International Woman's Day: A Tribute to an Angel

Miss Helen Daniel

March 8: International Woman’s Day…a day when womanhood is being celebrated in several ways all over the world. On this special day, I could only think of one woman…Miss Helen Daniel. A woman who made so much of differences in so many lives, she is known as Bari (maternal aunt), Boju (grandmother), Chhema (maternal aunt), Phupu (paternal aunt), Didi (elder sister), and Bahini (younger sister) to so many people in so many fond and great ways.

Among her siblings, she was known as Kalo Pothy (the black hen) because she would protect all her siblings with all her might. At the age of 15, she claimed to be of 18 and started her career as part of the British army in colonial India. At the age of 85, she still receives a stipend from the East India Company!

Eventually, she landed up working with the West Bengal Government Health Services as a TB health visitor. At that time, with the stigma associated with a disease such as TB and the risks of working as a health service professional, people wouldn’t easily take up such a job. But Bari did.

She worked and earned and supported families…not only her own, but of people known and unknown. It’s no great wonder that even today, she is remembered, adored, loved and respected by multitude of people all across the globe. In her own words, “I never married…but see…I still have so many children!”

Miss Helen Daniel

Being a single woman, she brought up more children than two mothers of that era could put together. She shaped more lives than she can ever remember; she stood by the known and the unknown in their times of need, sickness and desolation; she showed her inner strength and courage at times when the strongest of the strong would have crumbled. Her love and affection is still found in her radiant smile and gestures. You’d still find her busy all the time on her mobile phone…talking to someone or the other. If you ask, she’d say, “There are so many lonely and old people…if I call, they feel happy. Is there something wrong with that?” Miss Helen Daniel…the savior still of lonely hearts, if not in person but then with the help of technology.

It is true that with age, she has lost some of her physical might. But she still is the same angelic person to the core. She is still trying to live a life for people… if in no other possible ways, then in her prayers.

A woman of substance, she is probably one of those rare women who is called as “ama” (mother) without ever giving birth.

On Woman’s Day, I salute Miss Helen Daniel…my dear Bari…one of those great Indian mango people…who make this world a better place!