NEW YORK (TIP): Long time educationist and committed Democrat Uma Sengupta  has passed away. Malini Shah, a longtime friend of Uma informed The Indian Panorama on March 9. Uma  migrated to the U.S. from India about 35 years ago. Having been a teacher in her native land, she decided to continue in the same profession in her adopted country too. After making a success of her kindergarten school, she turned to community service. Uma was elected Queens Democratic District leader in 2004. She worked hard to strengthen the party at the grassroots level. Her death has caused a vacuum in the local  Democratic party. On various occasions, asked to introduce herself, she described herself as a mother and grandmother who wanted to work to ensure a good life, quality education and housing for all children.