Tag Archives: 2019

Diwali greetings!

Monday 28th October 2019, a message from Vijay Khurana:

Dear All,
Belated wishes for Diwali but they come with the same degree of warmth and sincerity had they been delivered yesterday. 
 
These wishes are accompanied by the one thing that we as aging adults will need most are good health accompanied by the capacity for a hearty laugh in the days ahead. I mention that the bit about laughter deliberately since old folks have been known to get grouchy !! So just dispense with that part and learn to smile and laugh a lot more in the new year.
 
I recall Mrs O. Advani narrating to us the story of the Ramayan when we migrated to Lower I in 1955. She assisted us in making Diwali greeting cards which were then posted to our parents. It was actually an imitation of what she drew on the black board. So about 30 sets of parents received almost identical Diwali greeting cards though each must have felt especially proud that their son had applied himself to the first few lessons of art and craft with a measure of discipline!! Besides, their son’s sense of colour, dimension and tradition were being given a bit of a boost. Some of us developed these skills more than the others and went ahead to become reasonably proficient in the subject to Art but the others never went beyond those crooked diyas that they drew for the rest of their lives !! 
 
I stray. I read an article that articulates the beginnings of Diwali which I am taking the liberty of sharing it with you only because it offers more interpretations from the version that Mrs Advani narrated to us. It does, however, include her narration as well with a victorious Ram coming home to the delight of the citizens of Ayodhya. It makes for an interesting read and will also educate you about the origins of the use of sulphur and crackers to a festival that originally was simply built around the use of light and not much about sound and, today, pollution !!
 
The Many Beginnings Of Diwali:-
https://www.livemint.com/mint-lounge/features/the-many-beginnings-of-diwali-11571977592367.html
 
Warmly
 
Vijay 
 Vijay Khurana
Director
DeVats (India) Private Limited
E-4, Sector 8, Noida – 201301, Uttar Pradesh, India
 

More messages, as replies to the email thread started by Vijay Khurana:

Diwali is the day when Rama and Sita arrive in Ayodhya after 14 years of exile.
 
There was a reason why they were exiled. Here then is the real story of Diwali

Jai Joshi MD
The Oncology Institute of Hope and Innovation
Tucson, AZ

Thanks Vijay for the simple and warm memories of Diwalies spent at school..
 
In my mind the vision of bursting crackers on the 1st flat stand out.
 
Greetings for Diwali and the coming festive season to all Cottonian kin.
 
Warmly

Akers

Message from Mr Goss:

Dear Vijay:
Thank you for enlightening me on the origins of the beautiful festival of Devali.  Although belated, may I take this opportunity to wish all my BCS friends in India and abroad a VERY HAPPY DIWALI.  May the spirit of celebration and joy live forever in your hearts and in your homes.
It is with love and gratitude that I cherish and recall my years in BCS.  Always carry our motto in your hearts and live it every day: “Overcome Evil with Good”.
Ronald Goss
(BCS 1956-64)

Upcoming events

IMPORTANT EVENTS

This community website links and brings together, globally, all Old Cottonians of Bishop Cotton School Simla. It is not specific to any one country or chapter of the OCA.

OCA [India] Northern Chapter AGM 2019

NOTICE : ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OCA (INDIA) NORTHERN CHAPTER 

The Annual General Meeting of the Northern Chapter of the OCA (India).  Is scheduled to be held on 30th September 2019 at 5.30 pm, in the basement of the Chandigarh Golf Academy (of the Chandigarh Golf Club), Sector 6, Chandigarh
The proposed agenda for the AGM will be as under
  • ITEM NO 1 To confirm the minutes of the last AGM
  • ITEM NO 2 To adopt the annual report of the Secretary
  • ITEM NO 3 To adopt the audited accounts for the period 01 April 2018 to 31 March 2019
  • ITEM NO 4 To examine any proposal duly approved by the Executive Committee
  • ITEM NO 5 To conduct any other business with the permission of the chair
The members of the association are requested to be kindly present by 5.30 pm
Jatinder Hayer
SECRETARY
OCA (India) Northern Chapter

Notice for the AGM and the Agenda of OCA INDIA – 2019

The AGM of OCA India is scheduled to be conducted on Saturday , the 28th of September 2019, at 5PM.
 
The location of the meeting will be :
 
The Ethiopian Cultural Centre
7/50 G , Niti Marg , Chanakya Puri,
Opposite the Nehru park,
New Delhi – 110021
 
The meeting will be followed by cocktails. A confirmation from you at oldcottonianassociation@yahoo.com would help us with our logistics.
 

The Agenda for Annual General Meeting of OCA INDIA – 2019

  1. Address by THE PRESIDENT OCA (INDIA)
  2. Confirmation of the Minutes of the Last AGM (2018)
  3. To approve and adopt the Annual Report of the Secretary
  4. To approve and adopt the annual accounts of 2018 -19
  5. To examine any Proposal duly approved by the Executive Committee.
  6. To elect any new members in the executive committee, if required.
  7. To conduct any other business with the permission of the Chair.
Regards,
Ajay Thiara
Secretary – OCA India

Message from the webmaster:
This community website links and brings together, globally, all Old Cottonians of Bishop Cotton School Simla. It is not specific to any one country or chapter of the OCA.

Shivalik Hill Drive : OCA Northern Chapter. 21st Sept 2019.

OCA Northern Chapter is organizing a Shivalik Hill Drive from Chandigarh to Simla on 21st September 2019 coinciding with the OCs Week Celebrations at BCS.

To participate : Contact any of the numbers above or write an email to Shivalik Hill Drive

Important documents :

Radio clip 1

Radio clip 2

OCA UK Reunion 2019 “LOVE OF DEAR PATINA” – from Peter Stringer

LOVE OF DEAR PATINA

29th June was forecast to be a heatwave temperature to reach 34/35 phew! & we India-walas attended our OCA (UK) annual Luncheon at our favourite choice restaurant the Bombay Brasserie just off outside Gloucester Road Underground station.

What can I say & where to start? For me, it is the highlight of mid-summer & anticipation annually to meet our fraternal family to celebrate school years & share stories of Indiaaah.

Elisabeth & Peter Johans (I44-48) flew in from Switzerland two weeks earlier  Johnny McLaughlin (I 41-48) from Michigan arrived in Whyteleafe on the 27th – Sheila Reed wife of late Bobby Reed (R) came to us on 28th.

We awoke to a beautiful Saturday morning and gathered at my Fairlands spread to catch a train to Victoria.     The excitement increasing as we six traveled & arrived in London & well after noon at the venue. All aglow with greetings & good wishes as we slowly circled around and boyhood memories came flooding in. Voices & clinking of glasses added to the gentle crescendo of merriment with laughter – sheer pleasure to be in the mix, no rush to the tables as the personal happy encounters lingered.

Finally, lunch was being served – do not ask me to relay the delicious menu as my mind was too full of delight. But for those not present – I say fellows you missed an enhanced “Jugh-Day Chew”! Khaana finishing we were drawn to the attention by Master of Ceremonies our Chairman Kuljinder Bahia.  After his kind pleasantries, he introduced ‘Dimpy’ Anil Mehra (C) Board of Governors (member), who reported a flourishing account of BCS as he now controls overall School finances – a roar of thanks for him followed a cordial welcome, & listening to Deep C Anand (R) expand his vision for the School’s future as he has guided together with wisdom and support and his very generous hospitality for so many years.

I have no final count of heads but believe 55 to 60 attended – and as I looked around older members are declining year on year. What is heartening we still stand foursquare as younger OCs join us. Some older guys did ring informing to be absent. However, I am compelled to mention my sincere appreciation for our visitors from abroad & above all the determined spirit of Allan Bapty (R1937-44) in a wheelchair (at 94) all the way from DEVON – thank you, Tricia, for accompanying him.

We salute the young Committee team for their dedication and sterling efforts seeking & making new OCs aware we need their loyalty. To bring us together we joined the chorister and sang our rendition of the School Song after the one two three from leader Vivek Bhasin. We thoroughly enjoyed an emotional swell afternoon in the company we all love. Slowly the Reunion disbanded as evening began to draw near and we said our goodbyes reminding to meet next year God willing. Keep in touch and stay well.

God bless the SPIRIT OF BCS and may our Chapter of fraternal love lives on.

Peter Stringer  Lefroy 1943-47

[click for full view]

A few pics @ OCA UK Luncheon 29th June ’19

OCA UK get-together At the Bombay Brasserie London

BCS is the benchmark!