Her name and flawless Bengali can mislead anyone into believing that she is a Bengali. Latika Das smiles and says, "Yes, everybody thinks I am a Bengali. I am a Malayalee who just happened to learn the language while interacting with friends. It is all a matter of coincidence."
An alumni of Sacred Heart Convent School, Latika was fascinated with dance at one time. Today, however her name has become synonymous to quality education and DBMS English School, where she has spent almost 25 years of her life. She was the Principal there as well.
"It happened quite by chance. I was passing by the school with my son, who wanted to go inside and play. When I took him inside, other teachers asked me to join them and the rest, as they say, is history." And the seasoned teacher recognised her calling soon.
"I realised that I loved teaching and the company of children. In my years of association I have tried my best to do whatever I could for my students and I still endeavour to do so," says Latika.
But there was something amiss in her life. "In 2002 when I was with my son in USA, I remember telling him one day that I wanted to do something more than just being a teacher at DBMS and it was soon that I decided to resign from my post as principal of the school."
The next few months were spent just pondering over the next step. It was then that I hit upon an idea to start classes that make children self-sufficient. Latika stumbled upon a brain development training programme in Malaysia.
"It was in Malaysia that I saw little children learning to count on abacus. I also learnt this was a part of a bigger technique called SIP (Sociable Intelligent and Progressive) sessions, which help children develop better attention, concentration, memory and retention," says Latika. It was there itself that she learnt of a similar academy in Chennai and immediately enrolled herself there.
After returning to Jamshedpur, Latika opened her SIP academy at Spring Blossoms, a primary school in Sakchi, along with her sister-in-law in December 2004.
The course is divided into eight levels with three months training each and is for children aged six years and above. First three months the child is given the abacus to learn how to count.
"Its just amazing how quickly these children count after the first level, once the abacus is taken away," smiles Latika.
The training aims at making a child's brain function better and exercise it regularly, that is why it's also called a "brain gym". There are also various other games and exercises, those that leave the child's overall personality better developed.
Latika also conducts personality development classes and for the last one year her friend, educationist Vijayam Kartha, has also joined in.
A former Rotarian, she is actively involved with the School of Hope but her involvement with children special or otherwise does not end here. "There are a few children from the local slums whom I teach. I also provide them with books and other reading material that they need," she adds.
"I have also enrolled a few students in the nearby schools, but most of them and especially the girls, drop out due to family pressure," says Latika.
Special children and their problems are issues that she holds close to her heart. Working with the School of Hope, Latika feels that she does her little bit.
She is also involved with with Prem Jyoti Prangan, a school for underprivileged children.
For Latika, proper development can only come through awareness and education is something that sustains that awareness. Latika who just returned from the "Earth Vision 20-20 Conference", at Good Shepherds Public School in Ooty, was shaken by all that she learnt there.
"All that the scientists at the conference spoke about was shocking for us and we decided that something really needs to be done to improve the environment we are living in," she says.
Thus, along with Vijayam Kartha she has started a course in Environment Science at Ideal Public School, Mango. "We also plan to take up this mission to other city schools as well."
Latika is a member of the governing body of Kerala Public School and Ideal Public School.
This year she was also appointed as the examination-inspector for ICSE and the ISC examinations in the city.
Though Latika's thoughts are always with her son settled in USA, but her roots remain in Jamshedpur. And she wishes to remain put as long as she can do what she loves best - teaching.
Asked about her passion for dance she ruefully explains "My father was very much into classical Indian dances, so I learnt Bharatnatyam, Kathakali, Kathak and Mohini-Attam at a very young age," says Latika.
"I was a very good dancer but had to discontinue due to family pressure," she adds with a smile. She also counsels students who come to her for help regarding personal matters. Seems like the lady will soon venture into yet another domain.