Good bye, Vanaja. my dear friend

 


Vanaja and I were friends for over 70 years. வனஜா என்றவுடன் நினைவுக்கு வருவது அவளுடைய உதவும் சுபாவம், அவளுடைய உபசரிப்பு, அவளுடைய தாராள மனசு, பிறருக்கு உதவுவதில் தன் பணம் செலவழிக்க அஞ்ச மாட்டாள்...சொல்லிக் கொண்டே போகலாம். When I was admitted in Health Centre, she took leave and looked after me for two full days though I tried my best to dissuade her from taking leave.

We both used to go together wherever we went - whether it was temple, marriages, other functions or relatives' house. We would always be addressed jointly as either Vananja-Lakshmi or Lakshmi-Vanaja and never alone.

Vanaja had sympathy and concern for all, even to total strangers. After graduation, she had taken up a job in Coonoor. When she was going to Ooty she happened to come across a pregnant lady who had to deliver in the running train itself. Though she was young, she had helped the lady without fear and the lady’s relatives were much thankful to her. If anyone known to her needed job or she came across jobless people she would pester someone and get a job for that person. She would never think What is in it for me? why should I help? let some body help etc. For someone’s school admission (except her own school), transfers etc., she would approach anyone in authority. She would not consider it below her dignity to wait to meet somebody for this purpose.

Whoever came to her house had to eat well. Otherwise she would not be satisfied. In fact sometimes just because she used to pester, people would say ‘okay, do give something’ and have it just to satisfy her. She might have many works in the house, but still she would not hesitate to go and take care of relatives or friends admitted in the hospital. In many cases, she would have helped them to get admitted in the hospital..

If some item was cheap, she would go and procure it and distribute it unmindful of the expenses incurred for buying it. Even if she took the cost of the item, she would not share the bus fare etc., In those days Leo coffee used to give gifts for the coupons on purchase of coffee powder. She would request me to buy coffee in Leo shop and collect the coupons to give to her friend's friend. She would even walk all the distance to get them the gifts. I used to tell her why she should trouble yourself and whether she did not have any other work. She would say,’ பாவம்டி அவ, லஷ்மி. It would be useful for her' (though she would already have 2 coffee filters at her house!)

When the universal temple was built in Ramakrishna math, she used to collect donations for and hand over all the money to the mutt without delay and get blessings from Swamiji .She was an ardent devotee of the Ramakrishna math and she had introduced many people to the mutt. My brother's family, our friend Baby’s family, Jayam Chithi (Ragavan Chithapa’s wife) and many more have gone to mutt because of her inspiration.

One remarkable quality of Vanaja was that she would always remember the help somebody has done. She would recall the list of help rendered by them immediately on meeting them. Sunda manni’s brothers who had helped her in Delhi once met her later. when she recalled the help done by them, they felt bad that her husband was not alive, she said,' that is my fate. But you helped me in times of need.’ Shri.Gopu, when I rang up to enquire about his wife’s demise was all along talking about Vanaja. Anyone who had known her would always remember her and recall her with a lot of love. Such was her quality and it is very rare to come across such a person.

For Vanaja school was her No. 1 priority and she would give even her life for it. Everything would become secondary once she had to go to the school. I don't think she had ever gone late to her school. She was most punctual not only for the school, but even when she was going out for other purposes. She used to take free tuitions for the weaker students of her class. She used to buy books for the poor students or even pester the seniors and persuade them to distribute their books to their juniors who were poor. Not many teachers have such noble thoughts She always wanted her class students to excel in studies.

Her marriage life was very short, she lost her son etc., had suffered very much but still she never used to grumble or feel jealous of any one. She had good contact with her in-laws and used to attend their functions even when they were held outside Madras. Till the end and she was people-loving.

She had a fondness for good snacks. Sampath her brother used to appreciate her for the way she used to prepare variety of tiffin. He used to say ,' if it is Ekadasi, one should visit my sister -you will get kesari, vadai, sambar etc.'. She took care of her parents with great love and affection and cooked well for them (பிரியத்துடனும், பாசத்துடனும் தளிகை செய்தாள்).

The only fear that Vanaja had was for crossing roads. In her final days she did not go out of the house due to fear of falling and making a scene in front of people.

Nobody can forget Vanaja. She was very helpful and such a good athma. Thoughts about her would be ever-green and she was famous and most people knew her and recognize other relatives only if identified as ‘vanaja’s so and so’.

I miss her very much. I feel deeply sorrowed as soon as I enter vanaja’s room and it looks so empty now. I'm sure she would have certainly attained Lord Narayana’s feet.

Lakshmi Ranganathan, friend, mami and sambhandhi


BACK to the Main Page