A school head, who went beyond the classroom and worked for the poor, was remembered on his first death anniversary on Wednesday in a way that he would have “wanted”.
The family and students of Perminder Dasani, the school administrator of Chowringhee High School, who passed away because of Covid last year, distributed blankets for those in need.
“We always distributed blankets on Christmas Eve. We continued that tradition this year too. But we also decided to do it on his death anniversary as well. It would be a tribute to him rather than keep the day confined to a prayer meeting,” said daughter Nishita.
The day started with distribution of blankets outside the school premises, followed by hampers for children in the Moulali area and a night trip to parts of the city with blankets for the needy. “This is what he would have wanted. He always told us that if an idea comes to our head, we must pursue it,” said Nishita.
Nishita said what her father told her rings true even after his death because they were able to arrange the funds required for the projects. An old friend of Dasani donated Rs 30,000 for the blankets while an acquaintance gave Rs 15,000 for the kids’ hampers.
“When we see the number of people turning up to pay tribute to him we know that he is still alive in their hearts,” said Harshita Dasani, the principal of Chowringhee High School and his wife.
Even last year during Christmas, a few days before he died, he had said the work should “never stop”.
Besides the distribution programme, Harshita and her two daughters are already packing gifts for the staff and security in their building for the first day of the year. “On the New Year’s Day he (Dasani) would invite them to our home and give them gifts. I will do it this year,” said Harshita.
