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Saturday, December 26, 2020
Sara, one of the fragrant ever-smiling beads of the Panchmala (garland of the five beads) pg. 11 translation
The five of us, Sara, Amelin, Saifee (Lukhadia), Yusuf
(Kundawala), and I (Mannan Ranapurwala) were known as Panchmala amongst our
friends. We all used to study together during our high school years. We
frequently had a lot of fun meeting on Wednesday evenings at Amelin Christian’s
house to hear our favorite radio program “Binaka GeetMala” and used to have
lots of fun. Those were the days of studies, fun, and mischief. Our fragrant
bead of Panchmala was lost in 1987 but her fragrance has stayed forever in our
minds.
Approximately 55 years ago, Sara was the first Bohra girl to
matriculate from high school in Dahod. In those days the girls never used to
graduate. In spite of people throwing stones at her, she was never afraid, and
continued her studies.
In the last year of high school all the members of the
Panchmala acted in a play. Sara and I had major roles in the play. Our
friendship became even closer through this experience.
In 1959 Amelin decided to go to Baroda Nursing College for
further studies. Sara wanted to go too but she had problems to face. In those
days the Bohra society was not ready to accept her becoming a nurse but Sara
made a bold decision and headed to Baroda to study nursing also. Yusuf went to
medical college in Bombay and Saifee and I used to go to Baroda regularly to
meet her and encourage her in her studies.
In 1962 she came back to Dahod with a nursing degree and
joined the Railway Hospital as a staff nurse. People used to throw stones at
her when she bicycled to work. I used to frequently drop her off at the
hospital, especially for her evening duties.
I saw Sara last in 1986 when she came for her final visit to
see to her friends and relatives. Sara knew that the cancer would not let her
live much longer and she wanted to have her wish fulfilled to meet everyone for
the last time.
Mannan
Ranapurwala
Sara, my bosom buddy. (Page 15 translated)
Sara, my bosom buddy.
Everybody used to know us as the beads of panchmala (the
garland of five beads.) My mom used to work as a nurse in Saifee Maternity Home
and our family used to live in the adjacent quarters. Sara’s home was very
close to my house so it was very natural for us to study and play together all
the time.
Our friendship was so close that we did not ever like to be
apart. We studied together from fifth standard all the way through nursing
college and graduated together. I was always impressed by her progressive thoughts
and courageous actions. She was so focused and determined to become a nurse
that she was willing to face any obstacles in her way.
Today, in this age, we talk a lot about women’s empowerment
on a global scale, but back in those days Sara had to fight against societal
forces for her right to achieve her dreams.
Perhaps in her younger days she was motivated to become a
nurse by watching my mom at work. She continued
her dream to become a nurse with courage and determination from then on. It is
a sad story that her body did not win against cancer even though she was able
to successfully fight societal forces earlier in her life.
I am happy that because of the progressive steps she took in
her life Sara’s name will be unforgettable and she will live on in our memory
as someone who fought for women’s respect and empowerment.
Amelin
Lewis (Christian)
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