Tomorrow is a myth, do it now!

My octogenarian uncle, who was rich, was hit by several ailments. My aunt had died long ago and his sons had settled abroad. My uncle was too much attached to his business and properties and was not prepared to leave India to stay with his sons and it was not possible for his sons to be on his bed side all the time.

As I was also free after my retirement, I took him for naturopathy treatment in Kerala. Even though so much attached to his business, he had started feeling that he had missed a few good things in life and would often talk of renunciation.

One day he expressed his desire to go back and we reached the airport. The flight was late. Uncle told me he would like to create a trust with some of his assets worth about R300 crore to be used for imparting education to the unprivileged. He proposed that I manage the affairs of the trust. My uncle looked to be in a great hurry and asked me to prepare a will in the lounge itself.

I prepared his will on a simple paper and was about to present it to him for his signatures when the announcement for security check-up was made. I thought I would get it done in the aircraft. Immediately after taking his seat in the plane, he slept. After reaching Delhi, I was also in hurry to be with my family and left by the earliest bus. After reaching home, I spent some time with my advocate friend so that the ‘will’ has no loose ends. Just when I was planning a visit Delhi, I received a call informing uncle was dead.

Days later, I told my cousins about the will case. Before I could conclude, they told me that uncle had already signed the will in their favour, and that I should help them dispose off the assets that would fetch them R400 crore! I was shocked and cursed my own stupidity of procrastination.