Houston:
An elementary college in the US state of Texas will be named immediately after an Indian-American trailblazer Sonal Bhuchar so that her legacy in education and philanthropy continues for generations to come, according to a statement.
The Fort Bend Independent School District (FBISD) Board of Trustees unanimously authorized naming upcoming elementary college 53, immediately after Ms Bhuchar, who died of cancer complications at the age of 58 in 2019.
The college will open in January 2023 in the Riverstone neighborhood.
Originally from Mumbai, she was a specialist physiotherapist and had her bachelor’s degree in physical therapy from Bombay University. She immigrated to Houston in 1984 with her husband, Subodh Bhuchar.
Ms Bhuchar, a well-liked neighborhood activist and a leader, who often cared about the neighborhood, was elected to the Fort Bend ISD Board of Trustees for six years and served as the Board President for two years.
In 2015 Texas Governor Greg Abbot appointed Ms Bhuchar to the One Star National Service Commission Board, that promotes volunteerism and oversees administration of the AmeriCorps programmes in the US state of Texas.
While on the FBISD board, Sonal Bhuchar led various district initiatives, like the Student Leadership Programme, the Legislative Advocacy Programme, the Fort Bend Education Foundation”s Annual International Festival, WATCH-a life style education programme-and scholarship possibilities.
Several existing board members spoke very about she encouraged them to serve the neighborhood.
Trustee Jim Rice sat on the college board alongside Bhuchar for two years.
“The first year she was my mentor, and I came to know her very well,” Rice mentioned. “She was a lady who worked very hard in our community to help build bridges of understanding between our very diverse community.”
Trustee Grayle James ran for Sonal Bhuchar’s college board seat when she decided to not seek re-election in 2012.
“While I did not sit on the school board with Sonal, I did try to sit in the seat and fill the shoes that she left here,” James mentioned. “She supported me as I learned my role on the school board. I”m so grateful and proud that we”ll be able to name an elementary school for her.”
Thrilled about this recognition, Dr Subodh, her husband, a reputed doctor and a neighborhood leader told PTI that, “The current Fort Bend citizens and FBISD board of Trustees recognised Sonal”s phenomenal service to the county by unanimously voting for an elementary school in her honour, so that her legacy in education and philanthropy continues for generations to come”.
“Sonal was a quiet but effective warrior, who weaved a path for generations of young women and men to follow. She led by example and showed them that their way to succeed in life is to give, without expecting anything in return. She ensured that her actions would lead to changes that would benefit all”, Dr Subodh mentioned.
Shefali Jhaver, a regional resident and pal of Ms Bhuchar, sharing the news of schools approval by FBISD mentioned “I am thrilled that her spirit and legacy will carry on for generations to come through a school where she lived, raised her family and inspired us all. She was a shining member of our community here.
“It is a terrific honour for all initially generation immigrants. Sonal, who was taken from us significantly as well quickly, often cared deeply about our neighborhood, and I couldn”t be happier about this choice,” mentioned Usha Ganju, a close pal of the loved ones.
Sonal Bhuchar, till her death, was actively involved on the board of numerous nonprofit and regional organisations, like Child Advocates of Fort Bend, the Literacy Council of Fort Bend, AccessHealth, Sugar Land Cultural Arts Foundation and the Texas Medical Association Alliance, amongst other people.