A tribute to lost infants
In a heartwarming endeavour, the Rotaractors of RAC Stella Maris College for Women, RID 3234, paid tribute to infants gone too soon and laid to rest at the Kilpauk Cemetery in Chennai.
The project titled Light of Hope was executed on Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day (Oct 15), an annual observance dedicated to honouring the memory of babies lost to miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal death. This day offers parents, families and loved ones a chance to acknowledge their grief and reflect on the lives of the babies they have lost. The day is also meant to raise awareness about the prevalence of pregnancy loss and infant death, and the emotional and mental challenges faced by those impacted by pregnancy and infant loss, fostering support and understanding within communities.
Wikipedia states that “the day was established in the US in 2002, thanks to the efforts of Robyn Bear, Lisa Brown and Tammy Novak, each of whom had experienced the devastating loss of a baby. They aimed to create a day of remembrance and raise awareness of the issue. Over time, this observance received recognition through bipartisan Congressional resolutions and has now grown into an international event.”
Since it was first observed, Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day has been a source of comfort and solidarity, providing a space for people to share their grief and honour the lives of their lost babies.
On this day, the Rotaractors of Stella Maris College lovingly cleaned the infant graveyard at the cemetery, transforming it into a serene and sacred space for remembrance. Each grave was tenderly adorned with a lit candle, symbolising the eternal love and light these little souls brought into the world. A poignant prayer service was held at the Kilpauk Votive Shrine Church and at the cemetery, words of comfort and hope were shared to lift those carrying the weight of child loss.
Talking about the project, the project coordinator K J Lincy Catherine said, “Child loss is a grief that words can scarcely describe, yet society often adds to this pain by placing blame on parents instead of offering compassion. Through this initiative, we sought to break the silence, stigma, and the taboos surrounding child loss. As we read the heartfelt messages engraved on the tiny gravestones, we felt the depth of love and the immeasurable sorrow that parents carry. What touched us deeply was seeing parents still visiting the graves of their children, even after many years had passed.”
It was a powerful reminder that the love for a child knows no bounds of time or space. It is eternal, as is the pain of their absence. “Even though we did not know these children or their families, we stood with them in their pain. Through our actions, we hoped to remind grieving parents that they are not alone, that their loss is seen, their grief is valid, and their children are remembered.”
