Sarres Padayachee

Dear Joan,

Getting to know you has been one of the most soul-stirring and inspirational experiences in my life. For not only were you, my dear Guru, my lecturer and co-supervisor, but also a mentor to whom I turned to whenever the need arose, an adviser, a friend, an extremely brilliant conversationalist, a confidant, a uniquely brilliant academic, but also a listener who made the time to go the extra mile in assisting your students despite your exhaustive academic schedule. I would still like to meet a truly dedicated academic who put in the number of hours for her students as you did. The lasting impressions you made on me as a student shall always be etched in my memories. Your positive approach to life has in many ways opened a very special door for me. You have done so very much for me that words alone are not enough to say "MikkaNanri" meaning "Many thanks".

I fondly and vividly treasure the moments when you acted as the Master of ceremonies for the launch of my book "Kavady, A South African Perspective"and in such an eager manner wanted to know more about the areas in Hinduism on the havan, etc. That was indeed another remarkable distinct quality you had, you always ensured that everything had to be "the best" and would settle for nothing less. This impressive quality impacted so much on me as I learnt so much from you over the years. The feedback I received from the guests was "Your MC was brilliant". I fondly recall the moments when I was doing the chapter based on analysing the hymn "Erumayil" whilst pursuing my PhD and you kept saying to me, "Go back and find more". And when I would come back the next day having found more, you would say "Good, you are so clever, go back and find more". In my mind at that stage, I wondered when this process would come to an end. Joan, had it not been for you, I would never have made the type of finding I did in analysing a hymn of words and being able to work out a mathematical equation. For I myself did not know where I was going. But that extra bit of going back to find more, made the finding.

To you, Joan, my respected GURU, I shall always nurture the treasure trove of memories I have had with you as I am eternally grateful to you for all that you have done for me. Thank you for being the Master of Ceremonies for Saranya's "Leaving Home" wedding function. Thankyou for assisting me in conducting the workshops at the Brake Village and Sandfield Temples in Tongaat but most of all thank you for being the most dedicated, uniquely professional Academic that I have met, and yet so unassuming, a rare quality to find in today's world. Thank you for all the opportunities you provided to me as a student. It is indeed a sad moment for me to know that you are leaving DUT as I fondly recall the Friday sessions and how it helped me to be positive. I will really and truly miss your presence. Nevertheless, I am certain that because of all the good deeds that you have performed, you will reap the benefits of your good karmic deeds in finding Greener pastures and a peaceful road as you journey into, in the future.                     

May Lord Muruga shower His choicest blessings on you in your future endeavours in life. 

"PALLAANDU VAAZHGE" GURU JOAN.

Love

Sarres