My Dear Sister Anita!

I was the youngest of three brothers and on Aug 6th 1970, a little angel was born into our family. Initially I looked at her with some degree of innocent envy, but over the years formed an inseparable bond.

A sister we would dote on… the Soul of our family!

Anita, I can never forget those memories of you going to school in those blue uniform skirts
- walking back home together with friends from school
- your dance classes, your first performance, your Birthdays
- sharing fresh sweets made by mom every evening
- you scoring better grades than all of us
- your first days in college and your good looking friends, some disappointed by calling us anna

Dad’s favorite child. Your seat was reserved next to Dad at Dinner and he made sure you were served first and persuaded you to eat every bit. It was a common sight to see Dad sitting next to your bed the whole night when you were sick.

Anita, having a sister like you is like having a best friend you can't get rid of. We were children of the same family, same blood, have some means of enjoyment in our grasp, which no subsequent relationships can supply...
Anita was a kid sister to all our childhood friends.

We brothers were partners in crime, jumping over the balcony to play cricket, bunking school to watch a movie, robbing chocolates, fight like hell and Anita would be the peacemaker. At home you were always there defending me against odds, at times shielding me from Dad’s fury.

We built mud houses, enacted plays and hung by our hands to a bar to grow taller. To the outside world we all grew old, but not to each other. We shared and remembered private family jokes, family secrets and joys.

You always encouraged me to open up as I was shy and lost by holding back.
You had a close circle of friends from school and later college who became part of our family. You would dress up like a Princess on every occasion and how we brothers used to wait for our Rakhi each year.

Whatever I did, you still loved me. It was nice growing up with someone like you - someone to lean on, someone to count on... someone to tell on!

Sister, you were the most beautiful woman internally and externally I have known.

Can never forget Anita meeting her knight in shining armor at a wedding in Hyderabad. He was the Man every woman longs for humility, sensitivity, faithful, and a good listener.
He enriched her Life. She became spiritually grounded, gained understanding of life and changed how she looked at the world. She was convinced that he loved her better than he did himself and was very happy, it was easily seen in her face.
She gave up her favorite Non Veg food too…

Sister, you were blessed from birth to spread joy wherever you went. You believed that it is not the years lived in one’s life but the life lived in one’s years that counts.

People developed a natural fascination for you. You were a people's person. You were Sincere, Dependable and easy to get along with and have accepted everyone around you for whom and what they are, and showed appreciation for the things they did. You were Large-hearted and made a statement by your every action.

A great planner of happy occasions, you would know favorite things of each relative, friend and even acquaintances. No wonder, everybody wanted your inputs and presence at their functions and weddings. You made our trips to the US a fantastic experience, meticulously planning each day. Still fresh in memory is the trip to Mysore last summer with the whole family and incidentally that was the first holiday for Anvitha.

The birth of Neel brought you immense joy. You were his mirror, shining back at him with a world of possibilities and your love was the fuel that enabled him to do the impossible.
Veda, a cute little pumpkin who you wished was a daughter. You have instilled values and ideals that will stay with them throughout their lives.

Life changed for everyone around my Sister,the moment they heard about the diagnosis.

Anita’s amazing determination to fight for the sake of her kids and Raghu encouraged us to believe that she would pull through. She never feared the call from heaven.

Raghu was a reservoir of strength from whom she was drawing the courage to fight. Constant Prayers and Good wishes of family and friends have played a role in securing for her strength and spiritual balance. She kept her children’s schedule normal and never shared her pain. In Bangalore she would read stories to Anvitha every night before sleeping.

Jahangir asked me once how Anitamma enduring so much of pain, could enquire about his food and accommodation in Bangalore everyday.

That’s Anita for everyone, selfless.

We are proud of our brave sister. Her spirit was strong, but unfortunately at the end the body gave in.

Anita, your Precious Smile, will never be erased from our minds.
Though God granted you half a life you lived life to the fullest. You have left us a treasure of memories to cherish for a lifetime and I am very fortunate to be part of those. I know life will not be the same again, we have to get used to less Sunshine.

Her untimely death has shocked our world of family and friends and we have lost a wonderful sister. She was kind, loving, a good human, a friend, a daughter, a sister, a wife and most important a mother.

What better way to describe her than a family friend from San Jose calling her a true Karmayogini.

Will miss you on Raksha Bandhan.

Thank you Raghu for being such a faithful Husband, Son in law, a fabulous Bro in law and a great Father. The pain is fresh, tears still flow but the memories are our greatest comfort. Remember you are not alone in this moment and we will do everything possible to get you guys over this.

So for now Dear Sister, enjoy life on the other side...


Arun Kumar Parasa
10th Feb 2010
Bangalore, India