Thank You Panita !!!

Some years ago, in an informal chat Ramesh Father said, "Entry of Panita into SOS HGHSS is one of the best phenomenon for our organization. My kids of SOS CV have started living their childhood since then. And when she walks, it is as though a dancer is walking." I couldn't agree more. Indeed, children who dreaded to go to school had started pestering their parents to take them school early. My kids were unfortunate; they couldn't attend your classes because you arrived late for them. Whenever a crying little baby went to your arms, they found another caring mother. At home, they could've got few slaps, but at school, they received nothing but love and care. They found your class to be homelier than the home. You brought smiles to their faces. They lived their childhood to the fullest. As an early childhood teacher you weren't comparable to anyone and still, you are not.

Thank you Panita for being so passionate about kids, for letting them enjoy childhood. 

As a focal person of Child Rights in SOS, you were exemplary dealing with the rights of kids. You handled each and every case so efficiently that, as principal, I didn't have anything to do. You listened to the plight of victimized students, counseled them; and you did listen to the offenders and counseled them too. Your way of dealing with all these made you a perfect counselor.

Thank you Panita for listening to the children's woes and caressing their aching heart. 

When you were Pre-Primary Coordinator, the school management was fully satisfied with your work. You not only did what you were told to do, you always did something extra. You regularly reported the activities of the pre-primary section, shared the problems, and sometimes shared with me only when a particular problem was solved. You did nothing but work for the institution in your duty time. Your internal inspiration was worth envying.

Thank you Panita for being a perfect middle manager and leader.

When visitors enter your room, nursery, they become spellbound by the beauty of the room. Your artwork for number, letters, animals, plants and everything kids love is extraordinary. You keep your room always new and you know, it is a very difficult task to maintain room where kids come for the first time. You had to work all the time. Even then your face never showed signs of tiredness.

Thank you Panita for that extra-ordinary zeal and enthusiasm which you have in your heart.

You are an artist. You've melodious voice with all high and low notes is really mesmerizing. And when you dance or teach dance to kids, all your art pours over your students. Ramesh Father rightly said, "When Panita walks her walk looks like a dance." You are an amazing artist. Once I asked you to teach me dance when you were teaching "Shiva Tandava Stotra Dance" to kids. When I had a doubt about my ability, you said that if a person can walk with feet, there is no way he cannot learn dance. Now, I regret, why I didn't become your dance student?   
  
Thank you Panita for making art as a part of your life. An artist is always an inspiration to everyone, at least I think so.   

I never saw you sad; your face was never gloomy. I didn't see your tears,(except for one occasion when I too cried bitterly in my heart). A kind of aura of happiness emanates from your face, your body, your work and everything you do. I don't think the words 'worry' or 'sadness' have entries in your dictionary. Sometimes after the school, when you saw me down while I was in the office and you were teaching dance, you came to me, asked me not to worry and lifted my spirits.

Thank you Panita for possessing so much 'happiness' in you in spite of odds in your life, and spreading that happiness to all.

Thank you Panita for being my friend. Thank you !!!

Thank you Shalikram !!

Sun had made its way down the horizon when my cell phone rang. With approaching darkness, my mood was little gloomy. When I looked at the phone screen, I was not the least expecting the person to be on the phone. It was a pleasant surprise; Shalikram you were there on the line. You said, "Namaskar, just wanted to say hello when I was in the valley." Our conversation lasted a few minutes.  You were staying at your boys' in Kausaltar. You said that if the conditions favor, you'd see me in my office next day. I was delighted to hear that. I knew you'd do it when you think you should.

Next day you called me from New Baneswhor and I rushed to escort you to my office. We chatted for about ten minutes and you left. It was such a joy to chat you with so dear friend of mine, that too after so long period of time.

Thank you Shalikram for sparing few minutes of your precious time for a friend.

Right from the time you joined SOS, we became close friends. And, that closeness has remained till date. And, I don't think it will fade away in future. I vividly remember the day we had the meal at your house. You'd invited us to the morning meal. We all sat cross-legged on mats and started eating. The memory of delicious meal prepared by bhauju still fills my mouth with water. Especially, I remember the amount of Ghee I have taken that day.

Thank you Shalikram for inviting us to make us a part of your family.

It was around 2065BS, my house was under construction. At that very time, new members were being added to K.S.C. board as the shareholders. Actually, I wanted to get involved in that institution right from the beginning but circumstances evaded me badly then, and my misfortune this time too, the same happened. When I talked to you about the matter, you suggested so many ways to manage the funds. You even proposed me to help personally. It was me who couldn't dare because I was in debt.

Thank you Shalikram for being so close and giving a helping hand.

In 2014, Mr. Helmut Kutin, Honorary President of SOS KDI, visited Itahari. I was in the post of acting principal. You know the way we welcome dignitaries in SOS. Students were lined up along the road to welcome him. So did other co-workers. Class teachers were to stand behind the respective classes. As a leader, I requested all the class-teachers and other teachers to do the same. Lady teachers from primary section did the marvelous job. Among senior teachers, you were the only one who stood alone behind a row of your students. At that time, I wanted to hug you tightly and thank you from the core of my heart.

Thank you Shalikram for understanding plight of an administrator and act in the friendliest manner possible.

As a principal of the school I had to address plethora of problems; from cleanliness of the floor to contacting DEO; from supervising classes to sending reports to National Office; from dealing with problematic students to dealing with undutiful staff. Many times, my mood would go down. Every time I was down, you were there to offer me help and encourage me with your actions and words.

Thank You Shalikram for being a wonderful colleague to whom I will be indebted all my life.

I know you are like father to your younger brothers. You've spent so much of your resources to educate them and settle them in their spheres of life. In this selfish world, how the eldest brother does all this for three of his younger brothers. You are an exemplary human being for the society and a rare species of human being. I know God will always do you good. Because you've always done well. You've loved your parents, cared for them and obeyed them without conditions. You are a hero to your parents, to your brothers, for me, and of course for society you live in.

Thank you Shalikram for being so good son and so good brother.

Thank you for being my friend.