Updated: Death of an eminent educationist: Mrs. Deena Mistry
Pakistan’s eminent educationist, Presidential Pride of Performance recipient and former Principal of Karachi’s second oldest school, BVS Parsi High School, Mrs. Deena Mistry passed away on Thursday, January 27, 2011. Known for her strict disciplinarian ways, she will be fondly remembered as ‘Iron Lady’ by her former students.
She was the grand daughter of Seth Shapurji Soparivala who founded the ‘Bai Virbaijee Soparivala Parsi High School’ in 1859. The school was initially a co-education school for Parsi population of Karachi. In 1919, BVS became a boys only school with Mama Parsi School being separated for girls. With the independence of Pakistan and upon Quaid-e-Azam’s request, BVS began accepting Muslim students, a trait of openness always displayed by the small but industrious Parsi community. Mrs. Mistry began teaching at BVS in 1950 and became the principal in 1972. Her time was the golden period for the school, which churned out future leaders in their fields like medicine, engineering, business and politics. Situated on prime property in the middle of Saddar, Mrs. Mistry turned down many an offer to move the school away to areas like Clifton and Defence. She also stayed away from overly commercializing BVS, keeping the school morning shift only and retaining only the matriculation system instead of having dual standards of matriculation and Cambridge. She simply used to respond to demands of parents to the need of Cambridge system by saying “I can’t have class difference within one boundary wall”. I am a proud graduate of BVS staying there from 1986 to 1996. One can also imagine the middle-class friendly nature of the school as my monthly fee started from Rs. 150 and ended at Rs. 520 in 1996. until last year, the school’s fee was around Rs. 1800, which is far less than majority of the “leading school systems”.
Being a strict disciplinarian, her focus was on being punctual to school, involvement of parents by checking the report cards and signing them for weekly tests and monthly report cards. Being an excellent teacher herself, she always emphasized on being grammatically correct than speaking wrong English with an accent. There would be occasional caning for students while a tight slap was easy to receive. Such was her fear that even after having graduated, I would dare not pass in front of her room when visiting BVS.
She was funny too. Once there was a full solar eclipse in Karachi in 1996. A number of students stayed at home that day as it was a first for many of them while the occasional superstition of our people gave some an excuse to skip school. Next day she asked one of the students “Kya tum pregnant ho jo ghar par rahay solar eclipse mayn?”. Things she truly hated was students who wouldn’t shave (in case they were getting facial hair) or those who would come in front of her wearing a Shalwar Kameez. She had very strong reasons why Shalwar Kameez shouldn’t be worn by men and those need not be explained here. She retired from BVS in 2004.
She had been diagnosed with cancer in 1992 and one could see her will power that she continued to be in school even though her health had deteriorated. She would tell absent students “I get sick from 1.15 pm till 7.45 am the next day, but never between 7.45 am to 1.15 pm.”
Mrs. Deena Mistry liked Benazir Bhutto as well. Though apolitical always, I remember the 1998 rally that MBB led against the retrenchment of employees under the Nawaz Sharif heavy mandate. She was a resident of an apartment on main MA Jinnah Road opposite to Rimpa Plaza. When MBB’s truck passed her building, she would excitedly wave at her and I am sure, MBB must have waved back too.
Mrs. Deena Mistry was an Iron Lady and an icon for the education system in Pakistan. May Allah rest her soul in peace and give her two sons (Farhad and Afshad) and thousands of students the strength to mourn her. All of us, whatever we have achieved, Mrs. Mistry’s contribution can never be forgotten.
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Update: I found these amazing last words of Mrs. Mistry on youtube. Are we going to get such committed people again in Pakistan?
My deep condolences to her family, she will never be forgotten for her dedication and work she has done.
Allah give her peace and bless her soul cause so many souls she touched & inspired in her lifetime. Such an icon she will always be an inspiration.
RIP Mrs Mistry. You never encashed your stature to make money or gain importance; the school was everything for you.
RIP, the true daughter of Pakistan!
Mrs. Mistry was an icon without doubt. May her students over the course of last decades achieve greater heights. Those who learned from her, are a true sadqa jaria.
I studied at BVS and am a proud virbaijeeite.
I heard that she was mugged in 1999 or so near MA Jinnah Road. The muggers asked her to give all the money she had else they would kill her. She fought back saying “Tum kya mujhay maro gay jub tak upar wala mujhay zinda rakhay ga”. She hit them with her bag and caught one of them till he somehow managed to escape. She remained safe but had bruises on her arms.
my brother was a student of herz and is very upset on her passing away.. she truly inspired him and it shows today how the passing of great inspirational teacher effects their students.
MQM leader Farooq Sattar was a BVS virbaijeeite and so was Ardeshir Cowasjee
@Great article. Karachi and Pakistan are poorer with the passing away of Mrs. Mistry. For all the danger that our minorities are subject to thanks to the Jihadi policies of our establishment, let no one forget that the foundations of ALL the good things in Karachi; schools, colleges, hospitals, nursing homes, parks, good architecture, infrastructure; was provided by the Zorastrain, Christain, Hindu and Jewish minorities of Karachi.
I am an alumni of BVS. Without a doubt Mrs Mistry was my life’s best teacher. She was my English teacher.
Mrs Mistry was an inspiration and an icon who led by example and not mere words…may God rest her soul in eternal peace. Amen
I AM SO DEEPLY SAD. TODAY I LOST A LADY WHO TAUGHT ME THE LESSONS OF LIFE THAT I USE TO THIS DAY. I GRADUATED IN 1971. I AM VERY THANKFUL TO THIS LADY FOR TEACHING ME RIGHT FROM WRONG, KINDNESS, HONESTY, RESPECT, VALUE OF GOOD EDUCATION. I HAVE TOLD MY KIDS AND TRIED TO PASS ON THESE VALUES TO THEM. I SOMEHOW KNOW THAT ALLAH HAS ALREADY BLESSED HER A PLACE IN JANNAT FOR FOR HER DEEDS SHE PERFORMED IN THIS WORLD. SHE DESERVES OUR RESPECT AND THE RESPECT FROM THE GOVERNMENT OF PAKISTAN. I LOVE YOU MRS MISTRY
I a, a motehr of three sons who studied at BVS and to me Mrs. Mistry was an icon of Love and Care. He would not mind caning or slapping if that was best intervention for controlling the personal and more real development directions of any child. And I have seen many times how she cared about feelings and interests of children. We the parents of children who studies at BVS in her times owe her a lot as she made extraordinary contributions to our task of nurturing children’s personalities by supporting honesty, simplicity and discipline. May her soul rest in peace.
What can one say about a person like Mrs. Mistri (in my early years) and our dear Dinoo aunty (in later years)… where does one start? I think I have known this great lady ever since I started recognizing individuals in my early years in BVS. The icon of strictness & principles, yet a caring and nurturing individual, who wanted nothing but the best of “her children”, i.e. her students. All she wanted was that every student of hers get the best education in life just so in later years that individual could stand up on their own and create a name for themselves and lead a succesful and happy life with their families. Her contribution to the field of education is untouched! A true LEGEND who will be dearly missed. Dinoo Aunty we love you and will ALWAYS cherish the few happy days that I had the previlige of sharing with you in the summer of 2010. You will never be forgotten as you have etched a place in our hearts. Love you always….. Be at peace!
I studied in BVS, & knew & respected Mrs. Mistry. as a kid i wrote a funny poem on her & it somehow came in her hands, I was very scared for she was’nt the one to “Spare the Rod”. But to my surprise she laughed & read the poem aloud! Such was her nature. Fe-Amanullah Dinoo Aunty.
(Unto Lord your Safety.
What Mrs. Mistri left behind are her moral values and strong bond between her and her student. No doubt, she was and is an icon and I am lucky to be her pupil although I never talked her in English. She was a touch that enlightened hundred of men working arround the world. A lady who is still respected by thausand of families. I think, the most profound gift that she gave us was a pround… TO BE VIRBIJIATE.
A great loss indeed!! Rightly said she was an Iron Lady with a Golden Heart. Still remember how we all used to sit in silence before her class learning English Grammar. The silence was more out of respect then fear definitely! She was a disciplinary icon. A strong lady who knew how to manage more than 1500 brats with perfection. Still have the autograph given by her on our final day at school. Will miss you. R.I.P.
Mrs. Mistry was an ICON without any doubt – the most hardworking and talented individual with a very strong belief on GOD.
I remembered Mrs. Mulla (late), Sir Rizwan (mathematic teachers) and a complete team of hardworking resources who were with her since 1948… salute to all of them
Regards,
Imam
93 batch – sopariwala house
Pre Engineering
.
FROM: MEHER AMALSAD, WESTMINSTER, CALIFORNIA, USA
AS A TOKEN OF RESPECT FOR MY SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
THE LATE MRS. DINOO MISTRI
THEY ARE NOT GONE
WHO LIVE IN THE HEARTS OF OTHERS
MY DEAR FARHAD AND AFSHAD:
After hearing the news about
OUR LOVING DINOO AUNTY
entering ETERNAL LIFE, on behalf of our family,
we want to express our heartfelt condolences to
YOU & ALL MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY.
May AHURA MAZDA guide her soul
as she now enjoys
Eternal life in the spiritual world
We ALL were truly blessed
with the gift of a
passionate educator and
compassionate person
in our life
I had known her for over 50-years as a lady of
impecable dignity and integrity.
It is said that:
“When someone we love becomes a memory,
that memory becomes a treasure.”
We know that DINOO AUNTY has left for all of us,
a treasure of LOVE that is truly beyond any measure.
May the
Light Of Valuable Energy
and the
Love In God’s Heart Today
be with you and your family
With profound sympathies from
Katayoon, Anahita, & Meher Amalsad
.
Mrs. Deena Mistri was a lot more than a principal. She was a mother to her family, a true leader, a visionary, an accomplished lady, and a mother for thousands and thousands of Virbaijiites.
She led by example through her impeccable grace, her aura, her strong willpower, her gentleness, kindness, genuine affection, inspiration and determination. Her style of discipline that made us all strong young adults will always be remembered.
Words are insufficient to define our Deena Mistri.We pray for her soul to rest in eternal peace while she will continue to live on in our hearts. She taught us the essence of “Towards That Best Light” which will continue to glow in our hearts us forever.
We feel so very fortunate to have known Deena aunty and extend our deepest sympathy to Farhad, Afshad & Bachi aunty and their families. May these words comfort you on this irreplaceable loss. We will always remember her sweet smile and beautiful nature. May the Lord keep you all in his embrace at this difficult time. And may Deena aunty’s spirit lives on through all of us.
Ameen.
With deep sympathy,
Roshan & Naushirwan P.Dubash
Nadir, Danesh, Dinyar N. Dubash & families.
The diverse and huge number of people remembering late Mrs Mistry is an evidence of the noble soul that she possessed. This goes to show that people who have touched others’ lives are well regarded and revered still in our country which is divided on religious, sectarian and ethnic lines.
May her soul rest in peace.
One of the most disciplined schools in Karachi “BVS” could not have done any better without Mrs Mistri.
I still remember when she canned me and I cried like a baby.
BVS PARSI HIGH SCHOOL KARACHI HAS LOST THE GOD MOTHER WHICH CARED ABOUT THE SCHOOL AND THE STUDENTS LIKE HER OWN FAMILY ALL THESE YEARS. WE WILL NEVER FORGET HER – MAY GOD BLESS HER SOUL.
Tanveer Akhtar Khaskheli [1972 Batch]
Ambassador of Pakistan
Bishkek [Kyrgyzstan]
She will always be remembered by not only her students (thousands of them) but also their parents. She was not only a true professional but also a kind human being. Mrs Mistry was one of the great teachers of the lot including Mrs Mulla, Mrs Khan, Mr Azizullah, Mr Hussain & Mrs Razzaq to name a few. May God bless her soul.
P.S. I would still recognise her signature if I see one even today
Muhammad Muzammil Kasbati
1993, Pre-Medical, Reza Shah house
Lost of Dinoo Aunty, is losing a treasure.
She would always help poor and needy first, n make sure they are fed well n good education is given so they can stand on their own feet.THANK U DINOO AUNTY.
Lady, who kept BVS as a professional institute n not a money making business till the day she retired.
Shame BVS School was not closed as a mark of respect for the Iron lady n her services.
Lost of Mrs Mistry is lost of treasure for million of students around the world.
REST HER SOUL IN PEACE.
AMEN!!
@Kaizad,
BVS will be closed on Monday, 31st January, 2011.
It was shocking to hear the sad news may God rest her soul in peace v all baivirbaijiate will miss her a lot
Mrs. Deena Mistri was more that a Mother to all the Virjibaijeeites and will be remembered for ever by the students who were blessed to have her as their Principal, teacher and Mentor. Thousands of her students are where they are today because of her strict rules and descipline and even though we were caned and punnished, we love her more for it, we are a better breed today, because of her.
May her soul rest in peace
Farhad and Afshad, please accept our deepest condolences on this great loss to you and the Pakistani community.
Ruby and Rohinton Aga
From Montessori to Matriculation, the 13 years I spent at BVS will be the ones I will remember for the rest of my life.
Mrs. Dinoo Mistry was a pillar of support, as she guided and moulded our young minds toward becoming good citizens of Pakistan.I am indeed humbled and honoured to have known her, especially so during the most formative years of my life. Thank you Mrs. Mistry!
I was a very mischevious kid in school and 5 straight years from Class 3 to Class 8, was a regular visitor to Dinoo Aunty’s office for canning. When there, sometimes we used to get beaten with pipe, and I felt lucky to be beaten by pipe as it hurt less than cane.
It was because of that canning, which kept me tamed and what I have achieved education wise. Thank you Dinoo Aunty for keeping us disciplined 🙂
I really have no words for her…………..Where I am today………….. She had one of the strongest roles to play…………. I Shed a tear when I heard…………
Mrs. Mistry was a wonderful teacher, principal and human being. My admiration for her cannot be expressed in words. She made me what I’am today. May her soul rest in peace. Thank you Mrs. Mistry for changing millions of lives for the better and making us good citizens and human beings!!!!
Salman Abbas
Class of 1998
I HAVE NO WORD TO EXPRESS MY FEELING AND ONLY PRAY ALMIGHTY TO REST HER SOUL TODAY WHERE I AM TODAY IS BECOZ OF HER TEACHING LOVE AND LOTS OF PUNISHMENT.. I LOVE U MADAM AND ALWAYS THANKFUL TO UUUUUUU
Well everybody in their spirit to talk about the grand old lady Mrs. Mistri, have all together forgotten a wonderful person like Mr.Azizullah.
Before embarking to hit us, he would first ask “would u like hot tea or cold tea” and no matter whatever we chose, we got a thrashing, but with comedy and without pain or humiliation.
Once I and Hoshang Anklesaria were sent by a lady teacher who was upset with us, and she told the monitor to tell Azizullah Sir to punish us. As soon as we were produced before Mr.Azizullah, who was in a senior class room, and he was told about our unruly mischief making, Mr. Azizullah sent the monitor back.
Then he asked me and my class mate to go outside and hit the stone wall of the building with our open palms until our palms got red. When he saw our palms were thoroughly red, he told us to wipe our palms clean. Then he told us to go and show our reddened palms to Ms.Fatima that we were thoroughly caned, to the amazement of the senior class students who enjoyed the whole episode along with us. He also told us not have a smile on our face when we lie to her.
May the Great soul of Azizullah Master keep smiling on BVS, as the sun sun beams on our school everyday.
And may we all virbaijeeites have a sense of humour like him. In the end I would like to remind you all of what respect he had from all the faculty and the students. I hope Ms. Fatima does not read this
God give her peace and bless her soul. My deepest condolences to her family, she was no doubt an icon of love and care. I, being living out of country for so many years was unable to know about this news for bit long and today when i was searching for her on internet i found this shocking news.
I met her personally and was very much impressed by her. Even before meeting her in person, I was her great fan.
Saeed are you a millat fan
This country needs Educationist Like MRs. Mistry. She gave great Light to this country and her constructive role always be remembered. I have not met but read in Paper and felt grief on her death.
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