Bye bye Budida

Budida, our great grandmother, and Mommy's Granny, died yesterday. She was 96 and had had a wonderful life. This picture is of one such recent happy event in all our lives (yes, even mine, because I am actually in this picture, 6 months old in my Mommy's tummy); my Mom and Dad's Indian wedding in February 2008, 8 months after their English nuptials (I am, you see, on the right side of the law). They wanted to have the ceremony at home so Budida could attend. And Budida despite many operations and illnesses, enjoyed every moment of it, as was her wont.

Budida was a lady in charge of her destiny from an early age. She was orphaned young but being the eldest of her siblings, took it upon herself to bring them up. She put herself through university too and then got involved with the Indian freedom struggle, quite enjoying her one night in jail, as a result (that's where Mommy gets her relish for strange situations). Her marriage to a fellow freedom fighter and rising young economist, took her all over the world. She learnt ballroom dancing on the streets of New York, hitchhiked her way through England (on her own, in a sari, in the 1950's) and when she returned to Calcutta, she caused quite a sensation driving 'round in the Buick they'd brought home. But if she drove a fancy car occasionally, she spent more time tramping through rural Bengal spreading awareness about population control and empowering women from the villages with information about birth control. She even wrote a book about it (fortunately Mommy never read it, or I might not have got my little sister). She was involved with charitable causes, specially to do with children's health, all her life. I would tell you more but I am only four and a half and get tired of typing after a while (not like Mommy who types a lot. A lot). But my little fingers will toil on for a minute more because no tribute to Budida is complete without mentioning what an amazing mother, grandmother and great grandmother she was. She was strong, brave, loving and talented (her culinary flair is still talked about) with a real love for life. Mommy said to me yesterday that if she could be half the woman her Budida was then she would have done a good job. I gave Mommy a tight squeeze and said she was doing a great job. And with that, I bid you goodbye; bye bye Bloggies and goodbye Budida, we will love you and think of you forever.

Syon