Alma mater pays tribute to Mumbai braveheart

A day later, miles away, his alma mater paid him rich tributes. The school gathered for a condolence meeting organised during the morning assembly session at RKC, once a school for princes of the various erstwhile states of Saurashtra. The school closed down its academic session for half day as a mark of respect.

Son of Lt Colonel M M Kamte, the IPS officer’s association with the school was for five years, from 1972 to 1977, but old teachers and staff still remember him as an outstanding student. “Be it academics or sports, he was best in his time. Old teachers remember him as a wonderful boy,” said Principal Vinod Thakkar. Kamte had won the Diamond Jubilee Price for Outstanding Academic Achievement for two consecutive years in 1974 and 1975. After leaving RKC, Kamte studied at a school in Kodaikanal before joining St. Stephens College, Delhi.

Kamte had won the Wyntar Blyeh Memorial Cup for outstanding achievement in Cricket and the Mhanza Cup for the best junior cricketer. But, according to teachers, he was exceptionally good in other sports like swimming and table tennis, also.

Bhanu Bilkha, who now works with SNK School here, has memories of Kamte that reveal little known facets of his personality. “We used to write prose and poems together,” said Bilkha.

Paresh Peshawaria, a businessman from Rajkot and a former classmate of Kamte, said: “I last spoke to him during Diwali. He invited me to his home. I told him that I would see him at his place in two months time. Unfortunately, that will never come.”

After Kamte left RKC in 1977, Peshwaria made contact with him some two years ago. “We were in touch with each other over the phone for two years, but we couldn’t meet,” he said.