One of the founding members and leading lights of our organization, Swapna di is no longer amidst us. While her absence haunts us and the vacuum that has been left within the extended family of Bengali Cultural Association is unbearable, we cant even begin to imagine what Ranjit da, Munmun, Tulip and Sam are going through. You all are in our thoughts and prayers. May God give you the strength to bear this loss. May Swapna di's soul rest in peace and her indomitable spirit guide us in all future endeavors. ..........................Manaan on behalf of BCAP

My Tribute to my late beloved friend Swapna  

by Gouranga Roy

Swapna isn't with us any more. She has left our world for good and we shan't see her any more. This sobering thought sends a shiver down my spine. The sense of feeling I have right now is weird.

It feels like a big hollow and a sense of emptiness inside me. I know this feeling will remain with me for many years to come, but I have many fond memories of Swapna which will lessen the pain and hurt I feel now.

Swapna was indeed a larger than life kind of person. Through her social and professional networking she met many people and made a lot of friends. Her early death, I should imagine, will affect many of  these people in more ways than one. This is how it affects my family. Let me describe the moment when the news about her death was broken to us.

It was early Sunday evening of the ^23rd November. Chandana, I and a room-full of other people were having a leisurely talk in Chandana's parental home, some 6,000 miles away in Bangladesh. The phone in the next room rang. Someone picked it up and yelled, 'Pishu, your phone from Peterborough'. I left the room to answer the phone. It was Aditi at the other end of the phone. She began by saying, 'Kaku, I have some bad news for you, Swapna auntie has passed away, she is no longer with us'. Aditi continued talking, but my mind at that moment had gone completely blank , my head began to spin and I felt dizziness. I quickly recovered from it only to be faced with the dilemma of whether or not to tell Chandana (my wife) about this. If I did, could she handle it, how would this affect her state of mind given that she isn't a strong-minded person even at the best of times let alone at  a time like this? I put the phone down, entered the room and looked around. What I saw was quite encouraging. She was lovingly surrounded by her family and friends amongst whom she felt quite safe and secure. I was confident that she would be all-right. So, I gently broke the tragic news and left the room. From a little distance I could hear Chandana was sobbing and then crying with no control over the emotional turmoil she was in. Soon, everybody rallied round her and began to console her. It took a good 20 minutes to bring her crying to an end. Chandana will recover from the initial shock of not having Swapna around any more, but the pain and hurt caused by this death will remain with Chandana for the rest of her life.  

Our two families go back a long way. As if by design, both families' children grew up together, albeit in two different households. We shared together, and still do, many of the good times and bad . Chandana sometimes would share with Swapna her innermost thoughts. Swapna would feature quite strongly in all of our family events. I cannot remember or imagine any family event without Swapna playing a major role in it. She would be sorely missed by my family.  

Outside family life, we all know how passionate and committed Swapna was in serving the ethnic communities of  Peterborough. She played a major role in promoting and enhancing women's role in  those communities. She worked tirelessly to help break the cultural barriers she found in these diverse communities. She was involved in various projects designed to provide education, skill training, such as in language, communication, IT and knowledge about their rights and obligations as British citizens. Her contribution in these fields was recognized recently when she won the 'Woman of the Year' award. She made us all proud.     

She also played major roles in Bengali Cultural Association and Peterborough Anand Mela. We both served  on the committees of these organisations, so I had the privilege of seeing her  in action. She was brilliant at times, very efficient and effective in what she did. She left marked impression with those of us who knew her.   

Swapna was a workaholic. She was also a remarkable woman. She was inspirational for many women particularly in the ethnic communities where she led the way for women to be more independent, assertive and take control of their own lives. She proved that if you set your mind on something and had passion, dedication and commitment, you could achieve it even in a  man dominated world.  She never seized to amaze me when I thought how strong and determined one had to be to carry on working like this. Where did she get the strength, energy and courage, I often wondered? After the operation I thought she would now slow down, but oh! no not her . She was just as strong, powerful and committed as ever in doing what she did best i.e. serve the communities. I salute her. She is my hero. She always was. She is a role model for others to follow.

Dare I say one which others will find very challenging.  

Hi Swapna, if you are watching and listening please note your mortal legacy is safe with us. You will live on for ever in our hearts and minds.  

Your loving Sonada and Chandanadi.