Time flies so fast. It’s beyond anybody’s control. Neither Sailaja Didi could control it. She had to flow with the speed of the time leaving her memories amidst us. Her memories, when remembered make all of us shed tears.

After the first general elections of 1991, all the girl members of the Nepal Student’s Union were taking part in the ‘Girl’s Conference’ in Kathmandu . As a President of the Janata Multiple Campus, Itahari, Sunsari, I also took part in the conference. Few of us were invited by Sialaja Didi. During that meet, Sailaja Didi highlighted on several issues that clearly showed her immense love towards the nation. I still remember word by word what she has spoken to us. For her nation stood first. She said, “We all must serve the nation.. Committing corruption is a crime that hinders the smooth development. We must abide by the democratic principles and values.”

Being also the member of the Nepal Student’s Union Morang District Committee, I had chances to meet Sailaja Didi very frequently. During that period Mr. Madan Sangraula was our President of the Nepal Student’s Union Morang District Committee. He has been Sailaja Didi’s one of the dearest brothers though she had been our guardian and we all received similar treatment from her. She loved us all equally.

Last month, I was reading one of the news magazines. A picture attracted me. She looked very lean and almost in a last stage. I was shocked after reading the headline because the lady who was in Intensive Care Unit with an oxygen mask was none other than Sailaja Didi. I wanted to write something immediately but my personal health did not permit me.

Sailaja Didi has been the target of yellow journalism because of her faith in democracy and love towards nation. She was not permitted to get Ambassadorial position to New Delhi because she stood for the nation. Had people of Nepal listened to Sailaja Didi, they would not have face today’s miseries. However, it is sad to say her own party did not listen to her words that might have averted the obstacles on smoothly taking nation towards progress.

I feel I am honored to write few words on Sailaja Didi. She will be remembered as one of the greatest leaders. We all will be missing her. We will be missing her courage, just and principled guidance. I feel profoundly sad missing Sailaja Didi. May the God grant peace to the departed soul.

Kamala Prasai
New York .
kamalaprasai@yahoo.com