In respectful memoriam of SOMESH DASGUPTA SIR
(15 January 1945 - 29 June 2012)
With deep regret and a profound sense of loss, Pointers Who Care announces the passing away of our beloved Somesh Dasgupta Sir, at about 12:15 PM, 29 June 2012.
With the departure of Somesh Sir, only within a few months of the passing away of his wife, Nandita Aunty, we have now lost two of the brightest shining stars among the brilliant constellation of South Point teachers.
Somesh Sir was "officially" a history teacher at SPHS, where his tenure lasted between the years 1968 and 1999. In actuality, he was a legendary mentor to countless students in multiple arenas of their lives. Somesh Sir will be remembered as one of most benevolent and inspiring of all of the teachers of his era, who took a personal interest in the nurturing of his students, and diligently tended to their transformation from childhood to young adulthood.
An avid writer (and opinion maker), whose many publications appeared in contemporary periodicals, Somesh Sir's influence on his students extended to their perceptions of, and perspectives on, culture, literature, arts, music, sociology, ethics, oratory and, most definitively, history.
Together, Somesh Sir and Nandita Aunty transcended the stereotypical roles of traditional teachers. They were among the first generation of radical young teachers, who taught us the progressive values of the modern world. After class, they welcomed us to their home, always filled with literature, history and especially music, from all over the world. Generations of students congregated at the Dasgupta residence just because it was so cool to do so. Because, that is where the smartest conversations, the most melodious of guitar strains, and the best brews of coffee flowed as easily as love and laughter. Little did we know that our learning had never stopped. It spilled into our lives and entrenched itself in our souls, and made us all stronger, brighter and better.
Without the magical charisma of Somesh Sir and Nandita Aunty, many of us would not have pursued our lives' dreams. We know now that without the gentle prods from Somesh Sir, many of us would have not had the courage to chart courses that were untested before our times. More than anything else, we would have lacked the strength and the confidence that comes from having been educated in a strong and loving way, which would prepare us for the rest of our lives.
We, Sir, will remain forever grateful to you and Nandita Aunty for your immense contribution to our lives and for your love and consideration toward us.