It’s with great sadness I heard that Bernadeen had passed away. It is difficult to imagine a Colombo without Bernadeen with the enthusiasm and dedication that gave her a special glow. She lived a full life dedicated to justice and the pursuit of truth and made an enormous contribution to many people's lives. She was undoubtedly one of the giants of the civil society of Sri Lanka.
She will be missed by many and praised by more but I know she'll be especially missed by you, Ranjani and Paulmarie to whom she was so close.
It is not easy, I know, to face the reality of life coming to its sometimes untimely end but it is also an important moment to reflect on why we are here and what we achieve in a small life span. Bernadeen achieved a lot and we must all join in celebrating her life and the way she touched the lives of so many in such a positive way.
My last memory of Bernadine was having lunch with her a few months ago. She told me how much she enjoyed SKYPE as it enabled her to keep in daily contact with you all. She did however find it a bit intrusive that a young 14 year old boy in Tokyo also kept calling her unexpectedly. He had a sad family life and a poor relationship with his parents, she said.
'How did he get my number?' she asked me. 'How can total strangers call me like that?' I pointed out that when setting up the options in SKYPE you could make your self visible as someone wanting to speak to anyone anywhere. 'Oh' she said 'then may be you can show me after lunch how I can take myself off the 'Available to Anyone mode'.
So after lunch I showed Bernadine how to do it and as I left she said 'Does that mean that little boy in Tokyo can't call me? Does it mean that I won't get unexpected SKYPE calls again?' I said that it would mean only those who she had accepted as SKYPE callers could now speak to her. 'Umm!' she said 'May be I do rather like talking to these strangers from around the world, who knows what troubles they may have and a listening ear could make all the difference'. So we set the options back to 'Available for Skype Calls'.
For me that was quintessentially Bernadeen; so often available to those who needed her, friends or strangers.
1 comment:
BERNADEEN - NO MORE....... SHE LIVES ON IN THE MOVEMENTS SHE WORKED FOR
My association with Bernadeen started twenty five years ago. Except for a brief period when I was in the Netherlands, I was in touch with her constantly. The conversations we had over the phone and the meetings were meaningful. She had a tone that was very determined and forceful. There was no lingering. She personified kindness and compassion and was ready to help anyone. She was able to easily transcend ethnic, religious and class factors to join in any struggle for achieving justice,peace and fair play. She was quick to condemn ethnic chauvinism, religious extremism and class oppression. Unlike many others in our midst she was loud and clear in the views she expressed.
She was always available for people in need. We could go to her without appointments if necessary. Often she would think aloud without hesitation
"what can we do ? we should do something."
For a person with such convictions and ideological commitments it is not strange she was sought after and became associated with the formation and founding of many important organisations in Sri Lanka. She will no doubt find a place when the history of Alternative Movements in Sri Lanka comes to be documented. Her vision was not limited, but covered a wide spectrum.
She was along with others responsible for founding ' Kantha handa' - called
'Pennin Kural', in Tamil and 'Voice of Women' in English. This organisation was the first feminist organisation of the 1970's and pioneered the Women's Movement in this country into new directions. The original copies of the journal brought out by this organisation would bear ample testimony to the level of new dialogues it started. The first meeting during which the need for a women's organisation was discussed, was held at Bernadeen's home at 16/1 Don Carolis Road, as well as the subsequent meetings until the organisation found its own premises. Bernadeen was associated with the founding of Centre for Society and Religion (CSR) - the pioneer movement of liberation theology in this country. In fact, she operated in many of the issues that were launched by the CSR. The pamphlets, journals, newsletters and books that were published by CSR bear witness to Bernadeen's intervention and imput.
In 1971, when there were many human rights violations, the Civil Rights Movement (CRM) was launched. It gave us lessons on "the value of dissent" to a society that was fast deteriorating into intolerence. Bernadeen was one of the founders of CRM and first CRM was inaugurated in Bernadeen's flat at Barnes Place. Knowing her commitment to such issues as peace and justice and fairplay, others sought after her. The National Peace Council ( NPC) and People's Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) got her into their organisations and benefited, immensly by her contribution. She had the time and energy till the last to play a
pro-active role in various such alternative movements.
My personal dealings with Bernadeen began when I joined Women's Education Centre (WEC) in the founding of which Bernadeen was instrumental along with Kumari Jayawardena. WEC was later renamed Womens Education and Reserch Cenre (WERC) and I accepted its Directorship.
Bernadeen as a Trustee and Board member gave me directions and guidance along with Kumari Jayawardena. It was indeend a pleasure working with the co-ordination and
co-operation extended to me. Berndaeen took a keen interest in the development of the organisation - in buying a premise, and in converting the old house into the present structure. She played a major role in the progress of WERC. When depressed over national disasters, or private problems, Bernadeen was there to give advice and guidance and cheer us up.
Berndeen was involved in all our activities at WERC. It was a joy that she was always there at meetings, seminars and parties. At the end of such
get-togethers she would stay behind to say a few words, talk to the staff, find out how they are faring and cheer us up all. She talked, sang and danced with us.
One question that came to all our minds, when I announced her passing, was will we ever again have anyone like Bernadeen? The loss is irreparable.
Dr. Selvy Thiruchandran
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