“Let these letters to Mathaji and Pithaji serve as reminders to us all to self-reflect, grow, and be a light in someone else’s life, so that our world becomes a brighter place for all.”
This Father’s Day, we wanted to share some messages from the girls at Sahasra Deepika (SD) and thank all the fathers who are making a lasting and positive impact in someone’s life!
Being grateful to someone can be expressed every day, but we want to have this moment as a perfect day to be grateful to the people behind Sahasra Deepika. The people who dedicated their lives to create something that will last for a long time, and because of this, girls around Bangalore had an opportunity to learn and become someone that they want to be. They have been provided with rights that not everyone in India can obtain. With the education that Sahasra Deepika has given the girls in Bangalore, they can be whatever they want to be. And today, we want to express our sincere appreciation to our Pithaji and Mathaji.
Although each of the stories of the girls at Sahasra Deepika is unique, being born into unfortunate circumstances is a commonality. This shared aspect of their stories and their pasts connects the girls, but since arriving at SD, so does their identity as scholars, sisters to one another, and daughters of Sahasra Deepika. These identities have contributed to the girls having confidence in themself and in each other to pave a future that is brighter than the past they came from.
Since they’ve been at SD, the girls never fail to show their gratitude for the opportunities they’ve been given to help them realize their own potential. Despite not being together on Mother’s and Father’s Day this year, the girls expressed this gratitude for the organization and its founders— Dr. T.V. and Mrs. Vijaya Lakshmi Ramakrishna— who they call ‘Mathaji’ (mother) and ‘Pithaji’ (father). In the messages, some of which are included below, they wrote from the heart, expressing their sincere appreciation for the traits and values that Mathaji and Pithaji have shown the girls at SD and have raised them to possess.
- “Education is the best legacy through which a girl can achieve infinity, and you have given us that. Your unconditional love and care mean everything to us, and we can achieve great things with your support and guidance. My heart just can’t thank you enough for giving me such a strong foundation to grow and be successful in life. Thank you. I will forever remember everything you have done to help me reach my potential.”
—Hamsa, SD Class of 2017
- “Mathaji and Pithaji, you both are always my inspiration. I always admire your wisdom, your courage, your compassion, your encouragement, and your unconditional goodness. I’m always inspired by the differences you have brought in the world and I’ll always be your proud daughter. Mathaji gave me my path, and Pithaji showed me my dream. Thank you for letting me see my future.”
—Nagashree, SD Class of 2017
- “Mathaji and Pithaji, you both are always my inspiration. I always admire your wisdom, your courage, your compassion, your encouragement, and your unconditional goodness. I’m always inspired by the differences you have brought in the world and I’ll always be your proud daughter. Mathaji gave me my path, and Pithaji showed me my dream. Thank you for letting me see my future.”
—Nagashree, SD Class of 2017
- “You are outstanding in everything you do, Mathaji and Pithaji. You both motivate me to do my best in everything and your wisdom is so appreciated. I admire so much about you and I love you endlessly. Thank you for everything you have done for me.”
—Sushma, SD Class of 2020
The girls speak of love, selflessness, empowerment, and education— values that are universally essential to the betterment of any human being and ones which all of us should hold ourselves to in guiding our attitudes, decisions and relationships, even amidst unprecedented times such as these. Love, selflessness, empowerment, and education are also crucial in the fight for racial justice, for equality, and greater unity. Let these letters to Mathaji and Pithaji serve as reminders to us all to self-reflect, grow, and be a light in someone else’s life, so that our world becomes a brighter place for all.
On behalf of Sahasra Deepika, to all the fathers— and father figures— making a positive difference in the lives of their family, friends, and community, today we celebrate you. Happy Father’s Day!
Shanthi Ramakrishna is a rising sophomore studying Political Science at Johns Hopkins University. She has spent many summers at Sahasra Deepika and considers the girls there to be her sisters. Shanthi’s been inspired by them and by SDIE’s mission to do what she can to be a point of light for someone in need. In her free time, she loves to have jam sessions with her dad and sister, bake blueberry tarts, and idolize her pet Siamese cat.
