In March 2015 I received an email from Vimla ji:
83 years old, from Hardoi district, UP. She had read about Pratima Devi/Amma — the “dog mother” of PVR Anupam — on my blog, and wanted to
know how she could contribute a small monthly amount for her. “I know
that Delhi is a rich place and there must be financial help for Pratima
Devi,” she wrote, “But I am a pensioner and can part with a fraction of
it every month for her cause.”I sent Vimla ji the account details for Pratima Devi (remarkably, she thanked me for doing this!) — and starting that month, she arranged for a fixed amount to be transferred every month to the account. Most of our subsequent interactions were limited to her sending me yearly notifications that the transfers were continuing; I gave her updates about Pratima Devi and the dogs, sent photos. Once in a while, she would also send a general note, share a video link about environmental damage and so on. She followed my blog and Facebook posts occasionally, and asked how my mother was doing during the cancer treatment.
During one exchange, when I intended to write “Thank you for your continuing assistance”, I accidentally wrote “…for your continuing existence” instead. When I mailed to correct this, she replied:
“Your mail made me laugh...each healthy day (existence) granted by GOD after 80 is a blessing, no worries.”
Around a month and a half ago, I received a Facebook notification saying that Vimla Srivastava had passed away after a heart attack. I’m sure she will be missed and remembered by many people who knew her at much closer quarters, but I’m glad to have crossed paths with her, even if only in this distant way; though we never even spoke on the phone, it feels like a personal loss.
I am blessed that she was my maternal grandmother, and I spent sometime with her in her last days.
ReplyDeleteShe always advocated family values and expects me to do the same.
Nahi was haveing a different aura in her looks; always eager to help animals and needy people.
I don't think she had ever pampered me, but loved me a lot and always acted as a good teacher.
A wonderful woman easily get happy with small things.
I will miss you nani..but try to not forget values which I have learned from you.
It is so fulfilling to see that my Nani's kindness has touched lives beyond the humble life she lived. She was a wonderful soul and we miss her every day but her light shines on in little ways such as this.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jai Arjun Singh, for again writing about my mother! It is so heartwarming, specially when it comes from a person she had never even met!
ReplyDeleteYou are a kind, sincere and sensitive human being; may GOD BLESS YOU, ALWAYS!
I lack words to express my grief over the passing of my grandmother. She filled everyone’s lives with happiness and sweet feelings that we will carry in our hearts forever. In our hearts, she will always hold a place that no one else will ever fill.
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