My Friend Amekhala Devi
By Srutirupa devi
I am writing this to my dear departed friend and God sister Amekhala Devi . Amekhala and I begun our friendship while I was living at Bhaktivendanta Manor over 20 years ago. Amekhala stood out to me for she was one the ‘special ‘ones.. Her heart was big, her smile was big and her giving was always big. She reached out not in a superficial way, or in a way to gain attention, she reached out and she gave of herself in whatever way she could because she truly cared. She was very genuine and her love for Srila Prabhupada was apparent and those two qualities especially got my attention and so our friendship began and only deepened as the years continued.
Amekhala had a hard life in many ways, so we shared stories on many heartfelt levels. Her British lady like manner never wavered and continued to impress me. Amkekhala did not complain, she did not become bitter, for she saw Krsna’s hand in the pain and lessons of life and always offered kind and loving words. And now in her death, we can see that her life proved glorious, for she gave us yet another shining example of how to live and now depart with grace and gratitude and unwavering devotion to our beloved Prabhupada.
I can say that Amekhala had many causes she believed in and she stood strong and faithful and would push the leadership to act. She was tireless to see wrongs made right, justice where there was injustice, she gave strength to the weak, shelter to the lost and a voice to the voiceless. Amekhala on one hand may not of been known to many outside the UK yatra or others around the world, and only more recently became known because of her well known husband, Srutakirti, but believe me, Amekhala was one that stood out wherever she was and was dearly loved by anyone be a man or women or young or old that knew her, for her purpose and loving devotion was always in the forefront.
Amekhala will be very missed and sadness will remain in our hearts for it is our lost that she has now departed. I loved Amekhala and will always remain in her debt. At this time now, I will celebrate her life and remember her for her devotion to Srila Prabhupada and the community of devotees that she spent her life serving. I am honored to be her God sister for she lived her life in this world and left this world in Krsna Consciousness with a loving serving attitude.
Amekhala was a ‘special one’ and truly a ‘dear one’ and I am blessed and grateful that we were friends. Good bye my friend, you will be deeply missed. Thank you. Hare Krsna.