A symbol of strength you became

You played your life like a game

Failure and victory you together tamed

Pain and pleasure in a measured gain

Ulveena my first friend in Nairobi

I learnt a lot from you my saheli

 

Being a devout follower of your faith

You appreciated each ones faith

While practicing Islamic doctrines

And being proud of your principles

You made me aware of my beliefs

And brought out the true Hindu in me

Ulveena my first friend in Nairobi

I learnt a lot from you my saheli

 

You taught me not to waste energy

On people and products of low synergy

By advising me to dare for my loved ones care

And not to give in to demands under scare

To treat myself as a precious being

And spiritually uplifting my soul’s liking

Ulveena my first friend in Nairobi

I learnt a lot from you my saheli

 

You remained a pillar of strength

Despite the spread across your length

Even in pain you found some gain

And decided to be driven from place to place

Thus helping your family to cleanse up

Their karma chart without any guilt

Ulveena my first friend in Nairobi

I learnt a lot from you my saheli

 

In times desperate and immobile

You breathed achingly turning docile

Your spirituality outshone all attribute

Unconditional love poured through vicissitude

In service of Humanity you were a queen

Forgetting yourself you gave others a preen

Ulveena my first friend in Nairobi

I learnt a lot from you my saheli

 

We met or not yet friends you stayed

For each other we often silently prayed

A wisdom you lived through people and intent

Teaching your daughters and sisters to be content

Overlooking the past you learnt forgiveness

Missing your Dad in separation caused painfulness

Ulveena my first friend in Nairobi

I learnt a lot from you my saheli

 

The long flowing robes and matching headscarves

That you cherished and covered yourself overall

Your love for the multi colored glass bangles

That you bought new during each India trip

Your lovely angels Ra’ana, Ra’faa and Re’em

Your Graceful Pillar of strength your brave mom

Your sisters and friends all known to me

Because of you my friend who has left me

Your memories will be cherished down memory lane

Your thoughts will be the relics in the mind frame

The tending care at Faraja for patients and care givers alike

Bringing us people for Reiki therapy with a smile

Your mission of girl guides that brought you forth

The strong woman had shown the world her worth

That timely touches on many a life that you gave

Will remain sketched forever in living and after life

I bid thee adieu my beautiful thoughtful guide

In gratitude to you I bow out my pride

In gratitude to you I bow out my pride

By Monica Gokaldas

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Ulveena was a friend like no other. She was Monica’s first friend when she came to settle in Kenya almost a quarter of a century ago. Monica’s love flows in this tribute to her friend although she feels no words can ever do justice to the human being Ulveena was.

The word “Saheli” used repeatedly literally means “a close female friend” in the Indian language Hindi.