In memory of my mother-in-law by Shoban Sen on Worldisround

In memory of my mother-in-law

My mother-in-law, Chitra Banerji, passed away in Delhi in her sleep on February 18, 2002. She was my mother-in-law for 36 years. I had a love-hate relationship with her. She was a special kind of human being - very outgoing, broad-minded, social, and fun loving. On one hand, she was a very loving, caring, and an affectionate lady. On the other hand, she was a very demanding and domineering lady who always wanted to be on the center stage. I sometimes loved her. Sometimes I fought with her.

Inspite of her many serious medical ... (more)

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My mother-in-law Chitra Banerji
17 February 1924 - 18 February 2002

With her whole family in Simla
January, 1993

With 5 grandchildren in Simla
January, 1993

With me in 1993
On the terrace of Delhi house.

With her only daughter in 1993
On the terrace of Delhi house.

On the hills of Nepal
With her two sons and daughter in 1991.

With her whole family
Nepal, 1991

With her daughter and son-in-law
Nepal, 1991

With her grand daughter
On the steps of a Hindu temple in Bhaktapur, Nepal.

With her daughter
In front of a Hindu temple in Bhaktapur, Nepal.

On elephant's back
This picture shows how fun loving person my mother-in-law was. She was a very...

With a village cottage industry worker
This was in the outskirts of Lucknow.

In Kashmir
With elder son and his family (late 1980's).

Family outing
This picture was taken in 1987 in the compounds of the famous old-time...

In Belur Math
Checking out the pictures of religious people being sold by a vendor...

In Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA
Attending granddaughter's marriage reception in 1995.

In Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
Embracing Naomi Ronen at a party thrown on the occasion of her...

On the driveway of elder son's house
In Lucknow with some family members and family dog in 1987.

Tea time
In elder son's house in Lucknow in 1987.

Knitting
In Lucknow with family dog "Jockey".

In her own house in Allahabad in 1990
"Don't worry. I have a well stocked fridge."

Three close friends
From left to right: Chitra, Dr. Sthalekar, and Shakuntala.

With three grandchildren
In elder son's house in Lucknow in 1987.

With a Maharaj
In her old age my mother-in-law became a devotee of the Ramakrishna Mission....

Blessing Chandana
Her grandson Joy got married to Chandana in Lucknow in November of...

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article published 2/18/2002

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Dear Aparna, Thanks for sharing these memories of your mother. I had heard so much from you about her that she was quite real to me, even though I never met her. I know how much you must be missing her. -- Chitrita
— chitrita banerji, March 15, 2002

Please accept my condolences at your irreparable loss. May the departed soul rest in peace. Thanks for sharing the touching tribute. Her memories will remain indelible. I pray God for strength and love for you and your family.

S.K.Bakhshi
— S.K.Bakhshi, March 8, 2002

Dear Aparna, Shoban, Sharmila, and Rupinder,

Thank you for sharing this lovely tribute to your mother. I know what a wonderful woman she was and how she enhanced the lives of her family. I pray you will find peace in your sorrow.
— Janet Katz, February 23, 2002

Please accept my condolence on the sad demise of your mother-in-law. Pray the almighty give you enough strenght to bear the loss and rest her soul in peace.
— Tapan Kumar Roy, February 23, 2002

we love you thamma and miss you a lot
we really can't believe that thamma(thats wat we called our grandama)is gone and we will never be able to speak this word 'thamma' ever again in our life.she was one of the best and the most loving grandmother anyone can have.we all love you thamma and miss you a lot.u will always be there in our hearts.always!!!!
— chunnu,munnu,tunnu,punnu, February 23, 2002

Dear Mr. Sen,
I would like to express my sincerest condolence to you & your family. Having viewed each & every photos truly made me realize that your mother-in-law is a very big loss for your family. However, these pics also shows that she really lived a good life (with a FINE family!) & lived it to the fullest. For that I'm really happy for her & truly believes that she's in a very good place with the Lord. God bless her soul.
— [Eltneg], February 22, 2002

I just can't believe that when i go back to India I won't see Tanu nani again. I was so sad that she couldn't attend our marriage but, she came to meet me in Delhi when I went home for a few days before leaving for the US. That was the last time i spoke with her...saw her, she was so happy and had that sweet smile on her face. I will always remember her as the Nani who could do just about do anything that we youngsters do. She was a very strong lady and I hope that i too can be like her one day. Love you nani and will miss you a lot
— Rumni & Priyo, February 21, 2002

Please accept our condolence on the sad demise of your mother. She has been a wonderful person althrough. I still cherish the memories of our short association off and on when I used to visit Delhi. Pray the almighty give you enough strenght to bear the loss and rest her soul in peace.
— Dr Samir Kumar Chakraverty,samireye@rediffmail.com, February 21, 2002

We will miss you mejdi/mashi.Your royal ways and your affectionate nature will always be remembered by us.We pray that your soul rests in peace and God give the strength to all of us overcome this grief.
— Rumjhum,Chulbul,Chumchum,Deb-brotho and Rita, February 21, 2002

we just tend to take didas for granted dont we? so much that we think that they'll go on, be around forever. what can one say but hope she is at peace...

its times like these that u feel the ties of family pull even more strongly. and i am so glad taht we are a family that through all the distances still loves each other. my thoughts and condolences are with you. with our family.
— rumpa, February 21, 2002

Dear dear Aparna, Shoban and Mimi, We send our sympathy, love and prayers. The love in your family is so special. Aparna's Mom had such a wonderful life, but I know the end of her life is too soon. Much love, Martha, Don, Christopher and Camille
— Martha Crane, February 20, 2002

Aparna,Shoban and Charmila,

Please accept our condolences at your loss. May the spirit stay always in light! Mark Berg, Varteni Mostichian February 19th, 2002
— Mark Berg, Varteni Mosdichian, February 19, 2002

Aparna and Shoban, Please accept my condolences at your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
— Geri Fennelly, February 19, 2002

Aparna, Shoban & Charmila, I was so sorry to hear this very sad news. Thank you so much for sharing this tribute to her. My thoughts are with you all, and I wish you comfort and peace. Mary
— Mary Person, February 19, 2002

Shoban and Aparna, I am very sorry about your loss but very happy for the love of family and friends which you have around you. Although it's a pleasure to know you from work, it is a joy to learn from your website, to send you stamps, and to bump into you and Aparna in the market. Thank you for sharing this story. I wish you and your family many blessings.
— Chip Robinson, February 19, 2002

May her memory be a blessing for you. We were honored to have met her. naomi
— naomi ronen, February 19, 2002

Thank you for sharing this heart-felt tribute of such a remarkable lady, Chitra Banerji. I knew her as “Aparna’s Mother” and fondly remember her kindness and lively spark when we visited her in India. Little did I know that she could also ride a bike!

My condolences are with you, Shoban and Aparna, on your sad loss. I wish you and your family peace. Lisa
— Lisa Sears, February 19, 2002

Shoban and family, First of all, please accept my condolences. Also, thanks for the glimpse into the life of such a fine person; what a touching and personal tribute you have created. It makes me feel that I wish I had known her too.
— Sunil, February 19, 2002