By Omkar Dattatray
On 25 January 2026, we solemnly observe the eleventh death anniversary of our revered and beloved mother, Late Smt. Roopawati Koul, whose life remains an enduring example of simplicity, faith, sacrifice, and unconditional love. Though she never sought recognition or distinction, she left behind a legacy of values that continues to illuminate the lives of those who knew her. To remember her is not merely to grieve her absence, but to celebrate a life dedicated to service, compassion, and righteousness.
Born in the early decades of the twentieth century, she was the fourth among six children in a traditional Kashmiri Pandit family headed by Late Shri Nath Ram Pandit and Late Smt. Rajrani Pandit. Her father, a respected landlord and businessman, held her in particular affection because of her gentle and unassuming nature. Named Uma Devi at birth, she was lovingly known as “Gigri” among relatives and neighbours, including Muslim families in her native village of Kakran. Her childhood reflected the spirit of harmony and coexistence that once characterised Kashmiri society.
Although she never received formal schooling, she possessed remarkable wisdom rooted in faith and experience. As a child, she absorbed the teachings of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata through oral recitations by her father. The ethical and spiritual lessons drawn from these epics shaped her outlook on life. The influence of her uncle, Late Mahadev Pandit, a revered grihasthi saint devoted to meditation and yogic practices, further deepened her spirituality and moral convictions.
She was married at a young age to Shri Badri Nath Koul of Hanand, Chowalgam, an educated and upright man employed in the Medical Department. Her father-in-law, Late Pandit Laxman Koul, a devout Patwari, presided over the household with discipline and integrity. Within this environment, she fulfilled her domestic responsibilities with extraordinary devotion and grace.
Blessed with two children—a daughter, Raj Dulari Koul, and a son, Omkar Nath Koul—she regarded their education and moral upbringing as her foremost responsibility. Despite limited resources and numerous hardships, she remained steadfast in ensuring that both received quality education. She believed that education was the path to dignity, self-reliance, and fulfilment. The sacrifices she made, often unnoticed and unacknowledged, became the foundation of our future.
Compassion defined her character. Her home was always open to the poor, the hungry, and the distressed. It was often said in the village that no one would go hungry if her kitchen fire was burning. Beggars, faqirs, and unexpected visitors were received with warmth and offered freshly prepared meals without hesitation. Charity for her was not an occasional act but a way of life. She firmly believed that feeding the hungry was among the highest forms of worship and continued this practice throughout her life.
The forced migration of Kashmiri Pandits in 1990 caused her immense anguish. The loss of her ancestral home and displacement from her homeland left a wound that never truly healed. She openly lamented the circumstances that uprooted her family and longed to return to her native village until her final days. Adjusting to life in Jammu proved difficult, yet she recreated within her new surroundings the warmth and hospitality that had defined her Kashmiri home.
Her love and concern for her children remained unwavering. It was through her perseverance, encouragement, and blessings that I pursued higher education, obtained a postgraduate degree, and entered the Education Department, eventually rising from teacher to lecturer and later serving as a Plus Two Principal. During my school years, she would offer Kashmiri laddoos into the sacred fire, praying to Lord Ganesha for my success in examinations. Those simple acts of devotion reflected the depth of her faith and maternal love.
She was equally devoted during periods of illness and adversity. During my prolonged struggle with asthma, when advanced medical facilities were scarce, her constant prayers, vigilance, and care sustained me. She rejoiced in the marriage of her daughter into a respectable family and held her son-in-law, who later rose to the position of Additional Deputy Commissioner, in great affection and esteem.
In her later years, she suffered from Alzheimer’s disease, gradually retreating into fading memories. Witnessing her decline brought profound sorrow, yet even in her fragility she radiated serenity and grace. She passed away on 25 January 2015, on the auspicious occasion of Magh Saptami, after a brief illness. Guided by the teachings of the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita, I remain convinced that a soul that lived in righteousness, compassion, and selfless service attains the divine abode.
Eleven years have passed since her departure, but her presence continues to guide us through the values she embodied—honesty, humility, compassion, perseverance, and unwavering faith. She remains, in our hearts and memories, a shining example of motherhood in its noblest form.
May the Almighty grant eternal peace to her noble soul and a revered place in His divine abode.
Tatha Astu.
