"Dear Canberra,
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How beautiful you are - both outwardly and inwardly. I love you and appreciate you every single day. Though I am a stranger here for a short time, you showed me clearly how precious this human life is..."
![Meena (rear) at her daughter Zara's home in Phillip with granddaughter Gabriella. Picture: Karleen Minney Meena (rear) at her daughter Zara's home in Phillip with granddaughter Gabriella. Picture: Karleen Minney](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/fdcx/doc78hb6o06ebb13wa3ohiv.jpg/r0_0_4256_2828_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
So was the beginning of an evocative letter Meena wrote to The Canberra Times, wanting to thank the people who had helped her pregnant daughter Zara, who fell unconscious at Westfield Woden on September 12.
And she wanted to share the good news to all who helped - Zara was fine and so was her brand-new granddaughter, Gabriella, born almost a month later on October 11.
Meena had arrived from India to be with her daughter for the birth of the baby. Zara's husband was in the armed forces (hence their decision not to share their last names) and was deployed overseas, so would miss the arrival of the baby.
Meena and Zara had just finished shopping at Coles at Woden on September 12 when heavily pregnant Zara suddenly lost consciousness.
"All I could do at that time was simply hold her tightly in my arms and stand," Meena recalled.
"In my heart I prayed to the Almighty God, to please send me some help. In the same area there was another table where a man was looking his mobile and eating. I thought: 'Surely, he will notice our pathetic condition' but unfortunately didn't.
"I am standing there motionless and totally helpless. After some time, which felt like an eternity, a kind-hearted man came and asked me: 'Do you need any help?'. 'Yes, I do' and explained my situation at that needful hour.
![Meena is thrilled to report both Zara and Gabriella are happy and healthy after the scare. Picture: Karleen Minney Meena is thrilled to report both Zara and Gabriella are happy and healthy after the scare. Picture: Karleen Minney](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/fdcx/doc78hb6k3xj47g27yehij.jpg/r0_0_2628_3947_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
"Two ladies joined in to help, someone called the security guard, one of Coles' staff give us a water bottle and some tissue paper. Soon enough, there were so many helping hands.
"The security guard came and helped my daughter lay down on [the] floor and made a temporary hedge. Someone brought a pillow and the guard called for an ambulance.
"When first aid didn't work, as she was unconscious, the paramedics provided instructions over the phone as they were driving in. The ambulance arrived at the back side of the mall and they took her to Canberra Hospital."
But that's not where the help ended.
"My daughter's car was at ground level parking, all the shopped items were in the trolley and I don't drive," Meena wrote.
"So, I asked the security guard: 'What shall I do for this?'. They assured me to leave it to them and would will take care of it all.
"I left everything and went with my daughter. She got the best medical care and both mum and bub survived.
"The next day, when I came to collect the car and goods with the help of my relatives, sure enough they were are looked after well."
Zara said this week she fell unconscious due to a condition related to her pregnancy, including very low blood pressure. She remembers little of the day.
"I woke up in the emergency department at the Canberra Hospital," she said,
She and Meena and little Gabriella are all now happily at home in Phillip, Meena still on hand to help. And a committed fan of Canberra. Her letter was, essentially, a love letter to the city.
"You love everyone dearly, respect everybody, you provide care to small to old people equally, there is no partiality in your eyes," Meena wrote.
"You love strangers and homeless people who are not living without food. I have seen people giving with concerned hearts. You are naturally beautiful but your actions give you the real beauty."
And she wanted to pass on her thanks. So very much heartfelt.
"I want to say thank you to that particular gentleman along with the two sweet ladies whose names and addresses I don't know, but your pure love and affection and prompt action in that needful hour is really appreciated," Meena wrote.
"May God Almighty bless you abundantly dear Canberra. You will be in my heart forever. Oh Canberra, how beautiful you are!"