WHEN IT WAS BACK TO SCHOOL FOR THE 1975 BATCH OF ST JOHNIANS BY ANIL MALHOTRA

WHEN IT WAS BACK TO SCHOOL FOR THE 1975 BATCH OF ST JOHNIANS

BY ANIL MALHOTRA

Founded in 1959 on a sprawling 33-acre campus in Sector 26, St. John’s High School bears the lasting imprint of the Christian Brothers Society.

Fifty years after saying goodbye to St. John’s High School, Chandigarh, the Class of 1975 returned to where it all began on December 23. Having joined the school as toddlers from 1965 onwards, Johnians reunited on the school premises with their better halves to dine, reminisce and relive the joys of growing up together. It was an experience brimming with warmth, laughter and unfiltered happiness.

Founded in 1959 on a sprawling 33-acre campus in Sector 26, St. John’s High School bears the lasting imprint of the Christian Brothers Society, established by Blessed Edmund Rice in Ireland in 1802. The school is admired for its distinctive architectural heritage designed by Pierre Jeanneret and its continuing academic excellence. The St. John’s Old Boys Association (SJOBA) remains a vital bridge between past and present, nurturing a strong sense of belonging among generations of “Old Boys”.

For me, organising the Class of 1975 reunion was both an ambition and a labour of love. The effort began with messages exchanged on WhatsApp groups, which soon turned into enthusiastic confirmations. The timing, coinciding with the SJOBA Ball, proved irresistible, drawing Johnians back to Chandigarh from across the globe.

On December 23, an open-air gathering was hosted on the school’s majestic lawns. The warmth of the reunion easily outshone the winter chill. Old classmates slipped seamlessly into easy camaraderie, as if no time had passed at all. Stories flowed, gentle teasing followed, and long-forgotten episodes resurfaced to peals of laughter. Heartfelt tributes were paid to former teachers, and sincere gratitude was expressed to the present Reverend Brothers Beddoe, Phillip Pinto and Augustine for graciously welcoming us back.

The years spent at St. John’s shaped us not just academically or professionally, but as individuals grounded in strong values and sound principles. From mastering English grammar with Wren & Martin to the discipline of fine writing practised with Vera Foster, the foundations laid by the Brothers and our dedicated teachers continue to guide us. On a personal note, I take pride in the fact that my son Ankit too benefited from the same nurturing environment at St. John’s.

As the evening unfolded over supper, our hearts returned to the classrooms where our journeys had begun. Within hours, the past came alive. The stately building, the Brothers’ residence and the vast grounds stirred memories of races run, cricket shots played, football goals scored, javelin throws launched and march-pasts perfected. Sports Day, drama productions and the coveted gold cards from classroom assessments all found their way into animated conversations. Even the dread of missing parent-teacher meetings resurfaced, now as a source of amusement.

Returning to school was a tonic of rejuvenation. At the reunion, you were remembered not for what you had become, but for who you were at school. That, perhaps, was the greatest joy of all.

The vision of Blessed Edmund Rice lives on in this enduring spring of education that continues to flow through schools of the Society across the world, including over 20 in India.

The author, a Senior Advocate, is a former pupil of St. John’s High School, Chandigarh (Class of 1975).