{
  "id": 12995754,
  "title": "Dubai school mourns beloved teacher as colleagues share heartfelt tributes",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/dubai-school-mourns-beloved-teacher-as-colleagues-share-heartfelt",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-09T01:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Gulf News",
    "slug": "gulf-news",
    "url": "https://gulfnews.com/uae/dubai-school-mourns-beloved-teacher-as-colleagues-share-heartfelt-tributes-1.500703761"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Westminster School (TWS) in Dubai is in mourning for Anjana Sanalkumar, a beloved examinations officer and secondary teacher who spent 33 years with GEMS Education. Colleagues and friends paid emotional tributes to the woman they described as family. Born on May 30, 1969, Anjana passed away due to lung cancer in Dubai. GEMS Education announced plans for the Anjana Sanalkumar Memorial Scholarship at TWS. Dino Varkey, Group CEO of GEMS Education, wrote a letter to the community, stating that Anjana's 33 years of service deserved a legacy that would live on. A memorial service for the Indian expat teacher was livestreamed for mourners to join from anywhere. Carl Roberts, Executive Principal and CEO, spoke of Anjana's trusted presence, commitment, and the deep impact she had on students and parents. Dr Vijayakumari Sathyan, Head of School and Deputy CEO, called Anjana selfless, dedicated, and passionately devoted to her students. Grace Aluoka, Assistant Principal for Secondary and Sixth Form, described Anjana as a beloved colleague who brought warmth, kindness, and joy to their lives. Shelmy Peter, Subject Leader and Events Manager, said 21 years of working alongside Anjana felt too short. Mini, a secondary teacher, called Anjana more than a friend, her family, her confidence, and one of the most precious people in her life. Benoy Das, an office support staff member, said Anjana meant more to him than his own mother, having spent 21 years working alongside her. Krutika, an HR Officer, mourned the loss of a valued colleague who dedicated 33 remarkable years to TWS. Tributes poured in for the Indian expat teacher, who touched the lives of countless students, colleagues, and friends through her kindness, dedication, and love.",
  "summary": "Dubai: The Westminster School (TWS) community in Dubai is mourning Anjana Sanalkumar, the examinations officer and secondary teacher who spent 33 years with GEMS Education , as colleagues and friends paid emotional tributes to a woman they described as family. Anjana was born on May 30, 1969, and died of lung cancer in Dubai, the school said in fresh details revealed to Gulf News. Gulf News…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}