After I passed out of UP Sainik School, Lucknow in December 1972 I used to make plans every year to attend the annual 'Old Boys' meet and visit the school to refresh and recollect the plethora of memories associated with growing in my alma mater. Something or the other always came up and I could not attend a single reunion till 2009. Somehow, it was never possible for me to attend the annual functions when I was posted at various places in India. It became a reality after 37 long years and that too after relocating to Oman. It was great catching up with old friends and classmates, seniors and juniors, and reliving the cherished moments of our school life. The reception we got from the cadets was overwhelming. The entire school was lined up along the approach road clapping and greeting all the visitors despite the early morning chill of Lucknow. Following are some photographs which will tell the story better (click to enlarge) :
Myself, Rohit Varma, Abhay Dixit and Kushwaha withthe cadets before start of the programme.
Self, Rohit, Dixit and Kushwaha (Dixit was tellingus outrageous jokes - purportedly true tales)
The old boys with Mr R.P.Shukla (in brown coat) - our Chemistry teacher who used to bash errant cadets at the
drop of a hat but was also a friend, philosopher and
guide. He retired from service ages ago but he recognised
all of us and even remembered some of the pranks
we used to play.
Class of 1972 - Anjan Das, Rakesh Gupta, S.K.Arora, self.
In front of our old class.
The Academic Block (we never had coolers !)
The 'Toofani' - given a facelift !
Class of '72 with Toofani as backdrop.
Frontage of the school (Administrative Block).
Yours truly !
Statue of Guru Dronacharya.
S.K.Arora and self
3 comments:
Thanx for loading pics. of the great reunion and great moment for the Old Boys of the school. I also dearly wanted to attend but due to some preoccupation which i could not postpone was not able to do so. but with these photographs I could visualise the grandeur and magnamity of the celebration, the enthusiasm of the participants, welcome meted to and most importantly the amount of effort put in by the OBA to organize the event. Kushwaha S. S. in the picture with you is of my batch.They deserve kudos and salute for the same. S.C.Pandey 474 Kidwai House
This is what great Institutions like this have to Offer. I wonder if the so called Public schools of today even remember their old boys.
Arun Goyal
You are welcome Suresh. You really missed a historic event - the largest ever gathering of 'Old Boys' besides many other 'firsts'. Old boys who are the Army top brass today were present in their ceremonials for the wreath laying as also to have a motivating effect on the cadets. It was truly and experience of a lifetime.
Arun, I am surprised to see your comment. Never knew that you visited my blog man. I dont know about other schools but I will walk many many miles to meet an 'Upsainian' and there is nothing that we would NOT do for each other.
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