We woke up early on Saturday, May 19th, so that we could leave at 8:30am, by car, in order to be up at SEM before 9:00 a.m. when Sports Day was scheduled to start. Some morning drizzles made us a little concerned, but the rain stopped by the time we arrived.
We had actually been woken up by a bunch of monkeys that had taken shelter on our veranda and in the hotel hallways. I tried to take some pictures, but panicked when one of the monkeys hissed and charged.
Most of us wore the House shirts we had bought from Dua’s shop the day before.
Classmates (and others) who were present for Sports Day (as shown in above photo from left to right) were:
Victor Figueiredo
Noel Da Lima Leitao
Ashok Chandra (lower step)
M.S. Bhandari (lower step)
Amul Mehrotra
Louis D’Souza (lower step)
Rakesh Ahuja
Arjun Mehta
Carl Keelor (lower step)
Wayne Gonsalves
Neville Keelor
Rajeev Singh (lower step)
Despite all the negatives that we heard from other local alumni about past Sports Days, the Principal actually looked after us and gave us VIP treatment: a teacher met us in the quad and escorted us to a special VIP area on the second floor balcony; we had tea and snacks with teachers and other VIPs during the intermission; special mention of our presence was announced; one of our donated trophies (for Best Athlete) was given out by Brigadier R. K. Kohli (a class-mate of my brother George), who was the Chief Guest-of-Honour.
We were pretty raucous throughout the day as we cheered our respective House-mates. Everyone will remember that the Batch of 1974 attended this Sports Day !!!
The other odd thing (or maybe not so odd) was that the most vivid memories of my classmates about Sports Day, besides their own final year achievements, were those of my brother Rui Figueiredo and his achievements (College Captain, 100m hurdles, etc.).
We were invited to participate in the closing March Past as a separate group behind the current students and other alumni. We actually marched (left, left, left, right, left) and even did an “eyes right” in front of the Chief Guest’s enclosure; all done very correctly and in step. The Brigadier was very impressed, as he told us later.
We even “convinced” the Principal to give add an extra day to the school holidays (that began today) by yelling the loudest for a “holiday” along with the students and he finally agreed.
Final Sports Day Results (Rui and Neal will be very pleased):
- Gandhi House (BLUE, nee St. Peter's): 955 points
- Pant House (GREEN, nee St.Patrick's): 952 points
- Tagore House (RED, nee St.Paul's): 837 points
- Nehru House (YELLOW, nee St.Francis): 784 points
After all was over, we walked around the school premises and reminisced, taking in the bogs, the box-rooms and dormitories, the showers, the study hall, and Tuck-shop where we had bum-cakes (a lot sweeter than remembered).
Before we left the school-grounds, we visited Stonecross (i.e.the infirmary) where many of us used to go everyday for our daily dose of Geritol and where we actually got a decent meal if we were happened to stay there overnight due to illness.
After we left the school, we visited the nearby Governor's House (the "govies"), where we toured the main building (finally opened to the public in 2000) as well as the grounds where we had picnics on many occasions and played all kinds of games. Some of us had also caddied for Br. Comber at the golf course here during the summer holidays.
We hosted a party for everyone at our hotel that evening and had invited the Principal, Bro.Fitzpatrick, Bro. Murray, "Zinc" Shah (our biology teacher) , P.L. "Peloo" Shah (our chemistry teacher), and Mr. & Mrs. Tahir (the art teachers), but only Zinc and Peloo finally came.
We were joined at the hotel by class-mates who could not make to the Sports Day. These were:
- Atul Shah (left in photo below)
- Samir Shah (centre in photo below)
- Vivek Shah (right in photo below)
- Ashutosh Shah
Another great time and more good food was had by all. Rajeev Singh brought along his autograph book from his final year (1974). It was a hoot to read through it.
We had actually been woken up by a bunch of monkeys that had taken shelter on our veranda and in the hotel hallways. I tried to take some pictures, but panicked when one of the monkeys hissed and charged.
Most of us wore the House shirts we had bought from Dua’s shop the day before.
Classmates (and others) who were present for Sports Day (as shown in above photo from left to right) were:Victor Figueiredo
Noel Da Lima Leitao
Ashok Chandra (lower step)
M.S. Bhandari (lower step)
Amul Mehrotra
Louis D’Souza (lower step)
Rakesh Ahuja
Arjun Mehta
Carl Keelor (lower step)
Wayne Gonsalves
Neville Keelor
Rajeev Singh (lower step)
Despite all the negatives that we heard from other local alumni about past Sports Days, the Principal actually looked after us and gave us VIP treatment: a teacher met us in the quad and escorted us to a special VIP area on the second floor balcony; we had tea and snacks with teachers and other VIPs during the intermission; special mention of our presence was announced; one of our donated trophies (for Best Athlete) was given out by Brigadier R. K. Kohli (a class-mate of my brother George), who was the Chief Guest-of-Honour.
We were pretty raucous throughout the day as we cheered our respective House-mates. Everyone will remember that the Batch of 1974 attended this Sports Day !!!
The other odd thing (or maybe not so odd) was that the most vivid memories of my classmates about Sports Day, besides their own final year achievements, were those of my brother Rui Figueiredo and his achievements (College Captain, 100m hurdles, etc.). We were invited to participate in the closing March Past as a separate group behind the current students and other alumni. We actually marched (left, left, left, right, left) and even did an “eyes right” in front of the Chief Guest’s enclosure; all done very correctly and in step. The Brigadier was very impressed, as he told us later.
We even “convinced” the Principal to give add an extra day to the school holidays (that began today) by yelling the loudest for a “holiday” along with the students and he finally agreed.
Final Sports Day Results (Rui and Neal will be very pleased):
- Gandhi House (BLUE, nee St. Peter's): 955 points
- Pant House (GREEN, nee St.Patrick's): 952 points
- Tagore House (RED, nee St.Paul's): 837 points
- Nehru House (YELLOW, nee St.Francis): 784 points
After all was over, we walked around the school premises and reminisced, taking in the bogs, the box-rooms and dormitories, the showers, the study hall, and Tuck-shop where we had bum-cakes (a lot sweeter than remembered).
Before we left the school-grounds, we visited Stonecross (i.e.the infirmary) where many of us used to go everyday for our daily dose of Geritol and where we actually got a decent meal if we were happened to stay there overnight due to illness.
After we left the school, we visited the nearby Governor's House (the "govies"), where we toured the main building (finally opened to the public in 2000) as well as the grounds where we had picnics on many occasions and played all kinds of games. Some of us had also caddied for Br. Comber at the golf course here during the summer holidays.
We hosted a party for everyone at our hotel that evening and had invited the Principal, Bro.Fitzpatrick, Bro. Murray, "Zinc" Shah (our biology teacher) , P.L. "Peloo" Shah (our chemistry teacher), and Mr. & Mrs. Tahir (the art teachers), but only Zinc and Peloo finally came.
We were joined at the hotel by class-mates who could not make to the Sports Day. These were:
- Atul Shah (left in photo below)
- Samir Shah (centre in photo below)
- Vivek Shah (right in photo below)
- Ashutosh Shah
Another great time and more good food was had by all. Rajeev Singh brought along his autograph book from his final year (1974). It was a hoot to read through it. 
4 comments:
Vic,
Now that you're back this is reading like a bizarre virtual tour, but kudos for the excellent job.
Feels like we're standing over your shoulder watching all these activities.
Also sounds like the activities were just interruptions to some great meals.
Did we come back with a few extra pounds on the plane??
Looks like a great trip. Looking forward to the Fig boys getting together to see the photos.
See you soon.
CLC
Thanks for all of the detail. As CLC has mentioned, feels like we are there. I knew there would no reason for me to join you and actually be there!
Neal
Victor,
It was Ferodol that we used to have at Stone Cross as kids. Though at our age and especially on evidence of the March Past, Geritol might be more appropriate these days!
Certa Bonum Certamen...and you should be a part of Nainital Nostalgia facebook group
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