Tribute to a teacher

The Mayor’s Award for best teacher for the year 2002-03 was conferred on Rukshana Kersi Variava on September 15, 2003 at Bombay’s Dinanath Hall at Vile Parle by Mahadeo Deole. Of the 137 applicants, 50 were selected for the award, only six of whom were from ‘aided’ schools like hers, reports Variava. Head teacher of the primary section of Sir Cowasjee Jehangir High School since May 1997, Variava has served as overall supervisor and examiner for the Middle School Scholarship examinations. Instrumental in organizing inter-school competitions she has been honored with trophies by the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai and with mementos for being an active committee member, notes her curriculum vitae.

Variava (left) receiving award from Deole

During her 26 years of service she has impressed other organizations too and has been invited to judge competitions at other schools. As attested the principal of her School Abaan Patel, "She is sincere, hardworking, efficient and capable of handling the school matters. She has organized and conducted various competitions at the ward, inter-school and school level.”

To create a social awareness among school children she encourages her students to contribute to the blind, crippled and handicapped strata of society.

For Zoroastrian children she conducts Gujarati classes at her School every week. A resident of Shapurji Bharucha Baug she is active in organizing sports, games and outings for her Andheri colony.