BACK TO ST. JOHN'S SCHOOL AFTER 50 YEARS BY ANIL MALHOTRA
- anilmalhotra1960
- 9 hours ago
- 4 min read
BACK TO ST. JOHN’S SCHOOL AFTER 50 YEARS
BY ANIL MALHOTRA*
Passing out of St. John’s High School Chandigarh five decades ago, the class of 1975 celebrated a reunion at the lawns of the Brothers residence on school premises. Joining as toddlers 1965 onwards, Johnians in camaraderie with their better halves dined at school to reminiscence and relive cherished moments of growing up together. It was a thrilling experience of pure joy.
The Christian Brothers Society founded by Blessed Edmund Rice in Ireland in 1802, has its firm imprints at St. John’s School Chandigarh, founded in 1959 in a 33-acre campus in Sector 26. It is well known for its blend of architectural heritage designed by Pierre Jeanneret and modern academic excellence. The Old Boys Association (SJOBA) serves as a bridge between the school’s past and present, fostering a deep sense of solidarity among the "Old Boys". Every year the silver and golden jubilee batches meet again at School to reconnect, bond, amalgamate and live old times.
For me it was a pure fascination, an optimum target, and an ambition to plan a get together of the class of 75 for a meeting down memory lane. Contacts with old Fellows through whatsapp groups started with pivoted messages of invitation. Responses were instant. SJOBA Ball was an added attraction to descend at Chandigarh from all over the globe. Momentum energised participation. Johnians far flung fell at the delight, adventure and an air of excitement of going back to school. It was growing up again.
On 23 December in the majestic lawns of the school, an open air event was put together. Warmth of the meeting shunned the chill of cold weather. It was pure bonhomie. Old Boys rubbed shoulders as if they were still at school. Anecdotes were exchanged, friendly barbs flew, forgotten incidents were narrated with fond memories. Tributes were paid to former teachers and gratitude was extended to present Reverend Brothers Beddoe, Phillip Pinto and Augustine who were gracious to let us in back to school. They reverberated old times. It was an event to live and remember till eternity.
Going down memory lane, the formative years at St. John’s built us academically, professionally and shaped our lives with pristine values, premium morality and fine qualities of life. We learnt how to read and write with English grammar of Wren & Martin, besides the art of fine writing practiced meticulously with Vera Foster. Today, we are proud that the Brothers and our eminent teachers gave us our foundations which launched us in the world today. Speaking for myself, I am proud that my brothers Sunil and Ranjit besides son Ankit too has also had the benevolence of the training and grooming at St. John’s. My Brother-in-law Vijay Handa had much earlier started at St. John’s in 1960 to be the first batch at St. John’s.
Hearts and thoughts flew out over the supper celebration. In unanimity, all reunited with a rare blend of affection and togetherness. Getting into smaller huddles, old boys shared some secrets publicly leaving laughter and thrill around. It was reconnecting with the school. Symbolically our hearts went back to our class rooms in school where we had started and in a span of few hours there was resuscitation of days gone by at school. The majestic building is monumental. The Brothers residence is pivotal. The massive school grounds are reminiscences of races, cricket hits, football goals, javelin throws, shotput and marchpasts. Drama and theatre was a novelty. The sports day was an annual gala event practiced repeatedly to perfection. Assessments in class with the prized premium gold card was discussed to remember its awardees. Missing parents teachers meetings was unpardonable. Banter generated, was endless. Fun filled frolic cleared the fog with thrill and joy.
At the end, what remains. Memories of another day. Having lived full lives and venturing into senior citizen category, the etched realisation of fond memories dawns. Going back to school was a steroid stimulus of rejuvenation. Feelings of being bonded brings a new life. St. John’s is a glue which seeps and amalgamates companionship. The oneness, familiarity and closeness at the reunion was apparent. You were remembered as what you were in school and not what you are today. It was such a unique blend of unforgettable togetherness. Pupils of other branches of St. John’s within the country are also equal beneficiaries of this unique bonding. St. John’s Chandigarh has an excellent heritage of past pupils who now adorn eminent positions in life. In my humble view, it is St. John’s who built our foundations and our shoulders rest on the upbringing by the school under the wings of the soaring eagle imprinted on the emblem of St. John’s. The school today still has on its rolls a full fledged galaxy of fresh pupils who will again be trained, groomed and harnessed over decades to relive their lives when they come back. The vision and farsightedness of Blessed Edmund Rice reflects in the continuing perennial spring of premium education flowing through the tributaries of Schools of the Society all over the globe and about 20 of which are spread all over India. The legacy of St. John’s is very aptly penned by Revered Justice K.S. Garewal as standing in a water body “St. John’s Sagar”, with St. John’s in my DP. Say no more.
The author, a Senior Advocate, is a former pupil of St. John’s (Class of 1975).