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| what scared the braveheart: I knew Susmita from when she was admitted under my care at Sri Aurobindo Seva Kendra at Jodhpur Park. She was suffering from acute appendicitis and I operated on her. She gifted me signed copies of all her books. Later, she had a hernia and underwent a second operation. She used to call me often for all her medical problems till a few years ago. She was always scared of surgery despite her heroic endeavours for which she shot to fame. |
On a hot and humid afternoon about seven-eight years ago, when I was posted as the chief public relations officer of Eastern Railway, a lady entered my chamber and introduced herself as Susmita Bandyopadhyay. The name rang a bell but before I could ask her anything further, she herself said that she was the author of the book, Kabuliwalar Bangali Bou. I stood up and offered her a seat. She sat down and gulped down a glass of water. She was perspiring heavily, having been out in the sun for some time. She was simple, straightforward and unassuming and said she had come to meet me with a train reservation request. That, of course, was done and then she sat down for a while for a chat. Within minutes of interacting with her, one was bound to be attracted by her steely resolve, her fiercely independent thinking and her strong views on life. In my interaction of 30 minutes or so with her, I thought I had met an individual mentally stronger than most of us and a fighter to the core. She promised to gift me a copy of her book and left. That was my first and only interaction with her. The news of her death is shocking. I was rendered speechless at the brutal snatching away of this independent brave individual. RIP Susmita.
Soumitra Majumdar
Chief Public Relations Officer, South Eastern Railway
As a resident of Dum Dum Park, I am a regular morning walker around Tank No. 4 and its adjacent area. Last year, soon after Puja, I had a chance meeting with Susmita Banerjee. I had often seen her during my walks. That day, when I saw her, I greeted her Shubho Bijoya. She returned my greeting and bent down to touch my feet. I quickly moved away and told her that I do not like anybody touching my feet. I also told her that I had a colleague whose wife shared her name. On returning home, I narrated the incident to my wife, appreciating and admiring the gesture. But I had no idea who she actually was. I came to know of her identity only after news of her death flashed on television channels. That short meeting has remained etched in my mind.
A.K. Mukhopadhyay,
Dum Dum Park
lI didn’t know Susmita Banerjee personally but I did get a chance to meet her once. I was in junior school then and had gone on a picnic organised by a group called Khola Mon comprising intellectuals from in and around Nandan. At the picnic, a lady introduced herself saying “Apnara to nischoi Kabuliwalar Bangali Bou porechhen. Ami-i holam shei Kabuliwalar Bangali bou.” And she smiled.
Abhirup Chakrabarti,
Chennai
I did not know about Susmita Banerjee until her murder in Afghanistan. From all that I have read about her, she seems to have possessed an indomitable spirit which led to her facing a lot of challenges in life. She shall remain an inspiration for all women facing problems in life.
Sampad Dutt
As a resident of Madurdaha, I would like to share my experience after reading Home nightmare in no-man’s land, August 14. We have been denied basic amenities by the civic body. There are no sewerage lines, no garbage disposal system, no roads. The area turns into a dirty pond after just five minutes of rain. The sewer pits are overflowing and the stagnant water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes and waterborne diseases.
We have spotted poisonous snakes roaming freely and it becomes dangerous to venture out after dusk in the absence of proper lighting on the roads. Such is the condition of the roads that even rickshaws refuse to ply. Accidents are common and we are lucky to get away with a broken bone or bruises. When will the authorities listen to our pleas?
A resident of Madurdaha
Silence pleaseReckless driving and honking without reason have become common on city streets, making it scary to drive at peak hours. Involving schoolchildren to raise awareness (Students make a noise about honking, September 10) is a unique idea. Hefty fines should be introduced for honking in front of schools and hospitals. Also, there is a tendency to start honking when the traffic light turns green. This should be discouraged as well.
Benu Kumar Bose,
Jalvayu Vihar, Sector III, Salt Lake
The no-honking campaign is a laudable initiative. But honking is unavoidable in the city because of constant lane change by motorists and jaywalkers on every road.
Govinda Bakshi,
Budge Budge
lWhat elders have refused to learn is now being taught by schoolchildren. Three cheers to them for braving the sun and pollution to raise awareness. The campaign must continue but the children should be provided with caps and pollution masks when on duty.
Rakesh Bhatia,
Loudon Street
One must visit Colootola Street to witness the celebration of honking, oblivious to the Calcutta Medical College Hospital. No traffic constable ever reprimands the drivers for honking.
Aritrik Dutta Chowdhury,
Calcutta University
I congratulate sergeant Anjan Debnath on his timely action in saving the injured golden retriever (Best friend rescued, September 5) and pray for the dog’s speedy recovery.
Bela Majumder
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