Soma, my cousin, my best friend, philosopher and guide

Soma (Reshma di to me) who has been my strongest supporter at all times, my go-to person, in good and bad times, is no more.

She was and will always remain my best friend, guide and anchor. There has been no one like her, nor will there be.

This blog is full of her picture contributions. Most of my travel happened because of her enthusiasm and her urging me to be an explorer. Even though she was much older than me, her enthusiasm for life was much more than anyone I know. For me, she was 60 something going on 16😊

Soma at Gurudongmar Lake in Sikkim (Dec 2021), At 17000 ft, she was trying hard to make a normal face. She was out of the vehicle for precisely 40 seconds! 

I will fall short of words if I were to attempt to describe who she was, this wonderful and empathetic human being. Passionate, down to earth, intelligent, knowledgeable, curious, witty, humorous, spontaneous, do-gooder, kind hearted, one of the best listeners ever, intense, warm, uplifter, always appreciative and I could carry on and on…. She touched every life that came in contact with her. She has given purpose to so many people, just like me. Her vast knowledge about everything was simply amazing, whether it be travel, films, music, food, books, history… anything under the Sun, she was the person I would have hours of intense discussions and conversations with. Before making any decision, I would always run it by her and get her guidance. One of the best cooks I know, she used to spoil me by cooking all my favourites. She has enriched my life in so many ways that it is not easy to express it in words.

Birds, of course, were one of her most favourite topics. She has been an avid birder (in spite of rheumatoid arthritis, and a not-so-supportive physical condition); In fact, she happens to be one of the few Indians to have seen the maximum number of birds that can be seen in India.

I regret not spending more time with her and being near her during the time of her death.

Rest in peace dearest Soma (Reshma di). I am sure you must be busy by now with a whole lot in the other world. They must have needed someone like you desperately out there...after all they don't make that many like you anymore!

I am sharing some of the bird pictures that she clicked on her last birdwatching trip, which was in Sikkim in December 2021.

                      Male Grandalas- she had seen them before but on the ground on snow.

                  The first time I saw this picture, I thought these were beautiful blue flowers!

                                     

                                  

Male and female White-browed Bush Robin (she had not seen the male before, this was the first time)

Yellow-rumped Honeyguide : Making a nice meal out of the hive. This was the first time she saw them in action.

Tibetan Siskin- this was a lifer for her

Below are some links that have Soma Jha's bird pictures and trip reports:

• https://www.wandervogeladventures.com/zuluk/
• https://www.conservationindia.org/gallery/the-rare-black-breasted-parrotbill-spotted-in-manas
• https://indianbirds.in/pdfs/IB.9.2.Jha_WhitethroatedWheatear.pdf
• https://indianbirds.in/pdfs/IB_11_1_SnapshotSightings.pdf