Tag Archives: Old Cottonians

Achievers

[Page under construction]

1 2 3

The whole nine yards – or should it be 256 yards*?

BCS – Life – Golf – The Phoenix 🦅

Esquires:
Chetan “Sunny” Singh ( I -1971)
Gurnir “ Niri” Gill ( L-1971)
Prithvi Prem (R-1971)
Prithvi Nat( I-1971)
Vivek “Bonnie” Bhasin (L-1970)
Sanjiv “Sunny” Chadha (L-1974
Atamjit Singh ( R-1974)
Sharat Bhasin ( L-1975)
Amarjeet Kuki Kukreja ( C-1988)
Hitesh Chauhan (I-2006)
Rajiv Sood (L-1979)
Gurnihal Mann ( I-1974)
Kanav Monga ( I-1989)
Manpreet Minhas ( L-1998)
Jaspinder Kochhar ( R-1998)
Simran Grewal ( C-1998)

When Cottonians meet…
The Sky turns cobalt
The Sun’s warmth is complimented by the brotherhood
bonded 163 years ago
..7000 feet
on the Mighty Divine Himalaya…
And …C O N T I N U I N G…🙏

It is indeed amazing how our togetherness as young lads at our fabulous BCS…be it 3,5,10,11 and even 13  years instilled in us the spirit of A “Cottonian” creating a bond stronger than the mightiest steel. We left to follow our destinies, navigating the jungles of this world.

I at least with butterflies in my gut….
but slowly the power of BCS won over and conquered my nervousness, anxiety, hesitant nature..

Every one of us met many others along the way whom we befriended…
but the umbilical cord of our Alma mater held on ..when crossing a street, running through an airport, entering a restaurant, a corporate office, a hotel, at myriad social events, overcoming tremendously dangerous storms on the high seas, walking 900 km on the Camino to Santiago de Compostela… even navigating between Tierra del Fuego and Argentina, it was the force of our great school that made us survivors…as global citizens…

A car zooms by with a BCS sticker .. you accelerate wishing to catch up with him at the next red light and shout across…
…you  meet another, after years, crossing the street .. familiar face, faint recognition, a few changes…but his BCS vernacular makes you stop and skid in your tracks .. you’re that speed boat that suddenly drops revs from 20,000 to zero! ..
then it all comes back …you become young Cottonians again.

Perhaps I am meandering, slicing, drawing, fading along my trajectory path just as when addressing the ball on the first tee… I shank it with my windmill swing and it’s gone out of bounds “OOB”..the mulligan I took,  signified .. never give up, stand up and rise ….like the Phoenix 🦅 ( tattooed on Sunny Chadha’s left chest )..

Well.. Golf was not a sport during my days though Naldhera Golf Course was close at hand .. they say it is a sport for gentlemen and gentle ladies; a sport that makes you understand yourself, analyse yourself, readjust, compensate your swing so that the next stroke connects with that little white dimpled speck as it shoots off like an imbecile, a missile towards its next destination .. finally arriving dropping in the hole, sort of exhausted, exhilarated, frustrated … but up again …just as our lives….onwards, upwards.

A few days after the Annual OCA lunch diehard Kanav Monga, last Friday 17th Feb 2023 set up a 16 ball rendezvous at the ITC Classic Golf and Country Club. This was the second year of this reunion set up, arranged with the positive stubbornness and insistence of Kanav…
….a day away from the madding crowds, the clanking of horns and the grinding of rusty steel, the roar, road rage, discourtesy of road traffic snarling on the NH8….

It felt wonderful to arrive at the oasis!

A lovely day, a splendid setting; amongst us sweet sixteen, the younger lot connected with their sweet spot! I felt great inspite of not touching my clubs since last September… we 4 x 4 balls had the entire course to ourselves as we enjoyed the tranquility of the surroundings… the company of Cottonian golfers and with talks of bunking, whacking and the chicks at Chelsea, Auckies, Tara Hall …!

The following results were declared :

Congrats Winners!

Simran Grewal ( Curzon 1998) with a gross of 5 over,  shot 77 with 3 birdies.

Straightest drive
Manpreet Singh Manhas ( Lefroy 1998) 13 ft from the marker.

Closest to Pin
Kanav Monga ( I (Ibbetson 1998) 3ft from the Pin

* Longest Drive
Kanav Monga ( Ibbetson 1998)
256 yards

We would like to Thank the following OCs for the donating the prizes:

Prithvi Nat for A M&S Golf Shirt
( nearly packed in presentation paper that stated HAPPY BIRTHDAY)😁

Rajiv Sood
2 prs Golf Gloves

Jaspinder Kochhar
12 year rare JW Black whiskey

We would also like to Thank Sharat for the best one liner..
“ most unchallenging course Man… didn’t lose a single ball”

Y finalmente the Sixteen express their greatest appreciation to young Kanav who besides playing a mean game of golf, a wicked game of Tennis.. eats, thinks, sleeps, sleep talks, walks and never says die…..
for BCS🙏🙏🙏

Vivek “ Bonnie “ Bhasin
Lefroy 1961-1970
18Feb2023

—

Kindest Regards and Best Wishes,

Bonnie/Vivek Bhasin

Captain Vivek C Bhasin

Captions 1-7 ( Prize Distribution by Senior OC Capt Bonnie Bhasin )

1. Prithvi Nat – Sunny  – Niri Gill – Prithvi Prem

2. Mann-Kukreja – Chauhan-Sood

3.Atamjit – Sunny Chadha – Vivek Bhasin-Sharat Bhasin

4. Jaspinder Kochar – “Spartan “ Minhas – Champ Grewal – Hard Core Kanav

5. Grewal !!

6. Kuki

7. Spartan

The Group Photos have all sixteen mentioned at the top of my write up!!

OC Week 2022 – Info & Invite

Dear Old Cottonians

The Director, Head Master, Faculty, staff and young Cottonians take the greatest pleasure in inviting all of you back to your fabulous Alma mater to partake and enjoy the Old Cottonian Week from 28th October to the 30th October, 2022.

It has been a very difficult two years with Covid and we understand the extreme disappointment of many batches especially starting from the Class of 1970 through Class 1971 who were cruelly denied their golden jubilee celebrations in the appropriate year.

At this OC week you all should come together and celebrate the memories and experiences at your BCS; relive the moments and sing the school song loud and clear for all the world to hear!

Our programme is as follows; we must of course acknowledge Class of 1970,1971,1972,1973 for their golden jubilee and Class of 1997 for their silver jubilee:

Date & Timing
Events:

Friday, 28 th October 2022
9:30 a.m.  Campus Tour for the Batch of 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973 & 1997 (Escorted by the Prefectorial body)

11:00 a.m.  High Tea in the main School Dining Hall for The Batch of 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973 and 1997, Staff – Main School & Junior School, Upper Sixth Form.

11:30 a.m  Soccer Match between the Batch of 1997 and School Team
1:30 p.m  Buffet Lunch in the Main School Dining Hall for the Batch of 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973 &  1997; Staff (Main School, Junior School, Administrative) & Upper Sixth Form.

2:30 p.m  Interaction with the Batch of 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973 and 1997 with the Upper and Lower Sixth Form in the Irwin Hall.
4:30 p.m.  Arrival of the Car Rally: organised by OCA (Northern Chapter)

5:15 p.m onwards  High Tea and Prize Distribution in the Irwin Hall.
8:00 p.m.  Director’s Dinner for the Old Cottonian, Batch of 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, and 1997, Staff- (Academic, Administrative) and Live Music; Courtesy Mr. Jaspal Sawhney (Vice President – OCA India)
Venue: The Lodge
Dress Code:
Gents: Formals-Blazer & Tie
Ladies: Formal-Western/Indian

Saturday, 29 th October 2022
9:15 a.m.  Special Chapel Service in the Holy Trinity Chapel for the Old Cottonian, Batch of 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, and 1997 Main School Boys, Staff Main School & Junior School.
Dress Code:
Gents: Formals-Blazer & Tie
Ladies: Formal-Western/Indian

10:00 a.m.  High Tea in the Main School Dining Hall for Old Cottonian, Staff- Main School &  Junior School, Upper Sixth Form.
10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  Annual Cricket Match (T20) between OC Cricket XI v/s Staff

Team Cricket XI.

2:00 p.m  Lunch in the Director’s Lodge Side Lawn for the OC Cricket

Team, Guest, Staff Cricket XI, Staff- (Academic, Administrative) & Upper Sixth Form

8:00 p.m.  Annual OCA Dinner at Marina Hotel organised by OCA-Himachal Chapter.
Special Invitees-Director, Headmaster, Bursar, Admin
Officer, Second Master, House Masters-Curzon, Ibbetson, Lefroy, Rivaz.
Dress Code: Formals-Blazer & Tie

Sunday, 30 th October 2022
09:30 a.m to 1:30 p.m  Cricket Match (T20) between Batch of 1997 XI v/s School Cricket XI.

2:00 p.m.  Lunch (Main School Dining Hall); Batch of 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973 and 1997, Old Cottonian, Staff (Main School, Junior School, Administrative) & Upper Sixth Form.

Guest of Honour: Batch of 1973
We would also appreciate very much an acknowledgment of attendance by those who will make it; we understand the dates are “open house” and many may just shoot up to Simla! The young Cottonians at School very much look forward to meeting all Old Cottonians and look up to you as Global Ambassadors mentors; we encourage you to interact with all the young “guys”. On another note, the Slater’s Debate is celebrating 25 Years. This again will be a fabulous event with 32 school across India from 16th October to 20 th October 2022.
All Old Cottonians are most welcome to attend!

Warmest Wishes
Praveen Dharma
Administrative Officer & Coordinator: OCA

Correction of names on the Honour Boards at BCS Dining, Irwin Hall etc.

Dear OCs,

Greetings..!

We are already aware that the ‘Honour Boards’ at BCS are a source of inspiration and very dear to all of us.

Every time we visit School and see our name/s displayed on those boards, we feel ecstatic and proudly show it to our children, wife, friends etc. Because to be up there sums-up our hardwork, our achievements and entire time spent in school, be it sports or academics.

But if a name is not rightly displayed or mis-spelt, we feel dejected and embarrassed.

Therefore, with due apology, I humbly request you to inform us via email Ashwani Singh Virk <ashvirk@hotmail.com>or WhatsApp (98101-94724), if you have noticed such an un-intended error in your name displayed or any other related mistake on the ‘Honour Boards’ at School so that we are able to request them to rectify the same at the earliest.

Best wishes,

Ash Virk
President- OCA Delhi (NCR) Chapter
(Mob. 9810194724)

Winter Lunch 27th Feb / photo and list of attendees

Group photo OCs who attended the OCs lunch hosted by Mr and Mrs Sunil [Sunny] Chadha:

List of attendees:

  • Mr and Mrs Sunil “ Sunny “ Chadha (host) at his Beautiful Farm House in Satbari New Delhi
  • Capt Sharat & Rupa Bhasin
  • Capt Vivek Bhasin
  • Mr and Mrs Niri & Jyoti Gill
  • Mr and Mrs Prithvi and Jennifer Prem
  • Mr & Mrs Kanav & Kanika Monga
  • Mr & Mrs Kochhar
  • Mr Kochar
  • Mr & Mrs Sangram Singh
  • Mr. Jaspal Sawhney.
  • Mr. & Mrs Inderjit Singh
  • Mr PS Chauhan
  • Mr Sherry Chauhan
  • Mr Rajat Mukerji
  • Col & Mrs Gaby Guron
  • Mr Rohit Kumar
  • Mr Dewan
  • Mr Arvind Mankotia
  • Mr Sanjiv Sood
  • Mr Rajiv sood
  • Mr. Chetan Singh
  • Mr & Mrs Mehtab Wadala
  • Mr Rao

[Need to confirm the remainder]

OCs winter lunch at Chattarpur New Delhi / 27th Feb 2022

Sunday 27th Feb 2022
Cottonians led by Mr. Sanjiv (Sunny) Chadha is organising a winter lunch at Chattarpur New Delhi

After a very successful golf event last Friday 18th Feb ‘22 at ITC led by the generous offer of his residence by veteran Sanjiv Chadha ( Class of 1974), we extend an invitation to Cottonians with their wives and partners for a lovely afternoon :

“FAB LUNCHEON AND GROOVY MUSIC …WITH THE WORKS”

Date: Sunday 27th Feb 2022

Venue: at Sanjiv Chadha’s

Address: follows!( with parking – valet service )

Time : 1200-1600 ( 12.00 pm to 4.00 pm)

Dress : Smart Casual

Charges Per Head: 2800 including lunch booze – the usual

This being a limited event to a

max of 80 it’s first hands up

please!
__

CONFIRMATION LATEST BY: 22/02

This get together will be intimated through various social media platforms..

We encourage all Cottonians to come forward, spread the word and make this a fantastic afternoon..

“ food brings Cottonians together from all corners ..
from Hunger Games of dog biscuits at chota hazari, Chipu’s, hot bread from the bakery, Omelettes at Chota Simla, Malooks or Baljees….it’s the memorable reunion that matters most..”

Contact :
Kanav Monga by Whatsapp on 9810048078. Kindly whatsapp and not call plz

Mr. Sanjiv Chadha by whatsapp on 9810124296

B10, Ansal Villas
Satbari:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/gYiYZEJ5U5p1jRwD8

Cottonian “Young Guns“ organised a splendid and memorable day at ITC Classic Golf Resort, Manesar.

Cottonian “Young Guns“ organised a splendid and memorable day at ITC Classic Golf Resort, Manesar.

18th Feb 2022:

A gang of youngsters from the Class of 1998 led by Kanav Monga Ibbetson organised a lovely day of golf at ITC Classic.

This Young Group arrived by fire and ignited the course! Kanav & Co painstakingly worked the logistics at The Classic not to mention, the personal touch of Brand BCS to the Cottonian Teams with bespoke Golf Shirts each well fitted to our masculine chests and professional Golf Caps embossed with the name of our great Alma mater.

Besides the lovely snacks prior tee off, followed by transit lunch, ending with a great “after event”- sumptuous khaana and gentlemen’s drinks, it was the absolutely wonderful bonding of Cottonians, many of us meeting for the first time since school.

We Cottonians ranged from Class of 1968 to Class of 1998 arriving from various cities and countries, yet we jammed on the same wavelength reminiscing of our times.. up in the greens of Simla.

Heartiest Congratulations to you Kanav and your batch; you took the “Bull by the horns “ and presented a Great Show.

May the spirit of Cottonian Brotherhood be alive and strive in our midst.
Well Done Chaps! We look forward to many exciting events down the road..

Cottonians who made this great effort to come together; some amazing golfers in our midst!

Four ball 1
1.     Justice Surinder Saron Lefroy ‘71
2.    Anil Duggal Ibbetson 68’
3.    Capt.Sharat Bhasin Lefroy ‘75
4.    Capt.Vivek Bhasin Lefroy 70’

Four ball 2
1. Kanav Monga Ibbetson 98’
2. Manpreet Manhas Lefroy98’
3. Simran Grewal Curzon 98’
4. Sammy Khangura Curzon 98’.

Four Ball 3
1. Chetan Singh  Ibbetson 71’
2. Gurnir Singh Gill Lefroy 71
3.     Prithvi Singh Nat Ibbetson 71’
4.     Prithviraj Prem Rivaz 71’

Four ball 4
1.      Sanjiv Chadha Lefroy’74
2.     Gursimran Sethi  Lefroy 96’ (Pro!)
3.     Sangram Vijay Singh Rivaz 98’

Justice SS Saron presented the Winners with BCS Umbrellas

Straightest drive :Simran Singh Grewal Curzon 98’

Closest to the pin: Gursimran Singh Sethi Lefroy 96’

Longest Drive Prithvi  Nat 71’ & Manpreet S Manhas Lefory 98’

Kindest Regards and Best Wishes,

Bonnie/Vivek Bhasin

Vote of Thanks

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)

Sl.No Name Batch Amount Bank Status
1 Kanav Monga 1998 50000 SCB Paid
2 Anuj Sood – 1998 50000 SCB Paid
3 Arun Martin Chauhan 1998 20000 Paid
4 Vijay khurana 1963 20000 Paid
5 Narinder Yadav 25000 SCB Paid
6 Ashwani Singh Virk 15000 Axis Bank Paid
7 Navid Tariq 20000 SCB Paid
8
9 Ab Gaur 1993 100000 Paid
10 Amaninder Singh Walia 10000 SCB Paid
11 Vikrant Suri 1997 100000 Paid
12
13 Mehtab Wadala 1998 25000 Axis Bank Paid
14 Bharat Dua 1993 20000 Paid
15 Harman Bedi 1998 10000 SCB Paid
16 Gaurav Jindal 1998 20000 SCB Paid
17 Bikram Shapuri 1998 50000 SCB Paid
18 Bikram Grewal 10000 SCB Paid
19 Saurabh Khanna 1998 10000 SCB Paid
20
21 Ajaipal 1998 15000 SCBL Paid
22 Lakshman Anand 15000 Axis Bank Paid
23

Batch of 2001

74000 Paid
1. Abhay  Thakur
2. Abhishek sood
3. Aditya Rana
4. Akshay khanna
5. S Amandeep Singh Sidhu
6. Amit Mehta (c)
7. Ankit Singh
8. Ashish Jajodia
9. Bharat Bhushan
10. Bunkim Chadda
11. Christopher Sunny Kumar
12. Dhruv Nangia
13. Gursimran Brar
14. Himaka Serna
15. lnderpal Chatha
16. Jasdeep Goraya
17. Karan Ahuja
18. Karan Karol
19. Karanbir Singh Gulati
20. Ketan Mahajan
21. Kshitij Sharma
22. Laxman Anand
23. Mohnish Kapoor
24. Mohsin Sachdeva
25. Nishant Bansal
26. Nitin Chauhan
27. Piyush Mehta
28. Pulkit Dogar
29. Rohit Saharan
30. Sahil Bhasin
31. Saurabh Malohtra
32. Shahab Ahmed
33. Tirath Singh Garewal
34 . Varun Chauhan
35. Vibhor Gandotra
36.  Vinayak Singh
37.  Karanvir Singh Gill]
24 Amit Singhal 20000 Paid
25 Shubham Anand 1995 30000 SCB Paid
26 Dushyant Talwar 1998 10000 Axis Bank Paid
27 Akash seth 20000 SCB Paid
28 Royce Kukreja 25000 SCB Paid
29
30 Irfan Ansari 1995 100000 Axis Paid
31 Abhishek Kakar (Behl) 1998 20000 SCB Paid
32 Sindhwani’s 25000 SCB Paid
33
34
35
36
37 Jasbir singh rai 1998 20000 SCB Paid
38

Batch of 2002

390000 SCB Paid
1. A bhinav Aggarwal
2. Ajay Bodh
3. Amaninder Singh Walia
4. Anupam Verma
5. Arjun Sodhi
6. Ashish Mahajan
7. Atul Goyal
8. Chemit Yurgal
9. Gurusagar Nagai
10. Harpreet Singh
11. Ishaan Bhatia
12. Jaideep Sandhu
13. Karan Singh  Pandher
14. Karan Thakur
15. Krystan De’cuna
16. Kunal Modgil
17. Murtuza Hyder Ali Khan
18. Narayan Krishan
19. Nitin Singh Thakur
20. Piyush Narani
21. Puneet Banga
22. Puneet Pal Sachdeva
23. Rahul Kalia
24. Rajat Gupta
25. Rajeshwar Singh Mangat
26. Rishi Mahajan
27. Rohit Chauhan
28. Sahil Chopra
29. Saurabh Shukla
30. Shobit Sareen
31. Siddharth Chauhan
32. Siddharth Kumar
33. Sidharth Jaitwani
34. Sunil Tiwari
35. Vikram Singh  Negi
36. Vivek Sharma
39 Samar Arora ( daffodil) 10000 Paid
40 Suneet Goyal 15000 Paid
41
42
43
44
45 Sachin Mahajan 1995 50000 Paid
46
47 25000
48 25000
49
50 Manpreet Manhas 1998 25000 SCB Paid
51 Dhiraj Berry 10000 SCB Paid
52 Manish Aggarwal 1992 50000 SCB Paid
53 Ramandeep Anand 1992 50000 SCB Paid
54 Zailinder Singh Shoor 2004 10000 SCB Paid
55 Rachit Aggarwal 2004 25000 SCB Paid
56 Gaurav Gombar 1993 20000 SCB Paid
57
58
59 Rohit Berry 1995 10000 SCB Paid
60
61 John Khiangte 1998 10000 SCB Paid
62

Batch of 2006

75,234 SCB Paid
      1.Tsewang Topgyal
      2. Suraj Tayal
      3. Vishal Menon
      4. Siddhant Singh Bedi
      5. Anuraj Singh Mangat
      6. Rajat Prabhakar
      7. Prashant Dogra
      8. Manvir Singh Nahal
      9. Prithviraj Thakur
    10. Hitesh Chauhan
    11. Toito Sema
    12. Karan Malhotra
    13. Sagat Singh Sandhu
    14. Navraj Singh Dhillon
    15. Shaninder Singh Sandhu
63 Prannoy Dey 2005 10000 SCB Paid

EDITOR:
That is a total of INR 17,39,234 [Seventeen Lakhs Thirty Nine Thousand Two Hundred Thirty Four [or US$24,000].