Harry (September 5, 1946 – November 21, 2024) – Harjit Singh Bedi – The Man behind The Judge!!

Harry was the sum of his parts. These parts were many but at the end you had a man of utter simplicity.

That is not the impression he conveyed when I first set  my eyes on him in 1954. He was timid, I thought, until you discovered he was intelligent, dedicated and committed with firm views that he held with a fierce passion. He was not a man you defeated easily on any  intellectual matter. He was confident and assured. He spoke in a soft manner with ideas that were built with a great deal of clarity of thought. It showed in his academic worth and he was always among the toppers in his class.

Harry was obedient. He was shy. He was devout.

In retrospect, Harry embodied all the fine qualities for the professional position he came to occupy. He was no brawn and he was not the daring kind but his sense of fairness, justice and all that was correct and right were attractive attributes.

Here are some comments about Harry by his friends from the Class of 1962:


Harry loved his dogs and guns. He used to go hunting in the college. days with his dogs and whosoever wanted to join him. He never shot at a sitting bird. The ones that took off were invariably brought down as he was a crack shot. His dogs were always winning prizes. He inherited these qualities from his father who kept a stuffed tiger in the drawing room in his Sector 10 house. Later he would go clay pigeon shooting” – Yogesh Uberoi

“ I think you must be aware that his forefinger had been partially injured when he was crawling out of the side open drain from the swimming pool. The main door from there  was closed. This was in the passage from the HM house to the pool. I was there and we rushed him to the hospital from where he was sent to Rippon. I can’t remember who else was there with me

Somehow we were locked on the swimming pool area, the door to the swimming pool had been closed from outside. we decided to climb on the khud side to get out. The person ahead of Harry slipped & stones were dislodged and they came hurtling down and Harry ‘s forefinger, first digit was cut, and hung by the skin. We took him to hospital & from there he was sent to Rippon hospital ” Ramesh Suthoo

 (Comment: minor addition: The swimming pool was locked and this drain hole offered a short cut from the gym side up to the dorms. The entry from the second flat was inaccessible since an event was in progress that morning. Post monsoon a stone from the khud side dislodged itself and came like a sharp knife on Harry’s finger, a slitter like action, which caused the injury)

“Harry loved music and he played the mouthorgan very well . He could play any tune  popular in those days” Harmeet Mamik

A very fine legacy. The embodiment of a gentleman OC. We are all proud to also call him our classmate” Mohit Goyal 

He had a lovely record collection. I often used to visit his house and listen to the lovely music collection. This was when we were at college” RLV Nath 

Harry always conducted himself within the rules of the school and never strayed, a relatively quiet gentleman and one who didn’t take issue with anyone. He was very conscientious in his studies and if I remember correctly always in the top three in academics. All in all a very fine and good human being. Will miss him” NK Mehra 

[click pictures for larger view]


After Harry cut his forefinger, and it was never adequately restored because Simla did not have the requisite medical facilities for a surgery that required great skill, his parents came up to Simla. He went home for some months for treatment and recovery. He toyed with the idea of using his left hand instead but managed efficiently with his right hand and the little stub of a forefinger. He was persistent in all he did. I can see him struggling to get past the qualifying line for the marathon, with Mr Advani urging him on from the sidelines, with just a few seconds to go and make it in time !! He never gave up, a trait that was inculcated in him. He consequently recovered from the injury rather well with his confidence restored.

Harry was a pacifist. During the phase in the Cold War and, we were old enough to read about international events, Khrushchev had that year made a frightening speech at the UN culminating with an exhibition of shoe thumping in 1960. It seemed that the world was on the brink of another world war. We were worried. Harry, Guzder (Curzon House) and I decided to write to Khrushchev urging him to show restraint. The three of us earnestly sat in a class room with Harry in the centre and a letter was written. Of course the author, the brainy guy, was Harry. We then ambled up to the letter box that stood behind the Headmaster’s office and deposited our earnest missive to Khrushchev. Two days later, during dinner time, Fred Brown flourished the letter and announced with a smile on his face, “Khrushchev, come and get your letter, the postman cannot deliver it!!” A rather sheepish Harry got up and collected the envelope much to the amusement all around.

Harry’s father seemed like a tall strapping man. He looked taller because he wore a “taller” turban with a “tur” , which is an extension of the usual turban but stands flat upright atop the conventional head gear and flutters about like the feathers atop a peacock’s crown. He, consequently, looked imposing (at that age at any rate to us!!) . The parents would come and affectionately hug their pampered boy and pat their hands over his soft cheeks. On their departure, we would then walk up to Harry and stroke his cheeks, perhaps, as affectionately. It was almost like a petting pool. We laughed but Harry blushed though he never responded to our little amusing venture.!!

Harry was close friends from time to time with most of his class mates particularly from Curzon, Ravi RikhyeRamesh Suthoo and the others but towards his final years he spent a great deal of time on the bench outside the Headmaster’s office with Amarvir Singh discussing spiritual matters. Those discussions may have even sharpened his instincts for the ethical and the strong desire to never deviate from the righteous and the right. Ethics mattered a great deal to him and it showed in his professional conduct. Harry was never swayed by any external influence or factor in all the decisions he delivered. He was upright, ramrod straight and not amenable to any inducements or suggestions, never delivering any favour no matter how close the relative or friend the person might be. He was in that sense intractable never wavering from what he considered honest, true and correct.

In a school where Hindi was a subsidiary, even neglected subject, Harry excelled. I recall Mr G Shanker informing us that there were only two boys in School who took dictation in Hindi perfectly never  committing even one error, Harry and Amarvir Singh, he announced. Harry never got wrong any word in any dictation placing the right alphabet even for a similar sounding consonant or word. Perfection it was for him. He was conscientious.

This distinguished individual carried all the virtues that your scripture suggests are the qualities of good conduct. Harry fulfilled that bill almost completely though I daresay he was very human and not without his foibles or his faults. However, all that hardly mattered in the balance and he was one of the finest specimens of a good product that Bishop Cotton School saw past its hallowed portals.

Harry made us proud and may he rest in peace. Good bye, Dear Friend.

– Vijay Khurana


Special Postal Cover: BCS 165TH Year

Special Postal Cover issued by Department of Posts Himachal Circle commemorating Bishop Cotton School’s 165 years of excellence in education.

Transcript:

BCS 165th

Located in the heart of the Shimla Hills, Himachal Pradesh, Bishop Cotton School was founded by Bishop George Edward Lynch Cotton on 28 July 1859. This is a boarding School for boys of 8 to 18 years of age. As an ISC & IGCSE Cambridge International Accredited School, it is strengthened by a proud history that goes back to 165 years. Cottonians have their eyes firmly set on leaving a legacy for the 21st century. This Special Cover is released at Bishop Cotton School, Shimla on the occasion of celebrating 165 years of excellence in education.

₹20/-
DEPARTMENT OF POSTS
H.P. Circle

Website update

This OCA Website is relatively static, all posts and articles [approximately 992 in total] are archived and will continue to remain accessible for the interim.  This website was started on 8th May 2002.  A unfortunate mishap in 2008 resulted in the loss of all articles from May ’02 to Aug ’08.

This community website links and brings together, globally, Old Cottonians of Bishop Cotton School Simla. Not specific to any one country or OCA chapter, this website is independently run and managed with a strict Privacy of Data Policy conforming to internationally set standard. No contact data collected is shared or is accessible to any person or entity other than a single Administrator.

OLDCOTTONIANS.ORG Website Creation & Activation Date/time: 2002-05-08 T10:18:05Z

Avnesh Kumar Pawa / 1970 batch [Rivaz]: Passed on

Message received from Pawan Kumar Pawa [aka AKOO]:


Avnesh Pawa

Extremely devastated to inform the untimely demise of my cousin Avnesh Kumar Pawa in Singapore.

School Prefect Rivaz House.
1970 Batch
He was a very good soul if you could recall him being room mates with Dosco Sweety Bawa & Jaggu in the Spiders Cottage near the School Gate & next to the Advani’s residence.


Our deepest condolences to the Pawa Family, all of Avnesh’s Friends and Loved ones.

Passed on: H. Kishie Singh [Curzon 1955 batch]

Very sad to inform all that OC H Kishie Singh, a renowned columnist and writer, passed away after a brief illness,  at Kansal [Chandigarh], on Sunday 27th October 2024.

Kishie was a motoring correspondent for newspapers like The Statesman, New Delhi, and especially The Tribune. His column ‘Good Motoring’, for The Tribune ran for over 27 years. He has also been the contributing editor for magazines like Car & Bike, Auto Motor & Sport, and Auto India.

His latest book Good Motoring was published recently and has co-authored a book with The Dalai Lama, Ruskin Bond, Khuswant Singh, and others, called The Whispering Deodars.

He was part of several social and literary organisations.

You will be deeply missed Sir…!

Ash Virk
President OCA DELHI Chapter


H.KISHIE SINGH; A brief introduction

H.Kishie Singh did his schooling from Bishop Cotton School, Shimla and graduated from St. Stephens College, Delhi University. He then went on to finish his studies from University of McGill, Montreal Canada.

A former Motoring Correspondent for The Statesman, New Delhi. Senior Motoring Correspondent and Contributing Editor for magazines like Car&Bike International, Auto Motor and Sport, Auto India.

His column ‘Good Motoring’ have been carried by The Tribune Chandigarh, uninterrupted for 27 years!

He has authored two books. One is called ‘Good Motoring’ after his column. The book contains select columns and travelogues around the Globe. The second book, ‘Whispering Deodars’, was on his home state. Co-authors were His Holiness The Dalai Lama, Mahatma Gandhi, The late Sardar Khushwant Singh, Ruskin Bond, Satish Gujral, Rahul Singh, Ashok Dilwali to mention a few.

Being a motoring aficionado he has driven overland from London to Delhi. The following year he drove to Tehran and back and has crossed the fabled Khyber Pass three times!

In 2017, he received two awards for his writing concerning the Automobile and Road Safety. One, from the International Road Federation, Geneva, Switzerland. The second, a Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to Motoring and Road Safety by The Sangrur Heritage Preservation Society and and Literary Festival.  

He is also one of the organisers of The Khushwant Singh Literary Festival that talks about current social, political and economic issues and engages with authors from all walks of life. It attracts well known personalities from across the Globe.


From Vijay Khurana 

Kishie Singh was an affectionate, kind, intelligent and highly caring man.
He remembered his School days with great feelings and nostalgia. He won the Anderson Essay prize in his year and an achievement he proudly recalled. It probably spurred his inclination towards the profession of journalism. He was a master of his craft and the sense of wanderlust led him to explore the world which is when cars became the other passion. Details of his motoring trips were vivid and unusually interesting. You felt you were on that ride with him.
His principles did not allow him to countenance the existence of Gen Dyers name on the School boards and I think his campaign to have it removed did happen. Honour and respect before all else was Kishie’s slogan!
He was 87 and he packed a life full of interesting stories, good humour and an abundant circle of friends.
Our hearts go out to his wife, Neena and their daughter, Malvika. Sincere condolences.
Au revoir, Kishie. Rest in Peace


UPDATE : Cremation is fixed for 3:30. At sector 25. Chandigarh today.

Mr. DC Anand : Kirtan & Antim Ardas

Kirtan and Antim Ardas will be held on Sunday, the 27th of October 2024 at 16:00 hours.

At the group’s Corporate Headquarters,
1, Sri Aurobindo Marg, Hauz Khas, New Delhi.

Kiran D. Anand – Tejbir Singh & Malvika Singh – Jaisal Singh & Anjali Singh – Sujan Singh & Amrit Kaur Singh – and the entire ANAND family.


🟦 Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/dUFEhmnUgScCfTxs6


Mr. DEEP C. ANAND [Old Cottonian & President Emeritus OCA] : passed-on.

Our condolences to the Anand Family on the passing-on of Mr. DC Anand.


The following sad message received via Ms Kennedy – OC’s Coordinator at BCS on October 25th 2024:

It is with the greatest sadness we announce the passing of Old Cottonian and BCS Governor Mr Deep C Anand today (he died peacefully in his sleep).

Our deepest condolences to his wife Kiran and his entire family, and the many people who loved him around the globe. 

A two minute silence was held in his honour this morning at the Sports Day parade, and we will be holding a chapel service at 5pm.  It’s a big loss for all of us, may God grant him eternal peace.  Rest In Peace Sir.”


Deep Anand was The Driver of so many productive initiatives for the OCA, apart from the business empire he built. 

He gave the OCA a life and a momentum that never flagged under his stewardship. It flourished. 

He has our abiding gratitude and our thanks 

While may he rest in peace, Heaven will be another place with his forceful presence!! 

God bless him.

Vijay Khurana 


 

BCS Pegasus to publish your Poetry

Raaja Bhasin sent in this message :

School is coming out with a special issue of ‘Pegasus’ with poems written by Cottonians while they were in school. So far, very few OCs have come forward with what they had written and published in Pegasus, the Mitre or the Cottonian. Needless to say, there is a deadline. If you have something going back to your school years, in English or Hindi, please send these to: englishfaculty@bishopcotton.com

Celebrating 165 years of Educational Excellence – October 18 & 19 2024

Bishop Cotton School Shimla (BCS), founded in 1859 by Bishop George Edward Lynch Cotton, stands as one of the world’s oldest public schools in Asia for boys.  Bishop Cotton School is high profile and has been ranked among the best boys-only residential schools of India by media such as The Times of India, Outlook, Education World and Education Today Magazine.

Our legendary boys boarding school is celebrating 165 glorious years of history as a heritage school in Shimla with a weekend of spectacular shows and sporting events Friday 18th and Saturday 19th October 2024. (program structure attached)

We are offering our Old Cottonians the chance to sponsor this event themselves, with their own companies before we go outside and look for sponsors pan India.

Please contact OC Praveen Dharma if this is something you would like to do.  admofficer@bishopcotton.commobile contact: +91 981 663 4544

Our institution has played a significant role in the development and shaping of public schools and promotion of education in India and has produced a host of distinguished alumni and leaders.

As a prestigious school with eminent alumni, BCS continues to set high standards in education.  Located in the heart of the Shimla hills, spread over an area of 35 acres, the charming school campus takes one away from the hustle and bustle of Shimla itself. A perfect learning environment for future generations of successful Cottonians.

As an ICSE and IGCSE Cambridge International accredited school we are strengthened by a proud history that goes back 165 years, yet our Cottonians have their eyes firmly set on a global legacy for producing leaders for the 21st century.

Bishop Cotton School is an institution rooted in history and tradition. Over decades, its alumni have included some of the most distinguished men in India and elsewhere. From the uniformed services to administrators, from businessmen and industrialists, to authors and actors, Bishop Cotton School has nurtured nascent talents and helped them come to fruition.  This is a school that provides a child with a firm foundation to look capably and confidently to a global role in the years to come.

The School is organising a global gathering to unite all our School’s stakeholders: Celebrated Alumni, Current and past parents, VIPs and celebrities as well and honoured guests.

In its pursuit of celebrating our School’s unique and drama-filled history, we are bringing to life the BCS myths and legends of the past with a special Son et Lumiere drama, light and sound show 19th of October, followed by our Director’s Dinner.

The weekend of special events highlights our school’s commitment as a partner in nation-building and producing Leaders of the future for India and the wider world for the next 100 years.

Old Cottonians Ticket link: https://docs.google.com/…/1FAIpQLScSwA…/viewform…

With a huge expected turnout of successful, global Old Cottonians, current school parents and our BCS community we also have the advantage of publicising our event across India and Shimla with a variety of Sponsorship opportunities.  Our Facebook page covers the globe and is very active along with our Instagram and Twitter handles reaching out to all corners of the globe.

Our 150th School celebrations held in 2009 attracted hundreds of Old Cottonians and celebrities from across the globe and was a big event that had coverage all over India and further afield.

In order to enable entities to showcase their products effectively, the School is extending a variety of sponsorship opportunities across the following categories:

Sponsor Category GOLD Hoarding and Digital Screens,  Adverts on roads, or shopping centres SILVER Hoarding and Adverts within BCSCampus Lunch/ Tea and Dinner Area Chipus Café, Marina Hotel, Golf event Sign-in Desk Welcome Kit Sponsor:Sportsand Man of the Match awards
Number of Opportunities 1 2 1+1 1+1 4
Sponsorship Amount (in Lakhs) 10 – 5L 5 – 3L 5 2 5
Company Logo on Music Event on 18th Oct – stage banner Yes Yes Yes No Yes
Company Logo on Sponsor/ tickets and seating 19th Oct Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Logo to be displayed flags  Entrance to Shimla Campus, social media Yes Yes Yes No No
Company Logo Man of the Match Sporting Events *** 3 2 1 1 1
Sponsor Recognition in post event thankyou email to delegates Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

*Speaking opportunity whilst giving out the ‘Man of the Match’ prizes, after the sporting events.

Please see our program of events attached herewith for your reference.

We assure you of value for your investment and eagerly anticipate your positive and favourable response to support this event as a sponsor.

You may reach out to us here in Shimla if you have any further questions,

Sponsorship officer: 165 Event:

Praveen Dharma, Admin Officer, Bishop Cotton School. admofficer@bishopcotton.com, mobile contact: +91 981 663 4544

Or BCS landline: (0177) 262 0880

With all best wishes,

Praveen Dharma 

Admin Officer

Bishop Cotton School, Shimla