Monthly Archives: May 2019

A recent survey:

We sent out a Poll on 24th May 2019 to 899 registered OCs on the Mailing List:  “On average, how likely are you to click the link in our Mailings and see the full article at the OCA Website?”

183 OCs participated / responded as of 29/5/19, and the responses are:

  • NEVER OPEN OCA MAILS: 4 [2.2%]
  • OCCASIONALLY READ OCA MAILS: 45 [24.6%]
  • READ THE MAILS FAIRLY OFTEN: 59 [32.2%]
  • ALMOST ALWAYS READ THE MAILS: 75 [41%]

Thank you to those who participated and helped us understand a general trend. This might help us modify the content and delivery of updates.

OC Raghuvendra Tanwar [Lefroy 1970 Batch] – latest book released:

‘Be Clear Kashmir will Vote for India’ Jammu & Kashmir 1947-1953
Reporting the Contemporary Understanding of the Unreported, 1st Edition

By Raghuvendra Tanwar
Routledge
308 pages | 38 B/W Illus.

About the Author

Raghuvendra Tanwar has taught modern history at Kurukshetra University for thirty-nine years, superannuating as Senior Professor in 2015. He has been the University’s Dean Academic Affairs and Dean Social Sciences.

Description

The central point that this volume makes is that much of what happened in Jammu & Kashmir in the critical first few years (1947-53) needs a more careful reassessment. It is argued that there were little voices of ordinary people that should have been heard but were ignored. The political discourse that took centre stage even as it appeared more assertive and representative of mass public opinion was, however, as is now clear only a clever and misleading political move.

Much of the source material upon which the author has based his study has till now remained unstudied and uncited – rare hard to find books, pamphlets, articles in journals, magazines and newspapers, official and party reports and so on. The volume takes the reader back in time to a kind of ring side seat. Kashmir’s cultural and historical legacy, the invasion, the issue of the plebiscite, the United Nations and the ceasefire, the Praja Parishad and most important of all the political scene and its key players – Prime Minister Nehru, Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee and Sheikh Abdullah. Based on the nature of its sources the volume breaks free of a stereotyped approach to understanding the origin of what we commonly term today as the ‘Kashmir problem’.

The volume argues that contemporary views recorded as they are in the heat of the moment with natural spontaneity often contain hidden lines and new light. Not surprisingly contemporary versions tell us a story very different from mainstream conventional writings on Jammu & Kashmir. This timely volume will radically influence the existing discourse on Jammu & Kashmir.

AVAILABLE ONLINE 

Karma Tenzing: Another Old Cottonian summited Mt. Everest. Congratulations!

Karma Tenzing [Curzon House Prefect ‘97] with the BCS flag on the summit of Mount Everest at 1:05pm on May 15 2019. “Overcome Evil With Good”

CONGRATULATIONS!

[Above received from Ashwani Singh Virk with thanks]

It gives me great pleasure and pride, as would all fellow Cottonians feel, in informing you that Karma Tenzin Nyangmi, Old Cottonian of Batch 1998, School Prefect of House Curzon, and Awardee of Full School Blazer for Sports, successfully arrived at the summit of Mount Everest at 1:05pm on 15 May 2019.

It was a 39 days expedition starting on 9 April 2019 with an international team of 12 members, out of which only 6 completed the course, 4 descended from Camps 2 and 3, and, unfortunately, 2 perished.

Karma waived the Bishop Cotton School crest at the top of world!

PFA: Pictures.

Many Nepalese OCs here are hoping for a slide-show and talk night with him soon.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Ayush Rajbhandari / OCA NEPAL

*ATTENTION*

Open Invitation to all OCs and their +1s

EVENT: OCA Nepal Gathering

AGENDA: Dinner, drinks, talk and slide-show of Karma Tenzing Nyangmi Dai’s recent Everest expedition  .

DATE: 24 May 2019

DAY: Friday

Time: 7:00pm

Venue: Karma Dai’s restaurant MOMO KARMA at Kamal Pokharari, Naxal 

Entry per OC: Rs. 1,000/-

Entry for their +1: Rs. 500/-

Drinks: Pay as your drink (discounted prices)

Menu: UNLIMITED Momos, Aloo Dum, Keema Buns and Basic Salad

Who all are in?

Reply to ayush156@gmail.com

All OLD COTTONIANS requested to join the OCA List

It is important that all OCs submit some basic details about themselves and subscribe to the OCA mailing-list. Your details are not visible or viewable by anyone except you. We value your privacy. We will use your information to respond to you, regarding the reason you provided your contact data to us.

The OCA will use the contact detail to send occasional Notifications and Newsletters and to also inform you whenever there is anything new posted at the OCA Website.

Letter to, and reply from Mr. Goss

Letter to Mr Goss from Vijay Khurana and OCs:

My dear Mr Goss,

On behalf of my friends, the Old Cottonians, and myself, we wish you every happiness and good health on your 90th birthday. Congratulations.

You were instrumental in affecting the lives of so many of us. You taught us a lot of valuable lessons and those we have not forgotten with gratitude and appreciation. You have our profuse thanks

I have never forgotten your versatility as a teacher. One of the few, perhaps the only one, I know who taught us such diverse subjects as English and Mathematics with admirable ease. You introduced us to Sherlock Holmes with those reading sessions during class hours fostered an interest that led us to reading so many more of the “classics”. You showed us the light and developed the interest in reading.

You encouraged us to conduct debates in the classroom and it led to some of my peers turning out to be wonderful orators whose presence in the law courts is remembered to this day. Rajive Sawhney was one of them.

We trembled at your marking system. It then seemed harsh but it goaded us to do better and this was apparent in the marks that most of us obtained at the Board exams, more than what you ever gave us !! Thank you, again.

On the games field you coached many soccer players and the boys enjoyed the process never to have forgotten the game they played and won against Sanawar.

Thank you, Mr Goss for being the wonderful guide for so many of us.

We wish you well and we wish you every happiness.

With our love and good wishes to Mrs Goss, the family and you.

Very affectionately

The Old Cottonians & Vijay

From: Ronald Goss
Sent: 08 May 2019 23:37
To: Vijay Khurana
Subject: Thank You.

Dear Vijay:

My sincere thanks to you and the OCs on whose behalf you have sent me such a beautiful letter.  How can I tell you what it means to a 90- year-old retired school teacher whose greatest reward in life lies in the remarkable achievements and successes of his students?  It is indeed gratifying to know that so many of you have attained such heights in your careers and brought such honour to your families and to your old school.  My congratulations to every one of you. 

 

Thank you so much for your generous birthday wishes.  My 90th birthday celebration was an occasion to remember, and Mrs. Goss has my undying love and appreciation for all the hard work she put into planning such a wonderful party.  It was held here in our condo party room, and all my family were present, a rare occasion indeed.  Also present were many old friends from Vermilion (our home for 41 years), our condo friends, and friends from my church.  Yvonne’s brother and his wife came all the way from Australia, and another brother-in-law, who has just been declared cancer-free after his many months of sheer agony, was present much to our relief and delight.  It was a grand reunion.  Regretfully missing were two Old Cottonians, Dilip Tinani and Inderjit Singh Gill, who were going to drive  from Calgary but were deterred by the snow fall that morning.  We look forward to their visit in the near furure.

Mrs. Goss and all my family send their regards.  Thank you, one and all, for your good wishes (your words were music to my ears) and for remembering me in my old age.

Good health and happiness to you all.  “Overcome Evil with Good”.

Ron Goss

BCS 1956-64

Continue reading →

Executive Committee of OCA (India)

Please find given below the list of the members of the Executive Committee of OCA(India).All communications for the President or Secretary of OCA(India) may be sent at oldcottonianassociation@yahoo.com.


 

Executive Committee of OCA India
Sr. no Name Designation
1 Mr. D.C Anand President  Emeritus
2 Justice R.S Sodhi (RETD) Immediate Past President
3 Mr. Davinder Singh Jaaj President
4 Justice S.S Saron(RETD) Vice President
5 Mr.Ashwini Virk Immediate Past Secretary
6 Mr.Ajay Thiara Secretary
7 Mr.Rahul Aggarwal Treasurer
8 Mr. Uday Kapoor Joint Secretary
9 Mr.Pritinder Singh Member Executive Committee
10 Mr.Anil Singha Member Executive Committee
11 Mr.Gurtej Buwal Member Executive Committee
12 Mr. Ravi Inder Singh Member Executive Committee
13 Mr.Mohnish Sharma Member Executive Committee
14 Mr.Anil Chopra Member Executive Committee
15 Mr.Vijay Khurana Member Executive Committee
16 Mr.Kanav Monga Member Executive Committee
 
Kind Regards
Ajay Thiara
Secretary OCA(India)
 

Editor: Though it is not specified in the above communication, the list is for the period 2019-2021

OCA UK Newsletter May 2019

Dear Fellow Cottonians,

I hope to see a good gathering for our Annual OCA (UK) lunch at the Bombay Brasserie on Saturday 29 June. We will also be hoping to see plenty from abroad, including Deep Anand, Dimpy Mehra, and Vivek Bhasin from India and possibly Humayun Khan from Pakistan, with nearer, Peter Johans from Switzerland. 

I visited the School recently and great progress is being made in improving the infrastructure. The concrete base has been laid for the road from the School gate to right across the First flat. The roof of the main building has been completely covered in bold Curzon red roofing. The grass on the 2nd Flat is looking a strong, healthy Lefroy green and should be in good condition after the monsoon. A whole new development of apartment blocks is planned for Staff quarters. 

Our Academic results are good, and the Careers Department is looking into following up boys as they enter University, Business School or other Higher Special Studies. 

On a visit to Doon School, with the Headmaster and two Teachers we were able to see the many differences between our two Schools. This 85-year-old Institution had its modern buildings and 75 acres of surrounding land but still they continue to upgrade their classrooms and sleeping quarters. Their Teachers are constantly assessed, and pupils being tested with the Baccalaureate system being introduced to the school, widening their knowledge to prepare them for the modern challenges of life after leaving school. I hope to return and try to engage with both Masters and boys at work and the playing fields. An Old Cottonian is happily settled in at Doon as a Teacher and I hope to get his views on the System employed there. 

Capt. Vivek Bhasin visits BCS regularly and gives talks to the boys, giving them advice on how to comport themselves, with manners and courtesy in adult company; dressing well and correctly and so adding to their self-confidence. 

We have a growing number of Nonagenarians in Allan Bapty (R 1936-38), Lance Jones(L1935-39), Bob Myers (I 1936-44) and John Phillips (C1939-44). Sadly, we have lost Clive Hardie (L 1940-45). Clive was one of the great Sportsmen, House Captain and School Captain and with it a most charming and cheerful man. He will be missed, and we send our condolences to his family. 

At the end of this year the Headmaster, Roy Robinson, will be stepping down, after 15 years at the helm. He and his wife, Dorothy, have worked tirelessly, caring for the boys, from the Junior School under Mrs Robinson, to leaving at the end of their Schooldays. The discipline has improved with the raised academic results. The School, in financial straits on his arrival has under him, along with the careful husbandry of the Financial Officer on the Board, Mr Anil Mehra, emerged in good shape.  We owe them our deepest gratitude.

The Senior Master, Mr Boyd, will also be leaving and we wish him well for the future. 

With these Changes at the top of the Teaching Staff, we must hope the new era brings an even brighter future for our beloved School and the pupils who will be there when next we meet for our Annual Old Boys Lunch. 

We, here, must keep in touch with each other and encourage School Leavers to join our Association, using the Internet and all other means of communication to expand this wonderful camaraderie and closeness between us. Meeting more often, in smaller groups and keeping contact via the Old Cottonians Association web site. 

May I wish you and your families a warm, sunny Summer and a good healthy year beyond.  

All the very best 

Gay Niblett. 

Hon.Life President OCA(UK)

Hello Old Cottonians

Weeks have collect days and 2019 has raced into months and here we are stood soon to meet at the June Barra Khanna.   So 29th June – last Saturday of the month as most of you know, we now remind & request you please come along to join & meet at the Bombay Brasserie. It is a useful good time to share the afternoon hours with memories, burnish and symbolize the Spirit of BCS.

Our roving Ambassador and active member on the Board of School Governors, after his Spring visit to Indiaaah informed me Patina is looking good. The new roofing cover over the main buildings has been completed, the grass on the Second Flat is now greener and Headmaster Mr. Robinson is moving on to other pastures at the end of the year having done good service.

No doubt visiting OCs from India will bring us more good news as we hope other OCA Chapters will be encouraged to be with us as well.  I have keenly followed the OCA Website with interest finding it rather fascinating in the range of features and recommend for you to explore the contents.

Gives me great pleasure to receive or make a telephone call to OCs through the months, here in the UK or abroad.    Regular contact with Gay Niblett (R 40-47) from his island home in Mallorca, Rajah Lamba (L 49-59) – North London, Vinny Nanda (L 59-68) – Southall.   Sometimes talking with John Phillips (C 39-44) in Uxbridge, Daljit Jaijee (R 47-54) – Hounslow, Dorothy & Jogy Chahal (C 44-50) near Melton Mowbray.   Late Bobby Reed’s wife Sheila in Warwickshire.   Bambi Majumdar (I 50s) & Susan outside Birmingham.    

Most weekends Arthur Jones (L 43-49) chats from Cambridge – the dear fellow is struggling.     Email exchanges with Bob Myers (I 36-44) in Somerset, Dick D’Abrue (C38-45) in Australia, Dimpy Mehra – New Delhi, Neelam & Wendy Dewan in Simla, Johnny McLaughlin (I 41-48) Michigan USA, and Vivek Bhasin (L61-70) in Delhi or Sweden.    And good long conversations with Sylvia & Les Homer (L43-49) in Bristol & meeting up with Elisabeth & Peter Johans (I 44-48) on their annual quarterly visits to & from West Sussex.      Always a joy with news from all around.

Now it is where I look forward to meeting as many at the Bombay Brasserie afternoon Tamasha – see you then. In closing allow me to pass on fond fraternal good wishes to all – have a good year.

CHEERS   

Peter Stringer Lefroy 1943-47  

All OC’s and their family members are invited to attend OCA (UK) annual lunch, which is to be held on Saturday 29th June 2019 (11.15 am onwards) at the Bombay Brasserie, Courtfield Road, London (closest underground station is Gloucester Road).