Texas, USA (CU)_ An elementary school in Texas, USA, was named after the Indian-American pioneer Sonal Bhuchar to honor her excellency in the field of community service and to carry her legacy of education and philanthropy to the future generations. The board of members of Fort Bend Independent School District (FBISD) collectively decided that the elementary school 53 will be named after Ms Bhuchar, who passed away in 2019 at the age of 58 due to cancer disease. The school will open in the Riverstone neighborhood in January 2023.
Ms. Bhuchar was a native of Mumbai and a trained physiotherapist who graduated from Bombay University with a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy. In 1984, she and her husband Subodh Bhuchar moved to Houston. Ms. Bhuchar was elected to the Fort Bend ISD Board of Trustees for six years and served as the Board President for two years. She was a well-known community organizer and an efficient leader who was always concerned about the community. Ms Bhuchar was also selected to the One Star National Service Commission Board by the Texas Governor Greg Abbot in 2015, which encourages volunteerism and supervises the management of AmeriCorps programs in the US state of Texas.
Sonal Bhuchar conducted many district programs during her service in the FBISD board. She conducted the Student Leadership Program, the Legislative Advocacy Program, Annual International Festival of the Fort Bend Education Foundation, WATCH-a lifestyle education program, and scholarship opportunities. The current board members lauded Ms Bhuchar for urging them to volunteer in the community services.
Jim Rice, a trustee, served on the school board with Bhuchar for two years. Rice said, “The first year she was my mentor, and I came to know her very well. She was a lady who worked very hard in our community to help build bridges of understanding between our very diverse community.”
When Sonal Bhuchar chose not to run for re-election in 2012, Trustee Grayle James ran for her seat on the school board. James said, “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. 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.”
Ms Bhuchar’s husband, Dr. Subodh, a reputed physician and community leader, expressed glad and pride over the honor. He said, “The current Fort Bend citizens and FBISD board of Trustees recognized Sonal’s phenomenal service to the county by unanimously voting for an elementary school in her honor, so that her legacy in education and philanthropy continues for generations to come”. He added, “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”.
In response to the news of the school’s approval by FBISD, Shefali Jhaver, a native of the town and a good friend of Ms Bhuchar said, “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”. Usha Ganju, a close family friend of Ms Bhuchar said, “It is a great honor for all first-generation immigrants. Sonal, who was taken from us much too soon, always cared deeply about our community, and I couldn’t be happier about this decision”.
Sonal Bhuchar served on the boards of several local and nonprofit organizations, including Child Advocates of Fort Bend, the Literacy Council of Fort Bend, AccessHealth, Sugar Land Cultural Arts Foundation, and the Texas Medical Association Alliance, till her last moment.
