Never in recent times has the OCA mounted such a large effort for a cause. What was most heartening was the spontaneity, the huge response with over a 120 OCs coming forward, and over a 150 of them eagerly waiting to jump in to help when needed, the earnest sense of belonging and for a cause that was close to our hearts. The OCs responding to our call were from a vast number of batches the from 1991 to 2006 and beyond, demonstrating the depth of commitment in the Association. Truly outstanding!

It was a last ditch effort to save one of our dearly loved teachers. A teacher means everything in our Guru/Shishya system. We view them with reverence and respect. They represent God’s image on earth as the dictum that drives so many of us in our affection for them. They taught us our first lessons and they instilled in us a value system that we carry with us till the end of our days. Thank you, Mrs Kamini Mustafi

The endeavour was not lacking in either commitment nor effort, financial or otherwise. The odds were stacked heavily against us. Nevertheless, we will never fail and if Mrs Mustafi is no longer with us her spiritual energy and her loving memory drives us to never forget that we will always overcome adversities when they stare us in the face.” To strive, to seek, to find and not to yield”

At a personal level, Kanav Monga and I express our gratitude to acknowledge all those from this fraternity of Old Cottonians and Teachers who responded to our call for help. We came together for the Mustafi Family to lend a helping hand and in our prayers. I am truly inspired and heartened by the solidarity of our fraternity.Given below is the list of names of boys who responded to our call.

We progressed through the month, praying and clinging to even the most fragile string of hope. Our hands were folded in prayer. We held our hands together with more hands joining in everyday, until the end. Those beautiful words just kept ringing in my ears……”As true as is a brother’s love, as close as ivy grows, we’ll stand foursquare throughout our lives to every wind that blows….”

There is always more to learn from a loss than there is in victory. Victory is but a fleeting moment, it is the losses that last and build us for whats to come next.

This effort reminded us what we knew, that we are there for each other. We must always continue to keep this torch alight for others to find us wherever they may need help.

Strength lies in numbers they say, and so,

I graciously acknowledge the support of the students from St Paul’s, Darjeeling. They have our thanks. and we found another family in the Paulites all united by the Mustafi Family. I say let it amount to something.

Ever onwards.

Thank you, again, individually and collectively.

Warmly

Chezard Bin Abid
Ibbetson

Formerly, Shahzad Hussain

(1987 – 1993 )

AND

Kanav Monga
Ibbetson

(1986 – 1998)