1st May 1948 – 7th April 2015
Shrimati Kusumben was born to Maniben and Tejpar Vaghji Gudka in Kitui, Kenya where she spent her early childhood. In the absence of secondary education in Kitui, she moved to Mombasa and joined the Coast Girls’ School where she developed special interest in photography and was the official school photographer.
In 1965 Kusumben was sent to Mumbai for higher education and she gained her BSc in Mathematics in 1970. She returned to Mombasa with her qualification and became a teacher in secondary education, teaching maths and science. Teaching became her passion for life.
2nd February, 1974 was the important day in her life when she married Shri Vinudlal Fulchand Shah and moved with him to South London and joined the civil service as advisor in the Legal Aid Office.
Kusumben’s passion for teaching did not allow her to carry on quietly. So with the assistance of Nitinbhai, Bharatbhai and Dhirubhai she started the Gujarati School in 1974.
Another important date came into Kusumben and Vinubhai’s life in early 1975 when their son, Mitul was born.
In 1976, Kusumben returned to work at the Department of Health and Social Services.
Kusumben reorganised the Gujarati School, moved it to the Oshwal Mahajanwadi in Croydon in 1983 and eventually took the responsibility as Head Teacher. She held this post until 2001. Yet, she continued to teach A-Level Gujarati and providing teacher training and whatever other help that was essential.
In 1998 she joined Shree Chandana Vidaypeeth in South London. This Jain school taught the basic principles of Jainism to children and adults. Together with the team of teachers, she was instrumental in the growth of this organisation in quality as well as quantity. In addition to teaching Gujarati, she was keen to inculcate culture and religion in the lives of the youngsters. To this end, she wrote, and directed Gujarati plays and dance dramas at the highest professional level, coaching the students of Gujarati and Jainism schools to become actors. Such production were delivered to full houses at the Ashcroft Theatre with resounding success.
Recently, Institute of Jainology formed an Education Team and Kusumben took on the role of Co-ordinator. Many lecture events, support to community organisations during Paryushan and overseas trips were well managed under her supervision.
If there was one quality of Kusumben for which she will be remembered forever, it was her supreme calm nature; her ability to deliver enjoyable speeches; and her pleasantness in all communications. She also had an artistic streak which attracted her to take part in Deepavali Rangoli and to assist brides in make-up and mehendi.
Kusumben was awarded MBE in 1998 in recognition of 25 years of dedicated service as a civil servant and service to the community. Her modesty was such that few people are aware of this recognition.
The Cambridge Examination Board appointed Kusumben as examiner for Gujarati GCSE and when the A-Level in Gujarati was introduced, she became the chief examiner for Gujarati. She also took part in Gujarat Sahitya Academy and Language Asset Examinations in Gujarati.
After retirement, Kusumben spent quality time with her loved ones. With Vinudbhai, she returned to Kenya after 31 years; trips to several states in India were enjoyed as well as the wedding of her son Mitul to Khilna. She enjoyed her status as a loving grandmother to Daya and spent her most enjoyable play time with her.
Even during her brief illness, she made all efforts to continue her duties, communicated with visitors at the hospital and maintained her calm until the last moment at 10:10 pm on Tuesday, 7th April, 2015.
Together with the family, and the community, Directors of Institute of Jainology and the Education Team will miss Shri Kusumben for all time to come.
May the departed soul rest in eternal bliss.
Aum Shantih! Shantih!! Shantihi!!!