Past District Governor Major Som Dutt, the dynamic first Dean of our Rotary District 3080 Leadership Academy is no more. He passed away after a prolonged illness on the night of 14th - 15th February. His colleagues, team mates in DLA, and the Rotary world gave a tearful send off yesterday, the 15th February in the electric crematorium.
As the heavy metal door closed on the mortal remains in the crematorium, it was all over. We are shocked that he is no more with us.
We shall miss his cheerful personality; his discipline; his humane personal touch in everything he did.
He would never talk about his ailment and would brush it out saying jocularly, "the doctors are unable to diagnose the problem so why worry. I don't have any problem."
A month ago when i called him up to see him, he simply laughed it off and said we shall meet sometimes later as i'm not in good shape today. Later i learnt that he was undergoing a check up in the hospital.
Every Wednesday afternoon he would climb up to the second floor office of the Academy in Rotary House in Sector 18, to preside over his team of associates to look after the conduct of every course. And would keep everyone inspired with his one liners.
Since last two months he had grown week but just a week before Associate Dean PDG Shaju Peter and Academy Coordinator Rtn B L Ramsisaria reached his home to sign the Certificates of the DLA candidates of 2016 batch, his last ones, to be presented to the pass outs at the District Conference.
Though weak and his hands shaking, he autographed those certificates with a smile that always played on his face, whenever someone discussed DLA with him.
We salute him for his grit, passion, compassion, and selfless service.
Major Som Dutt lives on in our hearts.
