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July, 2016 NEWSLETTER OF THE WELHAM OLD BOYS' SOCIETY

Dear Welhamites,

It has been our consistent effort to keep alive You will be happy to know that we have the strong sentiment of the alumni to remain received vital information under the Right to in touch with our Alma mater in a manner that Information Act, 2005 relating to the record of is familiar to them. I am extremely happy to the Society since its inception in 1983. Further, inform you that this edition of Riverside has the registration of the WOBS has been been prepared by an Editorial Board that extended for another five years w.e.f. March, comprises former Editors of the Oliphant - the 2016. school newsletter which we so fervently The WOBS Secretariat is finalizing the devoured during our days at Welham. Register of Members and all those who are yet I take this opportunity to update you on the to update their records are requested to get in recent happenings on the administrative side touch with the Secretarial Officer by sending of the WOBS. The current Executive an email at: [email protected] Committee (EC) of the WOBS held its first I would also like to compliment all the meeting on 19th December, 2015 in Delhi to members who assisted and participated in the chart out a road map for the year ahead. The recent programmes organized by the WOBS, second meeting took place on 3rd April, 2016 namely, SUPW at Raphael and Prem Dham, at Chandigarh. Copies of the Minutes of both Chandigarh Alumni Golf Invitational, the meetings were sent to all the members to screening of Rough Book and Induction of the ensure transparency and also to engage them Batch of 2016. I hope that in the coming in the decision making process by inviting events, we will find greater representation feedback and suggestions. We wish to from all the batches. Needless to say, your inculcate a participatory relationship between continued participation in events, in whatever the Executive Committee and all the members manner, reaffirms the faith imposed in the EC of the WOBS which is essential for making our and encourages it to perform in an even better Alumni Body creditable and trustworthy. From manner. this year onwards, a Daily Report on tasks accomplished at the WOBS Secretariat is being mailed to all the EC Members and Active "From Strength to Strength" Former Presidents, the latter having been included as ex-officio members of the EC. Additionally, certain Standard Operating Rupinder Singh Thind Procedures (SOP) have been brought into force (302/ C, 1988) to ensure that each EC member performs the tasks and responsibilities that have been specifically assigned. Newsletter of the Welham Old Boys' Society July, 2016

Contents

OLD BOYS' CORNER 03 INAUGURAL CHANDIGARH ALUMNI GOLF INVITATIONAL (CAGI) 04 INDUCTION CEREMONY FOR THE BATCH OF 2016 06 SCREENING OF FEATURE FILM ROUGH BOOK 07 OLD BOYS' SUPW (SOCIALLY USEFUL PRODUCTIVE WORK) AT PREM DHAM 08 S.U.P.W. (SOCIALLY USEFUL PRODUCTIVE WORK) RAPHAEL HOME 09 THE AUTHOR AMIDST US 10 WOBS REUNION, KOLKATA, 24th JAN, 2016 11 CORNER BATCH OF 1991 CELEBRATING THEIR SILVER JUBILEE YEAR 12 VISIT TO THE WOBS SECRETARIAT 14 NEWLY APPOINTED BATCH REPRESENTATIVES 16 NEWS FROM SCHOOL 20 RIVERSIDE FOCUS MID-TERM BREAKS 20 Ÿ Congratulations to Pavitra Kumar Arora (79/ K, 2004) on being HAR KI DUN 22 appointed as Chairman of the Uttarakhand Chapter of Young SAWADEEKAP!!! MID-TERM BREAK IN PHUKET BATCH 1990 24 Indians (part of the Confederation of Indian Industries). AFTER WELHAM 26 Ÿ AFTERTHOUGHTS 28 Congratulations to Akshay Agarwal (279/ J, 2007) on his marriage SCENES FROM A SUBURBAN PARK 30 to Ankita Gupta on 5th March, 2016. FROM THE CLOSET 32 Ÿ Congratulations to Sanidhya Sindhwani (510/J, 1995) on his FROM THE DESK OF BATCH REP' OF 1990 (SILVER JUBILEE BATCH OF 2015) 34 marriage to Pushpam Kashyap which took place on 7th December, 2015. Editorial Board Ÿ Congratulations to Abhinav Kir (936/ C, 2002) on his marriage to Editor-in-Chief: Ajitesh K Kir (255/C, 2007) Abhilasha Singh Bundela which took place on 16th April, 2016 at Editors: Nikhil Kripalani (210/J, 1990), Kanishk Kaushik (875/ G, 2001), Ashish Choudhary (327/ K, 2008) & Praharsh Agarwal (469/ J, 2010) Khajuraho (Madhya Pradesh). Ÿ Congratulations to Sushant Singh (321/G, 2008) on his marriage to President Rupinder Thind (302/ C, 1988) Sonal Singh which took place on 29th April, 2016 at Roorkee Vice President Mohit Saigal (30/ K, 1990) (Uttarakhand). Treasurer Gurjyot Singh (230/ C, 1991) Secretary Rajbir Grewal (77/ G, 1991) Members, Executive Committee Arun Khanna (202/C, 1984), Anurag Chadha (348/G, 1988), Sameer Paintal – (388/G, 1991), Rohit Jaiswal (509/C, 1995), Vivek Bansal (637/ C, 1997), Ajeet Bajaj (855/K, 2000), Pavitra Arora (79/ K, 2004), Ajitesh K Kir (255/C, 2007), Vanshaj Agarwal (325/ K, 2008), Sudipt Juneja (334/C, 2008) & Keshav Agarwal (718/C, 2014) Secretarial Officer: Siddharth Rakshit Ex-officio Members Darshan Singh (67/J, 1962), Haripal Singh Gill (1967), Raju Verma, Tanuj Sethi, Mohit Jain, (Former Presidents): Nikhil Kripalani (210/J, 1990), Lokesh Vashist (391/ K, 1991) & Prashant Kochhar (364/G, 1992)

Published by: Write to us at: Design: Welham Old Boys' Society [email protected] Xpressions Print & Graphics Pvt Ltd

2 3 Newsletter of the Welham Old Boys' Society July, 2016

Contents

Published by: Write to us at: Design: Welham Old Boys' Society [email protected] Xpressions Print & Graphics Pvt Ltd

2 3 Newsletter of the Welham Old Boys' Society July, 2016

INAUGURAL CHANDIGARH ALUMNI GOLF INVITATIONAL (CAGI)

Cheering squad: President and Treasurer of the WOBS WOBS memento being presented to professional golfer, Mr. Sujjan Singh

Hoardings of the participating schools

The Inaugural Chandigarh Alumni WOBS office bearers with the Chief Guest for the Posing with the trophy (awarded to Mayo College, Ajmer) Golf Invitational tournament was Awards Ceremony - Mr. Jeev Milkha Singh held on 4th March, 2016. Alumni of the leading boarding schools of India, namely the Doon School (Dehradun), Mayo College (Ajmer), Bishop Cotton (Shimla), Lawrence School (Sanawar) and Welham Boys' participated in the tournament. The motto of the tournament was “Together We Play”. The echo of this Tournament was resonating on Facebook and the WhatsApp groups of the respective Alumni Associations. Many came to cheer their school-mates and be a part of Uday Walia (175/ J, 1991) teeing off in style! the evening celebrations. Mayo College won the tournament with the Doon School emerging as the 1st Runners-up and Bishop Cotton School finishing as 2nd Runners-up. From the ceremonial tee-off by Sujjan Singh (ace professional golfer) to the prize distribution ceremony graced by the famous golfer, Jeev Milkha Singh, the event was a memorable one with participants remembering the inter- school tournaments during the school days. Kudos to Rajbir Grewal and Parampreet Sandhu for their efforts in making the event a The event received success. Team Welham at the Golf Hut adequate media attention

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INAUGURAL CHANDIGARH ALUMNI GOLF INVITATIONAL (CAGI)

Cheering squad: President and Treasurer of the WOBS WOBS memento being presented to professional golfer, Mr. Sujjan Singh

Hoardings of the participating schools

4 5 Newsletter of the Welham Old Boys' Society July, 2016

INDUCTION CEREMONY SCREENING OF FOR THE BATCH OF 2016 FEATURE FILM

The WOBS has started an induction Letter from the President of the were given a warm welcome by ceremony whereby the graduating WOBS along with a Golden Tie, Cap, office bearers of the WOBS and other ROUGH BOOK batch will be welcomed formally in Key-chain and a set of coasters. Old Boys residing in Dehardun. the WOBS fold. As part of this year's Further, every graduating student Students were inducted in groups as The WOBS organized several activities on 2nd induction ceremony, each was allotted a membership number. per the schedule of their board April, 2016 in Dehradun, commencing with the graduating student of the batch of The induction ceremony was held at examinations. SUPW at Prem Dham in the morning, orientation/ 2016 was presented with a Welcome the WOBS office where the students induction ceremony for graduating students of the Batch of 2016 in the afternoon and culminating with the screening of the feature film - "Rough Book" for the students and staff at the Activity Centre. The film seeks to highlight certain lacunae existing in the current education system in India. Rohit Jaiswal(509/C, 1995) sponsored the screening of the film and Nikhil Kripalani (210/J, 1990) sponsored the travel for Mr Viveck Vaswani, the veteran actor who has produced the film. Post the screening, Mr. Vaswani addressed the gathering and interacted with the students.

Mr Viveck Vaswani leading an informative discussion

The event was covered by the local media

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INDUCTION CEREMONY SCREENING OF FOR THE BATCH OF 2016 FEATURE FILM

Mr Viveck Vaswani leading an informative discussion

The event was covered by the local media

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SUPW SUPW AT PREM DHAM AT RAPHAEL HOME Members of the WOBS based in Dehradun visited Prem Dham (an Old Age Home) as part of the second SUPW The 1st WOBS community service activity for the year 2016 was held at Raphael Home, Dehradun, on programme. They were accompanied by Mr. S.K. Bhatia, former teacher at Welham who also served as House 23rd January, 2016 where the WOBS donated 100 bed-sheets and pillow covers. Ms Harjit Lally, Master of Krishna House during the 1980's. The Batch of 1990, represented by Mr. Anand Matta, presented the former teacher at Welham, was the Guest of Honour and was accompanied by the WOBS President residents with 100 Kgs of wheat and rice along with some chocolates, cookies and cakes. and other Old Boys. Brigadier Arun Bhatnagar (Retd.) and Mrs. Priyo Lal, Director Special Education, Seeing that most of the rooms lacked ceiling fans, the alumni present promptly procured the same and got Raphael Home, thanked the Society and presented an appreciation letter for the thoughtful and them installed prior to the onset of summer. The WOBS also pledged to construct a common kitchen, the work noble gesture shown towards Raphael Home. for which was commenced soon thereafter. WOBS has resolved to visit Prem Dham on a more regular basis.

WOBS members with the management of Prem Dham

Ms Harjit Lally interacting with children at Raphael Home

A memento being presented on behalf of the WOBS Construction of the Kitchen building in full-swing

Media coverage of the event

Letter of appreciation from the management at Raphael Home

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WOBS members with the management of Prem Dham

Ms Harjit Lally interacting with children at Raphael Home

A memento being presented on behalf of the WOBS Construction of the Kitchen building in full-swing

Media coverage of the event

Letter of appreciation from the management at Raphael Home

8 9 Newsletter of the Welham Old Boys' Society July, 2016

WOBS REUNION, KOLKATA, 24th JAN, 2016

It was time once again for the Mrs. Jyotsna Brar annual get together of the Kolkata releasing Safwan's book Chapter. The weather was perfect for catching up with old friends and new, over drinks, lunch and merry THE AUTHOR making galore. Like last year, we hosted the get together at our place. The first to arrive at the venue was Rupinder AMIDST US Singh Thind (President) accompanied by Mohit Saigal (Vice The "Lesser-Known Ghardavian Tales" is a collection of short stories and President). We were glad that poems, written by Sheikh Safwan Fayaz (Batch of 2016) who was recently Rupinder kept his promise of last inducted into the WOBS. Safwan wrote this book during his final year at year i.e. of attending every "Cal school and we all take pride in seeing this book in print. Meet" as long as we kept organizing one! They arrived in the afternoon The book was formally launched on 16th April, 2016 by Mrs. Jyotsna Brar, with two huge bags full of Principal, Welham Girls', in the presence of Ms. Gunmeet Bindra, Principal, memorabilia, all of which was sold Welham Boys' and Safwan's proud mother. The L.R.C. was appropriately out in the blink of an eye. chosen as the venue for the book launch. In his final year at school, Safwan was appointed as Editor-in-Chief of The Oliphant. Ankush Salaria (batch of 1997) had planned his trip well in advance and Having a get-together at home has and ended with the mandatory Way to go! came in a day early to spend some its advantages. The atmosphere is group singing of "Humko man ki quality time with my family and I. much relaxed. Everyone comes over Shakti dena…" and "Yeh dosti…" ! with their wives and kids. Not only Like always, our Calcutta boys were It was a day well spent and all were the old boys having a rocking all fashionably late by two hours. present had a wonderful time - time, the children and the "Wives of But once the attendance was full, Welham style. Hopefully, the above Welhamites" (WOW) too were the party took off like there was no account of the recent get-together enjoying their own party. They were tomorrow. The live band was surely will encourage Welhamites residing all amazed to see their husbands a hit. in other cities to be part of the next turn into completely different Kolkata reunion where they can people when in the company of meet old friends as well as forge new Welhamites - senior as well as junior. friendships. The live band kept the party going but the real fun started once Raj Maheshwari (batch of 2004) decided Vivek Bansal (637/C, 1997) to take the stage and croon love Harsh Bansal (540/K, 1996) songs for Radhika - his better half. Surya Todi (584/C, 1996) Fortunately, Raj and Radhika were celebrating their 1st wedding anniversary that day. The reunion stretched on for more than 7 hours Sheikh Safwan Fayaz at his book launch

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WOBS REUNION, KOLKATA, 24th JAN, 2016

10 11 Newsletter of the Welham Old Boys' Society July, 2016

CELEBRATING THEIR BATCH OF 1991 SILVER JUBILEE YEAR In addition to the above, Batch of 1991 also contributed towards the SUPW With months away from the Founder's Day celebrations, the Batch of 1991 has already programme organized by the WOBS at Prem Dham. collected significant contributions, thanks to the enthusiastic efforts of their Batch As part of their Silver Jubilee Year, they are planning to host gala events representative, Gurjyot Singh. His patience and endless pursuit for ensuring donation has during the Founder's Day celebrations such as the Annual WOBS Dinner as earned him a temporary nick-name - "Vasooli Bhai". well as another celebratory dinner for all members of the WOBS. The Batch of 2016 deserves applause for these commendable initiatives.

Batch of 1991 has taken several Acknowledgement from the Principal and the Board initiatives this year such as an initial donation of 25 hockey sticks of of Management international quality to the school (25 additional sticks have been procured in case any replacement becomes necessary). The hockey sticks were presented to the Principal, Ms. Gunmeet Bindra on 2nd April, 2016. The donation has been made in the fond memory of their friends, Marghoob Hussain and Dhananjay Bahadur Singh. Incidentally, the first tournament at which these hockey sticks were utilized was at the recently held Kandhari Memorial Hockey Tournament where the school emerged as the winner beating PPS Nabha in the Finals with a score of 2- 0.

Gurjyot presenting the hockey School team posing with their new hockey sticks Graphic design of the sticks to the school coach hockey sticks gifted to school

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Gurjyot presenting the hockey School team posing with their new hockey sticks Graphic design of the sticks to the school coach hockey sticks gifted to school

12 13 Newsletter of the Welham Old Boys' Society July, 2016

The Welham Lodge building was badminton courts in the adjacent field. entry and visit of Old Boys to the school. previously home to Krishna House. Fun fact: prior to becoming Krishna The society's records and memorabilia During the early years, Mr. S. Bhatia was House, the building was home to are also available at the office. its House Master and his wife, the House students of Class 12th . Matron. Initial impetus to basketball The point man at the WOBS office is the and badminton was provided by Secretarial Officer, Mr. Siddharth VISIT TO THE WOBS students of Krishna House owing to their Rakshit, who, apart from handing day to SECRETARIAT close proximity to the basketball and day office operations, facilitates the Welham Lodge Old Boys interested in visiting the school to reminisce the good old days are requested to take note of the following steps: 1. Park your vehicle at the Welham Lodge Parking lot. 2. Meet the Secretarial Officer, Mr. Siddharth Rakshit. If Mr. Rakshit is unavailable, contact the other officers, namely, Mr. Krishan Lal or Mr. Satish Verma. 3. Wait for the entry-pass to be prepared. Give your relevant particulars for security purposes. In the meanwhile, enjoy a cup of tea/ coffee at the office and explore the memorabilia. 4. The entry-pass is necessary for entering the campus. Have a pleasant visit!

WOBS Office Lobby

Old Boys who haven't visited school recently are unaware that the WOBS Office in the school premises is located on the First Floor of the Welham Lodge building (photographs appended below).

Familiar stairs of Krishna House WOBS Secretariat

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WOBS Office Lobby

Old Boys who haven't visited school recently are unaware that the WOBS Office in the school premises is located on the First Floor of the Welham Lodge building (photographs appended below).

Familiar stairs of Krishna House WOBS Secretariat

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NEWLY APPOINTED BATCH REPRESENTATIVES

In order to enhance information dissemination and increase participation of all batches in the society's activities, the process was initiated to form a team of batch representatives (elected by members of the respective batches). Subsequently, a WhatsApp group was created so that latest information regarding events and decsions taken by the EC could be immediately shared with batch representaives and through them, with the entire society. For facility of reference, photographs of the batch representatives are appended below: Gurjyot Singh – 1991 Prashant Kochar – 1992 Anup Kumar - 1993

Mohit Oswal - 1982 Arun Khanna – 1984 Masroor Hussain – 1987 Ramanpreet Hora – 1993 Saurabh Narand – 1994 Sharad Poddar – 1995

Anurag Chaddha – 1988 Manjul Sharma – 1989 Nikhil Kriplani – 1990 Ankur Nigam – 1996 Vivek Bansal 1997– Anubhav Gera – 1998

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NEWLY APPOINTED BATCH REPRESENTATIVES

Mohit Oswal - 1982 Arun Khanna – 1984 Masroor Hussain – 1987 Ramanpreet Hora – 1993 Saurabh Narand – 1994 Sharad Poddar – 1995

Anurag Chaddha – 1988 Manjul Sharma – 1989 Nikhil Kriplani – 1990 Ankur Nigam – 1996 Vivek Bansal 1997– Anubhav Gera – 1998

16 17 Newsletter of the Welham Old Boys' Society July, 2016

Shariq Ansari 1999 Akshat Agarwal – 2000 Kunal Virmani – 2001 Aditya Vardhan Joshi - 2009 Praharsh Agarwal – 2010 Jatan Soni - 2011

Saumya Khaitan – 2002 Aatir Ansari – 2003 Pavitra Arora – 2004 Raghav Dahuja – 2012 Chetan Sharma - 2013 Keshav Agarwal - 2014

Dhairya Goel – 2005 Ajitesh Kir – 2007 Tushar Agarwal – 2008 Shubham Agarwal - 2015 Mir Ali - 2016

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Shariq Ansari 1999 Akshat Agarwal – 2000 Kunal Virmani – 2001 Aditya Vardhan Joshi - 2009 Praharsh Agarwal – 2010 Jatan Soni - 2011

Saumya Khaitan – 2002 Aatir Ansari – 2003 Pavitra Arora – 2004 Raghav Dahuja – 2012 Chetan Sharma - 2013 Keshav Agarwal - 2014

Dhairya Goel – 2005 Ajitesh Kir – 2007 Tushar Agarwal – 2008 Shubham Agarwal - 2015 Mir Ali - 2016

18 19 Newsletter of the Welham Old Boys' Society July, 2016

Whatever the case may be, everyone traveled sleeper class and were wonderful opportunity of meeting NEWS FROM is entitled to her own version of picked up by the buses at the the most alternative Swedish travel. However, I find myself railway station. For many of us, it couple. They were in their twenties constantly questioning myself on would be the first time in a sleeper and had just finished university. SCHOOL the merits of traveling and whether class or a non air conditioned bus They had come to travel to India and it really enriches a person as all and was truly a humbling just could not get themselves on the travel blogs point out. experience. If you were traveling by plane back. As a result, they stayed bus, the back seats were coveted. back in a tiny village and helped it by Ÿ Now that I look back at all my mid- Anuvab Pal, a standup comedian, screenwriter, playwright and a novelist, visited term excursion experiences at They were the furthest from the installing solar panels and helping school on 14th February, 2016 for a performance. Welham, I think I have found all my teacher who would inevitably sit make the village self sufficient in right in front. It was there that you terms of electricity. In the short Ÿ Renowned Indian photographer and photojournalist, Mr Raghu Rai, visited the answers. Let me share some of my school on 6th March, 2016 for a workshop. experiences in school. Mid-terms at could find all the illegal tuck and the conversation I had with them, I effective root of the Welham discovered what true charity really Ÿ Welham were a modest affair. Mr. John Casey, Catering Supervisor at Welham, passed away on 21st February, grapevine. In addition , it was also means: to give without any 2016. Mr. Casey joined the school in 2009. May his soul rest in peace. To start with, we never travelled the place where the incessant leg recognition or expectation to people outside Uttrakhand. Kumoun and pulling of the people sitting in front who really are in need all other Garwahl were the preferred and would start and never end ! These things notwithstanding! perhaps the only destination. As a lessons in humility did pay off. A few I could go on endlessly on how result, every Welhamite ended up years later, allured by the cheap finishing school with copious experiences in midterm breaks prices, I booked myself an overnight enriched my life. I could tell you how amounts of information about the train journey from Munich to most obscure villages in the region. it made us push our physical and Budapest. When I reached Munich mental limits scaling those Needless to say, that the station, I was welcomed by a RIVERSIDE FOCUS: breathtaking views and the tranquil mountains. I could tell you how I dilapidated Hungarian train which understood the importance of food landscape effortlessly dwarfed the did more to highlight the failure of popularity of the region in tourist when there was little to eat at high MID-TERM BREAKS the Soviet era communism than altitudes or simply how I truly books and blogs. I vividly remember anything else! Had it not been for the understood the concept of supply waking up early in the morning to a experience at Welham, I would have spectacular view of the Himalayas and demand economics when the “Too often travel, instead of broadening the mind, merely lengthens the conversations.” turned my back to an antagonistic price of Maggi quadrupled as we on one of our pit stops to the Pindari Hungarian conductor and what — Elizabeth Drew, American journalist. glacier. The clouds had given way to trekked higher up. Not to forget the ended up being a terrific week in priceless memories we shared as a sunshine and there was no sound Budapest! save the intermittent chirping of the batch during these holidays. birds. It was a sight to behold; one Moving on, let me tell you about In a nutshell, I realized that to really In my limited experience of 23 Evidently, the utility of travel is different for everyone. which could capture all your senses accommodation. In essence, the extract the utility of travel, you need At the cost of generalization, let me put forward some and usher in a sea of imagination. I thumb rule was you can live in not go to Europe or spend copious years (that's how old I am) of living of the clichés I have come across. remember blankly staring at whatever you can carry which amounts of money. If you do it right, in India and abroad, I have come Firstly, the Punjabi Auntie, who it appears, travels only to Himalayas, feeling abundantly meant we predominantly lived in you can do by traveling around India have something to brandish about at the Sainik Farms tents. In case the trek terrain was to realize one uniform lucky and strangely content. The and travel on a modest budget. As parties; not to forget the series of photos she will show you midterm had taken me to untouched uncompromising, we were allowed an American rock n roll artist rightly characteristic about people: of her business class cabin. Next, the cool Marwari, who and unknown places much before the luxury of the state built guests put it, “I have been to Paris and it houses. In reality, these so called everyone loves to talk about is trying very hard to break the Marwari stereotype of only these destinations were made ain't that pretty!” talking about money and has travelled to exotic places in fashionable by travel blogs and guest houses were just actually huts travel. This preference cuts across Europe. He secretly hopes that adding well travelled will Facebook Memes. with a toilet but without water ! The -Praharsh Agarwal enhance his matrimonial résumé. In addition, also worth attendants were the most helpful (469/ J, 2010) cultures, geography, and age. The mode of travel was another a mention are those who visited Paris for three days and and would tell endearing stories typical feature of the Welham mid- Hardly anyone would not enjoy a have posted three thousand photos of it on Facebook about the village and the trek route term. We usually traveled by rickety clicked by their latest iPhone and the tall annoying selfie in general. It was in one of these travel story. buses loaned from local travel stick ! guest houses that I had the agencies. In some cases, we

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enough, except what if, those who do “The Welham Newz boy wants few days ago, Kunal Seth had come know their history, repeat it anyway? pictures from me!? How did this down from Kanpur for a day. As I sat Well, that is me, summed up in two happen?!” with him, I did not feel any pressures quick sentences. I smiled, playing along. “Please, sir!” or worries all the insignificant things this life has been throwing at me. I just Sometimes, sitting at a bar, or just at He nodded. home, I would often tell all these receded into the past, and I was in people I have met after school about a That place was Har Ki Dun. The most school all over again. I was skipping particular night of my life. It's hard to magical place I have ever been to. Yes, classes to finish the next Welham forget it: I never want to. sure enough, as we got back to school Newz. I was staying up till 1 am in the and I clutched that register to my night, typing an article for the room “… I am sitting on a rock around the chest as I walked towards Bethany next door while frantically using every size of a car. It's flat on top. that night. I don't know where, or minute to make sure the next Welham Comfortable place. It's dark, when, or how… I just know that the Newz would be the one. I remember completely dark. But everything is lit. register just vanished into the burning fire inside that used to Some 800 meters to my front, is a huge nothingness. So just a few days back drive me to do my absolute best. I mountain, and lots more to its left and when Praharsh casually asked me to remember the seeping energy inside write. 300 meters behind me, is write an article for the Old Boys' me that refused to budge. I remember another mountain, much closer, much magazine on “mid-term breaks”, all of sleeping very little, working so much, higher. Same to my left, but to my this came fleeting back to me. feeling proud of myself… I remember right, there's a path that disappears being so happy that I didn't ever into the distance. All the mountains And we are back to right now. I am looking at my stomach. I am ashamed realize that this is exactly what being are white: white as gold. I can hear the happy felt like. I used to run ahead guys somewhere behind me, busy of it. In my head, I keep telling myself, it's alright. You're just 23. You will fix with Gaurav Dwivedi and Narayan playing something I don't know. I am Dev Parasher during treks, keeping up too busy to look back. Instead, I lean yourself and become sexy soon. Don't over think it. You and I will go to Har Ki with their athletic bodies, wanting to back, and look up at the sky. I swear, it be amongst the best. could never be this clear. I can see Dun all over again, and climb those 56 every star, and I can see the moon, kilometers. Then you will make a list of But right now, today, I don't know what whole, shining upon this place like… I every other midterm destination the to feel. I'm waking up late. I'm don't know what…” guys ever want to that were in the finishing my work to finish it. I am hills, away from civilization, and you missing that passion that was As I thought it, I was writing all this at will conquer them. You will do all this somewhere inside me. I am so cold, I that very instant in a register that lay within 2 months and you will lose all don't know where the fire is. I am so in my lap. I had been asked to be the your weight. And you will relive that preoccupied with things that should HAR KI DUN person from my group to document the time. You will experience beauty not matter, and dismissive of the journey for an article later. I took the again. things that do. Even if my heart is It has been two years with that In the last ten minutes of me leaving job rather too seriously: I was literally breaking somewhere inside me, I don't God. How things have school for good, I was carrying that noting down everything. And that's 7 I am, at this very moment, sitting in a constant thought. small one-room-kitchen in Manish know it. I barely feel these things now. changed. I am register in my hands, giving people days of visual information collated I need to go back. I need to go back to Let me tell you a little story about the quick goodbye's. I remember the into a few pages. Nagar, Andheri West, Mumbai. There currently sitting at a ten minutes while I was leaving school is noise from a house nearby, some that night. I want to sit on that rock thought in my head at the moment: again. In that year, on that day. I want forever. In the last two weeks or so, I “Kohli, get down from there” I heard construction work. My cat is there were too many. I mean, I was BR (Brahma Raina) call out from to see every star, and I want to see the computer screen, had gone around school with a register somewhere in the other room: sitting officially walking out of school without behind me. “Yes, Sir” I promptly moon, whole, shining upon that place, issued from the stationary, and I had quietly, as she so loves to. My shirtless. I dare to an obligation to return before 9 pm. replied, making a quick note that BR like… like how I should. one goal: to have as many people write roommate has gone to Pune for the While I spent a few precious seconds was the one who interrupted my flow. I look down, at my me a message in it. But wanting to weekend, so I feel alright walking And I want those god-damned thinking about this, I asked a fellow got down, and ran to sir to stop him give it that twist that I like to give to around half-naked. I have just registers back. failing and misshaped friend (for the life of me, I cannot from going back into the small everything that has been done and wrapped up some corporate videos remember who) to hold my register for building we called our home. stomach, and I think: I overdone, I asked each of the people to and winded up my freelance jobs for a second, so I could push my luggage -Jaskunwar Kohli fold the page with their message and “Sir, is it ok if I take the pictures you the month. I still have a wedding film will do something out the gate. (542 / G, 2010) staple it so I would not be able to read have been clicking to go along with to edit, apart from a major thirty- about this. Soon. Very Yes. That is the last memory I have of my article on this trek?” minute documentary film. Then, next it immediately, and so that they could that register. soon. I must. be fearlessly honest with their words. BR made one of his humorous month, I already have two events lined So how is this relevant? It is said that expressions and pursed his lips, up for coverage, including a wedding, I managed to get almost seventy-five those who do not know their history apart from some fifteen edits that I percent of the register full. clearly in the mood to play around a are doomed to repeat it. Agreeable little. have to finish before time runs out. A

22 23 Newsletter of the Welham Old Boys' Society July, 2016

We went from the pool to a lovely Thai a treacherous river obstacle course kayaking and taking in the beautiful dinner and finally Bar hopping, and finally plunging down on a tricky sights. We had our fair share of reminiscing and toasting in the name zipline. The mid term spirit helped us adventures too. While swimming in of those who could not make this trip defy our age as we overcame our fears mid sea Mohinder was stung by a due to other commitments. and physical limitations to complete Jellyfish. The rest saw this as an The next day after a late breakfast and the grueling challenges. opportunity to offer First Aid, which more juvenile jokes we headed out to a We spent the 3rd day out at sea on a could be either vinegar or urine. I will day of extreme adventure. We started private yatch with food, drink and allow you to draw your own out with an ATV ride across a jungle music. The day's itinerary included conclusions on how this played out. terrain. The ATV ride was followed by diving, swimming, snorkeling,

SAWADEEKAP !!! MID-TERM BREAK IN PHUKET Batch 1990

They say one is an in the swimming pool. The laughter on their 1st post-school adventure was louder than the thunder and the with the boys. Not to be forgotten, incident, two is a drinks were following swiftly, as if to Parth - the movie producer, could not coincidence, and three is mock the persistent rain. make it to Phuket as I am sure he was a pattern…Well, let me This looked like the making of the working hard finalizing the script for his upcoming blockbuster. come back to that! Ocean's 14 movie. The original cast of Ocean's 11 (Nikhil, Aman, Himanshu, The year 2015 marked 25 years of Mohit, Prashant, Puneet, Akash, graduating from Welham for the batch Amitabh, Amitava and Shantanu) The final day was more age of 1990. A landmark like the silver were all there. Mohinder, Anand, appropriate with much needed rest to jubilee year just helps put things in Rajeev and Amit Ranjan had joined us perspective. One can reflect back and our aching bones and muscles. It was see how the school, the teachers and spent at the exclusive Nikki Beach most importantly the friends have club. It was a day of relaxation and helped shape each other into what we reflection. We talked about Ankush are today. and Devrath, a loss that all of us are still coming to terms with. We talked Prague - 3 years ago was an incident. about what we can do to give back to All of us had turned 40, which seemed the school and several other things, like a legitimate reason for a “WOBS - both important and trivial. However Batch of 1990 reunion”. Macau - the most importantly we soaked in the joy following year was a coincidence and of the purest of friendships. finally, Phuket - earlier this year, confirmed a pattern. Prague, Macau and Phuket. I don't know where this story will be written The sun was setting over the horizon next. I however take comfort in as my flight from Singapore landed in knowing that we will meet again soon Phuket. The boys from Delhi had got for our next mid-term break! into Phuket earlier that morning. After what seemed to be eternity, I - Shantanu Srivastava finally got to the beautiful La Flora (466/J, 1990) boutique hotel. The gang was already

24 25 Newsletter of the Welham Old Boys' Society July, 2016

SAWADEEKAP !!! MID-TERM BREAK IN PHUKET Batch 1990

24 25 Newsletter of the Welham Old Boys' Society July, 2016

Dear Friends my name I was in practice in Brighton for 20 My first marriage was in 1970, ( We now is Ray Charmak and years then became a Management divorced in 1993) and I have 4 was Ranjit Singh before consultant and have been in Property adult children from my previous my Mother remarried. development for the last 20 years. life. 3 sons and a daughter, all who AFTER WELHAM Sailing has been a dream having sailed I see pretty regularly, as they live for 10 years in my with my wife in London, with the exception of Birgitte. We have been together for 13 Oliver who is left of the picture years and sailed over 20,000 miles below, he lives in Perth Australia. together on my S/Y “ Out of India “ an To his right is Simon then Rebecca Oyster 53. and then Rupert. Rebecca and Arthur got married last year. We now have a young son Rufus who is Rupert and Rebecca are actors. 2 years old he is a joyful blessing.

I joined Welham when I was 7 years old in Jan1955 and I left Welham when I was age 10, in 1958, as my Father passed away, unfortunately I left school rather suddenly, not knowing the real reason and therefore never saying a proper good bye, because my Father was ill and he sadly passed away, my Mother being British returned with me to Brighton, England where we had a home she re married and my step Father Maurice, my mentor, adopted me, I took his name and I still live in Brighton Sussex. I have thought many times of my days at Welham the security and comfort considering we were so young far from home. Prep school in England by comparison was A recent poster of their play together awful! Some of you may remember me for 2 unusual above left. happenings, the first was I complained to my parents on I am still working as a property my first day at school (see picture in B&W of me and Mum developer, currently planning to build and Dad), that there was no toilet paper only water, and 79 new homes in Lewes Sussex, being a young Indian however I try to get my life in balance gentleman I was not use to the with lots of fun breaks with skiing, basics. The other was me sailing and golf my handicap is 15. falling off the Dun special from Overall I am happy to say my glass is Calcutta we use to walk on the always half full and never half empty. outside ledge as there was no Thanks to Welham Old Boy's network I corridor on the trains In have made contact with a number of England I went to the Royal old boy's and old friends, renewed. Masonic School, then Kingston Below is a recent reunion with Deepak University, and qualified in Dewan, at my yacht Club in London 1970 as a Chartered Certified we joined Welham on the same day on accountant. the 30th January 1955.

26 27 Newsletter of the Welham Old Boys' Society July, 2016

AFTERTHOUGHTS

It's past midnight and sleep is far away… It is my mind that wanders aloof, You're the stillness of water I see I hold my mind but it just goes astray… Seen the other side with my eyes. Everything a ripple can be The world is lonely and people asleep… I have evidence but just no proof, And the way you mesmerize me I have my sanity to protect and keep… The truth is that I am telling lies. Feels like I'm drifting in eternity And then I speak out loud and clear… How can I be myself when I am not, I'm like the chaos you've found My voice feels like it's not even there… And not be myself when I would. To nowhere and just around The night has me gripped and I'm awake… You are the kind of afterthought, On the sky elevated to the ground All the dreams I see might be only fake… That would throw light if you could. Where with you I just surround No matter how hard I try to wait… As i roam free of all the care, Us and we mean the same thing Sunrise will be a few hours too late… Life is not black or white but grey. No matter what the future may bring This is my story almost every other night… To be on the edge it is fair, The song of love you can sing I feel wronged by what seems so easily right… I let myself go and my soul stay. And fly with me on to clouds on a wing So here I am on a different cloud, Swimming and sinking deep. I hear only silence and scream loud, The promises that I broke to keep.

Its 5 am and I'm wide awake Waiting for the morning sun I'd be slept for heaven's sake For I am the chosen one I will not sleep until I wake And I'm sleep waking thru days and wake waking thru nights The dreams can hardly wait My mind cannot distinguish between the wrongs and the rights Its just the way I'd like to take I see the dark sky at noon and at late hours some fancy lights Life in general just as of late You've turned my life upside down and I'm immune to gravity The day is going to be just fine In my mind's eye you're the only one that represents ecstasy Just like it has so always been I'm living in an altered form of fantasy that is called reality I will live life like it is truly mine Let's hope our paths soon collide and we cross our ways Not like what death may seem The kind of first sight we get that forever and always stays In books they print and in subjects of wonder they study our case

-Kanishk Kaushik (875/ G, 2001)

28 29 Newsletter of the Welham Old Boys' Society July, 2016

AFTERTHOUGHTS

-Kanishk Kaushik (875/ G, 2001)

28 29 Newsletter of the Welham Old Boys' Society July, 2016

SCENES FROM A SUBURBAN PARK

KN is the oldest among the regulars at the park The salt must get into his blood The retired policeman AK At the centre of it all An uninterrupted running habit A posse of overweight old ladies Who looks a tad young for his age Stands a solitary Gazebo Since the glory days of Independence Spend an hour doing calisthenics in unison Was a big number back in his day An oasis of tranquility in this oasis of green He spent a lifetime running barefoot on the beach Paying more attention to the rhythms Arrives in his fancy car Where a silent couple practice Power Yoga His daily communion with the elements Of their garrulous chatter And perambulates with an entourage On new age Yoga mats Turned a reluctant endorser of running shoes Than the motion of their bodies That befits a star Made with PVC When faced with the roughness of suburban streets He seems polished and well read Their favourite Asana AM is the self proclaimed instructor Is the Downward Dog Done with reading the Germans and the Russians A diminutive Alpha When he holds court in fluent English or Urdu And an assortment of Philosophy Who guards her turf aggressively Regales the audience with tales of his exploits But every evening (An uninterrupted reading habit) Against encroachment by young cross-fit enthusiasts And attracts greetings from the younger ladies (An interrupted sleeping habit in excessive old age) Since the glory days of university She belts out instructions seated on a folding chair Much to the envy of the noisy group of geriatrics As KN runs along the jogging track He eventually wound his way to the altar of Atheism That she keeps secured under lock and key And the amusement of Tweedledum and Tweedledee Built with concrete paver blocks He wonders about the forces at play Now in his Nineties Tweedledum and Tweedledee MD is a once upon a time actor And having lived “longer than necessary” An almost famous has been That keep this park and all that it contains Have had a long standing bromance From tipping over and falling into the Void The running continues Since the whirlwind days of Partition His career seemed promising in the Nineties As does the reading But gave way like a deflated balloon A fine thought to contemplate This is revealed in snatches of conversation Over the two bottles of Pilsner tonight (His bible is The Portable Atheist) Lathered with thick Punjabi accents Filled with laughing gas Followed by two bottles of Pilsner (He must be used to harsh criticism by now) They amble along (Written in Mumbai) A nightly ritual he picked up Big grins on their faces He runs for upwards of an hour - Sidharth Singh From his British clients That enhances their Northern good looks Signalling his arrival with rhythmic grunts (740/ G, 1998) In the early Sixties Not faded with age His scrawny legs make you wonder His walking companion at the park is AT Walking is just an excuse How they had ever managed to carry Secretary of the Maintenance Committee To escape the monotony of their homes The weight of his dreams An officious air about him To laugh and snicker at a world Many others come to the park His family owns salt pans leased from the government Where nothing seems to have changed The good looking trainer TK A hundred years ago The noisy group of geriatrics led by GM Who models part time Everything about him Have monopolised the corner benches His accent reveals a stint abroad Regulated disciplined orderly For their early morning banter A favourite with the pretty blonde JS Hair cut neat They take turns to smuggle in pots of chai Who is obssessed with her abdominal muscles Clothes crisply ironed And criticise everything in sight And exceptional glutes The smell of his cologne permeates the park Especially their wives Together these good lookers An olfactory trail of musk Who're busy doing calisthenics in unison Weave a powerful sexual magic He showers before and after his daily walk At the far end That radiates from their bodies And spreads like wildfire across the park

30 31 Newsletter of the Welham Old Boys' Society July, 2016

SCENES FROM A SUBURBAN PARK

30 31 Newsletter of the Welham Old Boys' Society July, 2016

FROM THE CLOSET Some Old Boys belonging to the era when Welham was a preparatory school have reached out to the WOBS Secretariat and have sent some rare photographs from their school days…

th Every journey needs a first step, a small step. Welham Preparatory School “10 May, 2016 play Test cricket for India. I hold the record for the was the beginning of a great journey which may have ended up at Doon/ Siddharth, maximum catches in a Test innings and till recently in the match. Therefore, to find a football photograph was quite Sanawar/ Mayo/ since all these options were available in 1962. In my case, Yes the admission card copy was nostalgic. The secretary interesting. I moved towards the East and graduated from St. Paul's School in typically made an error as regards my name. Not bad to get the Darjeeling. Some of us from the earlier vintage are fortunate to be eligible Truly nostalgic! roll number right. I did send you my details and on the 6th May for membership of the WOBS as well as of the Dosco/ Sanawarian/ Mayoite 2016, you have confirmed receiving it. Cheers associations. Tip toe if you must but take that step! The Nawab of Pataudi and I must be the only Welhamites to Yajurvindra” Younger Welhamites may not have this dual old boy network privilege. A former Senior Master from my second alma mater i.e. St. Paul's School in Darjeeling, joined Welham as Principal and up-scaled it from a preparatory Photographs sent by Anil Mehra, school (till class 6) to a full-fledged school (till class 12). Welhamites from Photo by Y. S. Bilkha who studied at Welham during the 1960’s… our vintage must take the first baby steps towards their first alma mater since our little feet at Welham have left big footprints in our hearts. The picture below captures my first little step as a 5 year old at Welham”

House Football Team, 1960

Welham Cricket Team which won against Enacting the “Crimson Coconut” at the Lawrence School (Sanawar), Cambrian Hall Peacock Stage, 1965 with Koko Kermani (Dehradun) and many others. In the Photograph: Sanjeev Kassal, Rajiv Meddireta, Indushekhar Singh, Anraj Singh, Atul S Bahadur, Vipin Malhotra, Moin Quereshi, Pradip and Iqbal Hussain among others.

32 33 Newsletter of the Welham Old Boys' Society July, 2016

FROM THE CLOSET Some Old Boys belonging to the era when Welham was a preparatory school have reached out to the WOBS Secretariat and have sent some rare photographs from their school days…

Yajurvindra belongs to the royal family of Bilkha from the Junagadh district of Saurashtra (Gujarat). He began his school education at Welham before proceeding to the Rajkumar College, Rajkot. Yajurvindra represented both Saurashtra and Maharashtra at the Ranji Trophy. He went on represent India in Test-cricket and became the joint-holder of two world records in his Test debut against England in Bangalore, 1977. In the first inning, he took five catches to equal the record set by District Sports Meet, 1969 Australia's Vic Richardson against South Africa in 1935-36. In the second inning, he took two more catches to equal the record of seven catches in a match held by Ranjan Bakshi, also a student at Welham in the 1960's, sent the following Richardson's grandson, Greg Chappell. Chappell took seven catches against email to the WOBS office. England in 1974-75. “One can very well be a part of the WOBS at the same time as being a Yajurvindra Singh Bilkha Yajurvindra sent the following email to Siddharth Rakshit (Secretarial Officer, dedicated Dosco, Mayoite, Old Sanawarian or an Old Paulite like me. WOBS) along with a photograph of his house football team at Welham. There is no conflict of interest. th Every journey needs a first step, a small step. Welham Preparatory School “10 May, 2016 play Test cricket for India. I hold the record for the was the beginning of a great journey which may have ended up at Doon/ Siddharth, maximum catches in a Test innings and till recently in the match. Therefore, to find a football photograph was quite Sanawar/ Mayo/ since all these options were available in 1962. In my case, Yes the admission card copy was nostalgic. The secretary interesting. I moved towards the East and graduated from St. Paul's School in typically made an error as regards my name. Not bad to get the Darjeeling. Some of us from the earlier vintage are fortunate to be eligible Truly nostalgic! roll number right. I did send you my details and on the 6th May for membership of the WOBS as well as of the Dosco/ Sanawarian/ Mayoite 2016, you have confirmed receiving it. Cheers associations. Tip toe if you must but take that step! The Nawab of Pataudi and I must be the only Welhamites to Yajurvindra” Younger Welhamites may not have this dual old boy network privilege. A former Senior Master from my second alma mater i.e. St. Paul's School in Darjeeling, joined Welham as Principal and up-scaled it from a preparatory Photographs sent by Anil Mehra, school (till class 6) to a full-fledged school (till class 12). Welhamites from Photo by Y. S. Bilkha who studied at Welham during the 1960’s… our vintage must take the first baby steps towards their first alma mater since our little feet at Welham have left big footprints in our hearts. The picture below captures my first little step as a 5 year old at Welham”

House Football Team, 1960

32 33 Newsletter of the Welham Old Boys' Society July, 2016

the Founder's Day Celebration. We also The next day was scheduled as the to a student of Class 11 for lost Ankush Bansal in an accident on Sport's Day celebrations where we Outstanding Academic Excellence. our way back from Dehradun (after the marched upfront in the WOBS We finished the celebrations at FROM THE DESK OF BATCH Platinum Jubilee Celebrations) on 2nd contingent adoring our specially Dehradun by having a dinner event December, 2012. The days that followed made apparel. This was followed by at Abhimanyu Cricket Academy the tragedy were probably the most a quick snack break at “My Shop”, which was well attended by our difficult time for our group, filled with reliving old times. This was batch mates, other Old Boys and despair and introspection. It was followed by the WOBS Dinner and many former and current faculty during this time that the WOBS 90 the after-party. members. Foundation (a society registered under The WOBS dinner was where, with Section 12AA on 26th June, 2013 with an We ended the year's celebrations REP' OF 1990 the co-operation of the entire with a week-long get away at Goa 80G exemption) was instituted with the WOBS team, we were able to where almost 40 of us including our Celebrating at Goa in Dec-2015 (SILVER JUBILEE BATCH OF 2015) intention of giving out Scholarships/ enhance the experience by Awards/ Bursaries to students at families spent a week together from organizing an interesting all- th nd Welham. We have a corpus of over Rs. 26 December,2015 to 2 January, women music Band – “Latina 2016. 30 lacs and are committed to keep Americana”. We also took the funding this initiative. opportunity of playing out a slide To each of us, those were memorable 3 days spent at school which made us THE YEAR 2015 (OUR show of some of our old pictures over the years. seem that we were children again. We SILVER JUBILEE YEAR) hope that in the coming years we will This was followed by an after party be back in larger numbers and are able We started the year with our Annual at Mohin Road, for which we owe a All-Boys Mid-Term break to Phuket (we to do more for Welham, which most of big thanks to Lokesh Vashisht for us consider home. We received a lot of have made similar trips to Prague and letting us use the venue. Macau in the previous 2 years). You can co-operation from the entire team at th read about this trip in an article written On 28 November, we had a the WOBS office headed by Siddharth Silver Jubilee Lunch at the Principals Cottage by Shantanu published in the current heartwarming lunch hosted by the and a special mention must be made to issue of Riverside. Principal, Ms. Gunmeet Bindra at Lokesh Vashisht, Rupinder Thind, her cottage where each of us was Prashant Kochhar and Gurjot Singh We then formed a committee, which presented with a memento. It was who supported us at all times. We also included Shantanu Srivastava. amazing to be amidst some of the got a lot of support from the Principal's Prashant Gupta, Mohit Saigal, Aman teachers from our times. We Office and of course, Ms. Bindra herself, March Past Mehra, Himanshu Aggarwal, Parth organized a small token of who welcomed us to school with open Arora and myself to think and plan for appreciation, which was handed arms. the year ahead. It was the whole year of The objective of this piece taken numerous holidays together over to each of them when they planning and substantial effort put in The celebration would not have been as along with our families and most were leaving. is to provide a factual importantly have been an integral part by the committee members that glamorous had it not been for account of the things that of each other's lives. Our children are resulted in the way the final At this ceremony, we announced a Himanshu, Aman, Parth and Mohit. we achieved in that good friends and it is truly rewarding to celebrations actually shaped up. It goes contribution of Rs. 10 lacs to initiate The apparel would not have been super a “Scholarship & Bursary cool had it not been for Aman. The see that what started as a simple without saying that the ultimate credit Silver Jubilee Lunch at the Cottage important year for us, friendship in school will now live on in for the success is owed to the trust and Endowment Fund”. This is a cards, banners, clothes and everything celebrating the 25 years the next generation as well! support that we got from the entire permanent fund set up by the else would have never looked as good batch. We finally had a count of over 30 school where a portion of the had it not been for Mohit. Shantanu of graduating from Over the years there had been many batch mates and 45 in total including annual income will be used to wrote some wonderful pieces of who had lost touch who have now Welham. It would not be spouses and children for the Founder's provide Scholarships and Bursaries communication, articles, speeches and reconnected with the group to expand fair to move forward Events. Most of our batch mates to deserving students under the spoke from the heart. Himanshu and the Magic Circle. 2015 was especially attended the Founder's Day existing guidelines. We hope that Parth made a really nice AV. Prashant without giving a little an important year as we made a lot of celebrations. But some, despite their this fund will continue to grow put the gifts for teachers together and background of where we effort to reconnect with friends as a best efforts, could not make it. There through contribution of other made a wonderful calendar, which still build up to the Silver Jubilee stand as a group – “The will be many more celebrations like this batches and stakeholders in the rests on my mantle and reminds me of Celebrations during the Founder's Day, and we will be back in larger numbers coming years. We hope that with a the good times we shared. The entire Batch of 1990”. 2015. It was really nice to catch up with of which I am quite sure of. large corpus, it will help in celebrations would not have ended on some of our batch mates who we had BACKGROUND providing financial aid in the form such a positive note had it not been for not met in years. Most of us stayed at Lemon Tree, WOBS Dinner at School which almost looked like a of scholarships and bursaries to all our batch mates who trusted us with As most of you of that vintage would As a Batch, the journey so far has also luxurious Dorm with a “Common present and future Welhamites. everything. It all just came together know that at least 15-17 of us have been riddled with unexpected grief. has more fun than we had and does Room” too. We started the 3 days We also announced an Annual beautifully in those 3 days ! continued to be close to each other Devvrat Kichi passed away a few years more for the school than we did. since we graduated. We have grown up with the “Boys evening” at Shaheen Scholarship in memory of Ankush We have gone back with a lot of back and is survived by his wife and th Nikhil Kripalani together; some of us have gotten Bagh on 26 November, an informal Bansal & Devvrat Khichi of Rs. 1 lac amazing memories and truly hope that daughter. It was special to have both of (210/ J, 1990) event to get warmed-up for a period of 3 years to be awarded every batch that follows from here on married and had children. We have them with us for the entire duration of

34 35 Newsletter of the Welham Old Boys' Society July, 2016

34 35 Newsletter of the Welham Old Boys' Society

1 2

3 4

5 6

1 Atulya Singh, batch of 1993, presenting a high-end hockey stick to Principal, Ms. Gunmeet Bindra. 2 Members of the WOBS at Prem Dham - an Old-Age Home situated in Dehradun. This was the second SUPW programme for the year 2015-16. 3 & 4 Students of the batch of 2016 being welcomed into the WOBS fold at the first-ever formal Induction Ceremony organised at the WOBS Secretariat. 5 & 6 Members of the WOBS at Raphael Home, Dehradun. This was the first SUPW programme for the year 2015-16. Ms. Harjit Lally, Former teacher at Welham, graced the occasion as the Guest of Honour. 7 Alumni golfers of Mayo College, Ajmer lifting the winner's trophy at the Chandigarh Alumni Golf Invitational Tournament, 2016.