Dear Miss Srivastava,

It was a day of pride for Welham and Welhamites when some of us watched you receive the Lifetime
Achievement Award from the IPSS. On behalf of Welhamites across the globe we take this opportunity to
thank you for all that you did for School and the Spirit of Welham that you carried forward and imparted to so many.

Some gestures are late in coming, but that is not due to the fact that you were not on our minds, but due to the fact that we took a little longer than the norm to come together as an association that could speak on behalf of all ex- Welhamites and do our bit for the school, and the people, who made us into what we are today.

Commemorating 50 years of Welham is a dream that we have nurtured for long – and this gift from the WGAA – to you, who embodies the very tenets that Welham stands for – is a symbol of celebration and of the love and respect that we have for you.

The Welham Girls Alumni Association

This letter was given to Ms Srivastava, along with a cheque of Rs.1, 00,000/- from the Welham Girls Alumni Association on the occasion of the School’s Birthday this year.

My Dear Sujata,

I was so stunned by the most unexpected gesture that I could not speak. I don’t know how one can thank one’s own children – it becomes very difficult. But whatever you all did was my real life-time achievement award! Just to see so many dear faces with whom association dates back to the 60s & 70s, I was truly overwhelmed and I could not contain my love for each one of you.

I flew back from Dubai a month earlier than what my nephew wanted, just to be on time for the 17 th – the schools’ birthday, a very special one of our dear Welham. What a sight awaitied me – the spectacular decorations took my breath away and then so many ex-girls tumbling in my embrace – I could not believe my eyes.

My mind was flooded with meories of 48 years and I could not put them in order but I hope my sincere love went out to one and all.
It was during the silver jubillee that for the first time I had got a number of old girls ack to school. I am extremely happy that the Alumni Association has now got proper shape. You are doing an excellent job and I’m sure a great deal of good work for the school will be handled by the alumni in the future. It is wonderful to have Jyotsna at the helm of affairs and I am sure you all will work in full co-operation with her.

Please convey as best as you can, my very best wishes to all the alumni – my love and blessings will be with them till the end of my days. Welham with all its inmates has given me an enviable life and I consider myself blessed. From the day I started working I have been proud of my ndependence - it never seemed to me that I earned much, I felt rich at heart. In old age when I felt difficulty, my nephews and nieces helped me financially but I did not like it – then I realised it was false pride on my part – help given wth so much love should be accpeted. I am emarrassed with what you all have given me but with humility I accept it and feel deep gratitude in my heart.

My deep love goes to all of you. May God be with you always.

Saroj Srivastava

Ms Srivastava or “Sas’ as most of us fondly remember her, was recently conferred the Dr Gaur Hari Singhania Life Time Achievement Award for her long and meritorious service in the field of Education by the IPSC (Indian Public School Conference). Below is the citation that was awarded to her.

Ms Saroj Srivastava is a name to reckon with, in the entire arena of education. Her contribution in the field of education is not only phenomenal but indomitable. She is a legend-commitment, focus and drive personified.

Ms Srivastava started her career with the Scindia Kanya Vidyalaya, Gwalior in 1957 and thereafter moved to Welham Girls School, Dehradun in 1959 as an English teacher. She took over the school as Principal in May 1970 and retired in 1988. The ambivert traits of leadership and clarity of thought, took her to the position of the Principal of Welham Girls School as the harbinger of unsealed heights in the field of education. She was the First lady who became secretary of the IPSC and later the chairperson.

Her doctrine of achieving empowerment in the girls’ community and the women folk through education took Welham to the pinnacle of success. She always maintained the cultural ethos by inculcating Indian values and traditions along with firm thought of speech and action in each and every student. It was her firm belief that correct values traditional and spiritual-should be imbibed by the girls for them to become integrated human beings to judge what is right and wrong and then have the courage to stand up for these values when time demanded.

A talented artist herself and a great reader and thinker, Ms Srivastava’s gift to Welham Girls was the excellent library which she fostered and promoted as the heart of the school. She believed in allowing the teachers to find their strengths, supporting them in their academic goals while giving them autonomy to be creative in their teaching methods.

In Mrs. Shanti Varmas’ words who took over as Principal of Welham Girls School from Ms Srivastava, “She has never compromised with what she knows to be right and true. She may be short in stature but she stands taller than the tallest mountain as far as values and truth are concerned and in her unshakable commitment to what is right!’