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I feel all of us shared an unbroken bond of friendship with Aparna
once we became acquainted with her. She was an all-sweet person,
gifted with a honey tongue too, who accepted people and situations
as they are and took particular care to understand and appreciate
them . This consideration given to others naturally earned her the
goodwill of all those who interacted with her. She was a person with a
wide range of interests and she could speak about them authentically
by virtue of her extensive reading and vast personal experience. She
could connect with anybody in a way appropriate to the occasion
and make the company lively with perfect ease. We know how she
enlivened our WhatsApp group by her apt postings and prompt
responses during the dull Covid days. Soft-hearted as she was, any
distress evoked comforting compassion in Aparna and she extended
a helping hand wherever needed without any hesitation.
Aparna had a full house with three elders under her care but a warm
welcome awaited us from everyone in the family whenever we went to
her house, giving us a fine taste of her hospitality. Her patience was, I
should say, monumental. It was an enlightening experience to watch
her patiently work her way to bring opposing elements to a cordial
agreement by her sweet and gentle approach. A very jovial person, she
enjoyed all the simple pleasures of life with everybody adding cheer to
them but never lost her calm during stressful situations. Due to this
balance anything could be discussed with her with a surety that her
considered opinion would be valuable.

Aparna’s sudden disappearance from the scene of life was shocking
indeed. To think that she is not there at the end of a phone call or a
ST.TERESA’S COLLEGE (AUTONOMOUS), ERNAKULAM
short auto ride is very painful and sad. We console ourselves thinking
of her family and finding compensation in the shimmering memory
trails she has left behind for everyone of us. She was with us, so far,
visibly mingling with us but she has now crossed the bar to meet The
Pilot and having merged with the elements, she is present everywhere.
So, we wish to affirm that our dear friend is still in our midst loved,
missed, and remembered by all.

Smt. Jayanthi P
Retired Professor, Department of English

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