LETTER 1: 1st August, 2016
Departure

Dear Ma,

Over the last two days more than 200 people came to express their respect to you, not to mention the outpouring of emotions on Facebook! We had organized a memorial gongyo for you at home on Saturday and people shared the deep impact you had left on their lives. Sunday morning we floated away the last of your remains in the Ganges praying for a peaceful rebirth and new life as Subho and I chanted three daimoku.

Mia wanted us to celebrate your life and hence, we had a memorial meeting for you at Ankur yesterday...the same place where Chandreyee and I had danced, where Mia was introduced and Subho and Madhavi got married! We all came well dressed in vibrant colors as we know you would not have enjoyed a gathering of people dressed in white. 

The entire Dasgupta family was present including Minku, Bipasha, Ashmani, Sharan, Shoma and Titi. So were endless friends and relatives. Mini mashi, Supriya aunty, Tanu mashi, Shoma Boudi, Gautam Neogi, Titkudi and Bapi shared many memories from their interactions with you, your life and your courage! Mashi, Ruchidi, Chirantan, Raj and Rup and Mia sang some of your favorite Rabindrasangeet. You would have been especially proud of Mia.

The place was adorned with bright colored roses and a poster made specially by Mia and Ashmani along with special cards made by Devank, Jahnavi and Geetanjali. We drew solace from the way you lived as in death too, you set an example. We treated everyone to a box of your favorite food from Hindustan Sweets and your ever loved Maaza which was lovingly served by the kids to all and sundry.

Anjali aunty also did a hom for you and Spark yesterday at her place! We even went to her house this morning to have your favorite idlis and masala chai!

But the undeniable truth we are all grappling with is that you were not there! In spirit probably you were happy and omnipresent but in physical form you were amiss! It was heartbreaking to see you left behind inside a photo frame, still radiantly smiling! Bapi wore the new lungi that you had gotten done and many of us were in vibrant green! Wish you were there to witness the tears, the smiles, the joy, the sorrow and above all the gratitude people carried in their hearts for having known you!

Life will move on...it has to! These memories however, will never fade. You would have wanted to see them and hence, the photos!

No words are enough to express what we all learnt from you and sometimes learnt not to do seeing you! But that also we are no longer sure of! In the end, I recited two poems of yours! It was hard to do as you were no longer there!

We have fought and made up so many times before Ma. But this time you are not there around for me to say sorry or love you! But I know, somewhere in the macrocosm our thoughts and emotions will pierce through and deliver them straight to you, without the reassurance of the blue tick on our numerous Whatsapp messages! May you find solace and be born back near Nichiren's Daishonins Buddhism, which was your greatest gift to so many of us! May we meet again in our next lives and be blessed to be loved by you!

We are grieving but in the same breath rejoicing and celebrating everything you symbolized! We love you Ma and you will never be forgotten!