She died as she had lived – bravely, with a touch of the heroism that always undergirded her whole life. Neichülieü Haralu who we all knew as Azuo Nikki has gone home. I bet they brought out the double bass and the saxophones to welcome her up there! Azuo Nikki was so gallant: that word means noble, courteous, dignified, gracious and it also means thoughtful. Indeed, Azuo was all of these. She celebrated her 98th birthday in July. “I’d like to turn a hundred!” she once said to me with a twinkle in her eye. I didn’t for a moment believe she couldn’t do it, because Azuo’s spirit was so splendidly brave I expected her to fulfill her words. I guess they will be celebrating that hundredth birthday in her new home.
Azuo Nikki was a joy to know. She was an attentive hostess and an excellent cook. Dinners at Azuo’s were occasions of great expectations fulfilled. I look back and see all the lovely memories she created in the lives of those who were in the circle of her life. Azuo had that rare gift of finding a good personal word to say to her visitors and guests. Her observant eye could find something interesting or praiseworthy in the other person, and the latter went away from her house feeling encouraged and affirmed.
Her whole life was splendidly lived: her brilliant career where she made India proud in the international arena and her life in retirement in which she still contributed to the Naga community with her services are examples of the value system her generation lived by. The rootedness in strong family values which she used as herbeacon helped her live her life with integrity.
Azuo Nikki was an elegant woman, always immaculately dressed, and her manners were flawless. The Azuo Nikki who I got to know had a strong core of honesty and diligently guarded her soul from negativity. That was the most beautiful thing about her. Not a bad word about any person. Straight speaking, no beating around the bush was what you got from her. So refreshing. She had strong opinions and had no fear about expressing them. The loyalty to her beliefs was unswerving.
Every time we met, Azuo Nikki would remind me that she was praying for me, because she was a praying mother, a prayer warrior. As long as she was able to, she had attended the early morning prayer services. In the past few weeks, even as earthly shores were growing distant for her, prayers and praise were on her lips. In the death of her physical self, Earth is robbed of her heroic being but Heaven is richer, and we who have known her, have been shown how to live an honourable life.
Easterine
