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Memories of The Leader Sailaja Acharya

By Kamala Prasai

Time flies by so fast. It's beyond anybody's control. Sailaja Didi could not control it. She had to flow with the speed of the time leaving her memories amidst us. Her memories, when remembered make all of us shed tears.

After the first general elections of 1991, all the girl members of the Nepal Student's Union were taking part in the 'Girl's Conference' in Kathmandu. As a President of the Janata Multiple Campus, Itahari, Sunsari, I also took part in the conference. Few of us were invited by Sialaja Didi.

During the meeting, Sailaja Didi highlighted on several issues that clearly showed her immense love towards the nation. I still remember word for word what she said to us. For her nation stood first. She said, "We all must serve the nation. Committing corruption is a crime that hinders the smooth development. We must abide by the democratic principles and values."

Also being the member of the Nepal Student's Union Morang District Committee, I had the chance to meet with Sailaja Didi frequently. During that period Mr. Madan Sangraula was our President of the Nepal Student's Union Morang District Committee. He has been one of Sailaja Didi's dearest brothers though she had been our guardian and we all received similar treatment from her. She loved us all equally.

Last month, I was reading one of the news magazines. A picture attracted me. She looked very lean and almost in a last stage. I was shocked after reading the headline because the lady who was in the Intensive Care Unit with an oxygen mask was none other than Sailaja Didi. I wanted to write something immediately but my personal health did not permit me.

Sailaja Didi has been the target of yellow journalism because of her faith in democracy and love towards our nation. She was not permitted to get an Ambassadorial position in New Delhi because she stood for the nation. Had people of Nepal listened to Sailaja Didi, they would not have been facing today's miseries. However, it is sad to say that her own party did not listen to her words that might have averted the obstacles on smoothly taking the nation towards progress.

I feel I am honored to write a few words on Sailaja Didi. She will be remembered as one of the greatest leaders. We all will be missing her. We will be missing her courage, just and principled guidance. I feel profoundly sad missing Sailaja Didi. May God grant peace to her departed soul.

Kamala Prasai
New York.
kamalaprasai@yahoo.com