Christy Smith
I just discovered about Rabia this morning and planning to reach out. So much light and love all around. She is a special one. Always love her presence purely genuine. My heart aches. Deep hugs cyberly sent to… everyone who was inspired by her. Lighting a candle for her light.
Somnath Sardar
Rabia we still couldn’t believe how this has happened. You were guardian for hundreds and hundreds people. Some how you seen hundreds and hundreds people came today and crying for you and saying we lost our friend, sister, teacher, guardian you were shelter for many people. You were hope for many people. You are a inspiration for many people. I feel it is a biggest loss for all of us. I appreciate for all your sacrifice, your work and everything.
THANK YOU for everything. RIP.
Beth Blachnitzky
This is such a sad email to read. While I only knew Rabia a short time, those qualities were present from the first moments I met her. She was so kind and welcoming to me. She was so helpful and even organized getting lunch for me between classes. She was so joyful and passionate about her work and really created a community at Uddami—welcoming new students, finding opportunities for graduates, supporting those who were struggling with parts of the program, English class, or other life stressors. She was a light in this very dark world and I am grateful to have known her for even the time I did.
…My heart is heavy with the news. Thank you for including me, even though this is so sad. I am sending [to] all those who loved Rabia good thoughts.
Ron Nikel
This is tragic news. I am saddened to hear of her sudden passing. She was bright and vivacious and a joy to know and be around. Thank you for reaching out and sharing this news.
Harshamanjari Nanda
We with professional degree cannot match her passion and understanding of the work she was doing.
Ashis
I was there……to say by by to Rabia for ever.
A girl of under 30 years
But creating life of 30000000 I saw….
100 of young stars are crying in front of her….requesting to come back ….”Didi fire eso”
But she ………………sleeping on flowers …..white flowers, red roses ……
It was really painful for me ….Rabia….Why? is this the time to go for ever?
Can I stand and ask the God ….Why? Why and Why?
I dont know how to express my …………….
Its really painful to allow her to go …..As elder brother unable to stop her to go for ever.
I am with you all ….I know that I have nothing , nothing to say, but I am feeling really bad.
God please help her to take rest………..in peace.
Megumi Hiromitsu
I am so shocked to hear this news. I can’t believe that she is no more.
She was different from others. She was special. Not easy to find someone like her in Kolkata. She deserves more happiness considering her personality and what she had been doing.
…I know much more sadness and pain will occur inside of me, too, later. It’s such a big loss for me, too.
Peter Saracena
I am so sad to hear this horrible news… I did not have the opportunity to meet Rabia in person, and the only interaction I had with her were a few emails and the brief conversation… we Skyped and she stopped in to say hello. It was obvious to me then that she was bright, engaging and charming, and I could see that Uddami [was left] in capable hands, but I am certain that was only a minor glimpse into the fine and good person she was.
This earth will be a poorer place without her, but take some solace in the depth of her reach into the hearts and souls of the people whose lives she touched.
Graham and Adria Doll
We are writing you with broken hearts. [We] deeply mourn the loss of our dear friend Rabia. [We] both love Rabia as a sister…
We cannot comprehend why she was taken at this time in her young life, we will likely never understand why. Rabia served as an inspiration to us, the way she embraced social justice, selflessly cared for others and maintained such a strong, yet gentle spirit. It was a wonderful feeling to enter Uddami and be greeted by Rabia’s warm smile, or share a cup of cha with her in between classes. We are grateful for the time we had with Rabia.
We will never forget Rabia, she will be in our thoughts until the end of our lives. We are certain she rests in peace and believe we will meet her again one day.
shuktara
All of us at shuktara are devastated by the loss of Rabia who died so suddenly on Monday…
Coming as often as she could to the celebrations we hold at our homes, she was a face known and loved by all the staff as well as the whole shuktara family with whom she was so gentle with.
Rabia was instrumental in helping out with computer classes for the Deaf community here in Kolkata which also included some of our young people.
We are all heartbroken at losing her.
We will miss her immeasurably.
And our annual Saraswati Puja will never be the same again.
Hernán Zin
I am deeply sorry. It is so sad that such a brave girl, so inspiring and hard working, dies at such early age. So unfair after all she went through.
You have given her an amazing chance in life. A chance she deserved and that I am sure that made an big difference.
Irene Smith
Feelings of sadness fill my heart knowing your dear friend has passed I am honored and grateful to light a candle and pray for safe journey of this beautiful soul. I pray also that you have the space and support to navigate this loss.
Barbara Routletge
So very sad to hear of Rabia, you must be as devastated as myself and the other Kolkata volunteers who were fortunate enough to know her, some from when she was a young girl.
All our thoughts are with her family and the many friends she had…
Marci Radin
May her heart of gold shine on her family, her colleagues and her past and present students for all the days forward. Please honor her short life by using the tools of your brains, hands, and hearts for the benefit of yourself, your family, and your community. Look at the world around you with compassion and kindness and say her name. Rest in peace, our beloved Rabia.
Manjira Majumdar
This is indeed heartbreaking. I made Rabia’s acquaintance and continued to be in touch briefly.
May her light shine on to inspire others. We journalists are heartless hacks, we do a story and move on, often failing to go back as promised
But believe me I carry Uddami and what it stands for deeply in my heart.
I am deeply saddened to learn about the sudden passing of dear Rabia. My interactions with Uddami gave me a glimpse of the important role Rabia played in the lives of Uddami students as a confidant, mentor, teacher and friend. May one of those she nurtured rise up and continue what Rabia started.
I am missing my little gem who is and was faithful in her dealings…Hats off for you rabi.I believe you are in a better than this world. I cherish eveet moments I shared with u..luv u
I am deeply shocked and saddened to hear of Rabia passing away.
I got to know her in 2011 at Uddami. She has certainly been the center of the whole school. Still today, I am inspired by her energy and her passion to care for other people.
I could say it any better than Alison: she certainly left the world in better shape.
Rest in peace, Rabia.
— Jan / Germany, Uddami teacher in 2011
Rabia is dear to our family. I have the deepest admiration for Rabia and consider her as my sister.
Looking at the pictures above brings me to tears.
Rest in peace Rabia after a short life well lived.