PORVORIM
Nisha da Cunha, a noted educationist who was founder and principal of two prominent institutions, Nisha’s Play School and Shiksha Niketan in Porvorim, passed away on Saturday morning. She was 64.
Highly respected in the field of education, she was credited for laying down a foundation of the play-method of learning in contrast to the exam-oriented system.
There will be a service at Shishka Niketan School on Tuesday at 3 pm, followed by cremation. She is survived by her husband and noted architect, Gerard da Cunha, and their children, Nyhna and Taariq.
News of her demise shocked relatives, friends, parents and students of both educational institutions managed by the late Nisha.
Maria Lena Sequeira, former teacher at St Britto High School, Mapusa, said her son and many children were fortunate to have gone to Nisha’s Play School as it gave them a firm and wonderful foundation.
Recalling her close friendship with Nisha over a number of decades, Sequeira said: “Some people arrive and make such a beautiful impact on your life and that was Nisha. Though away from home for the first time, I was able to adjust at St Mary’s Training College, Pune, because of a warm and loving Nisha.”
“The two years of training were great with Nisha and there wasn’t a dull moment. We were dancing partners and spent a lot of time in the recreation room spinning around. Nisha played the piano, loved to sing, dress and most of all loved to go out and make new friends. She was a gifted teacher and always had ideas of how to improve our lessons.”
“Once she started Nisha’s Play School at a house in Porvorim, she got totally immersed in her work and we hardly got down to meeting up but whenever we did so it was as if we were always together. Nisha maybe gone from our sight but never from our hearts,” added Sequeira.
Former students have also expressed grief over the demise of Nisha da Cunha.
“Every time Teacher Nisha taught us, she strengthened our bond. She helped us surpass our fears, from welcoming us through the tiniest door while we entered toddler’s class to giving us the loudest cheer when we walked out of the fourth standard and yet always welcoming us back with the warmest smile,” remarked a former student, Chelsea Rodrigues. “She built a legacy and I am privileged to have been a part of it. We hold her within our hearts, and there she will always stay, to walk and guide us through our life.”
While one parent described late Nisha as young, energetic and strict to the core, another parent said Nisha’s love for the school and children is irreplaceable.
A teacher recalled Nisha as an excellent teacher, singer, dancer and a swimmer par excellence.
