For some, it was her childish fears, for others it was her undying courage to smile in pain. But, for all alike, it was her simple poems, which expressed the reality of human suffering and proved to be an inspiration in life. The life of late Remya Antony, the 24-year-old poet and blogger, is one worth emulating.
Inspiring thoughts
The young poet, who has to her credit a book of poems titled Shalabaayanam , was struck by polio at the age of four, and was later diagnosed with cancer. Nevertheless, her life-affirming activities and poems continued to inspire many through social networking sites like Orkut, Facebook and Koottam, until her death last year.
While Remya had to suffer financial hardship, it did not discourage her from seeking knowledge. She excelled in studies with a diploma in Computer Applications and earned herself a job in one of the libraries in the city.
Her blog Shalabaayanam had attracted thousands alike to a realisation that life has more to offer only if one would stop complaining about the shortcoming in one's life. The blog is now evolving into a community that aims to keep her memories alive by striving to fulfil her unrealised dreams.
Love of books
The students of Fine Arts College, Thiruvanathapuram, who transformed her poems with their colourful brush strokes, feel that time cannot erase the inspiration they received from this little ‘butterfly'.
Remya's love for books and poems has inspired her friends to start a library under her name in one of the government schools in her hometown. The group has decided to form a trust and use the Rs. one lakh fixed deposit in her name, a contribution from her friends, to provide financial assistance for the education of polio-affected girl students in Std X. Sparsham , a second book that will contain her unpublished poems and diary notes, will soon be released.
The community — Friends of Remya — stands witness to the fact that she had managed to leave behind a few who would find time in their hectic life to help those who are in pain. What could be more satisfying than to witness the same social networking culture that is tagged as misleading the youth paving way for building up a humanitarian community?
