BHAVANITE New Delhi						PRINCIPAL G S Negi

H C KATYAL

H C Katyal

With great anguish & deep sorrow, we mourn the passing away of our beloved former Vice-Principal, Teacher, Administrator, Guide and above all a compassionate Friend to his students.

A teacher par excellence, Katyal Sir made learning of English a joy and seldom a day passed when his lectures were not packed. His lucid rendition of poems & prose and simple explanations stood out.

Though a strict disciplinarian, his openness allowed students to approach him without fear and discuss their problems whether academic or personal in nature.

Katyal Sir was also a guide and friend of this Association and his valuable suggestions and intervention on our behalf vis-à-vis the Bhavan Management helped us a lot during our fledgling days. We pray to the Almighty to give the bereaved family strength to bear this immense irreparable loss.

I was shocked to know about the sad demise of Shri Katyalji. It was so sudden that I did not believe it to be true. My association with him was of more than 35 years. We had worked together since 1947 at Mother International School and Bhavan. He was benevolent, helpful, expert as English teacher and a fine educationist.

As we had stayed together in the same campus our relationship was with strong bondage than the family members. He has served in the field of education as a teacher, principal, administrator, advisor, writer and author.

It is going to be a great vacuum in the field of education. He worked till his last breath. I can understand the sad feelings of his family and especially for Smt Katyalji.

As I am away in USA I am not able to come personally to express my condolences and therefore through this letter.

With salute to the departed soul and a prayer to the Almighty to give enough strength to the members of his family to bear this terrible shock,

M P Chhaya and Shreedevi Chhaya

I am very sad to hear about the loss of one of the most memorable and beloved teachers during my stay at Bharatiya Vidya Bhawan. Mr. Katyal made English one of the most "looked forward to" subjects in school.

My family and I pray for him and convey our condolences to his family. May God give him peace and his family the strength to bear the loss.

Ashwani Bedi - Class of 1977
akbedi@yahoo.com
Woodbridge, New Jersey. USA

Mr Katyal was one of the best teachers I have had in my entire student career. He was a towering personality and commanded tremendous respect from one and all. He treated us like friends and attending his class was not just enriching but also highly enjoyable. His language and pronunciation was impeccable. His teaching skills have made it possible for so many of us to work and excel in the global marketplace.

His departure is a huge loss to all his ex-students. But his benign presence will always be felt as long as we think, speak or write in English. May his soul rest in eternal peace and bliss.

Pankaj Saxena - Class of 1976
pankaj_saxena@discovery.com
DLF, Gurgaon. Haryana