Nalini Parasram-Rajballie, Chairperson, SWAHA Publications Committee
With hearts full of sadness, we extend our deepest condolences to the beloved Paramacharya of SWAHA, her devoted husband of over five decades, and to her children, grandchildren, extended family, Godchildren, friends and the entire SWAHA community on the passing of our cherished Gurumai, Shrimati Bhanmatie Persad, affectionately known to so many as “Godmother.”
Her final rites were conducted with the reverence and dignity befitting a life well lived. Family, friends, spiritual leaders and members of the wider community gathered to honour a woman whose life was defined by devotion, compassion, discipline and selfless service. Amid the sacred chants, prayers and rituals of the antyeshti sanskar, there was a profound reminder of the eternal truth that while the body is temporary, the soul continues its onward journey.
Listening to the heartfelt eulogy delivered by her daughter-in-law, Mrs. Aarti Persad, one could not help but appreciate the extraordinary number of lives that Gurumai affected. She fulfilled many roles: wife, mother, grandmother, sister, teacher, mentor, Godmother and friend, but in every role she was guided by steadfast love and an enduring commitment to serving others.
To numerous members of the SWAHA family, she was simply “Godmother”. She listened without judgement, discouraged gossip, encouraged personal growth and quietly extended help wherever it was needed. Her concern was not for idle conversation but for people’s well-being: their health, their education, their families, and how they might contribute to society. She offered guidance firmly but always with kindness, believing that those she loved were capable of achieving their highest potential.
For more than thirty years, Gurumai dedicated herself to education as an outstanding Biology teacher at St. George’s College. She was respected for her high standards, remarkable knowledge and dedicated commitment to her students’ success. Teaching was never merely a profession; it was part of who she was. Even beyond the classroom, she inspired new teachers, nurtured young minds and demonstrated through her own example that education is one of life’s greatest acts of service.
Above all, she was a devoted family woman. Family was not defined solely by blood but by love. She welcomed her daughter-in-law as a daughter, cherished her sisters, celebrated birthdays with home-cooked meals, remembered everyone’s favourite foods and thoughtful gifts, and delighted in having children and grandchildren gathered around her. She taught by example that duty is devotion, and that true love is expressed through quiet acts of care, generosity and consistency.
Her grandchildren remember a grandmother who patiently taught them mathematics and science, encouraged them to garden, nurtured their curiosity, laughed at their jokes and ensured they understood the importance of serving others. Her Godchildren remember someone who celebrated their achievements, supported them through difficulties and always held them to the highest standards because she believed in their potential. Her colleagues remember an exceptional educator, while the wider community remembers a woman who gave without seeking recognition.
The enduring partnership between Gurumai and the Paramacharya stood as a powerful representation of mutual devotion and shared service. For more than fifty years they worked side by side, dedicating their lives to family, faith and the SWAHA movement. Their marriage reflected a partnership built on love, respect, sacrifice and a steadfast commitment to uplifting others.
Although words cannot reduce the grief of losing someone so deeply loved, Gurumai leaves behind a legacy that death cannot diminish. Her lessons continue in the lives she shaped; her kindness lives on in the countless acts of service she inspired, and her life remains a guiding light for generations to come.
As we mourn her passing, let us also celebrate a life lived with purpose. May we honour her memory by embracing the values she exemplified: compassion, humility, discipline, generosity, service and steadfast devotion to God and humanity.
May Gurumai’s noble soul continue its divine journey, and may her beautiful legacy forever inspire all whose lives were blessed by her presence.
Om Shanti. Sita Raam.
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