Bishop Cotton School Shimla is the first school in the country to introduce SCUBA DIVING as an adventure sports activity. BCS is expected figure in the LIMCA Book Of Records for this achievement. Congratulations to all!
Click the picture for a full view.
We have just been informed that Peter Gideon [Jimmy Gideon’s younger brother] died of a heart-attack the night of July 18th 2012 at Kotdwara Uttarakhand where he had shifted to from Simla several years ago.
We have no other information to share at this time. However, as any further information might become available, we will add it here.
Condolences to Peter’s family.
RIP, Peter.
19 July 2012 UPDATE by Brig. H.S. Nagra
Have just spoken with Peter’s Son, Vivaan. The funeral is being held sometime tomorrow morning at Kotdwar itself. The family is planning a memorial Service for Peter at Delhi on Sunday ( Venue and timing to be finalised yet). Will keep you posted if I come to know.
21st July 2012 UPDATE by AYESHA GIDEON
A memorial service for my Uncle, Peter Gideon, will be held in at the Church of Redemption in New Delhi on Sunday July 22 at 6:00 p.m. sharp. The address is: 1 Church Road, North Avenue. Directions to get there: once on North Avenue Road; turn right to the Mughal Gardens and then turn left to the Church. The church is next to the Rakab Ganj Gurudawara. The service will be held in the Parish Hall in the church. If anyone needs information they can call me at 98107 30910. Please pass this message on. Thank you for all your help. Regards – Ayesha Gideon [Peter’s niece].
21st July 2012 MESSAGE from Peter’s daughter SARAH GIDEON in response to all the messages appended below.
Thank you for your kind words and the memories of my dad that you’ve shared. He was full of life and I think his body just couldn’t keep up with him. Bishop Cotton School was an integral part of his life, both when he studied there and when he chose to go back and work there, and it’s extremely touching to see the affection that people associated with BCS have for him. I’m going to miss my father terribly, but I know that now that he’s not confined to his body – he’s going to explore the mountains just they way he used to love doing it earlier in his life. Regards Sarah
HOT PRESS
2012 is moving on, MAY & JUNE have come and gone, but the inclement weather still persists. Reviewing these past two months our Old Cottonian fraternity awoke from winter slumber. Believing in March the unusual warm spell herald an early summer – no – no – no!
Nevertheless, late Bobby Reed’s wife Sheila and family invite to their “afternoon at home” ‘Watchbury Cottage’ in Warwickshire, May 5th brought OCs together – Gay Niblett (R 40-47) Catherine & John Phillips (C 39-44) Arthur Jones (L42-48) Raj Lamba (L 49-59) Susan & Bambi Maljumdar (I 56-59) Joan & Jess Pudwell (C 42-47) Paddy Singh (C 53-59) Jagat Aulakh (R 58-66) Dorothy & Joginder Chahal (C 44-50) Maggie and I.
30th May the Himalayan Hill Schools Reunion at the Clay Oven at Alperton near Wembley a handful of OCs attended this biannual occasion – Allan Bapty (R 36-44) John Stringer (L 42-45) Peter Travers (R 42-45) Gay Niblett (R 40-47) Paddy Singh (C 53-59) Elisabeth & Peter Johans (I 44-48) Maggie and I.
The weeklong Queen’s Diamond Jubilee fulfilled the loyal Royalist dream of splendour. The nation rose to the occasion as we watched on television the mighty flotilla of over a 1000 boats sail with Her Majesty along the Thames. The pageantry continued celebrating with thanks a Royal concert, a very special blessing in St Paul’s Cathedral and then a RAF Fly Past. Deep depression was relieved in spirit as Britain smiled with pride followed another Saturday later at the Trooping of the Colours.
Finally OCs smiled too in JUNE on the last Saturday a wholesome gathering at our annual favourite choice – The Bombay Brasserie. Yes we too can celebrate with tradition and honest pride recalling our school days in dear PATINA nestled among the pines down Knollswood Spur Simla EAST! I pause for thought to remind you of the penultimate meet of a few OCs the Wednesday 27th before, at Fairlands Whyteleafe. Maggie & I host our ‘khana on the lawn’ and thank the heavens the sun did shine. Attended – Peter Travers (R 42-45) three veteran Rivazites arrived in style a chauffer driven black limo – Humayun Khan (40-47) Gay Niblett (40-47) and Deep C Anand (47-51). Elisabeth & Peter Johannes Raj Lamba (L 49-59) late Bobby Reed’s wife Sheila, Gursant Sandhu (our new Secretary) and his charming wife. From LaMartinea – Cris Kishanan, his wife Pat and a lady friend from Switzerland. To complete the list Paddy Singh (C 53-59) keeping Indian time as usual arrived after everyone had left at 7pm. I fussed with drinks and Maggie attended his late khana!
What I must add before this bulletin closes – my heart is filled with gladness to have shared another happy and joyful OCA (UK) Reunion. Then I realize that apart from my immediate family, this probably is an important relationship in my retired life. At that luncheon I found the platform is set for the future and a stronger OCA brotherhood. We have chosen well a young Chairman and Secretary that understand the powerful BCS bond that cuts across the generations for your support. So remember using a Kennedy metaphor “Not what OCA can do for you — but what you can do for OCA”. . Each member is important and support is paramount.
OVERCOME EVIL WITH GOOD and God Bless our UK Association.
Enjoy the coming months; hope to meet some of you this year and meet you all again in 2013.
CHEERS from an old LEFROY boy
Peter A Stringer (L 43-47)
From Rajiv Pandit Sharma and Vivek Bhasin ( Fellow Brothers of the Class of 1970 who have lost a precious brother Krit Tippakorn Rivaz House).
Vivek
I am so sorry to inform you that we lost our dearest brother, Krit, whom we knew for most of our lives. We are surely poorer today without him
He passed away this morning at 11am California time.
Please inform our friends as you best see fit.
Each one of you becomes more precious with passing time.
Rajiv
********************************************
I have many many Brothers in my life…. My brother Sharat Bhasin is my closest brother.
My brothers from the Class of 1970 are my other most closest brothers.
Krit Tippakorn was also my closest brother.
They say I can write wonderfully and express my love for all my brothers and my love for Bishop Cotton School. The years we spent there growing up to become men, passionate about our lives and doing the best we can well, honestly and diligently.And with love.
Right now I am unable to do..
Krit was a precious part of my life and we got even more closer as the years since we passed out from school stretched further away.
Krit once told me how he met a Buddhist Monk walking across the border in to the US from Mexico. Krit recognized this traveler as one of his own and spent a few minutes talking to him. This monk as a young boy escaped Tibet with His Holiness The Dalai Lama and arrived at the Refugee Camp in Chota Simla; where we Cottonians used to go and help doing social service on Sundays.
Krit made two important journeys to India after he left School in 1970:
The first one in Year 2000 when he arrived from Los Angeles into Delhi ( and I from London); he stayed with me and we traveled up to Dharamsala to meet Abhai Mankotia our brother School Captain Class of ’70 and spent a few days at Udechee Huts; we went on to BCS and arrived during the OC week.
(The third trip was planned between brothers Rajiv, Krit and me to travel to Brasil in 2013).
My last conversation with Krit took place exactly 48 hours ago. All he did was whisper in such pain… ‘Vivek‘ he said….’All I can remember right now is our days in BCS…and what an idea to give money to School for the Climbing Wall Mi Hermano…..and what a wonderful epitaph alongside it on the 2nd flat….TO SCALE THE HEIGHTS TO GLORY‘
Good Bye our wonderful and precious brother Krit; the whole school prayed for you in May this year when I attended Chapel Service; again during Speech Day.
(I now realise that Miracles seldom happen)
EDITORs comments added on 14 July:
From emails received from Dr. Rajiv Pandit Sharma [Ibbetson 1961-1970] who is a professor of Psychiatry and Neuroscience at University of Illinois; we understand that Krit was diagnosed with Pancreatic Carcinoma in April 2011. The tests showed that it a was very serious situation. Through the first phase, attempts at chemotherapy and radiation were successful in containing the growth. He picked up some weight, the pain was controllable, and by the grace of God, he was able to see his son married, the birth of a second grandson. His brother Thanasak visited him in May 2011 and again in December 2011. He was also able to go to Thailand and spend some time back at home. He knew that the chances of recovery were slim. The pain reemerged in March 2012 and was unremitting after that. Two weeks ago he was beginning to bleed, OC Rajiv Pandit visited him during this time. Apparently there was nothing much anybody could do. Krit fought this with great courage. BCS was the part of his life that he cherished the most. It was always amazing how this gentle soul settled in Thailand, growing up in BCS, and finally successful in USA, could love our school so much.
We salute Krit and wish his family well.
Dear OCs
Further to the details of the visit to Mrs deMellow, here is a letter from Mr. I.L. Bhatia that is of importance. We apologize for the misspelling of the names and will be correcting this error now.
Sincerely,
OCA Web Team
I thought I must tell you about a couple of changes which you ought to make in the write-up based on factual position. These are broadly as under:
The Names:
Melville Frederick Oswald deMellow. Born on 28.04.1913. However, he used to write Melville deMellow which he used to pronounce also as “The News Read by Melville deMellow”. deMellow is one word with d small.Mrs. Coralie Emma deMellow (also known as Jane).
(I have purposely given the correct spellings as both of them were very sensitive persons, more so in the matter of their names. Editor: Our apologies. Corrections being effected!)
Family:
Mrs. deMellow’s elder sister lives in Bangalore along with her son is not able to come to Delhi, since he looks after his mother.Her brother – Dr. Stephens (A Medical Doctor) who is 100-years old lives in New Zealand.
All three have 90% hearing impairment. I am somehow in touch with both of them through mails or at times I connect these persons on my mobile so that Mrs. deMellow can speak to them on special occasions like Birthdays, WAs etc.
Assignment with Radio:
Mr. deMellow was a regular employee of AIR on a 58-year contract. All the performing artists in AIR (there was no Doordarshan then), were termed as Staff`Artists and initially were given a five year contract. Later, it was decided to give them a contract till 58 years of age – to be at par with the Govt. employees. Although Mr. deMellow’s contract up to the age of 58 years expired in 1972, he continued to get extension of two year contract till 1978. He retired in the scale of a Joint Secretary. The only difference between Staff Artists vis-à-vis Govt. employees was that while the former were not entitled to Govt. Pension, the latter were entitled. This distinction was also done away with in 1982 when all the Staff Artists were declared Govt. servants. However, by that time, Mr. deMellow had retired and therefore all SAs who were in position prior to 1982 were not entitled to pension. Mr. Jasdev Singh who was trained by Mr. deMellow is getting a fat pension as he retired after 1982. In short, he was not paid on assignment basis but was getting regular salary every month. The ex-gratis payment of Rs. 1500/- was sanctioned by AIR in 2009 when she had corresponded with Mrs. Sonia Gandhi as advised by me. But it was suddenly stopped as the Prasar Bharti Board had stopped all such payments. The DGs of AIR whom I knew personally (Ms. Noreen Naqvi and presently Mr. Liladhar Mandloi) could not get it restored as it was a Board’s decision. The article in the newspaper was a subtle message for AIR in their ignoring the widow of a Padma Shri broadcasting icon!I worked with Mr. deMellow exactly for ten years from 19.08.66 to 18.08.76 when I moved out after qualifying the UPSC examination. Even after I got shifted to administrative line, I was in touch with deMellows and was considered a family member. After the untimely death of her husband, Mrs. deMellow did not want to live in Kalkaji and wanted to be shifted to Saket so that she can be some where near to my residence.
After working in several Departments and Ministries of the Govt. of India, I superannuated in April 2004 after working for more than six years as Chief Vigilance Officer in the Ministry of Water Resources. Immediately thereafter I joined as Adviser in AAI where I worked till February, 2012 All these years, I have tried to help and assist her in every possible manner which she gratefully acknowledges as well. I do it out of compassion rather than any compulsion. Practically all workers and residents know me who go to her house immediately in case of a problem and also immediately inform me when she has a problem.
While I have not been introduced to Mr. Vijay Khurana formally, nor in a detailed manner to Mr. Neel Mehra and Mr. B.M. Singh, I thought of giving you my background and therefore this detailed mail. Breda Dayal came in to picture 4-5 years back only and I had no idea as to who she was, till I was introduced to her about 3 years back. Mrs. Dayal is an Irish lady who genuinely helps her whenever she can.
When I met both the above gentlemen the other day, I had emphasized that the best thing would be to depute someone to try get her a fixed monthly amount with which she can live a decent life. Perhaps, you can concentrate on that and in the meantime, as was requested during our inter-action with them, to arrange for a lady assistance from 8 am to 8 pm. Since I am also now +68, I do not have much energy left to run around. Still I do help her and regularly see her to meet her medical and grocery needs, payment of all bills etc. despite the fact that it has genuinely impacted my life in a way! My only interest is that she should pass the remaining years of her life as she would like to do and therefore despite telling her about the old age homes, never compelled her to shift there as she is comfortable staying in her home.
For any other information, you can contact me whenever you feel like doing it.
With best wishes,
IL Bhatia