Appreciations

A true and sincere friend is a gift from God. A close, caring, sharing and enduring friendship is, indeed, a special blessing. I was fortunate in being so blessed for more than half a century, immersed in a wonderful association with Sriyani, my dearest and best friend since we were little schoolchildren.

I pen this tribute on a personal note to my friend, Sriyani, with a lot of sadness and deep sense of loss. It is two years since you left us. Or, is it that long? I’m confused. No, you have not left us; I feel your presence among us in spirit.

Everyone needs someone to turn to in good times and bad, especially difficult times; and for me, Sriyani, my trusted friend was always there like a beacon of light to turn to. She never failed me in all these long decades. She was a friend for all seasons. I appreciate it all the more when considering that she somehow found the time to nurture and keep our friendship alive at all times. There were many occasions when for years at a time we would be in two different countries, and yet, never lose touch. This was whilst having to attend to her large extended family, her numerous commitments as Chairperson of the Mackwoods Group of Companies, her religious, professional, charitable and many more activities.

How do you manage to fit in all the things you do, I would ask her and tease her that she must be having 48 hours in her day. She would acknowledge this with a charming, modest smile. Praise, publicity and adulation embarrassed her no end. At such times she would hide if she could. Such was her nature – so unassuming and simple to a fault inspite of her numerous achievements in life. “No time” and “too busy” were terms unknown to her.

Sriyani was a rare type of person. She had the capacity to enjoy little things in life. There was always the hidden little girl in her. This brings to my mind my last birthday card to her. It had a picture of two little dresses strung up on a line, fluttering in the wind, denoting our friendship from childhood, and inside, it read “I would not change anything”. She was absolutely delighted with it, asked me how I managed to get such an appropriate card, and happily showed it to family and friends. It took us right back to our lovely childhood and it made her immensely happy.

There are no perfect relationships, but ours was one friendship that was perfect, even legendary. Even as little kids, there were no quarrels or any malice between us. If we disagreed on something, it was always a healthy discussion and never an argument; the subjects we liked to chat about were legion. We enjoyed the same interests, be it a concert, the theatre, reading, music, holidays or travel.

Her hospitality was boundless and spontaneous. She took delight in getting a few of us friends together at a time over an informal lunch or dinner in her beautiful home. She was the rallying point, and gave all of us an opportunity to meet and exchange news. Her home was my home – it was always open to me come rain or shine. That world has crumbled and there is a vacuum that cannot be filled. I miss her no end.

As another friend said to me, “Don’t be sad. We are all in the queue. It is just that Sriyani was a little ahead of us.” I take comfort in this thought and shall not mourn her passing away, but will celebrate her life and thank God for it.

Salute to a true and sincere friendship over the years