In a poignant response to the bureaucratic insensitivity, a London school is planning a unique memorial for one of its favourite Indian students.

The staff and students of the South Camden Community school will be planting two cherry trees to commemorate the life struggle of the 15-year-old Zarine Rentia, who suffered from an ultra-rare disease, Fanconi-Bickel Syndrome (FBS), and was sent back to India by the British immigration authorities.

Zarine died on March 26 in Gujarat.

Zarine and her mother Tasnim Rentia were devastated by the Home Office’s rejection of their appeal. It ruled that Zarine should be deported because her condition was “not life-threatening” and could be treated in India.

Despite being terminally ill, Zarine left an indelible memory of courage. “Her strength of character and perseverance through many difficult times inspired the respect and admiration of all who were privileged to meet her,” said Rosemary Leeke, the Head of South Camden Community School.

Zarine came to England in 2004 on a visitor’s visa. Her mystery illness had baffled medics in India but the doctors at the Great Ormond Street Hospital diagnosed her condition. The FBS rendered her bones too brittle to support the body weight and affected her kidney and liver. There are only 112 recorded cases of the FBS worldwide.

With her treatment also began a legal fight to stay in the UK, because as a visitor she was not entitled stay in the UK for more than six months. Neither was she allowed free treatment on the state-funded NHS.

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