Benedict Devarajan, Secretary's statement

I had personally raised a few issues about the Alumni Assn. of the school after members of our batch found that there were holes in the way this Assn functioned.

Some key issues -

There is no official communication. Sketchy emails are resorted too.

Payments made in the past were not acknowledged with formal receipts.

The rules and bylaws are not provided to those who become members.

In response to my e-mails, here is what Benedict Devarajan, Secretary states ----------

Good to hear from you and to know that you are very much interested in crystallizing the Association. We need mature people like you in the framework of our Association.

Perhaps yes, you are right in saying that we need more crystallizing, but to say that we are only nominated heads is wrong. As the current Secretary of the Association, I would like to say that this current committee is a democratically elected body of past alumnus on 1.9.2007. As you desire to see the set of rules and by-laws, you are always welcome to school (on a working day) and know about it more from the management.

This current Committee has appointed a teacher of the school as a Treasurer, only to ensure that it would be easy for the school management to audit the accounts of the Alumni Association, when their school accounts are also audited simultaneously. And the current Treasurer is Mrs. Romila Fernando. Any queries regarding to "the gist of accounts" can be had from her.

You may also reach me at 9840671570

Alumni Assn Meet on Jan 2;2010 confirmed

The core team has emailed an invite to all members that the Alumni Assn Meet for 2010 will be held on Jan 2 evening.

A photo shoot is due at 4.30pm followed by the formal meet and dinner.
If you are not a member you can become one at the campus. You also need to pay for the event.

While the info has been made public not much is said about the Assn's plans, its functioning and the regulations it follows. No word on accounts and elections too.

Read the Early History of Presentation Nuns

Every student, teacher and staff of the Presentation Convents must know the history of this congregation.
It is fascinating.

The link to the web site of the nuns . .
Go to - http://www.presentationsistersunion.org/whereweare/default.cfm?loadref=161

Sister Teresina passes away

Another nun close to the school family passed away.

Sister Teresina Coyne died at the Presentation Convent in Royapuram on Dec.11 and the funeral was held on Saturday at St. Roque's Cemetry, Royapuram.

The nun headed St. Antony's for many years with a strict hand and spent her retired days at the Royapuram convent.

If you want to share your memories of this nun please do so here.

Alumni meets Jan 2, 2010

This is unofficial news - the school's alumni meet is on Jan 2, 2010.

Sadly, the core team's communication works in fits and starts. Info is shared on a perfunctory basis.

Some people are informed, some are not.

Clearly, the Alumni Assn. needs to be overhauled.

School's Centenary: 2011

I have been researching the history of the Presentation Sisters of Ireland ever since the HM of St. Antony's, Sr. Nirmala mentioned in passing that the school's centenary year would be in 2011 and that she did not have much data or records to fall back on.

My research is taking me to Ireland, Madras and some corners of India and I have been getting warm emails from nuns who are in charge of various zones.

I gather from the congregation that the nuns and Pudupet community plan to meet soon to discuss plans for the milestone. This is timely because it takes over a year to organise some core events. A book, a postage stamp, a centenary project, awards nite, alumni nite and stuff.

I will be posting here all the buzz on this landmark event. Do log in often.

Strange Ways of Alumni Assn

We received a surprise email from the 'core committee' of the alumni assn a fortnight ago, saying a Childrens Day fete was planned.

Thereafter, there was silence.

Sadly, the core team seems to work more in shadows than officially. The president does not wish to keep the communications line open, the secretary does not respond . . so old students who have joined the association the past year are left in the dark.

Batch of 1999: Stories of 2008 / 09. Weddings and Parties.

Reported by Brijesh Edwards

On Aug 23rd 2008, Batch of 1999 gathered at the Green Meadows, off ECR. There were 14 of us who joined the bash.

Bezlin, Elavarasi, Christina, K. Sangeetha, D.Hema, Sandhya, Thomas, Sathish, Sridhar, Brijesh, Bobin, Abu, Nishar and Wilfred were the list of participants. We had a lot to share, since it was a meet after 6 long years which Sathish had organized in Feb 2002.

We had a lazy lunch at the restaurant and pulled each other’s legs. Played for a while on the lawns & revived old memories. Sridhar, the man from Gujarat was the key member behind the event. The second half was more interesting as each of them shared their marriage experiences and some announced their weddings which were to follow. It was a day which put Batch 1999 back on the track……

Sathish's Birthday - Sep 06th.

Soon after that, it was the big man’s Birthday celebration at Green Meadows. We got entangled with the venue as it was more like our second school, Cecelia and Vinodha joined the clan. B’day bumps, Cake cutting and a cake wash was given.

Anu's engagement – Dec 20th.

Anu George, who is now in Bangalore, invited the clan and, we met her after 10 years since school.

Anu's wedding - Dec 27th.

Sathish and Sridhar represented the batch for the wedding in Vizag.

Bezlin's wedding - 29th Dec.

It was one more in line, a series of joyful wedding season. We met In Besant Nagar Church and, the reception followed in the Church hall. T. P. Hemalatha from Mumbai gave us a surprise. The whole group was there and it was fun.

Anthonians Alufest 09 - 03rd Jan 2009

January 3rd was a big day although many couldn’t make. The group was overjoyed to meet our teachers especially the retired ones. It was great to be back at school.

Batch Meet - 26th April (Sandhya's birthday)

We met up for the second meet at the Fortune Palm select at OMR, Nisha Banu had come down from Melbourne and it was Sandhya’s b’day so it was time to party. Omar & Stalin ventured in and gave a different feel to the party.

There were few other weddings which followed

D. Hema’s – 2nd & 3rd June.

Abu’s – 14th June.

Victoria’s – 26th Aug.

Bobin’s – 14th Sep.

Contact - Brijesh Gaspar Edwards, "The Shelter", #6 Second Street Thirumagal Nagar, Selaiyur Chennai 600073 India. +91 9841109103

E-mail - gasparedwards@gmail.com

James is now with Greater Chennai Police Commissionerate

Remember /76 batch mate James who used to live in Pudupet while his family ran a store close to the school?

James went on to join the TN State Police in a secretarial capacity and was with the Chennai City Police Commissionerate.

About a year ago, he was moved on to join the newly created Greater Chennai Commissionerate that is headed by officer S R Jangid. The office is in St. Thomas Mount.

James says he works long hours since he has to be at the side of the No.1 officer for note-taking and all that. He resides with his family in Choolaimedu.

His cell phone number is 09401 81888.

Hari's Mom passes away

Hari (/76 batch) lost his mom 2 weeks ago.

The family lived off Harris Road in Pudupet, which is famed for the market for automobile spare parts.

A few batch mates and his friends from St. Antony's were present at the funeral.

If you wish to make contact with Hari, call it at 98417-41119.

Catching Up with Rexson

This is a very delayed posting. I just dont know why I delayed it.

The '76 batch had the pleasure of meeting up with Rexson and his wife at a simple dinner at Hotel Asoka in Egmore ( in front of St Antony's) a month ago.

It was a hurried meet but warm and useful. There weren't many present - Ashok, Murali, Vincent and Khaja.

Rexson has settled down for many years now in Bahrain, works at a good hotel ( he has been in this line for decades now) and when he comes to India, has to say hello to a dozen people and has to go to his home town, Kerala.

We didnt get some nice pictures that night with the cellphones but I am asking Rex to mail us one or two he shot well.

In case you need a Bahrain contact here it is.

Rexsons's E-mail ID is - rexson@elitegroup4u.com

Alumni Meet in Jan 09; Photos

Posted late. . . Some of the pics taken at the Alumni Meet held in Jan.09. Wonderful and simple event hosted by the Alumni Assn. Prez Dharmaprakash and his team. The photos show some of the nuns with the Superior Genl (in salwar); C K Valson, once a champ athlete and now a international official in athletics - seen with retired teacher Ms Devotta: Vincent D Souza relives his days at the HM's office: some members of the '76 batch: and 'Charms' Ashok at dinner - with classmate Vimala.

1976 Batch / Thakur's Party Group Photo

Posted late. . . . This photo was taken at Thakur's party at his wonderful house on Nelson Manickam Road, Choolaimedu.

The ladies - Thara, Isabel, Rani, Thomeena, Selvi, Vimala and Reena with Hemanth (sitting)

The men - James, Ravikumar, Jaspal Singh, T J Paul, Khaja, Hemachander, Udaya Shankar, Bhastimal Jain, Hari, Vincent D' Souza, Annamalai, Thakur, Venkataraman, C K Murali and Ashok (Charms).
(If you click on the pic you should see a bigger size!)

1976 batch Rexson visits Chennai in August

Rexson Thomas, 1976 batch, will be in Chennai in early August.

He used to live in Pudupet and is now F and B Manager at a Bahrain Hotel.

C K Murali has been networking with him and Rexson says he got blown when he heard the batch had got together in Chennai and is active. Since then he has been to catch up.

Rexson's dad ran a popular draper-tailor shop in Egmore. Rexson will have a busy tour of India but is sure to park in Chennai for a party.

Here is his E-mail ID - rexson@elitegroup4u.com

May Update

Am posting this on Election Day in Chennai . .May 13

Ashok, Murali and I have been exchanging notes on our plans for the school which is due to reopen in the first week of June.

We are on the lookout for a professional counsellor that the school requires. That is our first priority.

Once the school reopens we hope to have a meeting with the HM and continue our discussions.

We also also want to get a clearer picture of the alumni - its frameworks, rules, regulations, etc. so that the Association works professionally . . . 

The Ross sisters did not make contact. But Rexon who is in the Gulf should be here in July and we should have a party.

We plan a picnic down the ECR in late May. So all batchmates who are in Chennai should make contact with Ashok at Charms to be in the loop.

Meeting with School HM

C K Murali, 'Charms' Ashok, Khaja and Vincent D' Souza had a meeting with Sr. Nirmala, the HM of the school last week. Also present was the head of the Alumni Assn., Dharmaprakash.

The meet was held to understand how the alumni could collaborate with the school in the new academic year. A few promises had been made at the Alumni Meet held in early January his year.

There have been some dramatic changes at St. Antony's the past decades. The strength has fallen, so has the profile of the students. Almost all the children come from the neighbourhood.

The outlook of the parents of the students has also changed keeping with our changing times.

The school would like to entertain any form of support and collaboration from the alumni.

To start with, there is a need for a professional counsellor who can spend time with senior students, engaging them on personal as well as academic issues.

Also, there is a need to engage external professionals in extra curricular activities. And to see how small groups of students who are into art, scouts, Traffic Patrol, etc can have the opportunity to take part in city events and contests and gain from the varied experience.

Though the scope in sport is limited, we may start a camp in table tennis since the TT tables are available.

The school HM is open to collaborations and the Alumni Team is going to mull and plan ahead during May. 

We intend to support only a few projects and make them work. But this means we will also need funds. Honorarium for the counsellor, fee to the TT coach, expenses for extra curricular events. This is where we will bank on the goodwill of the alumni.

We shall post info on this as and when developments take place.

Thakur's party rocked

I have not recovered from Thakur's party last night. (Mar 15).
It was the best meet our batch has had since we started gathering moss!

It was held at his penthouse on Nelson Manickam Road ( the Pantaloons store is on the ground flr of this bldg - the road itself has become a business/shopping area. linking Loyola College and Anna Nagar via Aminjikarai.

There were 23 people I was told. Newcomers included Basthimal Jain ( who lives in Purusawalkam and runs his own business), T J Paul who is in Kolathur and Ravi who is still in his ancestral house in Chintadripet.

The ladies - Thomeena, Isabel, Selvi, Vimala, Thara and Rani - were there too.

Thakur told us about his early days after he left school and how he had seen the highs and lows in life to make it big. He played a great host. Murali and Ashok and Khaja got the group in.

Bhasthi also shared his memories, having attended the first of such meetings.

The group decided that it should plan ahead on what role it could play in the school in the new academic year.
The bar was great and so was the food. Enjoying it up there on the 5th floor was special.

We closed at about midnight.

Thakur is in town till March end before he flies back to the USA.
We have collected all the contact phone nos and email IDs of the classmates who have bonded so far and we will post them here soon.

Sathyavathy's dinner meet

Sathyavathy was in town a fortnight ago. 

(She used to be the quiet, studious girl in the front rows - you will recognise her when I post the pics here soon)

She lives in the USA and made time to treat us to dinner at what used to be one of our fav haunts - Hotel Asokha.

This time, Isabel managed to attend. ( the regulars were there anyway).

Venkataraman who is related to Sathya was quick to network and arrange the meet and we hope this is how we are gonna meet classmates in the future . . .

P. S. - Isabel is with the Railways and based in Madras ( lives in the Ramavaram suburb ). Meanwhile, Thomeena is on transfer and moves to Bombay in late March.

Thakur party on!

Murali confirms the Thakur party is on.

Date - March 15, 5.30 pm onwards

Venue - 5th floor of the complex which has Pantaloons Store on the ground floor - on Nelson Manickam Rd., ( leading from Loyola College).

POA - Guests can drop by and have early / late dinner.

Contact C K Murali at 9444043452. Mail - rodexintl@gmail.com

Carmeline, Joyce to visit Chennai

More visitors of the 1977 batch,

Sisters Carmeline Ross and Joyce Ross are visiting Chennai end of March.

The duo are excited to know that the batch has been meeting often and getting bigger.

They hope to have a great time connecting. A party is being planned - beachside maybe!

More info soon - after I get the contact details and updates on the two.

Thakur in Chennai, party on Mar.15

News just in.

C K Murali confirms Thakur, yes the guy who made it big in the textiles biz and lives in the USA, is now in Chennai (Madras) and the alumni will meet him at a party!

March 15 is the date.

Make contact if you wanna join in.

Starts with tea, then a zip thro the city and dinner later.

Will post more on Thakur soon.

Thakur is in Chennai late Feb.

News just come in.

Thakur is flying in late Feb.

Recall this guy who made his millions in the garments business?

Thakur has settled in the USA for many years now and does fly in and out of India.

The rash of meets of the alumni, esp. batch 1976, has excited him and C K Murali says we are in for a party.

Thara says Carmeline Ross, now in the Gulf, also plans to fly in for a alumni meet.

Gosh, this will be a nice party indeed. Buzz Murali at 94440 43452. Open to 1976 batch only.

Peter invites you to Canada

Peter Thyreum called me again.

He wants to keep a track of the alumni meets.

And he says will host people who pass thro' Canada - summertime is the best.

He may not travel to India in 2009.

He invites you to mail him ( see his email at a previous post)

Please do comment and post your buzz too here!

Families Meet - Jan 18

The families of the '76 batch met for lunch on Jan 18, Sunday.

(I am posting this so late because I have been extremely busy putting up my annual Mylapore Festival ( www.mylaporefestival.com)

Ashok, C K Murali and Khaja did the spadework, made over 200 calls and got over 60 people to the Andhra Club in T Nagar, courtesy Hemanth Kumar.

It was probably the first time that the batch and families met so there were surprises, awes, open mouths and back-slapping.

Rani was there with her son - Rani has quit a fulltime job.

Thara was there, taking time off from her busy timetable at home off Nungambakkam.

Annamalai was there too - with his son and daughter, veery subdued and looking the same. He runs his business in Evening Bazaar and lives in Kodambakkam.

James did make it. Looked natty.

Jaspal Singh and wife also dropped by - they live off Mylapore now I hear.

As it got crowded I lost track of the others. There were a few from the senior batches and two reps of the alumni association.

The party ended by about 3.30 pm.

We hope to post some pictures here soon. I have to depend on Murali for pics . .

On Hemachander, James and Co.

It was good to meet Hemachander ( 76 batch).

He took leave from his bank in Ariyalur (TN) and spent the weekend with us.

Hema had a nasty accident many years ago and survived but was bruised.

His folks live in Thiruvanmiyur and a son is studying in Australia.

P G James couldn't make it to the party though he was keen. James, in the TN Police, is now a senior assistant to police officer Jangid, the Commissioner of Greater Chennai, that was newly formed.

James has to spend late nights in his sensitive assignment. . .

Venkatraman was at the alumni party - in kavi vesti and thick nammam, every inch a sadhu. Venkat has been in touch with the group, works for the Posts and lives in Anna Nagar.

Vimala was also present. Shes running a clothes store at the Spencers Plaza and told me she markets a readymade sari! Pleats and all for foreigners and NRIs who find a sari slipping off their waist but are keen to wear one! No, Vimala wasnt wearing her product that evening. . .

Thomena was there. Still works at the CAT (Tribunal) at High Court and lives in Nanganallur. Yes, with Hari. She told us Isabel keeps in touch - Isabel works at S Rly and lives off Porur.

She also said she bumped into Michael Rex in Nanganallur and will pin him down.

Khaja was there. With his daughter who passed out of St. Anthony's too.

I will post more soon. Id like your comments meanwhile. . .

Party on the Beach

Some of us had planned this party after the Alumni Meet.

It turned out to be a small group finally.

(Guess as people grow older, have teen kids and parties are taboo, the boys skip such events).

So C K Murali, Charms Ashok, Hari, Hemachander and hit the ECR and beached at TTDC's Beach Resort Complex. The BRC is not the best place - bad food, average service, dry place . . but its a nice location and you can be to yourself when thats what your intention is!

We did - enjoyed the angry sea of that night, bathed in it next morn and ended the trip with a nice lunch at Moon Rakers at Ottavadai Street ( the colourful street of Mahabs). Moon Rakers is a popular destination; people drive all the way from Chennai to dine here. Great ambience at night. But on many days, the food is average though sea food is fresh.

If any of you need to explore Mahabs in a  different manner do drop us a line. I can share some nice ways to enjoy the trip.

PS: If 1976 batch alumni are visiting Chennai, please make contact with 'Charms' Ashok, We'd like to have a spot party and catch up with the ol times.

Alumni Party!

Here is the first report on the Alumni Assn. party held on Jan.3, 2009.

(More will follow. Also, lots of pictures)

This is a personal jottings on the party.

I was back to St. Anthony's 25 years or more since passing out - 1976.

The gates we used to head do not exist - there are small pathways which are firmly sealed. The big gate is now on the side where the KG and Class 1 existed. 

(Actually, this area does not exist under the umbrella of the Presentation Convent - the nuns say that they were forcibly evicted though they had rented the place for over 60 years and a businessman raised a huge building on that land).

4.30 p.m. was too early for many people. Most who were present must have passed out in the late 90s or even in 2003 and 2005.

There were more chairs than guests but the place filled up as the function eventually opened at about 5.30 p.m. C. K. Valson was the chief guest; I was made guest of honour!

Valson is now one of India's top athletics manager and master of the technicals of the sport. He has been given a prestigious post for the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi.

Valson went down memory lane - praising PT master PaneerSelvam for being his mentor and his senior teachers who detained him in Std.10, which made his quit Anthony's, get admitted to Doveton, excel in sport, pass school and go on to make a mark in life! 

Valson has made a big promise - to provide sports coaches and accessories if the school plans to give serious attention to sport.

I took off on that theme in my speech. It was time for some of us alumni to lend a hand to the school so that it stood out in the city.

My batchmate Hemanth Kumar who now runs an Events Management company said a few words.

There were gifts for the nuns and the retired teachers and guests.

For many of us, it was nice to see Miss Devotta on stage. The seniormost to be present that evening. 

There was some entertainment by the junior alumni, fire crackers in the sky, dinner and some dancing. 

The team headed by Dharmaprakash and Benedict did a nice job despite limitations.

Also, at least 30 alumni of the 60s and 70s marked their presence.

But the 'networking spirit' was missing at the party.

The ball has just rolled perhaps . . .