Remembering Maa .... her death anniversary :::: Mom was the most influential influencer in our lives ... We could not have been what we are without her love and beating with Hockey sticks

It is surprising and not at all surprising that Maa has remained so little known ... almost secret and isolated. 

But she was the most influential influencer in our lives and in character building. 

It appears now ... man making was her forte. Three brought up her own two sons and one daughter. 

But I am sure many of our cousins and all our Didis and Dadas and younger brothers and sisters -- who knew her when they were kids will have fond memories. Her love and affection always had the guiding theme -Spare the Rod and Spoil the Child.

Bamboo-made hockey sticks in Mizoram were her favourite 'tool' to be applied on feet of two brothers. 

Even some relatives' kids were caned by her. But ahe was a fantastic teacher to them. One or two cousins of my dad -- Mom's brothers-in-law that way would rush to her with their books and Tables (Multiples) with typical one-liner -- 

"amra Boudir kacchey porbo (We will do the learning only with Boudi)".

It is not without good reason - one such youngster (to mom) and our uncle in relation Mr Pranab Roy (Babla) a successful careerist with LIC -- rushed to Siliguri on hearing my mother's demise. He stayed with us for 15-17 days till the last rites were completed.

On the day of Shradh .... I saw him wailing leaving most of us emotional. That was mom.

Here are a few samples of the tribute I got in 2019 and 2020.

The made for each other couple ... despite regular middle class nagging and quarrel .... did not stay separately for long.

Mom expired on Nov 10-11 (2019)

Dad followed her ... with in a year Oct 28-29 (2020) 

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It's Pathetic really . I too miss them a lot . Remember my Childhood days spent on their Laps - Mitalee Gupta. Chennai

Pronam ! Jekhanei aachen bhalo thakben aar sodasorboda sobar bhalobasa aar hridoye aachen . - Ashis Roy, New Delhi 

"Shradhanjali.. they are now in a better place than earth.. send your prayers to them to receive continuous blessings of them." 

- senior journalist, Tehseen Munawer 

Parents are precious - T N Ashok, senior journalist and writer

(former Economic Editor, PTI)  

"My prayers are always there. May the Karmayogi souls who shaped a son like you get sadgati. 🙏💐"

- Prafulla Ketkar, Editor Organiser 

Among them Mitalee Gupta (Mitu Di from Chennai) is a successful professional and doing so much well with her family. Her daughter is a medico - who studied in Russia -- before the war was launched. 

My mother was almost like Saheli to Mitu Di's mom and my Mom was also an admirer of Mitu Di's singing ability. Thanks Didi. 

Ma with my daughter Tanvi ::: 

My love for fiction reading, and belatedly writing came from my mom's

 love/craze for Bengali fiction..... dad was never much thrilled by the idea of 'power of written words' etc.

Our daughter Tanvi was taught how to blow 'Shankh' Conch  by my mom. 

My mom's weakness !! An acclaimed artiste

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"During their period we were blessed by your Dad & Mom like close one which we all cherished. 

Definitely their souls will rest in peace in heaven like such kind hearted souls. We prayed to Shri Krishna to bless them & rest of you to live in peace happiness and prosperity."

- Bidhan Chowdhury (and Shikha Kakimoni), (Mr Bidhan (Kaku) served in Nagaland as Sr Principal Private Secretary to the state Government and they were our neighbours in Kohima, Midland House. 

(They have two sweet daughters. The younger one ... Ms Moon (now a Delhi-based educationist) was a great chamcha of my mom. 

She would report everything to mom ... including which films we were watching and all. )

For those taking interest in Nagaland politics may find it interesting to note that Mr Bidhan Chowdhury served as senior PPS to the then Power Minister Neiphiu Rio (present chief minister, Nagaland and president of NPF)  

Dad and his gang of grand children - after Mom's demise in 2019

ends