A language enthusiast, Pratibha will be dearly missed by all
dubai — Wordsmith. That would be how readers of Khaleej Times (KT) remember Pratibha Umashankar. After working as an English language teacher at the Indian High School, Dubai, Prathibha joined Khaleej Times in 1999 where she worked for Young Times (YT) for eight years.
Prathibaha, 60, died on Sunday at a hospital in Bengaluru, India, after a prolonged illness. She handled the extremely popular column Wordsmith’s Word in which she discussed the nuances of the English language with its readers.
A perfectionist to the core, she worked with YT and the WKND magazine until she left KT in November, 2010.
However, she continued her association with KT through her articles for various sections of the newspaper. A quiz enthusiast, Pratibha had hosted several and was part of several quiz associations. QuizYT, the YT interschool quiz owes much to her experience and enthusiasm.
The words ‘no’ or ‘cannot’ were never part of this literary expert’s dictionary. However difficult the task was, at the end of the day she delivered before deadline. Extremely dependable, going out of her way to get tasks done, she was the kind any organisation would love to have and keep.
Leaving KT did not mean her fervour dimmed. She continued the passion of writing, editing, quizzing and translating.
Her love for the English language, in fact, kept her going despite her illness.
Early this year she completed translating the Kannada masterpiece Shikari by Yashwant Chittal into English, a task offered by Penguin Random House India. “It was a very challenging project,” she had said, but knowing her she enjoyed it to the core.
Being a YT enthusiast, she was extremely excited about the relaunch of the magazine. “Wish you all the best for YT’s rebirth!’” she wished us. We will miss you Pratibha, your writings and your occasional mail.
Pratibha is survived by her daughter Rachana. Her funeral will be held at 10.30am today at her hometown in Bengaluru.
roopa@khaleejtimes.com