David G Stewart’s 92^nd Birth Anniversary

THE ‘BOSS’ LIVES ON

Today, February 19, 2015, is the 92^nd birth anniversary of our former Principal, David Garth Stewart. Had he lived he would have been 92 today. Rev. Stewart, who was referred to as ‘Boss’ in MH (Mt. Hermon School, Darjeeling), died in Auckland on December 12, 2014 at the age of 91.

Though Rev. Stewart is no more yet he lives on…in our hearts.

I have chosen Hermonite Kamal Haque’s tribute to this great man to celebrate his birth and life on this special day for MH and Hermonites.

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It has come as very sad news that our dear "Boss," David Stewart, passed away peacefully today (12th December 2014).  He was Headmaster of Mount Hermon between 1954 and 1963.  I know he had recently been very ill, but he lived to a good age and led a fulfilled life. 

Kamal Haque, a student of MHS between 1954 and '61, wrote this very fine tribute when he first heard "Boss" was so seriously ill.

A Tribute to David Stewart

By Kamal Haque

"Boss" was full of life, optimistic, always active. I do not remember him ever falling ill. He would inquire about every student and was known to visit the sick in the School Dispensary.  His sense of humour never left him. I shall mention below, some of these that I remember.

 His faith was very strong and he derived inspiration and strength from his noble mission, to spread the "message", do good to all, assist those who needed help. As a teacher, he felt imparting "Christian" values was just as important as motivating students to achieve high academic and moral  standards, so that they would be leaders  to their communities. He set an example for his students to follow. I think this was one of his greatest gifts to his students and all those who were associated with him.

David Stewart's contribution to MHS was immense. He developed the small school, in 1954/55, to become a large, multi-national, multi-ethnic  institution, with students from Thailand, East Pakistan, Burma, Singapore, Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan, Finland, besides India, Australia, New Zealand, Britain, Canada, United States, Sweden and other countries. MHS was the only co-educational school in Darjeeling, which was more difficult to manage than single gender schools. "Boss" managed this very well. True, there were a few "incidents" He handled these with skill and firmness, and set a high standard for  co-educational schools in other locations. He was kind, considerate but also firm. He did not hesitate to cane offenders for "serious" offenses. He later delegated this task to his deputy who had a "strong right arm."

 “Boss" believed in the saying " All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy." He placed great emphasis on sports and culture, which was necessary to develop a " complete, all-rounder" individual. MHS had teachers for piano, violin and other musical instruments,  (I learnt to play the violin from Ms. O'Hara).  MHS was active in Choir singing, orchestra, piano recitals, debates, talent quest, plays of popular novels etc. "Boss" invited John Randell's Shakespeare Company (in which Shashi Kapoor was an actor/ member) to stay in MHS. A number of Shakespeare plays were performed at the School stage, which was witnessed by guests from Darjeeling/ other schools. "

“Boss" was very keen to promote sports and encourage students to play games. He was an experienced  football referee and led several trekking/ hiking trips.( I was in one that went to Sikkim).  "Boss" developed these standards/ values which was followed by his able successors.

    As I mentioned earlier, "Boss" had a  sense of humour. I remember him telling students sitting on the garden fence "You birds, hop off the fence". He liked students to be clean cut and would tell some to scrape the "fungus" from their faces. He related  that some friends decided to seek "guidance" from the Holy Bible. One person closed his eyes, opened the Bible and placed the pencil on a line. It was ".......and Judas went out and hanged himself...." The friends thought that was not suitable, so they tried again. This time the pencil rested on the line that said "..........and do so likewise."

He will live for ever in my heart. God bless David Stewart.

(Humayun A. Kamal, former Bangladesh secretary and ambassador. Known as "Kamal Haque" in MHS – courtesy UK alumni body)