and March.

“He is truly what I would call a champion for the homeless,” said Brenda Johnson, executive director of Helping Hands, where Gupta serves meals twice a month and regularly emails her with praise and encouragement. “He tells me we are doing God’s work. He sees his contribution as what he should be doing as a human.”

For Gupta, it’s all in a day’s work, except that day doesn’t start until he’s finished his own job at IDOT. The Operations

Coordinator review excess land plats and right-of-way plans for local roads projects utilizing federal funds. He coordinates the environmental process for contaminated parcels, reviews requests for prequalifying consultants, and more.

Born in Fazilka, India, he came to the U.S. with his wife, Anjna, in 1995. The two were college students at the University of Iowa, where Gupta graduated with a master’s degree in Civil Engineering. Their two sons have followed their father’s example of public service. Rohit lives and works in India and Sundeep is a doctor with the Centers for Disease Control, working with HIV patients in Uganda.

Gupta is proud of his sons and has a bit of advice to other young people. “Spend less time on TV and video games and, instead, try to help people,” said Gupta. “There is no greater joy than cheerfulness. Even on your deathbed, you can serve by offering a smile.”

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