Before the drawing session the teachers were supposed to remind them of all the things they had seen at the fair. After the drawing session we discovered that her children had drawn, more life like and imaginative pictures as compared to those of my section. This was because of her skill of reaching out to them and creating vivid imagery, and my habit of not saying more than what is necessary. These are recollections to be preserved.

After a gap of some years we met again as colleagues at the Institute of Education and Research, Dhaka University, but this time we chose different fields of specialisation. Her's was primary education and mine psychology and guidance. This association lasted from the mid-sixties till my retirement in 1988.

The last time our paths crossed was at the turn of the century. It was at a meeting of the Sakhawat Memorial Girls' School Alumnae Association (SMGSA) of which she was the founder president. Dr Fyzennessa expressed the wish for establishing a Senior Citizens' Home and invited like minded people to come forward to build the project. I was enthralled, it was something very close to my heart. As far back as the early seventies, when as an executive committee member of the Diabetic Association, whenever I brought up the subject of starting a Senior Citizen's Home, members had termed me as a breaker of the 'sacred joint family system'. The late Mr Abdul Ghani Hazari was the only person who had supported my point of view. Now, more than two and a half decades later the resurrection of the idea was Godsent. Spontaneously, and with whole hearted conviction I came forward to do something which to me was the crying need of the day. But was it? Had attitudes changed?

The Begum Rokeya Probeen Abash as the Project was called was to be run by a Board of Trustees of which Dr Fyzennessa was the president. Those who have experience of setting up such organisation will agree with me of the invisible labour that accompanies such ventures. She spent endless hours organising meetings, searching for suitable accommodation, meeting donors and other such onerous jobs. Family bereavements, chronic illness, age related complications, and discouragements did not deter her and she slogged for nearly two years to reach her goal. The thought of the project was in her mind even during her last painful days in bed. Initially the BRPA was intended to be a comfortable place for the elderly who would pay a reasonable amount in exchange for a respectable and goal oriented living among their peer group. The target group was composed of retired working women who had always been economically emancipated and had led active self respecting lives. Even in old age they would be on their own and not be a burden to the busy children, or be at the mercy of household helps when these children settled abroad for financial enhancement.

You can have the world's best batsman ready to bat but how can he prove his worth without the ball? Our situation was similar if not the same. Expected and enthusiastic responses were not forthcoming. Many 'could be' residents contacted us but they were stealthy and were afraid to take it over with their sons and daughters. Society is still not ready or brave enough to face the fact that in spite of all impediments an old person has to spend the last years of life as an unwanted guest in a child's house. It may not be true for all old people, but what about the unwelcome ones who need such accommodation? Is false pride more than a person's right to decide? When and how will attitudes change?

The spade work for the BRPA is done, the trustee board is there. What is now needed is a set of energetic dedicated and committed persons to come forward and transform Dr Nurunnahar Fyzennessa's unrealised dream into reality. She was a visionary who saw beyond the existing system. It is the responsibility of the younger generation to propagate the idea, unravel the taboos and bring acceptance, safety and a sense of belongingness in the lives of those who treasure self respect and peaceful co-existence.

I pay homage to the sweet memory of Dr Fyzennessa , it was a pleasure to work with her, she was humble and modest; her ability to show respect for ideas other than her own was unique. May her soul rest in peace and may her dream come true.

Ameen.