The torchbearer of change

A crowd of camera lights flashed simultaneously as I entered the hospital, unaware the news which would devastate my life forever. I ran haphazardly, stumbling over the stairs, corridors, lift, and ran into my relatives at the hospital floor. Their eyes were cast downwards, and I knew through the look on their face that she was no more. When I entered the Intensive Care Unit with my sister, I saw her lying body, eyes shut, all the machines disconnected; peaceful, beautiful as always. My loving grandmother was gone in the land of no return.

A trailblazer who enlightened the society on the importance of women's education, Nurjahan Begum breathed her last on May 23, 2016. I have been extremely privileged to be her granddaughter, to have shared so many beautiful memories together in this lifetime. On the eve of her 92nd birth anniversary, I present a personal tribute to honour this legend. 

Born on June 4, 1925 to renowned journalist Md Nasiruddin and Fatema Begum, Nurjahan Begum is the first woman journalist in Bangladesh, and became the editor of Begum, the first magazine in the subcontinent to exclusively cater to women. It is now in its 69th year of publication.

Her many contributions to society includes working for women's empowerment in rural and urban areas of Bangladesh, and active social work to support underprivileged women and children, which earned her many national awards. They include the 'International Women's Day award 2010, Bishesh Shomannona: Prothom Nari Oggrodut, Annanya Shahitto Purushkar, Tribute to Lifetime Achievement Award and Ekhushey Podok 2011. 

I recall many memorable moments with her. When I was about 14, she gave me first culinary lessons. She taught me to hold the knife in one hand and peel off the skin of fruits and vegetables with the other. She used to sit on a stool nearby and cook on the ground leveled stove. Initially, I observed her cooking and later, she gave me step by step instructions on every meal. She was a great cook! On special occasions, such as on Eid, I would visit her early in the morning and sit by her, watching her prepare special dishes, especially our favorite sweet chicken roast. It was mouthwatering, more so because of the love with which she served it to us. On her last days, she was unable to move much from the bed. However, she guided her cook to prepare the meal so that we wouldn't miss having our favourite dish on Eid. 

I remember when I was young I spent almost all my month long school vacations at her place. During the stay she would take me to the Begum office with her each day and I had the fortune to watch her work on the magazine up close. Hence, my initiation into journalism took place while working with her and led to my building a career in professional writing. I am forever grateful to my grandmother for influencing me to write and pursue a career in writing.

During vacations, we had the most delightful heart to heart conversations. On beautiful summer afternoons I used to rest beside her and hear stories of her childhood days, education, friends, work life and so much more. She had a very graceful tone and spoke in the most sophisticated and articulate manner. Instead of falling asleep, I would eagerly listen to her for hours, share experiences and take advice from her that will stay with me all my life. In other words, she was my friend, the one who always emphasised on being a good human being and helped me take important decisions in life. 

Apart from being one of the most sophisticated women of her era, she was a person of honour and led a simple life. I recall her mentioning the struggles she faced in her childhood when her father struggled to pay in the expensive Kolkata city in the early 1940's. Later in her life, she was bestowed with fame and fortune. However, she never behaved arrogantly with anyone and continued to greet people with her ever charismatic and charming yet self effacing personality.

Most of the time she was keen on her work and hardly did I see her being preoccupied with material things. I was taught to live simply no matter who I would become and it is a lesson from my grandmother that I will treasure for lifetime. While her passing is a personal loss for me and our family, her absence will be felt all over the nation – she had so many admirers and well-wishers. I have lost my grandmother forever and never will I get her back again. All I can do now is to try imbibe the values that she has tried to teach us and attempt to follow in her footsteps. 

The writer is Nurjahan Begum's granddaughter.