Juthudi was a central presence in my life throughout, from earliest childhood, when I remember her from my first home in Janak Road, Kolkata--Juthudi was living with us, and-- I remember-- still young enough to wear a skirt rather than a sari. One of my fondest memories of those days was of Juthudi, my young cousin Moni, and myself being terrorized by a cockroach in our flat in Janak Road. Juthudi ran screaming to the balcony-- the furthest point away from the cockroach-- with Moni and I-- just past being toddlers--running screaming behind her. Yet, only a few year later, Juthudi the dedicated student and biologist, had a Ph.D. in botany-- thus setting herself up as an academic role model for me for the rest of my life. I remember that during her first meeting with her future husband, Mrinmoy, overcome with nerves, she grabbed me and had me sit on her lap during that entire first meeting between them. After her departure to the UK, I, too, had the good luck to find myself in the UK, as a 16-year old. During my school and university holidays, I would often spend time with Juthudi and Mrinmoyda in Kidsgrove, Staffordshire, where I would watch the very young Roshni perform amazing athletic feats, a harbinger of her future as a star athlete (among her many achievements). When Juthudi and family moved to Canada in the late seventies, I, too, moved to the US for grad school, and our contact was maintained throughout. We would meet in Regina, Calgary, back in Kolkata, in Santiniketan, and in various other locations. There was always a very special bond between her and myself-- I regarded as her my own elder sister rather than a cousin. There was nothing I could not talk to her about, and she was unfailing in her good counsel to me and affection for me. To watch her physical distress in her last years was very painful, but she was always mentally strong, and always inspiring. I will miss you very much, Juthudi! Love from Dipankar.
