Darjeeling (West Bengal), Sep 21 (IANS) Hannah Foster was only 17 when a rapist snuffed out her life. But the British girl who wanted to be a doctor lives on in the Hannah Memorial School here, the same town where her alleged killer was caught.
The teenager was allegedly raped and killed by India-born truck driver Manindar Pal Singh Kohli near her home in Britain’s Southampton in March 2003. Kohli fled to India and was earlier this year extradited to Britain to stand trial.
Three years after her brutal and senseless murder, the man who helped track Kohli down and was awarded by her parents has opened an English medium school in her name for the children of poor tea garden workers.
Hannah is alive in all the 67 students who study free at the Hannah Memorial Academy here, about 700 km north of the West Bengal capital Kolkata.
“I think this is the best way to remember Hannah and even her parents would find peace and happiness to know that someone somewhere has done something to preserve her memory,” said 33-year-old Jason Lepcha.
Lepcha, who was rewarded Rs.367,000 for providing information to the police on the whereabouts of Kohli, spent the entire amount in building the school till Class 4.
“Since my grandfather owned a plot in Dhotrey tea garden, I decided to use the land and the money to open a school that will help families who want to give their children good education but cannot afford it,” Lepcha told IANS.
“I used to operate a taxi and now I am in the construction business. The amount is nothing big but I think it is a good way to begin. Many tea garden workers cannot afford to send their children to an English medium school,” he said, adding that the money would make Hannah’s name immortal in the hills.
In a ripple effect, two British nationals – Christian and Roger – touched by Lepcha’s initiative have offered to finance the cost of books and salaries of the teachers. “Now I even have sponsors,” he said.
Hannah Memorial Academy started with a few students at Shantigaon in the tea garden, about 21 km from Darjeeling, last year but was formally opened on Feb 18 this year. From one classroom it has already expanded to four.
“I also have plans to upgrade this school to Class 8 but don’t have the money for it. I am getting in touch with people who can help me to get this fund,” he said.
Kohli, who was extradited to Britain earlier this year, had started living in Kalimpong in disguise. He also married a local girl there and was arrested after Lepcha recognised him and informed Darjeeling Police.
“I don’t know what the other guys (about 12 people were rewarded by Hannah’s parents) did with the money but I chose to open this school,” said Lepcha.