Ms. Hemavati Pal, the erstwhile Teacher, Principal and Administrator of Sir J.J. Girls’ High School passed away peacefully in her sleep on 12th October, 2018, at her home in Mangalore, at the age of seventy-nine. Born in Mangalore on 26th August, 1929, Ms. Pal completed her schooling and graduation in Mangalore and her MA degree from The Madras Christian College, before joining the Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy Parsi Benevolent Institution (JJPBI) as a teacher for the girls’ school, in 1964, at the age of twenty-four. She became the Principal of the school in 1977 and later the administrator, post her retirement from the Sir JJPBI in 2006. Having served the institution for over forty-two years, Ms. Pal was an embodiment of everything fine in a teacher – love, affection, patience, understanding and kindness. No wonder she was able to step into the shoes of the legendary Principal, Nergish Bamji with seamless efficiency. She leaves behind her husband, the erudite Mr. Pal who had served with the Times of India as a journalist with distinction, a son, a daughter, and three grandchildren. Her passing away leaves a void and grief which can diminish with only the passage of the time and metamorphose into affectionate pride for having illuminated the lives of countless number of
girl students. A true ‘Beti Padhao’ person!