Monthly Archives: September 2020

AMENDED/UPDATED: Application & Vision Statement for Vice President of OCA (India) 2021-2023

Dear OC,

Trust my communication finds you in the best of health and spirits.

I’am writing to inform you that we are commencing with the process to select the Vice President of OCA(India) for the term 2021-2023.All those OC’s desirous of being considered for the position of Vice President OCA(India) may kindly send their application accompanied with a vision statement by the 17th of October 2020. The application and vision statement should be sent in a sealed envelope clearly mentioning expression of interest- VP of OCA India, to  the following address.

Mr. D S Jaaj
President OCA (India)
House No. 1053
Sector, 27- B
Chandigarh -160019

The envelopes would be opened only in the presence of the Selection Committee.

As per Clause 5-C of the MOA of OCA(India) minimum criteria to be fulfilled to become Vice President of the Executive committee of OCA(India) is as follows:

a)    A person shall fulfill conditions laid down below to qualify for the post of the Vice President of the executive committee. Selection committee shall also ensure the compliance of this clause before deciding upon the name of vice president:

Compulsory Conditions:

i)  Person applying for the post of Vice President shall be a member of the Society and shall do so in writing

ii) The application  must be accompanied by a vision statement.

iii) He should have served at any one of the regional chapters for at least one year as President/Secretary or served as member of executive committee of the society or its regional chapters, or should be an OC of eminence.

iv) Must have studied in the School (Bishop Cotton) for at least 2 years as a boarder.

Looking forward to receiving your application.

Regards,

Ajay Thiara

Secretary, OCA(India)
+91-9876900001

PLEASE IGNORE THE PREVIOUS VERSION

Zoom Link to attend the AGM of OCA (India) on 28/09/2020 at 3:30 pm

Dear All,

I’ am writing to inform you that the Zoom link given below would enable you to attend the forthcoming AGM of OCA India scheduled for Monday, 28th September, 2020 at 3:30 p.m.

Ajay Thiara is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: OCA (India) AGM 2020
Time: Sep 28, 2020 03:30 PM Mumbai, Kolkata, New Delhi

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86087298582?pwd=bURoVE5WKzBPRVlLWG5HVjZOS1RoZz09

Meeting ID: 860 8729 8582
Passcode: 313612

One tap mobile

+12532158782,,86087298582#,,,,,,0#,,313612# US (Tacoma)
+13017158592,,86087298582#,,,,,,0#,,313612# US (Germantown)

Dial by your location
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Meeting ID: 860 8729 8582
Passcode: 313612

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kfwTHUQco

Kind Regards,

Ajay Thiara
Secretary
OCA, India

BCS’s Festival of the Differently Abled – FODA

Not only does BCS run a Learning Support Centre in the Junior School, but normally in September children gather from all over Himachal Pradesh at our BCS campus for ‘FODA’ – a two day festival for special children.
 
On the first day the teams arrive and in the evening they have a cultural program in the Irwin Hall in which they sing and dance and exhibit their talent which is followed by dinner in the Junior school where gifts are distributed. The children have a sleepover camp in the Junior School. The next day after breakfast a sports function is organised on the third flat which is followed by a Mela on the fourth flat with various stalls of games and food for the children to enjoy.
 
This FODA festival was Mrs Kamini Mustafi’s (Ex-Junior School Head) vision which she started in 2000. She wanted to give a platform to these special children who could exhibit their talent and provide a source of enjoyment to these special children. This has now become a regular feature of our BCS calendar.
 
Sadly this year we were not able to run this FODA function due to the pandemic. It is amazing to see our BCS kids working with these special children. The amount of care and empathy shown by them is incredible and it is a great learning experience for them all.

Application & Vision Statement for Vice President of OCA (India) 2021-2023

Dear OC,

Trust my communication finds you in the best of health and spirits.

I’am writing to inform you that we are commencing with the process to select the Vice President of OCA(India) for the term 2021-2023.All those OC’s desirous of being considered for the position of Vice President OCA(India) may kindly send their application accompanied with a vision statement by the 10th of October 2020 to the Secretary OCA(India) at oldcottonianassociation@yahoo.com or at House No.565,Sector 10-D, Chandigarh-160011.

As per Clause 5-C of the MOA of OCA(India) minimum criteria to be fulfilled to become Vice President of the Executive committee of OCA(India) is as follows:

a)    A person shall fulfill conditions laid down below to qualify for the post of the Vice President of the executive committee. Selection committee shall also ensure the compliance of this clause before deciding upon the name of vice president:

Compulsory Conditions:

i)  Person applying for the post of Vice President shall be a member of the Society and shall do so in writing

ii) The application  must be accompanied by a vision statement.

iii) He should have served at any one of the regional chapters for at least one year as President/Secretary or served as member of executive committee of the society or its regional chapters, or should be an OC of eminence.

iv) Must have studied in the School (Bishop Cotton) for at least 2 years as a boarder.

Looking forward to receiving your application.

Regards,

Ajay Thiara
Secretary, OCA(India)
+91-9876900001

Deepali Sinha – wife of Ramesh David Sinha

Dear All,
 
It is with deep regret that we learnt of the passing away of Ramesh Sinha’s wife, Deepali, yesterday. This news was shocking and surprising.
 
From the information available, Deepali fell ill a few days ago and decided to isolate herself. It would seem it is the coronavirus that she was infected with. Details are still not available.
 
Deepali’s passing away leaves a deep void since she was the major strength and source of support for Ramesh and the rest of the family. It was she who took Ramesh to hospital and restored him to some degree of health when he had a stroke recently. She was a stable, well balanced and steady source of support in their lives. Her departure is a blow that will be hard to fill. 
 
Our deepest sympathies to Ramesh and their son, Rahul. May she rest in peace. May He give her eternal rest and the family the courage to bear her loss. 
 
Warm regards
 
Sincerely
 
Vijay 

Director Simon Weale welcomes back The Johns to BCS after 20 years

We are delighted to welcome ‘home’ our new Headmaster, Mr Mathew P John and his wife Anuradha (who will be teaching English to Years 6&7). A Cottonian himself (but from the ‘other place’ in Bangalore), Mr John taught at BCS, Shimla from 1994 to 2000 and was instrumental in setting up the Slater Debates. Since then he has enjoyed a successful career in school leadership raising standards in a number of prestigious schools across India. His main task at BCS will be to raise our academic profile to new heights and he has already reinstituted the tutorial system for this purpose. Mr John is very much looking forward to the return of the pupils and for the journey to continue.
‘When I first stepped onto the First Flat at Bishop Cotton School, it was late spring or early summer of 1994. I remember feeling as if I had come home, though I had never been in Shimla before, let alone, BCS. In 1998, it was in June that I brought Anu back to BCS, and we were greeted by Upper Sixth boys outside our locked quarters. With a typical Cottonian welcome, they put whatever they were doing on hold, to get us our keys and to help with our considerable luggage! This time was different.
Long before we arrived in School, old boys as well as old colleagues were calling and messaging to congratulate and welcome us back. However, it was on Sunday, the fifth of July that we were finally let out of our quarantine and walked onto the First Flat for the first time after twenty years, drinking in the clear air of the hills and the old familiar view of Tara’s Gap. We were Home again!”

Director Simon Weale welcomes back The Johns to BCS

Nostalgia / BCS 1930 School Party train

We came across a picture at the OCA [Delhi] Chapter facebook page of the BCS School-party leaving Simla station for the “plains” – a photo from 1930. The photo is from the Estate of Canon Peacey,  sent by Mr. Barry Williamson to Raaja Bhasin and subsequently to Ashwani Virk who is the VP of OCA Delhi Chapter.
Here it is
J.R. PEACEY (1896-1971) was born in Hove, Sussex, England, the youngest of 10 children.

He graduated from Selwyn College, Cambridge, in 1921 with honors in Theology.

The third and current version of our School Song as written in 1930 by Jack Hammond, the English teacher and Canon Peacey, the Headmaster; Lawrence Crosthwaite’s talents were utilised in putting the words to music. Here is a link to the school song

OCA India AGM notice

OCA constitutional requirement providing for circulation of the Agenda of the Annual General Meeting 21 days prior to the meeting, which has been scheduled for 28th September, 2020 at 3:30 p.m.
 
Keeping in view the pandemic the meeting is being held virtually. The Agenda of the meeting is enclosed as an attachment along with attachments of the minutes of the last AGM held on 28th September 2019 and EGM held on 9th February, 2020 as well as a copy of the Resolution passed in the EGM on 9th February, 2020 held at Delhi.
 
 
 
Kind Regards,
 
Ajay Thiara
Secretary, OCA (India)
 

Invitation to join the ZOOM meeting

Peter Stringer Esq. Funeral 03 Sept 2020

Funeral 03 Sept 2020
 
His grandson Ryan Stringer whom I first met in 2000 (now a fine looking gentleman) read  our BCS school prayer which his Grandad ( Peter) would’ve liked.  Ryan also wore Peter Sahib’s OCA UK Tie (that he designed whilst I was in the UK), BCS tie bar and cufflinks (pic attached).
 
Peter was cremated wearing his BCS Blazer, OCA UK  tie and BCS tie bar.
 
The family expressed immense gratitude to see the School
Flag at half mast, a lovely touch and well received by all members. Explicitly Thanking Director Simon Weale för this gesture that coincided with the nation mourning the passing of President Pranab Mukerjee.
 
Warmest Wishes and Kindest Regards
Vivek Bhasin
Lefroy House
1961-1970

Dear Maggie,

Our thoughts are with you and all your family, as we bid farewell to Peter and give our thanks for his life, with his dedication and love for BCS and his many friends from there. He will be remembered and missed by us all.
We are sorry not to be there with you, to pay him our last respects. May your many happy memories together, give you strength to bear your sad loss.

With our fondest love,

Gay and Christine xx

Dear Ryan,

I wanted to make sure our message to your Grandmother reached her, so I am forwarding the original message.
 
You will be reading a prayer from the School, which I am sure your Grandfather would have appreciated. We hope the Service goes well and really are sorry not to be with you.
 
Your Grandfather was a great friend to me and countless Old Cottonians, supporting and caring for them, as he did for his beloved School.
 
I will keep in touch with your Grandmother but need your confirmation of her ongoing address, telephone numbers and current e-mail.
 
With my fond good wishes to you and all your family,
 
Yours affectionately,
 
Gay Niblett
 
Dear all,

To keep you in the picture about Peter’s Funeral/Cremation today.
We have suffered the loss of a great friend and very special Old Cottonian.
Yours ever,
Gay