23 Jun Bhavenesh Kumari Patiala
Bhavenesh Kumari Patiala, Class of 1950
It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Distinguished Alumna Bhavenesh Kumari on June 23, 2023.
A member of the royal family of Patiala, Bhavenesh excelled in a career that was closed to women and to those of her lineage.
Bhavenesh came to Woodstock in 1948, inspired by memories shared by her British governess Josephine Newman, a teacher trainee at The College (the former incarnation of Midlands). It took much persuasion before family traditions were put aside to allow Bhavenesh to attend Woodstock. As she came to be known, Lena decided early on that the hillside had far more for her than book learning – she excelled in sports, hiking, and student government.
After Woodstock Bhavenesh attended Miranda House, Delhi University, where she decided on a career in law. She broke gender and social barriers with a law degree from Delhi, followed by another from Yale Law School.
On her return to India, Bhavenesh became a partner in the largest law firm in New Delhi. As one of India’s first specialists in international corporate law, her work served as a foundation for later globalization efforts. She was the first woman to practice in several countries of West Asia. Practicing in the Supreme Court, she represented Sikkim’s ruling family with the Government of India in what became an important landmark case in her career. Another was to help sort out a multi-billion-rupee mess in Hyderabad and Australia for The Last Nizam, recorded by John Zubrzycki in his book of that title (Phaidon, 2006).
Bhavenesh always made time to support good causes and those in need of legal aid. These included villagers displaced by the Rajasthan Canal and a range of hospitals and schools. When two states offered her judgeships, Bhavenesh declined in order to sustain her public service. “That way, I could do more for people. For me, law is not a profession. It’s a way of life,” she explained. Invited to membership by four bar associations, recognition also came through the Indian Law Federation and the Indian Commission of Jurists’ invitation to join its executive, making Bhavenesh the first woman lawyer elevated to this position.
Through these years Bhavenesh remained one of WOSA-India’s most active members. Her wisdom and skills helped successive Woodstock administrations with a range of management and liaison needs, including the legal complexities of property rights vital to Woodstock’s sustainability.
In 2007 Bhavenesh was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award for her outstanding career and work. She also served on the Woodstock Board 2008-2018.
Remembrances of Bhavenesh Kumari Patiala ‘50:
Ashoke Chatterjee ’51
We gather with heavy hearts to pay tribute to the extraordinary life of Bhavenesh Kumari Patiala, who passed away peacefully in her sleep on the evening of Friday, 23 June. The news reached me while I was in Delhi, and despite the chaos and traffic, I rushed to the corner of old Gurgaon, where Bhavenesh’s cremation had been arranged. Raksha Talwar ‘52, a faithful friend who had been by Bhavenesh’s side for many years (her late sister Veena ’49 had given Bhavenesh a home), had arrived before me, and together we stood as the sole representatives of Bhavenesh’s Woodstock friends, amid the staff of the retirement home.
Bhavenesh had been battling a persistent stomach ailment for years, and while she received excellent care and comfort, she often found herself in solitude, except for a few of us who would visit whenever we could. Katie Jo Walter and Steve Alter have visited, as have I and Bhavesh’s college chum Amrita Patel. Woodstock School held a special place in her heart, and before every visit, she would don one of her cherished Woodstock T-shirts, showcasing her collection with pride. During winters, she would always be adorned in her beloved brown and gold jacket.
In her final years, Bhavenesh embraced peace and dignity, despite the isolation from the bustling life she had once known. This period has reminded us of the bittersweet nature of farewells and the profound richness of the bonds we have nurtured throughout the decades, drawing us back in spirit, time and again, to the memories of our beloved school and its hillside. One thing Bhavenesh deeply missed was her favorite room above the Quad, with its panoramic view of Witch’s Hill and the Lyre Tree, providing solace and a connection to the cherished landscapes of her youth.
Dr. Eleanor Nicholson, Former Woodstock Interim Principal and Chair of the Woodstock Board of Directors (2012-2015)
Bhavenesh was a force of nature – brave, determined, loyal, out-spoken, loving, and kind. Her love of Woodstock never wavered, even when she, as a member of the Woodstock Board, could participate only by sitting by Upasini and reading her notes on the computer screen (due to her inability to hear – Upasini would provide transcripts in real time). She never gave up. She was one of a kind, and I’m so grateful for the opportunity to have been her friend.
Marianna Presler McJimsey ’54, Class Secretary of the Century Class
Bhavenesh was our “Drill” teacher when we were in 6th Standard. She led our warm-up exercises and had, as I recall, very high standards for our doing those exercises properly. She recommended that we practice proper posture by walking with books on our heads without the books tumbling off. The term “Drill” translates in today’s terminology as Gym. With her height and commanding presence, Bhavenesh was an imposing figure to those of us still in Long Dorm, though soon to move to the College. I still remember the “Drill” outfits that we had to wear which included essentially bloomers from a much earlier age and which we felt were really unattractive, as they indeed were. Bloomers were baggy pants or a type of blousy shorts or knickers that ended mid-thigh or knee length. I think we may have been the last class to have had to wear them for Drill.
No Comments