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Reunion We, the I.Sc – ’79 batch had been planning a reunion for quite some time and ultimately the plan materialized on the 11th march 2003. Ratnaker Bhengra, Prasun Mitra and Binod Bhutra (our Kolkata coordinator) started for Darjeeling by train on the 9th of March. I (Rajibendra Choudhury) accompanied them from Malda. Jyoti Pokhrel, Balkrishna Garg (mango), Binod Lakhotia and Mukesh Singh Adhupia joined us in Darjeeling. Mukesh arranged for our stay at Hotel Mohit. After a short welcome ceremony given to us by the Darjeeling chapter of Hermonites, (junior batch) on the 10th of March where silk scarves were presented to us in the conference room of Mohit Hotel, a meeting was held regarding the birthday bash that was planned by them where a ‘HUNDRED’ pound chocolate cake would be presented to MH and shawls would be presented to Mrs. A. Dam, Mrs. Mukund, Mr. Phungstok and Sister Phillip, who all had retired and were staying in and around Darjeeling. They invited us to join them and be a part of the birthday bash, which we did. The order for the cake was given to Glenery’s and since the hundred pound cake would be too big to handle, the cake was made in two parts, the 1st part in the shape of our school’s monogram and the second part with the words ‘Happy Birthday Mount Hermon’ clearly written on it. We assembled in the car park opposite Keventer’s and just below the Planter’s club at 7:00 o’clock in the morning. From there we preceded to school in a convoy of about 13 to 14 cars. The pilot car had Mount Hermon school flag fluttering and one of the cars in the middle had Mount Hermon school banner wrapped around the bonnet. The whole event was covered by the leading papers of North Bengal and local news TV channel. (All the planning and the nitty-gritty were taken care of by the Darjeeling chapter of Hermonites [junior batch] under Samden Lama’s supervision.)This event had created a sensation and was the talk of the Town. The Chapel was delayed by at least an hour because the convoy took some time in reaching school. The cake was placed in the chapel. After the usual hymn, Bible reading, prayer and the welcome address and brief history by the Principal, Mr. George Fernandez, and the stage was handed over to the Hermonites. Mr. Phungstok, Mrs. Mukund along with Mr. Fernandez cut the cake which was distributed in the assembly hall itself. Shawls were presented to Mr. Phungstok and Mrs. Mukund only because Mrs. Dam was too ill to attend and Sister Phillip could not be contacted. Mr. Fernandez was very happy and excited on seeing us that he declared the day as a holiday for the school and Mrs. M. West did the same regarding the TTC. Mr. Fernandez invited us to tea and early lunch. After lunch some of us played cricket amongst our self because the ICSE and the I.Sc. Exams were in progress. It was really a over whelming feeling to be in MH and had wished that a lot more Hermonites could reach MH at least on its Birthday. There were certain things which touched me a lot, like a lot of MH estate has been encroached upon especially around top flat. I am told that there is an estate manager to look after the estate. If that be so, then why is the estate property being encroached upon? Why no step is being taken to drive out the encroachers and reclaim the land. All the Hermonites must pressurize the managing committee to wake up and take the necessary steps. The guest house ‘Ailena’ (not sure about the spelling) is an eyesore and in pathetic condition just like a haunted house in the spooky comic series. I was told that there was a high wall constructed right from the stairs leading to the gymnasium surrounding the play ground to boys’ toilet completely blocking the panoramic view of the Kanchenjunga and the mountain ranges towards Lebong side and the play ground was bare. Where the monkey ladder stood a corrugated tin shack stands there, which serves as the tuck-shop. After Mr. Fernandez took over as Principal, new swings, slide , tubular steel structure like the monkey ladder has been installed and the high walls which looked no better than a prison wall, has been lowered and once again the glorious mountains are visible. Mr. Fernandez is doing a commendable job and he should be given all the support and backing to bring back MH to its former glory. The Darjeeling chapters of Hermonites are trying to go in that direction. They will try and make the MH birthday bash a regular affair and thereby market Mount Hermon as a premier institution. They also have plans to open a modern well equipped and well stocked cafeteria and memorabilia shop and take up one of the cottages of the school and turn it into a plush guest house in consultation with the Principal and the school management so that Hermonites visiting Darjeeling, need not stay in hotels, but in the pristine beauty of MH estate. Theses projects will be self sustaining, but initially some funds will be required to get them going. Every thing is going to transparent and a bank account will be opened with the ICICI bank, which is supposed to be a leading bank in India. Anyone can check the account on line. Anyone who wants to make a contribution, in what ever manner, may contact Samden Lama who is trying very hard to get things rolling. We have decided on a reunion in 2005. The tentative dates will be either 11th March or 1st may (sale day) or at the end of the year i.e.GHD. Any one interested should contact the Darjeeling chapter of Hermonites Raj. Choudhury PS My scanner is giving me trouble therefore I am unable to attach photographs of the reunion and the B'Day bash By : Rajibendra Choudhury Graduated : I.Sc - 79 Date : 22/3/2003 5:28 |
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