Sushila Bahl was a gifted teacher who spent her life encouraging everyone to read and enjoy the spoken word. A sari-wearing first generation Punjabi, she taught English and English literature to the teenagers of South East London. She never got over the delight of being able to see the plays she loved come to life in the West End.  On Valentine’s Day 2008 she had a stroke, going from walking around London to unable to move her left side in a matter of moments.  

During her hospital stay the value of having InterAct volunteers visit, read to her and bring the books she loved to life was beyond measure. Three times a week she was immersed in a different world, reminded that she still had interests, could still enjoy and was still a person.​

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Sushila was first and foremost a teacher. She nurtured glimmers of interest, persuading, encouraging and expanding the opportunities available to her pupils.

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This award is set up to keep those principles going, to encourage pupils to have the confidence to try and put their ideas on paper. Each entry will be read and acknowledged and each entrant will receive a certificate commending them on not just their entry but for taking the time to think about others.

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Thank you for your time,

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Romila Bahl

Sushila's daughter