Kolkata: For members of Fatima Shrine Youth, Judith D’Souza has always been a picture of enthusiasm, ever smiling and affectionate.
An animator with the organization associated with the Shrine Of Our Lady Of Fatima Church on CIT Road from 2012 to 2015, Judith was a regular fixture at the meetings and events organized by the youth association. “Judith was never sad or depressed. A smiling face always welcomed us to this room,” said Sudeshna Biswas, a neighbour and a member of the organization.
Even Father Pradeep, co-pastor at the church, remembers her as a loving and affectionate woman, ready to help out with church and any other social work. “At a time when Judith’s father was on dialysis, I, along with her, visited him at the hospital where I had gone for communion.
On the way, Judith shared several fond memories of Afghanistan. As we reached the hospital and she met her father, she hugged him and broke into tears. She is an emotional girl, who shares a wonderful bond with her family,” said Father Pradeep before he began the evening service. Sunday will be special for all the FSY members and even the church. “We are expecting her to join us on Sunday evening. Our prayers have been answered by God. We are grateful to Him for sending Judith back to us. Once she returns, we will have a talk with Judith and her family and then, decide on a day to celebrate,” said Father Pradeep.
Like the other 19 members of the youth organization, Sudeshna remained staunch in her belief that Judith would surely return. FSY had even held special prayer services for her after her abduction. “She was an extremely motivated girl who believed in women’s empowerment. She always fought for justice. It is not easy to destroy a person like her,” she said. Judith is a role model for the fresh graduate: “Earlier, I was a quiet person and never confronted anyone. It was Judith who taught me to fight and stand up for the right cause. She told me if I believed in something, I should always speak out and fight for it.”
Sudeshna remembers her as an animator at the FSY, and later “a guide”, till she left for Afghanistan a year ago. “Be it at summer camps or assisting youngsters with their studies or trying to solve their personal problems, Judith was ready to lend a helping hand. She was a friendly soul, who would not hesitate to discuss her personal life with others. She could make friends easily,” she added. Even when she left for Afghanistan, Judith was in touch with the members. “We had a social media group where we would often message her about the events and policies of the youth organization and sometimes, even mail her. Before she left for Afghanistan, she travelled across India, working with an NGO. Even then, Judith would not miss out on any of our events,” said FSY president Anthony Majhi, The Times of India reported.
When Judith had last visited Kolkata from Afghanistan-just before her kidnap-she visited the church and met the group, when she regaled them with her experiences in the war-ravaged country. “She was happy to work for the people there. Judith said Afghans were wonderful,” Anthony added.
But FSY members were apprehensive about Judith’s safety, and their fear seemed to come true within days. “We asked her why would she work in a country where there is constant life threat. Being an ever optimist, she merely smiled and said she loved to live in Afghanistan and work for them,” Anthony said. “Now that the worst nightmare is over, we look forward to meeting her,” said an FSY member, who along with others, gathered on the Fatima Shrine Parish premises on Saturday evening.