This was written by Aru’s paternal grandfather – Achyut S. Tambwekar.

When Aru was born, he wanted to name her Soudamini, i.e. lightning. He reflects on this, saying “she shined, and vanished, leaving all of us behind”.

The poem evokes strong emotions in us. Nana wrote this soon after Aru passed away. It is only now that we have gathered the courage to share this broadly.

The word नेति means ‘Not only this, there is still a lot more to say’.

shraddhanjali

In continuing with the series on tribute to Arundhati, I share today this lovely letter written by Sriya to me on Aru’s birthday. This letter gives a glimpse to the lovely person that Aru was

Sriya and Aru literally grew up together at National Public School, Indiranagar.

Sriya writes, and I quote

*****

“I wanted to write about Aru on her birthday but I am not confident about my English writing skills so I am sending this as a message…She was awesome in everything she did. I used to have so many names for her….’Thumbalina, Sita mata, delicate darling..

When the entire school was using ballpoint pens, gel pens, Aru was the only one who still used to bring ink pen with a rag! After every exam her fingers used to have ink on them and I used to ask her to use a ball point pen atleast now. But no! she always had her own style.

We used to sit next to each other in class for as long as I can remember,and sports was her only weakpoint. Everytime she passed the ball to the next person, she always used to move to the right.

I remember fighting with the teachers for not giving her the badge for the English Association Vice President because she deserved it the most. I was boiling and yelling while she was so calm and said, ” Its OKAY! Whats there?” I was so shocked at her calmness and that is when I named her ‘Sita mata’

Her uniform used to be wrinkle -free even after an entire day at school, so I usd to ask her, “Hey ARU! does your mum come during lunch -break and secretely iron your clothes? Cause it is impossible not to have a wrinkle on them” She always smiled even though I used to irritate her so much!

During the 10th Standard, I was the one who was unruly , loud, not at all disciplined. Which was the exact opposite of how Aru was…so invariably , the teachers made me and her sit together so that I could learn a thing or two from her. She was so delicate that even if you held her hand tight, it would go red. And her RECORD notes! Oh my God! Those were the best I have seen in my life!

The only time I remember her not getting a book was when she was absent on one day and packed the wrong time-table.

Never have I seen ARU borrow anything from anyone..but she ALWAYS gave what she had…from LOVE to a LAB COAT!

Always before time for everything…such a perfect record!

YES! I had given her a candle to celebrate her first date..because I knew that the guy who would date her would be a LUCKY LUCKY man ..since its the first date he wouldn’t know much but still I always wanted that one moment be as special as possible for her because she deserved to be loved extra0rdinarily.

Sometimes , her little things come crashing down upon me when I am at a signal…a simple ink pen at a store…

I am not that good at writing…I used to ask  her to check if the punctuations and everything else was correct. But for her, I am willing to go beyond my weakness and write that perfect paragraph for the perfect girl.

She was special and will always continue to be special….”

*****

My dearest Sriya, I weep today, reading your sincere , simple, touching letter written from the heart…I am not as good as our Aru in English or poetry…but like Aru, feelings matter to me way beyond anything else.

YOUR CANDLE WAS INDEED USED ON HER FIRST DATE….AT HOME..

It is a treasured relic for her and us, her parents….it lies half used ….half burnt so symbolic of a beautiful life snuffed before time..

Thank you dear SRIYA for your love, words and the candle……

Aru’s senior at CMC Vellore sketched these pics of her.

Thank You, Kiruthiga, for this wonderful gesture.

***

Shilpa Shree is a Mumbai-based writer. She has considerable experience writing for leading business dailies like the Financial Express, the Mint from Hindustan Times Media, the Financial Chronicle and the Economic Times, covering telecom, IT, real estate and infrastructure sectors. She has also provided writing services to educational firms, financial and infrastructure portals and a few leading magazines in India. She has experience of managing social media content and content for a few companies. She is enterprising and always looking for new adventures, the current one being to run a company while managing her two little imps. She would have been Aru’s sister in law.

***********

Aru – An inspiration for life

She had a small built, but had a large heart. We have all known her generosity. People who have known her told me about her poetic talents and her mom told me that she was an accomplished dancer. All this, she achieved while wanting to study medicine, a course that all of us shy away due to the struggle one has to go through while doing it. She not only gained an MBBS degree, but excelled in it.

That is Aru, a fiancé to my bro in law, a wonderful daughter to her parents and her would be in laws, a good friend to her sister in law and me and above all a wonderful human, someone who could be an inspiration and role model to many.

I remember every conversation with her. She wanted to know how my sons were doing, considering the fact that they fell ill frequently. She would get into the line of treatments my pediatrician had suggested and explained why it was being followed so. She loved them and made it a point to meet them and spend time with them at every available opportunity. I used to wonder, how someone with such a busy schedule could make time for an extended family member. I think she had the will and found the way.

A bad road killed her. But her parents keep her alive, in a way that they have turned to be an amazing inspiration to a lot of us. Despite the loss, they rose, gave away an award for Excellence in Pathology to Dr Eliza Koshy. Dr Eliza is a mother who studied and excelled in the postgraduate studies at CMC, Vellore. She went through the perils of this course during her second pregnancy and with young a son in hand. She deserves a standing ovation and it is admirable the Mr and Mrs Tambwekar (who have fondly become aaie and baba to me) could identify such a wonderful awardee despite being clouded in irreparable loss and grief.

My mother always tells me that someone who passes away do not really go away. They live in many ways. I am not sure if this is the way we come to terms with our loss. I loved my grandpa and I still pine for his loss. But many a times I feel his presence.  I feel he is around me, watching me while I do mundane chores on a daily basis.

The last time I met Aru, she spent the entire day with my younger son. Oh, I could see her fondness for him. She did not let go of him. He enjoyed her company too. He sat with her throughout the day, despite him going through a phase of stranger anxiety.  Sometimes I wonder if Aru is around him?

Are you watching Golu Aru? Be around him. Protect him, like my grandpa does to me. You will be missed dearly. Your death has created havoc in two families (only the degree varies). Be with them as they tread the path  ahead.