Sigi sadly announces the sudden demise of Ms. Mahema. We salute Mahema, a woman achiever in her own right.

As the car swerved to avoid the lorry, racing at breakneck speed, the front door flung open, violently propelling Mahema out. That was in 1972 when Mahema was just 32. The accident changed the course of her life. Or, did it?

Born in Chennai, Mahema graduated in Fine Arts from Stella Maris College. A love for art brought Mahema and Manohar together and marriage followed. After a short teaching stint, Mahema completed her B.Ed, and then her M.A. in Literature. Manohar was an engineer by profession, and artist by choice. His studies took them to the US, where Mahema worked in Asia House, playing House Mother to adults of various nationalities. They returned in 1972 along with their daughter Sujata. Life seemed picture perfect! Until the accident.......

Spinal injuries rendered Mahema a quadriplegic, and confined her to a wheelchair. After eleven months in hospital and a Rehabilitation Centre, Mahema finally came home.......to reality! Everyday chores that were take for granted, now became an effort. At about the same time, Manohar's vision began to deteriorate. Twist of fate? The perfect scenario for depression to set in!

But, Mahema fought back with her characteristic sense of humour, and a deeply entrenched faith in God. Having always enjoyed writing, she now learnt to use her shoulder muscles with the help of a splint, to write. And write, she did.....articles on issues she felt strongly about, journals on things that touched her, letters to friends and "kitchen poems"............ some comic, some filled with pathos and pain. She also began teaching spoken English to diplomats and other foreigners. She created her own little window to the world!

Today, her mission in life is to help the unfortunate. Along with Manohar she devised a unique way to do so. The couple used Manohar's line drawings to create greeting cards. Later, large corporate houses flocked to place orders, and last year they printed 14,000 cards. They graciously distributed the Rs.1 lakh profit, to deserving organisations.

Mahema has a naughty glint in her eye, belying her 60 years! Her tinkling laugh is contagious. More salt than pepper in her hair, she radiates warmth in her smile. In today's world, where more marriages break than survive, it is refreshing to see Mahema blush, as she talks about Manohar!

With Manohar's deteriorating vision, she knows he depends on her. She is there for him, just as he stood years ago, firm as a rock beside her, helping her cope with life! With Sujata married to an American Diplomat, circling the globe, Mahema and Manohar rely on each other for support.

Mahema is a poem in courage. She battled with life, grappled with circumstances, and eventually came out wiser. " I am grateful to be alive, grateful to life. I could never have coped without God, prayer, Manohar and my family!" she says. As a parting shot she softly lets out her little secret mantra " Don't let little things bog you down. Aim higher. Ask yourself how you can help someone".

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