Houston: A primary school in the U.S. state of Texas will be named after an Indian-American pioneer Sonal Bhucher, so her legacy in education and philanthropy will continue for generations, according to a statement. The Board of Trustees of the Fort Bend Independent School District (FBISD) unanimously approved the nomination of the upcoming elementary school 53 after Sonal, who died in 2019 at the age of 58 from cancer complications. The school opens in January 2023 in the Riverstone community.
Sonal, originally from Mumbai in India, was a professional physiotherapist and obtained her bachelor’s degree in physical therapy from Bombay University. She immigrated to Houston in 1984 with her husband, Subodh Bhuchar. Sonal, a popular community activist and leader who has always cared for the community, was elected to the Fort Bend ISD Board of Trustees for six years and served as President of the Board for two years.
In 2015, Texas Gov. Greg Abbot appointed Sonal to the One Star National Service Commission Board, which promotes volunteerism and oversees the management of AmeriCorps programs in the U.S. state of Texas. While on the FBISD board, Sonal led several district initiatives, including the Student Leadership Program, the Legislative Advocacy Program, the Fort Bend Education Foundation’s annual International Festival, WATCH – a lifestyle education program, and scholarship events.
Until her death, Sonal was actively involved in the board of many non-profit organizations and local 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, among others.
Source: Telangana Today