Death has no boundaries. It touches everyone, someday or other, however much you lull yourself into thinking that it will not happen to you. And it came to embrace my bau this Friday evening without notice; on October 11 at 6 pm right after she talked to the priest regarding the puja list of things she needed to keep ready for the forthcoming Lakshmi Puja to be performed at home. She suffered a bout of cough, asked Nanida, her loving husband who was always at hand to look after her every wish, for some water and before he could fulfil this last of wish of hers, she breathed her last leaving everyone shell-shocked. She went peacefully without suffering and without bothering anyone.
Chitralekha Das, my eldest sister- in-law whom we brothers call bau and the elders by her nick name Tultul, was a pious lady, had always been busy looking after God till her death. Her day started with puja in the morning and ended with prayers, everyday invariably. In between, she devoted all her time looking after not only her family, but the whole extended family consisting of relatives and anyone who needed help. That is why, she was respected and loved by everyone in the family and community at large. No wonder her two sons, Raktim and Pritom, have grown up to be fine human beings, well educated and successful in their chosen professions. Lately more than her own health, she was more concerned about looking after,with love and care, Nanida, her husband and our eldest brother, who is known to others as Nikhil Kumar Das, the former Member(Technical) of ASEB.
Tultul bau lived life on her own terms. She symbolised the value system that our family has grown up with - live an honest life, think good of others and have faith in God. Born to late Chandra Kumar Mazumder and late Hiromoyee Mazumder at Shillong on July 24, 1951, she grew up in the serene surroundings of Shillong, finishing her schooling from Laban Assamese Girls High School in 1968 and her BA from Lady Keane College in 1972. Subsequently, she completed her MA in Political Science from Gauhati University though she never indulged in politicking in any sphere of her life. She was an ardent player of badminton and also actively participated in dancing and acting in her childhood in the shows organised at Shankar Mandir, Shillong.
On her journey to heaven, she left behind her husband, her two sons and daughters-in-law, her two grandchildren as well as a host of admirers in family and friends. On this day of her Addya Shraddha, we remember her tearfully and wish her peace and tranquility in her new abode in heaven.
– Dr Bhupati Kumar Das