Celebrated writer Amy Tan once said “I was six when my mother taught me the art of invisible strength...”Strongest wind cannot be seen.” Such is the strength of a mother’s teaching. As we celebrate the power of a woman, let’s take time to talk about ‘The woman’ who made “The WOMAN”.

I had the pleasure of interacting and working with a highly talented woman Sheetal Majithia (#sheetalmajithia). Based in Ahmedabad, Sheetal specializes in selling home décor, accessories, crockery that have a unique touch to them under the brand name Kalam (#KalambySheetalKMajithia). 

Each of her products carries her doodle designs on them. Mind you, the doodles are no ordinary scribbling, but great works of art and her products sell like hot cakes whenever she has an exhibition. During my interaction with her, she shared the news of her mother's book release and that got me intrigued. I asked more and thus was introduced to her mother – Rekha Bharat Rajpopat. At a young smashing 69, she has managed what most of us would probably not.

As a young girl, married off to a young Gujarati boy settled in Kabul; Rekhaben (‘ben’ being the respectful tag given to women from Gujarat) went through a huge cultural upheaval. A staunch follower of the Shreenathji, she was unable to perform her ‘seva’ for her lord to her satisfaction. In a land cut off from Pushti connections, she yearned for the known.  

That is when the need share her thoughts on the true form of seva within available means came about. She spent years researching and writing the text and thus brought out her first book Nikunj Nayak Shreenathji. The book has six volumes and is a detailed description on how to do seva.

Following this, Rekhaben started working on her second book Shree Yamunashtakam. However, finding an artist who could illustrate her vision right down to the ‘T’ was a task. In the meantime, the family moved out of Kabul due to the unrest in the nation and settled down in Singapore. Rekhaben continued writing and seeking out an artist all throughout.

Finally, in 2006, with the grace of Shree Thakurji and Shree Yamunaji, 108 Shree Dwarkeshlalji Maharaj from Baroda commissioned one of his haveli’s artist, Harishbhai to go to Singapore and help Rekhaben with the paintings of this book.

After 10 hard years of research and writing Rekhaben has finally shared her inspirations with her fellow Vaishnavs. The book has 84 pictures with intricate details; exactly as she had envisioned them. The book is aimed at helping her fellow Vaishnavs find their true selves as they make their journey towards Shree Yamunaji.

This book is available in three languages, Hindi, Gujarati and English with only a 1000 books to be printed in each language.

While there have been many books published about the Shree Yamunashtakam, there is none with such extraordinary pictures and detailed explanation of each of the 72 verses.

The whole idea behind this book, was to ensure that future generations can understand the true essence and meaning of the Shree Yamunashtakam, by reading the meaning of each verse whilst at the same time seeing a corresponding picture so that they can truly understand and appreciate its true meaning.

Rekhaben is truly an inspiration to all of us. Managing a home, four children and a husband in an alien city, away from the known whilst researching and compiling a book that is meant to connect the future generation to their roots is indeed a tough task! Rekhaben has now moved back to Ahmedabad from Singapore to complete her work on the third book – Shreemad Bhagatam, which is on its way to the publishers right now.

What makes this a truly inspiring Women’s day story? The fact that Rekhaben’s inspirations have been her mother Jaswantiben and Mother-in-law Mewaben! My salute and heartfelt greetings to such women of exemplary talent! 

#gujarati #sheetalmajithia #KalambySheetalKMajithia #ShreeYamunashtakam #NikunjNayakShreenathji #RekhaBharatRajpopat