The Cathedral & John Connon Alumni Magazine

68 Pages·2010·11.93 MB·English

The
2009
The Cathedral & John Connon Alumni Magazine

Contents
Editorial 3
Presidents’ Message 4
150 Years 7
School Update
A Message from the Principal 8
On Location
Learning on the Job 11
Rocky Bell-boa 13
Spotlight
Shiamak Davar 14
Changing Tracks
Sonali Sachdev 15
Out of the Box
Looking Back, Looking Forward 16
GAIA: A Response to Climate Changed 17
A Toast to the Amul Girl 19
SOAK in the City 21
Reflections
Alyque Padamsee with Cyrus Broacha 22
Piloo Hakim 25
Vijaya Gupchup 26
Off the Shelf
Editorial Team Amit Chaudhuri 28
Miel Sahgal (ISC 1989, Palmer) Teacher Updates 31
Udita Jhunjhunwala (ICSE 1984, Barham)
In Memoriam 34
Shyla Boga Patel (ISC 1969, Savage)
Ragini Ghose (ISC 1972, Savage) Reunions 39
Business Class Notes 42
Rohita Chaganlal Doshi (ISC 1975, Wilson)
Crossword 64
Design and Printing
Rishita Chandra, Nikunj Parikh
Spenta Multimedia
This magazine is not for sale and is intended for
internal circulation only. Any material from this
magazine may not be reproduced in part or whole
without written consent. Views and opinions expressed
in this magazine are those of the individual authors
and not necessarily those of the Publishers.
Published by The Cathedral and John Connon Alumni
Association, 6, P.T. Marg, Mumbai 400 001 and printed
at Spenta Multimedia, Peninsula Spenta, Mathuradas
Mill Compound, Lower Parel, Mumbai 400 013.
www.spentamultimedia.com
Cover photo: Kunal Kampani, Spenta
2009 The X-Cathedralite 1
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Editorial
We are delighted to bring in School (On Location) as well at the top of our minds (and the
you another issue of our as reminisce about a time gone school ratings). Perhaps, it is the
very own, home-grown, by, with Alyque Padamsee, Piloo commitment to education, or
The X Cathedralite. All the writing, Hakim and Vijaya Gupchup the exceptional extra-curricular
editing and compilation has (Reflections). We share the life opportunities, or the illustrious
been done voluntarily, eked out stories of ex-Cathedralites Mirai alumni body. Or perhaps it is the
of the spare time of alumni who Chaterjee (Out of the Box) and School’s unique 150-year-old
graduated over a range of decades, Shiamak Davar (Spotlight)… and history that no new mega-
from the ’40s to the 2000s. a short story from acclaimed budget project can acquire. A
writer Amit Chaudhuri (Off the shared history that connects
It has been heartwarming to
Shelf). We bring you plans for the each and every one of us who
see the sheer number of people
who have sent in contributions upcoming 150th year celebrations, have walked down those stone-
– both editorial and financial. and invite suggestions for your walled corridors.
We’re pleased to have been able further involvement with the Editorial Team
to increase the number of pages alumni community. And just a
this year… and are sorry that we glimpse through the Class Notes
still haven’t managed to publish pages provides an indication
everything we would have liked to. of what a diverse and dynamic
community this is.
The issue brings a mix of
features and facts to keep you in This is a special year, a good
touch with our alma mater and the one for alumni to renew ties with
thousands of alumni who’ve spent Cathedral. As new schools with
a better part of their youth there. spanking new facilities mushroom
Through these pages we update across Mumbai, something about
you about recent developments Cathedral continues to keep it
Feedback about some of my old teachers I’m extremely proud to be a
and got to know what they had Cathedralite. Thank you.
I just flew back into Mumbai and been doing… I have learnt so Rajkumar Talreja
found a copy of The X-Cathedralite much from them. That each and (ICSE 1990, Savage)
waiting for me. Great job!
every product from Cathedral I have just seen the latest copy of
Anish Trivedi
has been so successful in their The X-Cathedralite. The team has
(HSC 1979, Savage)
own field just goes to speak done an excellent job!
I attended my 30 year (ICSE 1978) volumes about how we have been Christopher David
reunion dinner yesterday and groomed in our fundamental (ICSE 1984)
came home this evening to find years. It was really great to see
The X-Cathedralite. Good job, well pictures of my classmates, some We would like to thank the
done! Keep it up – Let it Rip, Let it whom I have not seen since following donors for their
Thunder! Let me know if I can help we left school. I am definitely generous contribution:
for the 150 year celebrations.
looking forward to the next
Porus Kaka (1974)
Salman Noorani
reunion. I am currently with
(HSC 1981, Palmer) Pankaj Kalra (1983)
Merrill Lynch India as Assistant
I received the latest issue of The Vice-President with their Private Mitali Anand Kalra (1989)
X-Cathedralite magazine which Banking business. Kudos to
Naheed Lalkaka - Sorabjee (1974)
made me feel as if I had passed the entire team for putting
Kalpesh Loonawat (1988)
out of school just yesterday. I read together a great magazine.
Gaurav Talwar (1994)
We look forward to your feedback at [email protected]
2009 The X-Cathedralite 3
Presidents’ Message
Dear Friends, attacks in Mumbai on 26th November ISC and ICSE classes! Most of these
It’s been almost a year since we left us all paralysed. We lost three students will be studying all over the
took over as Co-Presidents and members of the Association – Ashok world at this stage, but we believe
a lot has happened in that time. Kapur (1959, Palmer), Sanjay that when they return, they will
Little things and big things, happy Agarwal (1977, Wilson) and Sunil make a significant contribution to
ones and terribly sad ones. Parekh (1980, Savage), nine parents, the Association.
We had a remarkable turnout at our a former teacher and two little boys. On April 16, we had a marvelous
Founders’ Day brunch in the Middle There is really nothing one can say evening at ‘Magic’ in Mumbai. The
School. With Ernie on keyboard and in the face of such a tragedy; we are remarkable turnout assured us that
vocals, a good time was had by all. The truly sorry and our sympathies go out the old school spirit hasn’t faded,
Class of 1958 were there in full force to all those affected by this senseless and the camaraderie lives on.
and fine voice, and we believe they massacre, wherever they may be. The Eighth Cathedral Summer
really enjoyed the morning, as did all The X-Cathedralite was released School was held at Manori at the end
the others present. in December 2008 and was very of April. Once again, it comprised
The School vs. Alumni Cricket well received. Our thanks to Miel of 45 Cathedral children and 25
Match held at the Hindu Gymkhana Sahgal and Udita Jhunjhunwala for from Manori village. Simply put,
was organised by Sanjay Shah (1982), producing the magazine so seamlessly the children had a blast while
ably supported by Chirag Doshi and perfectly. And as you can see engaging in various activities like
(1990). The school team won, but our from this issue, they have done it kite-making, pottery, dance, art,
day will come! again. Our thanks also to Rohita astronomy and magic. The Alumni
The 14th Annual Golf Tournament Doshi for working so hard to get Association contributed Rs. 35,000
at the Willingdon Sports Club was the sponsors for both issues and, of and Rohita Doshi Rs. 50,000 from the
once again an outstanding success, so course, to the sponsors themselves. Lalchand Hirachand Premier Trust.
well organised by Akshay Kilachand In January 2009, we held the Plans are already underway for next
(1988), Pushpa Bhatia (1953), Meher school leavers’ tea organised by year’s camp.
Amersey (1960) and Kiran Kanwar. Rangita Bhatnagar. The food was Our main thrust this year has been
Just a couple of weeks later we very good and we immediately had to focus on creating a new website
were sad and sombre. The terrorist about 170 new members from the and updating our database. The idea
The Big Plan few years. We look to each of you to make our dream, for
this historic year, come true.
In November this year our school turns 149. A year
A governance plan will be set in place and the fund will
later, 150. One hundred and fifty is a lot of years
be monitored and managed by the present Co-Presidents,
and the Alumni Association wants to do something
and Pranay Shah (ISC 1970), Rama Iyer (ICSE 1984) and
meaningful and enduring; we want to set in place a
Bibhash Asar (ICSE 1986).
Health and Medical Benefit Scheme for Retired
Further, to enable us to receive contributions from
Teachers and Staff who have worked for 10 years or
our alumni overseas, we have applied for our FCRA
more. This is our tribute to all those who have given this
registration. In the meantime, they could help us by
institution its formidable reputation.
providing funds directly from India. We ask that your
Our research tells us there is a crying need for this.
contribution reflect the large need and that you will be
We would like to ensure that every staff member feels
generous based on your means … whether it is Rs. 5,000,
secure, and lives and ages with dignity. Our Scheme
10,000, 50,000 or one lakh, five or 10 lakhs or more!
envisages a two-pronged approach: First, a Medical
We look forward to your help to make this project a
Assistance Scheme with a panel of doctors which will
success. All donations will be duly acknowledged and
give free or partially-free treatment. We already have
will receive an 80G certificate. Please make your cheque
80 alumni and parent doctors who have very kindly
in favour of: “Cathedral and John Connon Alumni
volunteered. Second, since hospitalisation is cripplingly
Association Medical Fund” and post it to:
expensive, we are working on a group insurance policy
The Cathedral and John Connon Alumni Association,
for about 30 teachers. With rising medical and insurance
6, Purshotamdas Thakurdas Marg, Fort, Mumbai 400001.
costs, our target is to raise at least Rs. one crore towards
Shyla Boga Patel and Viral Doshi
this endeavour so that we are comfortable for the next
Co-Presidents
Executive Committee
2009-2010
Office Bearers
Co-Presidents
Shyla Boga Patel
(ISC 1969, Savage)
[email protected]
Viral Doshi
(ISC 1975, Palmer)
[email protected]
Seated (L to R): Rohita Doshi, Chitra Rajkumar, Shyla Boga Patel, Viral Doshi
Standing (L to R): Amit Advani, Ragini Ghose, Miel Sahgal, Udita Jhunjhunwala, Pragni Kapadia, Rangita Bhatnagar Vice-Presidents
Rohita Chaganlal Doshi
was to revamp the website in time a great dinner and lots of alumni at
(ISC 1975, Wilson)
for the 150th year celebrations. Blue Sea, Mumbai. We are sure this
This was executed by Udita will be a very special evening and a Miel Sahgal
(ISC 1989, Palmer)
Jhunjhunwala and Miel Sahgal. We fitting start to our 150th year.
are having a few teething troubles After years of talking about it, we
Co-Treasurers
with both the website and database, have finally applied for our FCRA
Chitra Rajkumar
but are working very hard at setting registration to enable us to receive (1956, Savage)
these right. donations in foreign exchange to
We are fortunate to have as help with our plans for the 150th Pragni Kapadia
(ISC 1994, Palmer)
our new honorary webmaster year. The papers are with the Home
Gautam Shewakramani (2001), Ministry. Bureaucratic wheels turn
Secretary
who we are sure, will get things very slowly and there has been
Ragini Ghose
on track very soon. Databases are much delay in getting this through. (ISC 1972, Savage)
dynamic, so please get in touch We expect this will happen soon
with Gautam at gautam@catalumni. and we will be able to accept these Committee Members
com and update your details and contributions. Mrs. Meera Isaacs (ex officio)
put your news and views on the
Talking about matters of finance: Amit Advani Prakash Thadani
website. It is imperative that every
Our treasurer Chitra Rajkumar has (ISC 1994, Palmer) (ISC 1969, Savage)
member is a part of our database
played a truly stellar role this year
long before November 2010, so and we cannot thank her enough Anand Shroff Rangita Bhatnagar
please volunteer to be class leaders for all her meticulous hard work. (ICSE 1985, Palmer) (ISC 1989, Palmer)
or chapter representatives. Also,
Our alumnus, friend and Chartered
Udita Jhunjhunwala
if you or your friends haven’t
Accountant, Surin Kapadia (ISC (ICSE 1984, Barham)
registered as members, please go
1998) has been equally wonderful.
to www.catalumni.com and do so, Co-opted Members
Our appreciation also to Amit
preferably, NOW!
Advani, Anand Shroff, Gopika Rama Iyer M ukeeta Jhaveri
As of September we have a Saran, Pragni Kapadia, Prakash (ICSE 1984, Barham) (ISC 1983, Savage)
Helpdesk operating from the Green
Thadani, Ragini Ghose and
Room of the Junior School from Bibhash Asar N ikhil Raghavan
Rangita Bhatnagar for being such
3 p.m. to 5 p.m. three times a week. (ICSE 1986,Palmer) (ISC 1992, Savage)
supportive committee members.
You can call 9930577120 or e-mail
And finally, to Mrs. Isaacs, a big Aditya Dhawan
[email protected]
thank you for all her time, help and (ISC 1996, Wilson)
for further information about it.
advice amidst her already madly The Executive Committee looks forward to
Thank you Mrs. Isaacs, for making
busy schedule. your active involvement with the Association.
this possible. Please do contact us on the Cathedral Alumni
On November 14 we will have Shyla Boga Patel and Viral Doshi Helpline (99305 77120) or through our website
www.catalumni.com.
a lovely evening with a live band, Co-Presidents
2009 The X-Cathedralite 5

The 150th Year
Celebrations
Schools don’t turn 150 every day. So what are the plans for our big birthday?
One plan, the big plan, is to start a Medical Benefit Scheme for Retired Teachers
and Staff (please see page 4).
Alumnus Fareed Zakaria, Editor of Newsweek International and host of the
international affairs programme, Fareed Zakaria GPS on CNN, will be giving us
a talk on Monday, 21st December 2009 and we hope many of you will attend it.
Further details on the time and location will be e-mailed to you and displayed on
the website.
Also in the pipeline is the definitive, exhaustive history of the Cathedral School.
Crammed with interesting information with which you may not be familiar - like
that when the foundation of the JB Petit School for Girls was laid, it was actually
meant to have been for the Cathedral School. Or that through some of its history
the school existed in tents. But the book is finally about all of you, the alumni and
teachers, and we need your inputs immediately! What absolutely stands out in
your mind about your years in Cathedral School? Your spontaneous reflections
are, of course, important, as well as thoughts recollected in tranquillity, with the
wisdom of hindsight. Please write to the authors Mridula Maluste (1973) and Viral
Doshi (1975) at [email protected]
We are planning two golf tournaments among other sports events during
the year. Please do have a look at the updates on our website. Various items
of memorabilia will be on sale and we have created a very special 150th year
commemorative tie. Please call the alumni helpline on 99305 77120 for further
information.
Our committee member, Rangita Bhatnagar (ISC 1989, Palmer) has been
appointed Chairperson of the 150th year committee. We are an integral part
of this team and will help in every way possible. The major events will be in the
second week of November 2010, when we will be having school concerts, a tour
of all the school buildings from 1860 onwards, a church service and a grand finale
with a dinner at the Turf Club where a postage stamp, a first day cover and the
book on the history of the Cathedral School will be launched.
The 150th year commemorative tie will be available at atell
P
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the Zodiac showrooms at the Taj Mahal Hotel, Mumbai, an
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and Khan Market, New Delhi. R
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2009 The X-Cathedralite 7
School Update
A message from the Principal,
Mrs. Meera Isaacs
Recently, the U.S. President, Mr. Obama out to be replaced by their successors. So also teachers
articulated what we have known for a long time. move on for various reasons.
In urging Americans to raise their standards
Thanking our teachers
of education, he said, ‘We can’t afford our kids to be
We thank our teachers who have left, for the dedication
mediocre at a time when they’re competing against
and commitment that they brought to the School. During
kids in China and India.” (He should know, as Indians
the past year we lost two dear and well-regarded former
are being inducted into his team on an almost weekly
teachers in Mr. John Lewis, Mathematics wizard, who
basis!). Now that the Indian school system has been
was Vice-Principal of the School from 1981 to 1991
validated, warts and all, by no less a person than the
and Dr. V. Krishnan, Head of the English Department.
President of the most powerful country, let me assure
Both gentlemen went on to lead schools – Mr. Lewis as
you that our students have lived up to this belief. The
Principal of Campion and Dr. V. Krishnan as Principal of
proof of the pudding, as the saying goes, is in the
Hiranandani School, Powai. Their students and former
eating – in this case, the Public Examination results.
colleagues came together in a bond of shared grief to pay
Outgoing students rich tributes to both these stalwarts who have touched so
Of the 145 ICSE candidates who appeared, 56 placed many lives.
in the above 90 per cent category, 64 in the 80s, 17 in
Stepping out
the 70s and four between 64 and 70 per cent. The soft-
The global economic meltdown and rising protectionism
spoken Akshat Mullerpatan swept to first place with
demand that we prepare our students to face change on
96.67 per cent.
all fronts and especially in the job market. To this end
Turning our attention to the ISC results, 33 placed
our Guidance Counsellor, and the ever-supportive parent
in the 90s and above, 38 between 81 and 89, 18 in the
and alumnus Vikram Uttamsingh organised a School
70s and 4 in the 66-69 bracket. Akshay Sukthankar,
Career Fair on January 31 this year, with 33 professionals
another modest young man brought laurels to himself
spanning 21 careers to give our students an understanding
and the School by standing first in Maharashtra with
of what is waiting out there for them once they step out of
96.20 per cent. At the College Board our students
raised the bar once again to a record high with a mean
SAT Reasoning Score of 2034 out of a possible 2400.
Compare this to the world mean of approximately
1600. The Advanced Placement Programme is growing
from strength to strength with a total of 42 students
from Classes 8 to 12 enrolled this year. The US had
better look out for here comes the Indian juggernaut to
add to Mr. Obama’s consternation, and maybe to some
future President’s team!
Led by the versatile and multi-faceted duo of
Ashwini Kerkar our Head Girl and Dhruv Toshniwal
our Head Boy, 95 talented young men and women
who contributed in unequal measure to their teachers’
euphoria and heartburn, are now poised to take on
the world with youthful exuberance and legendary
Cathedral panache, tempered, I trust, with a sense of
humility and a sound knowledge of right and wrong.
As is the wont of any institution, people come, leave
their own special mark, and then, sadly, they have to
move on. Each year a group of Std. 12 students pass
8 The X-Cathedralite 2009