She was happy with her assignment in Kabul in strife-torn Afghanistan and eagerly looking forward to return home tomorrow.
But it was not to be.
"Normally people are happy about return of their dear ones from a war-torn country but I never wanted her to arrive like this," says Rajesh Tandon, as he received the coffin of his wife Martha Farrell brought from Kabul today.
Martha was killed in a Taliban attack on a guest house in Kabul on Wednesday night. Rajesh had spoken to his wife just minutes before the strike.
Working as a Director with Participatory Research in Asia (PRIA), an NGO which focuses on empowerment of the poor and excluded in the country and internationally, 56-year-old Martha had gone to Afghanistan for a workshop on gender sensitisation on an invitation from Agha Khan Trust.
She was visiting Kabul in connection with a training programme on gender mainstreaming and was providing support to Afghan officials and NGO workers.
"She spoke to me around 8.30 PM. I guess that was minutes before Taliban carried out an attack on the guest house. She was extremely happy and satisfied with her work and briefed me," recalls Tandon, who is the co-founder and President of PRIA.
Four Indians were among 14 people killed in a Taliban attack on a guest house in Kabul on Wednesday night. This area was popular among expats.
She said that she will come on Saturday after spending a day with her friends on Friday. "Wish she could have stuck to words," says Tandon with a choked voice. This was Martha's sixth visit to Afghanistan.
That was the last time he spoke to her, not aware of the fate in store that this could be the last time that he was hearing her voice. "I wish I could have talked more," he said.
The sombre mood at the office reflected her absence. "She used to look after everyone of us. She had strong opinion about gender bias and wanted equal rights for women across the globe," recalls Nandita, Manager with PRIA and closely associated with Martha.
"Men need to consider their behaviour, because what men consider natural may not be seen the same way by women. Drawing the line means being able to say 'no', because as women we have a choice," Nandita recalled Martha's quotes that she often used to say.
Tandon, Nandita and other office colleagues of Martha said that she lived and sacrificed her life for gender equality and women empowerment.
However, Tandon attempts to put a brave face after such a loss and says "we will continue to carry forward her work and achieve gender equality. At least this will be the best tribute to her sacrifice," he said.
An alumnus of Delhi University and a Ph.D. From Jamia Milia Islamia University, Martha's professional career spanned over 25 years working nationally and internationally in the field of education, research and policy advocacy, especially on the issues related to gender.
