Raka Mallick had a passion for her family and dogs as well as a dream to be an industrial engineer. For her, attending A&M was a path to reach this dream, but along the way, she ended up impacting the lives of those closest to her.
Mou Mallick, Raka’s mother, said Raka was a smart young woman who loved being around people.
“She was and is the best daughter,” she said. “[She was] very bright, attached to family with a lot of friends; very involved with her one year-old sister.”
Bani Mallick, Raka’s father said he likes to remember the day Raka was born. He said this is his favorite memory of her because it was the first day she was a part of his life.
“She was beautiful, bright eyed, and energetic,” Bani Mallick said. “[She was an] extremely loving child.”
Bani Mallick said Raka was an animal lover who had a knack for picking up pets.
“She loved animals,” Bani Mallick said. “She had four dogs and she got two of them from shelters.”
Raka also enjoyed listening to music, attending anime conventions, cooking and reading books, her father said. But, beyond these activities, he said there was more to his daughter – her character will be remembered.
“[I want her to be remembered as being] compassionate, kind and always willing to help others,” he said. “[She was] family loving and social.”
Alina Dattagupta, a childhood friend, said Raka was always happy for her friends’ accomplishments and would provide encouragement for anyone going through a hard time.
“She is the most genuine, lively and honestly kind person I know,” Dattagupta said. “She would drop anything to help her friends and family. She was one of the best friends, always smiling. I don’t think God could have made a more perfect child or friend.”
Dattagupta said she met Raka when she was about five years old and immediately knew the kind of person she was.
“She’s been so amazing,” she said. “She brightened up my life anytime I saw her. She’s literally one of my sisters. She was close to my family as well.”
The fun times from their childhood together made up some of the best memories of Raka, Dattagupta said.
“When we were little, we would randomly dance around and my dad would videotape us and we were so carefree,” she said. “We would do karaoke and make up dances, and we weren’t worrying about anything.”
Dattagupta said she misses those days and will remember Raka for her kind heart.
“I want her to be remembered as one of the sweetest and kindest hearts – one of the most genuine people who could light up my life,” Dattagupta said. “She was such a blessing and she could touch the life of anyone. The fact that she was so loyal and the fact that she was not judgmental, it can attest to the type of wonderful person she was.”