Travel memoir: Assamese political activist Khairun Nessa Choudhury recalls her Hajj trip

Nilufar Majumdar, a professional cake decorator, has treasured memories of her nani (grandmother), Khairun Nessa Choudhury. She shared a special bond with her and imbibed her nani’s creative and aesthetic instincts passed down through quiet moments, observation and an affectionate and trusting relationship. Nilufar chuckles, “I was expecting my first baby and was rushed to the hospital. I was having labour pains and I was happy to see my nani by my side. She kept her hands on my forehead and urged me to calm down. Then, she told me about a poem she had written about the angst of childbirth. In the poem, she had questioned why only women bear the pain of childbirth. Men should also bear the strain of labour pain. I was amused then and later, when I read the poem, I was intrigued by her sweeping feminist ideas.”

At a later stage, when she was old and not keeping well, all of her six children and grandchildren went to see her. She was happy to see everyone taking care of her. At that time, Khairun Nessa told Nilufar about another of her poems titled, Mitthe noi sristir bedona, the pain of creation did not go in vain....

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