A tribute to an unsung heroine

I WISH you would indulge me a little to pay tribute to an unsung heroine in our community.

Many years ago, my wife’s sister, Sivanthree, from Tongaat lost her 5-year-old son, Neelan, in tragic circumstances. Afflicted by deep pain and remorse, Sivanathree decided to do penance by devoting her life to the Divine Life Society, even sacrificing her youngest child Kiran to the Society for a life of austerity, seclusion and celibacy. On hindsight, it wasn’t a wise decision because she effectively lost two sons but she was a simple, humble soul who lived true to the principles of the Society, doing charity among the underprivileged. Not under the glare of the cameras, as some love to do, but quietly. Unnoticed.

Unfortunately she contracted tuberculosis of the liver which developed into cirrhosis, an irreversible life-threatening disease. She had a liver transplant in Johannesburg but complications set in and the doctors performed several more procedures on her frail body at two different hospitals. But all the efforts of the doctors and the support and prayers of her family, friends and relatives proved fruitless, and she passed away. It was a trying time for her family who kept vigil at the hospitals for several weeks.

Though her life was cut short, she won many hearts. Both friends and foes came to her funeral. Relatives who, for some trivial reason, had borne a grudge for decades were there to pay their respects. But why wait for death to bring families together? Couldn’t there have been reconciliation while she was alive?

Her death has humbled me. I thought I could look death in the eye like a warrior, unmoved, arrogant and defiant. But no matter how much religion tries to sugar coat it, the finality of death is overwhelming. T MARKANDAN

Silverglen