Sir,

This is to thank K.B. Ganapathy for the tribute dedicated to Sr. Annette under the title “No X-mas cake to my sister Reverend Sr. Annette” in his Abracadabra column (SOM dated Aug.30).

My late husband David Syiem IAS, who was the Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) Commissioner and I, had the honour and privilege of knowing Sr. Annette when we lived in Mysuru. She started as my Head of the History Department in Teresian College and my Principal, and that was just the beginning of many many years of friendship, which unfortunately ended when she passed away on August 28.

The problems she had as the Principal of Teresian College — blocked sewage, burst pipes, poor drainage and the likes — brought her into close contact with my late husband who she affectionately called ‘Syiem’.

Her personality and outgoing ways helped our connection to cross the boundaries of formality and develop into a close knit and strong bondage called friendship.

When she went on a cruise to Singapore she asked me what I wanted. I said I wanted a blow dryer. Then blow dryers were a prized possession for ladies. She did bring me one and old fashion as it looks today, I still treasure and use it.

After we moved to Bengaluru, our friendship continued. She was among the first on my doorstep when Syiem suddenly passed away. She remained a constant support for me through my difficult times and rejoiced with me when I remarried. It is a coincidence that she shares the same birthday with my husband Vikram.

Our friendship and connection never faltered over the years, even though sometimes millions of miles separated us. Birthday and Christmas cards handwritten, were a joy to receive through the years.

When I returned to India, it was even more lovely to hear her voice over the phone, especially when she always greeted me with ‘my Jenny.’ I tried to keep the phone contact going every week especially during the pandemic. She shared all her challenges with me, when she was forced to live in Kerala indefinitely.

She would ask for prayers and never forgot to tell me that she prayed for me everyday. I must not forget to mention also the fondness she had for my son Veeru. She never forgot to ask over the years, how is ‘my Veeru’ in our phone conversations.

Two weeks before she passed away, I lost touch with her. I regret that I did not have the chance to say ‘goodbye’. I have one less person to pray for me but I know she lovingly looks down on all her friends and loved ones. I miss her tremendously.

She was a wonderful role model to me and I am sure to many who had the privilege of learning under her and knowing her. God must have greeted her in heaven with these words from Matthew 25:21, “Well done, good and faithful servant…”

– Jennifer Bhide, Bengaluru , 31.8.2021

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Note: I knew David Syiem personally and had shared a dinner, along with his wife, in my brother’s house. He was one of the most lovable IAS Officers I have met. He was also one of the very few most responsive and people-friendly Corporation Commissioners our city had.

Syiem, who served as the Commissioner of MCC from 1977-1979, had made headlines in national and local papers when he sat on the pillion of a tax-payer’s scooter who had complained about bad roads and rode around the city for personal inspection.

I was not aware of Sister Annette’s contact with Syiem and his wife until I read his wife’s letter published above.

My greatest regret is that despite my sister (Rev. Sr. Annette) wanting to visit my house and mentioned about it several times, I was not able to fulfill her desire. Somehow our dates did not suit — sometimes for her and sometimesfor me.— K. B. Ganapathy