Brother Eric Steve D’Souza, a revered educator who had once taught Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan at St. Columba’s SchoolNew Delhi, passed away on Sunday at 1.20 pm in Goa. Despite social media appeals urging Shah Rukh to visit his ailing mentor, the actor was unable to meet Brother D’Souza before his passing.
In June this year, Congress leader Szarita Laitphlang made an emotional plea on social media, requesting the actor to visit his former teacher.She wrote, “This feels like my final plea, my last attempt to reach out to @iamsrk to humbly request his presence by the side of Brother Eric S D’Souza. Each day, Brother ‘s health weakens, his condition worsening with every passing moment. Mumbai, just an hour away by flight, holds the possibility of bringing solace to his ailing heart. DASU has left an indelible mark on all of our lives, shaping us into who we are today through his unwavering commitment to instilling values. Your visit would mean the world to him, a beacon of hope in his darkest hours.”
When asked if D’Souza was able to meet SRKSzarita was quoted as saying by Meghalaya Monitor that the mentor died without meeting his beloved student.
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Brother D’Souza, a member of the Christian Brothers congregation, also served many years at St. Edmund’s School in Shillong. He was widely admired for his dedication to education, and his legacy as a mentor was cherished by many, including Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangmawho had been his student at St. Edmund’s.
Chief Minister Sangma expressed his sorrow on Twitter, “With profound sorrow, I learned of the passing of Eric Steve D’Souza, an exceptional educator renowned for his dedication to education and compassion. As an esteemed member of the Christian Brothers congregation, D’Souza spent many years serving at St. Edmund’s School in Shillong, leaving an indelible legacy.”
The news of Brother D’Souza’s death was announced by Solomon Morris, the current principal of St. Edmund’s School. D’Souza passed away following a prolonged illness at Regina Mundi, Goa, and his mortal remains will be brought to Shillong for burial. The funeral is expected to take place on Wednesday, though the exact details of the last rites will be shared later.