Robin Gupta [1965 BCS batch] retired IAS Officer and other IAS officers will at Civil Services Officers Institute on the 19th of march 2023.
See the flier above for details.
Tag Archives: OC
Old Cottonian on highest point on the African continent!
Feb 22, 2020 @sandeep_mansukhani does BCS proud yet again….summited the highest peak in the African continent- Mt Kilimanjaro(5895m/19340ft). Congrats!
Expedition to Mount Everest in 2018 by an OC
Message received from Sandeep Mansukhani, Rivaz House (1994-95).
OCA India sincerely wishes him ‘best of luck’ for his brave adventure and may God grant him enough courage to complete his unfinished task of conquering the Great Himalayan Peak.
Ashwani Virk- Secretary OCA India
9810194724
“Prayers, good wishes and blessings pouring from all over came as an answer to my survival amidst the disastrous earthquake that hit Mt Everest/ Nepal in 2015 during my expedition to the Summit. It made me realise how blessed I am to have such lovely and caring people around. I will proceed to Nepal on 3rd April 2018 to complete my unfinished climb of Mt Everest Expd (8848m/ 29029 ft). I seek your blessings again. I request you all for any monetary contribution you wish to make to help me in my endeavour”.
Account details are as follows: A/c Name: Sandeep Mansukhani. Bank : State Bank of India. Account no: 34777505766. IFSC Code: SBIN0001282, East Patel Nagar branch
Help for Old Cottonian Melville deMellow’s widow
Dear OCs
The denial of pension to Melville de Mellow’s widow, Coralie who is now 95 years old is a shame. We Old Cottonians must unite and assist the lady as she is the widow of a distinguished OC who was an icon. We all will remember, with a touch of nostalgia and pride, his live commentary on the Republic Day parades. This is an appeal to all OCs, asking you to step forward and assist.
With regards
BM Singh
OCA India President
Quoted from The Times of India publication:
For 2 years, AIR icon’s widow denied Rs 1.5k monthly pension
NEW DELHI: For 95-year-old fragile Coralie Emma de Mellow, every day is a struggle against red tape for restoration of a measly monthly pension of Rs 1,500, which was stopped less than two years after it was granted in recognition of her husband Melville’s iconic stature as a commentator and newscaster in the All India Radio (AIR).
Melville left a legendary legacy in live commentary. He was a crowd-stopper commentator, who created a record and shot into fame by his moving non-stop account for seven hours from an AIR van on Mahatma Gandhi’s last journey from Birla House to Rajghat in 1948.
His account of Republic Day parades for years -in his inimitable baritone in impeccable English – is still remembered more than two decades after he passed away at the age of 76 in 1989. He had the ability of transporting the adrenalin rush of a thrilling hockey match between India and Pakistan to millions of living rooms where radio used to occupy a pride of place.
The present generation mat have forgotten the excitement of live radio commentary and Melville’s gifted expertise in making listener watch the match through his voice. The authorities have forgotten that government had honoured Melville with Padma Shri in recognition of his services in AIR and Doordarshan.
Coralie fondly remembers her husband’s career from a lieutenant to an ace commentator in AIR. And she is so proud of her husband that she finds it awkward to beg for the paltry Rs 1,500 that was granted to her in March, 2008, by the government in recognition of Melville’s immense contribution to radio and TV in their nascent years in India.
But, her friends know how in her advanced years she needs this pittance. Advocate Brijesh Kalappa tried to impress upon her plight with Prasar Bharati, but was told that there was no provision for grant of monthly pension. He was promised that the Prasar Bharati CEO would try to release a lump sum amount for her. Even Congress MP and AICC general secretary Oscar Fernandes wrote to information and broadcasting minister on November 17, 2011, about the suspension of pension from January 14, 2010, and sought its early resumption. But, nothing has yielded results so far.