I want to share the enclosed email I just received from a woman
in Kolhapur, India who had read my mother's memoirs and letters
on my website: www.polandsholocaust.com/memoir2.html
From 1942-1948 there was a large Polish refugee camp at Valivade-
Kolhapur that included my mother Janina Sulkowska and
her father Jan Sulkowski who arrived in May 1947.
He taught in the Business School and was Director of the
Co-operative Zgoda. My mother edited the "Sloniatko Indijeskie"
and also taught. She also took a course in Comsetology which
she never used. They left for England in February 1948.
I was both amazed and moved by this Indian woman's empathy
and interest and by her request that comes some 54 years after
the fact to my mother who died in 1997 at age 83. My mother
often joked that she had never had a chance to use her
training in cosmetology and hygiene--until now I must add.
In fact Janka's advice is to her mother struggling to make ends
meet in Poland to where she returned from Kazakhstan in 1946.
I really didn't know how to answer this woman but I thanked
and blessed her:
"Hi! Janka
I am Dinesh. Iam an Indian. I have read some of your letters.
I felt happy during later part of your stay and sad during the
early stages of your life. Actually, I read your letters, because
I havelot of intrest in knowing the past.
One more thing, I am very much intrested in
getting the medicine(lotion) you have. If u could
tell me where i can get it in Kholahapur, I will buy it.
I quote a small paragraph from your letter.
'I completed a course in Modern Cosmetology &
Hygiene with "very good" in Polish and English--but I
don't know where it will be valid. Mama you must try my regenerator
for white hair which I'm sending. It's wonderful and it won't
leave your hair violet or green as was the case!
When you get my lotions tell everyone that they are secret
potions from India (people love the exotic!).'"
Chris Gladun. Toronto
p.s this email is also an example of the power of the internet
and its ability to make the past seem almost immediate--which
is both good and bad.
