Savitri Babulkar: A Noble lady of Mangaluru origin passes away in Mumbai
Mangalore Today News Network
Mangaluru, June 7, 2022: Noble lady of Mangaluru origin made a mark in different circles in many parts of the nation and admired for long. She is indeed a great loved and respected person who has contributed much to society living in the Metro of Mumbai in the last few years. Savitri Ramesh Babulkar nee’ Udyavar (1936-2022) sadly left for her heavenly aboard after a brief illness in Mumbai in the afternoon of June 5, 2022 aged 86 years. The last rites took place the same evening at Santacruz West, Mumbai, with many near and dear present saying farewell - Shanthi shanthi Shanthi.
Born in 1936, Savitri Udyavar is the daughter of U Bhaskar Rao (Sub Editor of Times of India- TOI, Bombay), her husband Colonel Ramesh Babulkar an impressive Army man, retired and worked in a civilian organisation and they moved to Mumbai, he passed away in 2010. Going back to Savitri ji’s younger days, she pursued her degree from St Agnes College, Mangalore in 1958; Masters from St Xavier’s College, Bombay in 1960; and B.Ed from St Theresa’s College, Bombay in 1978. As a service officer’s wife , she moved to many Defence stations; She thus was much loved teacher in Mount Carmel Convent, Jorhat (Assam) and Mount Carmel Convent, Ahmedabad. It must be highlighted, she was the first principal of Ganapati Junior College in Mangalore. In Mumbai, she has taught in Lawrence School, Santacruz; Arya Vidya Mandir, Santacruz, SVT College (the Santacruz branch of SNDT). She has written for Woman’s Era, Femina, WE, Eve’s Weekly, Mid-day and ‘middles’ for TOI (on human-interest topics). Her other interests include dramatics, public-speaking, light music - Indian and Western, yoga, mudras and many more. Savitri ji’s husband Late Col. Ramesh Babulkar, was her beacon; her son Vikram and daughter Vinita all very dear to her, along with their spouses and children, her large family circle have been staunch pillars and companions to her in all her life.
’Mangalore Today’ readers will recall a brief review of her very enjoyable and sentimental book "Childhood Daze" in its July 2011 issue, significant episodes were also serialized for some months and acclaimed by many. There was a big demand for the book. She has written books and profusely in the media and is recognised widely. Now her signature book has been translated into Kannada as well and made available recently - ’Balyakaala Mayajala’ ( see Mangalore Today - March 2022 issue), the book beautifully translated by Ms. Shyamala Madhav of Mumbai, a close associate of Author Savitri Babulkar. Unfortunately, she has left us before ’Childhood Daze’ goes into a second print. It is well nigh the time and it is very fitting that Savitri ji’s goodness is recalled, renewed and appreciated.
Death is the other face of life, a continuation of life, in eternal life. It could well be ’Dim lights to brightest lights’ very naturally. "Death is NOT the last sleep, It is the final awakening". Death, believe it is part of life, believe that we are born to die, born to die a little each day, to die so that we may live more fully. Believe that every time we pass from one stage of life to another, something in us dies. Something new is born. Believe that each day we are creating our own death by the way we live. Death is not extinguishing the light. It is putting out the lamp because the dawn, the big sun, and permanent bright light has come for eternity. It is right to say - May the Good Gods receive her dear soul and present it to the Most High GOD. May the Almighty give the family the near and dear, greater consolation and solace. Savitr Babulkar of dear memory and affection has earned an unforgettable place in the hearts of those who live in admiration and gratitude of her great spirit, character and memory eternally. Om Shanthi Shanthi Shanthi.
By I J Saldanha-Shet