It is with utmost sadness and grief that I pen down this post- knowing fully well that the two darling women in my life, my mother Greta Noronha and my best friend Suzette Jordan are up there in the heavens and smiling down us all- but the grief of separation is certainly inescapable, especially in a span of 20 days almost.
My mother
Most here would know my mother- Greta Noronha, a jovial, fun-loving and yet a stern-blunt woman. She didn’t care about what the world had to speak of her; she knew what she wanted and got it come what may. Growing up I never understood why she was a rebel, and didn’t believe in the superficial societal and religious norms laid forth- she had a mind of her own, which certainly explains why I am the same. Most would point fingers and talk about her; she stopped socialising for the fact that the society we live in was nothing but hogwash and gibberish. Being a lady who sacrificed her career and gave up her aspirations for our family; she knew how to make a platform strong and supportive enough to manage us all, should she go someday.
Ladies and gentlemen, my darling mother- now an angel is in the arms of her mother and father. Mummy was a patient of dementia for 5 years, and it all began in 2010 but the diagnosis came much late; too late for us to do anything at all. We did our best to give her the most wonderful moments, and even while in the ICU i sang into her ears, I held her hand and told her it was okay for her to cross over, for we will be fine.
Maybe I lied to her then, because no one can even match up to the love of a mother- life has to go on, and that’s why I took charge at home after she was laid to rest. Mummy never expected anything from anyone; she rather gave more than what she could afford. I salute her noble ways of life- little did the hear sayers know she was always someone who would walk up to the poorest around or the animals on the road, sit with them and communicate in her own ways.
No one knows but a very few and for those of you who did meet my mom (friends and teachers alike) would know best- my mum was a very welcoming lady. Her expressions told it all; if she liked you or not, she wouldn’t judge you though. She left you to understand your words, actions and ways in life- never would she impose her ways on you.
Regardless of who you are, where you came from or the kind of money you made, your orientation or beliefs; mummy loved everyone alike. I can only hope and aspire to be a percentage of her in my whole lifetime, or maybe not.
Eternal rest Mom,
I am happy you now are in a better place.
My darling Suzette,
I remember the first time we met, it was in 2014 and that was when I called you and invited you for the civil rights movement at Jadavpur University, Kolkata- Slutwalk Kolkata chapter 2.
The moment I reached your home and it was a bloody scorching day, your warm hug gave me the respite from the elements around!
Over cups of tea we bonded and finally marched that evening, with friends and supporters alike. Suzy as I fondly called you, you gave me the strength to be the individual I chose to be- you told me very clearly – LOVE IS LOVE AND IT TRANSCENDS ALL MAN-MADE BOUNDS. I realise those words ever more now, more than what I could have back then.
Every moment spent with you, at your place with Aunty Karen, with Nicqui and with Rhea and Jade, and yes your lovely cats and the cousins who would drop by- never was I made to feel as though I was an outsider; I was at home.
Shocked and despaired as the world is; I wonder where were all the ‘activists’ who wrote to you and promised help or support, I wonder where were they- but again, a noble lady such as you who judged no one or expected nothing from the world, always told me to be grateful. I am grateful having an angel like you, for supporting me when mums health when bad- when my own didn’t come visiting, you were there.
I am highly obliged for the little things you did for me and I admire your courage of fighting against the political honchos too. I wonder why there was no CBI investigation in your case; Oh I forgot- you were termed a ‘prostitute’ and a ‘woman with fast ways’; so you basically were not human-enough to be thought off as a case- but you fought them all my girl, you did.
People pointed fingers at you and cooked stories about you, made you part of their gangs only because they wanted ‘limelight’- you cared nothing about the same. There were many who wrote obituaries when you passed away – I wonder how noted activists could use RAPE as a joke as an ICEBREAKER.
I am happy that you too are in the arms of your loved ones and are in a better place now. Suzy my mad girl, you are missed terribly; the fun we had, the soul-to-soul talks, the silent music listening sessions, the shopping for dry fish and walks to Behala church every Sunday. Even at church people would snare and glare, but we would laugh them all off!
I hope you are rocking the scene up there darling?
Miss you my madness
Image stylist and social activist
Batch 1996
