Deepa who goes about Lighting (& Lightening) Lives Around

As Deepa Jayesh leaves the company of kindergarten teachers of Rajagiri, there is much tears wept - excepting couple of them standing stoically, all the rest have tears.  The tissue box is kept ready for making the torrents of eyes and nose in check. 

Deepa Jayesh from Thrippunithura, settled in Chennai is the wife of our (Sacred Heart) alumnus Jayesh.  Jayesh is long gone from Qatar on account of health reasons, but Deepa is actively on our closely knit alumni circle, participating in its meetings, being the animator by compering, introducing games etc. We all treat her as our alumna or more than that. 

She has to go back, at least for the time being, leaving her job as Kinder Garten teacher and II KG coordinator, as her daughter appearing for the baord examination requires her support with no one else  around available for her at this crucial juncture. 

Head of KG section, Kajal narrates something to substantiate Deepa's outgoing nature.  Deepa is in the hospital.  In the waiting area, someone is there appearing a little lost, or drained of energy.  Deepa reaches out, initiates conversation, helps her to unburden, and then speaks about her role - she is the trained counsellor of the hospital.  The friendship has only thickened, and she is on regular diet of Deepa's counsels.  Now she feels emotional as Deepa is departing from Qatar, and Deepa has to fortify her reminding that she is a professional counsellor. 

You go shopping with Deepa, the vendors of various items, the taxi drivers they are all greeting Deepa Ma'am.

Deepa is ever a learner - she is suffering from learning new things! She has to keep on learning. It can be Psychology, Child Psychology, NEP, dance, yoga... She has to keep on learning, and she is willing to do that. In her path of self-discovery, she feels it is important that one is honest; however, to her white lies can be accommodated - they mean no harm, and are a practical way of putting people at ease, while having one's freedom.  Apparently, she is now training her friends in building up this skill. 

You travel with Deepa - best thing is that you are comforted by a lively chirping company; at the worst end - it could be that you will not be let to sleep! Renu frets about her first travel with a lay over of a few hours.  Deepa is company and she doesn't even realise there is lay over.  Moreover, by the time they had ot part ways at Abu Dhabi, Deepa has created new common friends for both, and ensured that Renu is having company on the next leg of travel. 

As Head of the department, Kajal finds her an able coordinator, and the school has to struggle to find an apt replacement.  Christina can't repress her sobs when she recalls how she could have her son be made comfortable with reading and writing under Deepa's continued instruction - a 180 degree transformation.  But still they have their fights - which do not last. So favours do not limit freedom to differ, and even fight. 

What Radhika finds best about her is that in spite of her being much senior to her, she has not hesitation in coming to her juniors to ask for clarification, to learn something new.  The Vice Principal feels that her seniority has never come in the way of her beeing the bubbling presence that she is.  

Deepa is also stoic with her Yoga trained person - no tears.  After all we are all connected. Hema also doesn't cry as she has a gut feeling that Deepa is going to come back. 

In the small place of Rajagiri, Deepa has lighted a lamp befitting her name. People have felt 'lighter' thanks to her presence, and 'enlightened' as well. The meeting has turned into an informal conversation irrespective of someone standing there to make a 'speech'.  There are continued interventions and a line of people wanting to share something.  But I have to go.  

May the Lord be the light of your path, Adieu Deepa!  

Rajagiri will miss you, but will hope you will be back again, and perhaps in new avatars with your continuosly added up qualifications!