It was with unspeakable grief in our hearts that we learnt on October 11, 2007, of the deeply sad news that our wonderful friend – Latika – was no more...
After a surgery in Chennai's Ramachandra Hospital about 3 days earlier, she had not been able to make it to life's shores....
Latika – or Mrs Latika Das – the erstwhile Principal of D.B.M.S. English School, wife of the retired Tata Steel senior executive T.P.S.N. Das, a very special friend, mother, sister, aunt, is remembered by so many; four of us, attempt to pay a small tribute to her memory.
Lovely to look at,
Amicable to talk to,
Tolerant in the most trying situations,
Humane in outlook,
Industrious to the core,
Keen to observe,
Aesthetically inclined always.
"This in a nutshell is the quintessence of dear Latika", says Prema Balasubramanian, “a perfect blend of charm and vivaciousness, thoughtfulness and practicality, intelligence and talent. A true friend, a loving mother, an affectionate wife and a dedicated Principal of D.B.M.S. English School.”
“Her solid contribution to D.B.M.S. English School has no doubt made the school create record after record at an all-India level" says Bhanumathi Neelakantan with pride in her sad voice.
"The first time I, her friend and colleague, Surekha Tenneti Venutopal, saw Latika, I remember, notwithstanding the tear in the eye, was when I was about 21, and she 17, a radiant, utterly charming, youthful girl with the most amazing smile, when she came pillion-riding with her boy-friend T.P.S.N. to our Chenab Road house, H6, Jamshedpur, in 1965, some months after my husband and I had got married.”
Erstwhile colleague Radha Balasubramnian thoughtfully expresses, also with a mixture of pain and pride, “Latika set a great example to the students. The grace and dignity with which she carried herself, the constant smile on her face, the calmness that she displayed when she handled problems with the staff, students or management bear testimony to her leadership qualities.”
Bhanumathi Neelakantan further remembers:
“In 1972, when Latika was 23, she joined the school with her 3-year old son Rajesh."
"A growing new school requires a lot of funds for infrastructure and facilities, very good committed staff to ensure quality education, And gradually, since then, Lathika learnt the well-orchestrated coordination required for fund raising through innovative fund-raising programmes where a great many students participate, and a large number of staff work behind the stage for months. Gradually she became an expert in the field."
"As I had established 6 schools in Jamshedpur, I knew, how important it was to have a Principal that led a school with vision, accommodativeness of spirit, dedicaton, hardwork, and the ability to carry a team with her to reach the goal in time. When the need arose and Latika, after several years at the school became the Principal, I knew just how fortunate the D.B.M.S. Management was to get the right Principal. Ultimately it was D.B.M.S. English School that got lucky to have had her at the helm for 15 years."
"As we were the first English medium school (non-missionary) school to start Plus Two in 1985 and the first in introducing new and novel features and extra curricullar activities, the staff the Management, parents and public relations had to be given equal priority in an exemplary way that Lathika managed very efficiently."
"Later, her expertise and experience were also well used by the ICSE Council for inspections and affiliation formalities. Her calm composure, friendly approach, going deep into problems and projects, her concern for students and staff-welfare and her cooperation with the management, will always be remembered by D.B.M.S."
"Well Done Lathika!"
Radha Balasubramaniata pays her tribute.
"My introduction to D.B.M.S. family was way back in the early 1970s when Latika was a young teacher in the "English" school. Her transition from a teacher to a librarian and then to a Vice-Principal to finally becoming the Principal of the institution was seemless. She bore the additional responsibilities at each step whether it was overseeing the conversion of a shed to a library, encouraging and handling students, addressing concerns raised by parents and management with such dexterity that it is praiseworthy."
"As the Academic Advisor' at the school, I found her very open to suggestions. We often had long-drawn meetings to discuss students' performances, and academics, wherein several changes were made to examination procedures and design of question papers in which she always had the greater good of the students in mind."
"Latika was a good co-ordinator and was always on top of things."
"We were both amongst the last to leave the school premises each day. As a responsible and dedicated Principal of a large school, she was hardly ever on leave- availing of it only when it was absolutely essential. Words forsake me when I try to express my grief at the loss of this special friend."
"I ask you to please join me in prayers her – Latika.; may her soul rest in peace, her family be bestowed with courage .. “
"At this point, I, Surekha, am caught in a rush of memories ..."
"T.P.S.N. and she were so much in love..I believe he had seen her dancing at a function in the Jamshedpur Women's College where she studied, and decided to marry the lovely dancer. It was easy to imagine that. She had that terrific rhythm in her body, her manner, her spontaneous smile, her delightful conversation."
"At the school as colleagues, for a Teachers’ Day Fancy Dresss programme, she dressed as a coy Rajasthani woman gently stepping to my ‘romancing Banarsi Babu! It was her and TPSN I requested to meet my future daughter-in-law's people when they came calling proposing marriage of their daughter to my son. My husband already having left for his heavenly abode, I could think of only them, whom my husband and I were close to, to give me their support on that crucial day."
"I believe she greatly missed her beloved son Rajesh who has settled down in the US. And often transferred much of it to young people. Perhaps that was how she and Das poured love on my grandson also, and that is how she was quite an adored teacher too."
"Today my son and daughter-in-law are heartbroken also, for it is that kind of connection she made with people."
Prema Balasubramanian pays her tribute -
"She gave the best years of her life to bringing up the institution, D.B.M.S. English School which grew in quality and strength under her stewardship. Whether it was the direction of the sedate dance drama Meerabhai or the vibrant Dances Down the Ages, the planning and execution of the musical Mary Poppins or the great favourite Pinocchio, she was always in the school campus organizing, meticulously carrying out the responsibilities she had taken upon herself."
"Immaculately attired in crisp Tangail sarees or pretty printed silks, she was worthy of emulation by everyone of her students. Her spirit lives on in the students whom she nurtured, the activities she introduced, the library she so lovingly set up."
"She will always be remembered by everyone who came in contact with her for her inimitable smile, her radiant personality, and her determination to achieve."
"Her footprints are left on the sands of time to inspire many young lives to stride forward – undaunted, unafraid and undeterred."
"Finally then, dear Latika, shall we all, say for everyone who loved you, Au revoir! Till we meet again...?"
The Writers:
Bhanumathi Neelakantan:
The best-known name in the city for her promotion of education and educational opportunities, a number of first-rate schools, starting with The D.B.M.S. Schools stand testimony to her untiring work, and unswerving commitment. A social worker of the highest order, Bhanumathi Neelaknatan found in Latika Das a fine worker with charm and grace, dedication and earthiness.
Radha Balasubramnian:
A deeply dedicated member of the DBMS Schools’ think-tank, forever committed to enhancing the quality of education in schools. A worker with zeal, and a goal, she and late Latika Das interacted much towards fructifying the educational edifice of students- both in academics as well as in their all-round development.
Surekha Tenneti Venugopal:
A teacher, communicator, and a writer, Surekha and Latika were colleagues at the D.B.M.S. English School, and personal friends outside of it- as they shared the common platform of their husbands’ Tata Steel bonding. Latika went on to become the Principal of a leading school of Jamshedpur, and Surekha, a Corporate Communicator at Tata Steel, and an author, but the bonding only grew stronger.
Prema Balasubramanian:
Prema’s role in taking to a high-point, the achievements and abilities of The D.B.M.S. English School and related institutions in Jamshedpur make her a name to reckon with. Along with Bhanumathi Neelakantan and other tireless social workers, Prema learned to give of herself to several causes- and in the process grew to know, work with and appreciate the timeless qualities of the charismatic Latika Das.
Surekha Tenneti Venugopal