The principal of St. Francis Xavier school, Sheela Chopra, passed away on May 5. Chopra had started the school in 1983 and had been the principal throughout. 

“My parents came to Calcutta in 1975 and lived in Kankurgachhi. My mother started giving tuitions and encouraged by the response, started St. Francis Xavier school in 1983 in a rented space in BD Block,” said Ajay, Chopra’s son and the school’s administrator. 

The institute started expanding and it simultaneously ran four campuses at BD, BE and CD blocks till they got the Purbachal plot in 1994. 

Chopra, 64, was suffering from a nerve-related problem last month and had been admitted to Institute of Neurosciences, Mallick Bazar. But complications arose because of which she had to be shifted to Apollo Gleneagles Hospitals on May 4. She died of a cardiac arrest the next day. 

“Classes were given off after half day that day and our prize distribution ceremony, which was slated for May 20 at EZCC, has been postponed till July,” said Ajay, whose family lives in The Residency complex of City Centre. He also has a sister in Delhi. “Our guiding light has gone out but she trained us well and we shall continue to work for the school’s progress.”

Chopra’s chautha ceremony was held on May 8 in Ballygunge, and was attended by family, friends, staff and many present and former students.