Uduvil Women: Ahead of Their Times!

Having been raised by one, I have always admired the intellect and leadership characteristics of ladies from Uduvil.

Samuel Abraham, my grandma's cousin and author of several English language books (A.S. Kanagaratnam) had written proudly about my mother as being the first girl ever to ride a bike, in Jaffna. It was in the 1930's and I wouldn't be surprised if it's a national record. In fact, I first heard this from my best friend's Mom -- when we met for the first time and I was trying to answer her about where I was from and who's daughter -- she said "Oh, I know her from Uduvil Girls' School... very pretty and was the first girl ever to ride a bike to school."

The first thing my mom did when she started teaching was to buy her own car and drive to work. Mind you: This was in late 19-forties/early fifties. She always told me that the challenge was to reverse the car and that she avoided it as much as she could. This was a real car with stick-shift, not meant for faint-hearted ladies. In the seventies when mopeds (cute version of Scooters) showed up she wanted to get one to go for marketing, etc. Me and my brother managed to discourage her -- only because we were not so brave like her.

So it was no surprise that my mom was disappointed that I had not learned to drive even after being abroad for sometime. She would ask my husband to teach me driving and often offered to baby-sit Deepan and sent us off to practice. However, it took 10 more years before I actually muster my courage to drive on the street. But I drive now and I am sure she is very proud.

Just happened to read "women of Uduvil" in Wikipedia and amazed to see it explicitly described as "highly educated" compared to anywhere in the world!

I am my Mother's proud daughter,

VeerajaR

P.S._ Samuel Abraham, my mom's uncle is the son of former Hartley College principal Abraham (my grandma Lily Arulamma's dad--Dr. Breckenridge's brother). The Hartley College sports house "Abraham House" was named after him.

Copyright©2011 VeerajaR

Shining In GOD's Grace!

Shining in GOD's Grace... You

Rest in HIS Merciful Shadow!

I LOVE YOU & Miss YOU, Mummy!

I am my mother's daughter,

Copyright©2011 VeerajaR

With LOVE from our Family

God's GIFT of Love: His Only begotten son!

For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in HIM should not perish, but

have everlasting life!!!

John 3:16

My-mothersdaughter

VeerajaR

Angelic Endurance

God has blessed us...

Choosing the most daring

Among beautiful angels

Dedicating her

To be our mother.

Despite her angelic beauty,

Eminence and intelligence

She suffered greatly

And endured undue

Pain with humility.

But "all that IS...

God's will and plan,

Through which

I was to bring forth...

The blessings that

You are... my children"

Said my mother!

Bless her soul,

O' Lord, my GOD!

For she's a genuine

Angel of yours!

I am My mother's Daughter

Poetry: Copyright©2010 VeerajaR

Mummy's Blessing!

I am my mother's daughter!

Copyright©2010VeerajaR

One-of-A-Kind!

Artists' reception @ Steinway Gallery: Guests & proud one-of-a-kind husband without whom I could not have achieved all that I have---becoming a scientist, artist, Poet, etc. He is one-of-a-kind husband GOD has blessed me with!

I am sure that my one-of-a-kind-mummy---The EXPERT Pianist---is proud of my painting on grand piano lid---titled "Devotion"---to be auctioned on October 9th fundraising exhibition and grand event. The funds raised will be used for Steinway Piano society and Arts Council scholarships to talented students in need.

Isn't that ironic that both PIANO and ART are mummy's realm of expertise---the two things she was passionate about, but literally left on the back-burner in raising me and my brother. I am sure she has something to do with my painting that--in viewers words--one-of-a-kind artwork. I can not believe that I did it: It is GOD's Grace and mummy's blessings!

This is such a cute one-of-a-kind family picture of Dada (G.F. Rajaratnam) with my one-of-a-kind children N&J! Note the "Lion King" cake my daughter insisted on getting him and of course fit for a Raja/King. He was such a quiet and pious gentleman; I miss my one-of-a-kind father-in-law!

GOD IS...!

I am my mother's daughter

VeerajaR

All Is Well!

All is well with the world

When the sky is clear blue

Wearing only the whitest clouds- and

Air is laden with rainbows of scents

Mapped for bees and butterflies

Dancing under the hot sun!

All will be well with the world

When I lie in my little grave…

Just as I am now,

Lying in my hammock – amidst

A busy world breathing, and

Breeding, happiness all around!

Poetry: Copyright ©2010 by Veera Rajaratnam (VeerajaR). All Rights Reserved.