Everyone has worth

[Rituu B. Nanda]

I am very upset that I am writing this as I have suffered a major loss with passing away of Dr Jana, one of my mentors.

When at UNAIDS, I had exchanged emails with him. I left UNAIDS. First of my assignments happen to be the IDRC project on documentation and advocacy by sex workers with Dr Veronica Magar. This 2 year project was with DMSC and WNU when I  got to collaborate with DMSC team of Paramita, Santanu, Mitra di, Samaita and others. I went on to work with him in many other initiatives later.

I recollect one memory which stands out for me when I met him as a young researcher. On my first visit to Durbar about 10 years ago, I finally met Dr Jana whom everyone spoke about. He was very down to earth, gentle and his learning came from  sex worker communities.

He asked me with a twinkle in his eye, "what would you like out of this project?" I responded that I would like the sex workers to be the lead in the research because they are the experts of their experience. He smiled and said, "now I can welcome you to Durbar because sex workers have to be at the centre. Everyone has worth." 

For the first time  I went on to use Constellation's learning cycle Community life competence process in participatory action research part of IDRC project. It set the stage for what I was do in my life- how can I learn from the communities and not  be their 'teacher'.

I can no longer pick up the phone and call him up, to hear his voice and learn from his insight. I will miss him tremendously.

(Durbar Mahila Samanwaya Committee (DMSC) in Kolkata, India largest sex worker collecive in Asia lost its Chief Advisor Dr. Smarajit Jana on 8^th of May 2021. He has well known for public health initiatives and facilitated sex workers community fighting for worker's rights and recognisation.)

[Phil]

Dear Rituu,

We find a few people who will influence us for the rest of our lives. And what I have found is that this influence can be crystalised in a short phrase or even a single word. That phrase then serves two purposes. First, it influences what we do on a daily basis. Secondly, that phrase serves as a constant reminder of that person. By giving us that phrase, they have given us a wonderful gift.

I am pleased that you have such a gift to remember Dr. Jana.

Look after yourself.

Phil