Savita Prem
A daughter’s tribute by Aneeta Prem MBE
My mother, Savita Prem, was born in India and married my father, Chandra Shekhar Prem, a poet, writer and college principal. When our family built a life in Britain, Mum brought with her courage, elegance and a refusal to complain.
She worked hard, cared for our family and remained generous to people beyond it. Her support was never abstract. It meant listening without judgement, cooking for whoever arrived, noticing when somebody needed help and standing beside my sister Vineeta and me through every stage of our lives.
Mum has been present at important public moments, from the launch of Cut Flowers to visits to Parliament and Downing Street. Yet the part of her life I value most cannot be measured in photographs. It is the private constancy of a mother who has always made home feel safe.
She is an extraordinary cook, a loyal friend and a grandmother whose love for Rishi is unmistakable. She has also supported Freedom Charity and shown warmth to women and girls facing fear and family control.
My mother taught me that love is not weakened by being shared. The more generously it is given, the stronger a family becomes.
