Condolence Messages from Colleagues, Friends & Well-wishers

It is with great sadness that we learnt of the passing away of Dr. Martha Farrell, Director, PRIA, and wife of Rajesh Tandon (PRIA President and former ASPBAE President), in a terror attack in Kabul on Wednesday night, 13 May 2015.

We in ASPBAE who have known her closely are still trying to come to terms with this sad, tragic news. We have known Martha for many years and are devastated to learn of her passing. 

Martha was a strong woman, always very focused and determined. She was a great trainer, full of life, she was instrumental in mainstreaming gender in PRIA, and she always raised gender issues in all discourses. Martha was passionate about her work, she loved life, she was a keen traveller, and she was a great mentor to her team.

Our heartfelt condolences go out to Rajesh Tandon, his two children, Suheil and Tarika, and to the PRIA team. We have lost a great champion for women, a wonderful person, and a dear friend.
Rest in peace Martha. We will miss you. 

~ASPBAE Executive Council and Staff

We, at the IGNOU Regional Centre Delhi-1 are shocked and deeply aggrieved to hear the news of untimely and unfortunate demise of Dr. Martha Farrell, Director, PRIA, in a gruesome terror attack in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Wednesday, the 13th May, 2015. She had been associated with IGNOU Regional Centre Delhi-1, as a Programme In-charge of PSC-07169, PRIA, 42, Tughlakabad Institutional Area, M B Road, New Delhi - 110 062. During her tenure as Programme In-charge of PSC-07169, she discharged her duties with utmost sincerety and commitment towards deprived sections of the society. We prey to the almighty to give peace to the departed soul and give strength to the bereaved family members and the entire PRIA family to bear this irreparable loss.

With deepest condolences,

Gulab Jha
Regional Director
IGNOU Regional Centre, Delhi-I

 "I am really saddened to know about the sudden demise of Dr. Martha Farrell. She was an extraordinary woman. There are many in the community who will mourn deeply her passing as she was a life of service, love, compassion and excellence. May her soul rest in peace.”

RITU SHARMA
Chairperson
Sexual Harassment Prevention Committee-Northern Region
Airports Authority of India

"We are deeply saddened to announce the loss of our dearest Working Committee Member and a very courageous personality Dr. Martha Farrell, Director, PRIA.

We extend our deepest condolences and sympathies to her family.  May god rest her soul in peace!”

PRAYAS Family

I and my family express the deepest condolence on the sad demise of Martha. Last time I think around September 2009 we met in airport and chatted about family and children. You were kind enough to call me and let me know that you were unable to attend our daughter’s wedding. You and you family are in prayers.

Satyam former colleague

Dear PRIA family,

Please extend the deepest condolences from Darlene and myself at the tragic death of Martha-Ji.  We will be with you in spirit on Sunday at the prayer service. So many many friends of Martha and Rajesh in Victoria, Canada and elsewhere in the world share our collective grief at this senseless loss.

With love,
Budd and Darlene

We would like to share our condolences, on behalf of the whole Delegation of the European Union to India.

We may be fighting for Liberty, Equality and Fraternity or other similar high-standing values, but for sure, life is not always very fair.

One wonders why some have gone far too early in life while others, just next door, are still part of this  material world.

I am sure however Martha's soul will live on and you will be able to communicate with her, in a different way.

I am certain Martha will continue to inspire you and others working for PRIA as well as PRIA's partners, in India and beyond.
We are all with you in these difficult times,

Laurent LE DANOIS
Attaché
International Cooperation and Development
Delegation of the European Union to India

We are Kituo cha Katiba ( KcK) have received the sad news of Dr. Martha Farrell ’s demise with great shock and sadness.

Although we are not with you physically our thoughts are with you and  pray that God comforts  you  through this very difficult time of loss and despair.

Our condolences also go to the entire PRIA family.

For and on behalf of Kituo Cha Katiba Board and Management.

Edith Kibalama
Executive Director
Kituo Cha Katiba

Trust was shocked by the sad news of the unnatural and sudden demise of Ms. Martha Farrell in Afghanistan. She fell victim to a mindless attack on innocent people. The loss is not only a loss for PRIA but for many more VOs also, especially those working in the Governance sector.

We share your grief and would like to be with you all in this dark hour. We pray for the departed soul and offer our condolences for everyone at PRIA, and Rajeshji in particular. May the Almighty give everyone the strength to bear this loss.

Rajesh Bhat
(Managing Trustee, Swapath Trust)

 

Dear Dr. Tandon and other members of PRIA,

Faculty members of the School of Gender & Development Studies at IGNOU have been equally and very deeply shocked by this tragic news. Dr. Martha Farrell had been extremely supportive of our academic programmes due to her strong commitment to gender issues. We will sorely miss her energy, her smile and her indefatigable spirit. A small condolence meeting was held in the School premises today by the faculty.

Please accept our heartfelt condolences for this huge loss. Martha was irreplaceable and will always be so. May she rest in peace and may her spirit continue to live through all the wonderful work she started at PRIA and elsewhere.

With deepest condolences,
Anu Aneja
(Director, SOGDS)

Dear Madam/ Sir,

I was saddened to read the newspaper today on the untimely death of Martha in Kabul.

Though we never met, we knew Martha was there for the students and was always available to help and guide them.

Kindly extend our condolences to her bereaved family, and all her friends and colleagues at PRIA.

Regards,

Veena
Student of MAPD Jan 2011

We sadly remorse the sudden death of Dr.Martha Farrell Please here accept our condolenceand give strenght to the family to bear the loss.

Shagufta Khan & Staff Gharib Nawaz Samiti
Ajmer

I have learned the terrible news. Please accept my sincere condolences for the loss of our friend and colleague, Martha. What a tragic loss. It must be so very difficult for everyone in the PRIA family and words seem inadequate to express myself. Please convey my sadness at the loss of this incredible woman and inspiring force in combatting violence. I will miss her greatly.

Kind regards from Canada.
Catherine

We are very shocked hear about inhuman attack and death of Ms. Martha in Afghanistan.
Nitinbhai from Abhivyakti has informed us about this incidence. 
Please accept our condolence. We are with you all. We wish Dr. Tandon will get enough strength to face this situation.

Bhim Raskar on behalf of Trustees, RSCD & MRA Team 

Dear Rajesh Bhai,

Just got to know about the horrifying news about Martha. My heartfelt condolence to you and the PRIA family. We have lost one of the most wonderful people.

Banashree

We join you in your grief.  The news has shocked us all at Development Alternatives.  We offer our condolences and stand with you at this difficult hour.  

May the almighty grant her peace and give strength to all of you to bear this loss.  

in grief
Zeenat

Dear Rajesh Bhai, 

Never realised in the morning when I read the horrific  news that this involves someone we know. Heartfelt condolences for Martha's and PRIA family.

Sincerely,
Amitabh 

Extremely sorry to hear about the sad demise of Ms Martha.  The vaccum created by her absence will remain for ever. May all those who cared for her and PRIA, have enough strength to live with the loss. My deepest condolences with Dr Tandon and Family and PRIA.

Dr. Sanghmitra Sheel Acharya
Director, Indian Institute of Dalit Studies (IIDS)

We are in deep shock to know about sudden demise of Dr. Martha Farrell, Director, PRIA. It was more shocking to know how she was brutally sacrificed. As a development activist, it is being truly hard to bear the pain. May the almighty give strength to her beloved ones. May her departed soul rest in peace. May the PRIA Family bear the courage on ensuring true justice with Dr. Martha. 

WAVE Foundation family will keep her name in their pray always. 

Dear Rajesh,

I have just came to know, by our friend Budd, that your wife has passed away and I would like to express my sincere condolences, very specially to you, but also to the PRIA team and to those who loved her.

I met Martha a couple of years ago, during our GUNi Conference in Barcelona. She was a sweet and nice person, as well as an excellent professional. I will always remember her smiling. 

A big huge from Barcelona.  Warmly,

Àngels Cortina

Dear friends,

This has been the most devastating in a whole string of devastating events in recent weeks. Martha and I have been friends ever since she came to me as an intern in Abner Memorial School, Delhi, in the late 1970s.

Rajesh and Martha met through me and they got married in our home ....1, Kushak Road.

I feel I have lost a friend, a sister, a comrade, a colleague.......someone special in every possible way.

This is the third death of a close friend within this past week. And the cumulative stress has not helped the healing process of a severe attack of sciatica...brought on by an old disc problem in my back. Hence flat on my back most of the time.

Most recently Martha was working closely with a group of us in AAP SHAKTI to finalize guidelines and a draft framework on a committee for Sexual Harassment within AAP. We will hopefully implement this as a tribute to  Martha.....

And it was Martha with Feisal Alkazi, who helped develop the training module on gender sensitisation for,the Indian Navy when we first inducted women into the service.

Oh Martha.....we had plans that you would finally come to Ramu Farm and pick mangoes from the trees this summer. But you went the way you lived.....ever ready for the unexpected.....unafraid and gutsy .

Rajesh...good to speak to you just now...stay strong......our love and thoughts go out to you, and to Suheil and Tarika...and Martha's Mom.

Take care

Lolly

Dear Rajesh and all PRIA colleagues,

Our hearts go out to Rajesh, his family and all of PRIA colleagues for the loss of dear friend and leader, Martha Farrell.  Our friends here at IDS, as well as other colleagues around the world and shocked and saddened to learn of this news.  She was a wonderful leader, educator, gender advocate, mother, partner and friend to many, many people around the world.  She will be missed on so many levels, and by a global network.   Personally from Juliet Merrifield and I, as well as from all of the staff here at IDS, we send our deepest condolences and prayers.

Yours sincerely

John Gaventa

Dear Rajesh,

I have just came to know, by our friend Budd, that your wife has passed away and I would like to express my sincere condolences, very specially to you, but also to the PRIA team and to those who loved her.
I met Martha a couple of years ago, during our GUNi Conference in Barcelona. She was a sweet and nice person, as well as an excellent professional. I will always remember her smiling. A big huge from Barcelona.
Warmly,

Àngels Cortina

My dear friend Rajesh,

I have heard today about the tragic passing of Martha Farrell and I want to express my solidarity with you at this painful time.

My deepest condolences for such a loss.

Silvio

Dear Col Gupta,

I convey my deepest condolences to Dr. Rajesh Tandon, the immediate family and the entire PRIA family.
The news has shocked us.

We pray for strength and calm for the family and friends that Martha leaves behind and peace for the departed soul.
With you in this moment of grief,

Preeta

I have learned the terrible news. Please accept my sincere condolences for the loss of our friend and colleague. What a tragic loss. It must be so very difficult for everyone in the PRIA family and words seem inadequate to express myself. Please convey my deep sadness at the loss of this incredible woman and inspiring force in combatting violence. I will miss her greatly.

Kind regards from Canada.
Catherine

Dear Rajesh bhai,

Prakash and I were shocked to read the sad news in one of the social media sites this morning as I could not believe it  then started to dig on and gone even more panic as they were confirming the truth . This is so tragic, Martha's sudden and unexpected passing away must be heartbreaking and devastating to you and children.

Words fall short when I try to express the sorrow I feel knowing that you are bearing a loss so profound. They say the most painful goodbyes are the ones that are never said and explained, and as we try to cope with such a loss we find it difficult to see beyond the grief. However, know that even in silence, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. May you find strength to handle this grief, the courage to face this irreparable loss in the constant love of friends and family.

Martha was a lovely friend, a mighty strong woman leader ,  always very focused and determined. Martha was passionate about her work and she was a visionary mentor to her team. Her presence will be immensely missed. The PRIA premises will feel empty without her voice echoing in the corridors and her smile greeting us all.

Dear Rajesh, Suheil and Tarika please accept our heartfelt condolences. May God give you the strength to accept the truth and go through the positive grieving process. May the departed should rest in peace. 

With lots of love, remembrance and much power to you,

Saloni, Prakash, Pranjali and Surabhi

Dear Pria Sisters and Brothers
 
What a sad and terrible news...
My thoughts are with you at this difficult time
Please accept my sincere condolences
May Her soul Rest in Peace.
May God welcome her in the highest Heaven.
May Her  Spirit stay  with us and  strengthen us every day.
Peace

Thierno Kane

Dear Mr Rajest Tandon/ All Pria's Staff

I felt very sad to hear a terrible  news about Dr. Martha passed away. I and all Lao Youths  are deeply condolence to you and PRIA's staff. Dr. Martha Farrell has helped and shared us a lot of her experiences during the workshop at PRIA. I would never forget it. We lost an important resource person. Hopefully her soul would reach to the heaven.

Yours Sincerely

Phouvong Manivong(Papaya)
LYU, Lao PDR 

Dear Rajesh and PRIA colleagues,

It is with sadness that we received the news of Matha’s passing, we are shocked to the core to learn of the circumstances under which she passed. From all of us at the CDRA – board, staff and network of associates – we wish to extend our sincerest and heartfelt condolences to Rajesh, his family and all of your at PRIA during this time of bereavement. How does one make sense of such senseless killing?

We will remain with and draw on the fond memories of Martha during their visit a few years ago – her warmth, humour and forthright manner is what touched us!

Wishing you all peace and strength during this difficult time

Warm regards

Nomvula Dlamini

Dear Nandita and PRIA Family,

We are very sad to hear about Martha's demise.
Its a loss for for her family at home and her family at PRIYA. 
Its a loss for humanity. 
However, she was all spirit and the SPIRIT never dies.
I thank GOD for the wonderful time we had with her, and all that we learnt from her.
May her soul rest in peace.

Asha Rajkumari
Liaison Manager
New Call Telecom Ltd

Dear Rajesh and all friends at PRIA,

All of us at CHETNA are feeling extremely sad to learn about sudden demise of Dr. Martha Farrell. We extend all of you our deepest condolences and sympathies. It is difficult to imagine PRIA without Martha. Her contribution in developing PRIA as an organisation is enormous and well known. Her effort to advocate for the rights of marginalised people especially of women is extremely important contribution in the development field. May God rest her soul in peace.

Indu, Pallavi, Minaxi and CHETNA team.   

Dear friends from PRIA,

This is deeply sorrowful news, indeed. On behalf of ICAE I would like to express our sincere condolences to Martha's family at this difficult and painful time. It is extremely sad to see how terrorist attacks continue taking away the lives of innocent people.
In solidarity

Katarina Popovic
ICAE Secretary General
This from Divya Gupta:

"simply cannot believe this news! Am completely shocked and deeply saddened by it! At a loss for words and yet...
I worked closely with Martha over several months on the sexual harassment framework and each time I interacted with her, I was left enriched and inspired by her clarity of thought and intelligence, her sincere but never shrill commitment to fighting the good fight, her professionalism and work ethic, her willingness to always help...you're right! Martha struck me as special in every way and I feel honoured and blessed to have known her in a limited way and time...we had so much more to learn from her, she had so very much to give to the world but even as she has left us much before her time, she has left a mark and her inspirational human values, qualities and spirit will live on... 

I wish I were in Delhi/India today - my heartfelt condolences to Rajesh ji and his family and all those who feel the profound loss of a public servant who stood tall in every way, social warrior, kindred spirit, truly good human being and much more...

Dear Martha - rest peacefully...your light will continue to shine and guide us into the future...
Love, prayers and in solidarity, "

Dear Rajesh,

Martha's passing is terrible news -- for you, for the kids, for PRIA, and for everyone who knew her.  Jane and I have been walking around in a daze since we began getting emails about the attack in Kabul.  She will not be soon forgotten by anyone who had the privilege of being with her.

I am especially concerned about you, old friend.  How can I help you deal with this gaping hole in your world?  I suspect you are deluged with supporters at the moment, but I want you to know that I am ready to come there and hang out with you, or for you to come here, or to talk on Skype, or to meet somewhere that is not here or there, or to find other ways to cope with your changed life. 

We are thinking of you and of Martha......

Dave
L. David Brown
536 Cundys Harbor Road
Harpswell, ME 04079

Dear Rajesh, dear friends at PRIA,

It is an unbelievable, shocking news, we received. One feels so helpless confronted with this incredible incident. I remember my last meeting with Martha less than a month ago, her warm hospitality, her thoughtful intervention, her love and respect for people of all nations, races and religion. This is unforgettable. What is wrong on our planet, when people like Martha can become targets of terrorist attacks?

I am not a religious person, but I will try to pray for Martha and pray for all of you to find the power and consolation in this time of deep sadness.

Yours,

Uwe

Dear Friends,

We are deeply shocked on the sudden demise of Dr. Martha Farrell, Director, PRIA. Her passion to work on training programs, women issues etc would remain an inspiration for all of us. We extend our deepest condolences to her family and staff members of PRIA. 

Yours Sincerely

Bibhu Kalyan Mohanty Ph.D.
Secretary 
SAMBANDH

Dear Dr. Tandon and all at PRIA,

My colleagues and I at the Centre for Women’s Development Studies deeply mourn the death of Dr. Martha Farrell, who lived and sacrificed her life for gender equality and women’s empowerment.  
We  join you in your moment of grief.  May the family have the strength to bear this irreparable loss.

Indu Agnihotri
Director, CWDS

We are deeply saddened by the demise of Dr. Martha. This is a huge loss to all of us. 
Heartfelt condolences to the family.
May the departed soul have peace in Heaven.

Regards,

Raj

Dear Colleagues

This is a trying time for all of us who have known our dearest friend and colleague Dr Martha Farrell - Martha as we fondly call her. A cruel, harsh and unkind world has snatched her mortal presence away from us, but I believe surely, that nobody can take away her immortal and unforgettable soul from us. Martha, to me and to many of us, represents an indomitable spirit with an incredible sense of rights and justice. Her unparalleled energy and enormous caring attitude towards everybody will remain with us for ever.

Since last evening, like many of you, I have been receiving condolences from around the world. This shows how much love, care and friendship she has shared with so many people.

Martha, we will stubbornly remain faithful to your belief and faith that you stood for your entire life. You are an inspiration. Take rest, dear.     

Kaustuv

Sad to know about the tragic and unfortunate end of a great social worker. May Dr Martha’s soul rest in peace, and may God give strength to Dr Rajesh Tandon and his family to bear this loss.

Pradeep Ghosh

Deeply saddened by the news of tragic demise of Dr. Martha. Heartfelt condolences to Rajesh Ji, family and PRIA team.

Anurag Gupta
Programme Coordinator

Dear Manoj,

I learnt with shock the sad demise of Ms. Martha Farrell in the tragic event in Afghanistan.  Please convey my sincere condolences to Mr. Tandon…

Kind regards

Ritu Mathur
Programme Analyst
UNDP India

We are in deep shock to know about sudden demise of Dr. Martha Farrell, Director, PRIA. It was more shocking to know how she was brutally sacrificed. As a development activist, it is being truly hard to bear the pain. May the almighty give strength to her beloved ones. May her departed soul rest in peace. May the PRIA Family bear the courage on ensuring true justice with Dr. Martha. 

WAVE Foundation family will keep her name in their pray always. 
With solemn heart. 
A friend from Bangladesh.

Mohsin 

Dear Rajesh

On behalf of your friends and colleagues at the Rockefeller Foundation, I send deepest, heartfelt sympathy and condolences for your loss this week. Tragic beyond words, and a huge loss not only to your family but to the civil society and gender movement world-wide.  Suman and I were in Delhi this week and heard the sad news from Ashoke Chatterjee and Poonam.

Please know that our thoughts are with you, and we look forward to continuing to work with you in pursuit of the values and goals for humanity that we all hold so dearly.

Our deepest sympathies to you and your family
Nancy and Suman, and our RF colleagues

Nancy MacPherson
Managing Director, Evaluation
The Rockefeller Foundation
Remembering Martha

My first few steps into PRIA office – the day she was supposed to be brought back from Kabul – I expected to run into her the second I walked in. "Hiiiii…” I thought I’d just hear her voice... "…I have to tell you about this workshop with these young girls and boys in Sonepat…”  "Achhar khaya? Don’t you think the Khatta meetha was the best. Oh and I have to try the peach jam; there’s so much of it lying around...”  "…I will make sure it gets done today and no one goes home till it gets done…”  "…kaise nahin karega? Mein dekhti hoon…” voices in my head just wouldn’t shut up.

 "...someone has to fix it…” and it’s probably that indefatigable spirit of hers that took her to Kabul – most people wouldn’t dare, but not Martha. She had to jump in and do what needed to be done. I have come across few women who are as multi-dimensional as Martha, as full of conviction as her and as open and large hearted as she was. She so brimmed with zeal, it spilled over; she couldn’t help it.

I remember my 2nd or 3rd meeting with her, "Martha, can we meet at 8:30 if that’s alright, I’d like to beat the traffic.” Sure enough we sat the following morning, she opened her diary, I started saying what I had to and then… "Oh wait. I packed some sandwiches. I thought if you’re coming in this early, you wouldn’t have had time for breakfast.” I was amazed at her thoughtfulness. And it was effortless.

She became, from a client – a friend – a confidant. We spoke of life, love, children, politics… And of course work, work, work… She was so humane, so real and so full of life.

You could not ignore Martha. Even those who disagreed with her, one way or the other had to acknowledge and take into account her reactions, her views and work around who she was – Of course, you had to – with a woman of such strong beliefs and conviction – either convince her or be convinced! Always ready to roll her sleeves up with a spirit that said, "Bring it on..."

She had an impact on every single person she interacted with. The workshops, talks, books, online courses, birthdays, farewells, office lunches, Christmas parties, home-made goodies… And one of the last few messages from her, in response to having gobbled up a few home-made ladoos she sent – "I think I now have your Achilles heel. How did I imagine that you would just nibble, given your track record. Enjoy the rest…”

I am so grateful our paths crossed. How does one remember a woman like Martha! She stays on…

- ANUPMA GAJWANI

Dear Manoj, Mathew and Kaustuv,

I was in a workshop yesterday and in the evening was out doing some shopping as I was sick of being inside the hotel. Had an early dinner and returned to the room around 10.30 p.m. and since I don't check mail during the day I thought I would.

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