April 16th – 18th 2010 were 3 memorable days which brought together  59  students from different parts of the Country to their Alma Mater – Back 2 Roots, 2010 held at GSIS.  The OSA was represented by a group of 5 – 6 from the 1st Batch of 1984, 1986, 1987, 1989, a group of 16 from 1996, 6 from 2000, 2002, 1 from 2008 and 1 from 2009.  The laughter, tears and the hugs reminded me of ‘The Power of One’.

• One song can spark a moment,
• One flower can wake the dream.
• One tree can start a forest,
• One bird can herald spring.
• One smile begins a friendship,
• One handclasp lifts a soul.
• One star can guide a ship at sea,
• One word can frame the goal.
• One vote can change a nation,
• One sunbeam lights a room.
• One candle wipes out darkness,
• One laugh will conquer gloom.
• One step must start each journey,
• One word must start each prayer.
• One hope will raise our spirits,
• One touch can show you care.
• One voice can speak with wisdom,
• One heart can know what’s true.
• One life can make the difference.
• You see, it’s up to YOU!

We had a walk down the memory lane in both the Campuses. An assembly was organized in the Palada Campus where Kushalappa requested Madam to unveil his tribute to the School on her 60th Birthday – a logo for the OSA.

Mr. Victor Selwin, Mr. James Milton, Mr. Alexander Kuruvilla and Mrs. Sheila Alexander were some of the teachers the old students met and they all refreshed their School days and its details.  A friendly match between the present GSIS students and the Old students was a memorable feat. 

Mr. Victor Selwin’s words on GSIS, Sir and Madam brought a tear to many an eye and we all declared that it’s a blessing to be a part of this great institution.

A dinner was arranged in Fernhills Palace where all got together and shared their rich, old memories.

A great time indeed – it all ended too soon though each one promised to get back next year with more Shepherdians for Back 2 Roots – 22nd April to 24th April, 2011.

A Decade Later…

Ten years had passed since they had left the fold. Now they came back with the same mischievous, twinkling eyes, with the same enthusiasm for gaining knowledge, with memories galore regarding their alma mater, what they knew as Good Shepherd Public School.  Six of the batch that passed Class X in the Year 1998, one of the biggest batches, the first batch that had all the students clearing all the subjects, were re-united when they visited the school on 7th September, 2008.

All of the six who had spent at least five years at this school, who, many a time made their teachers throw up their hands in despair, getting into some scrape or the other, have eventually made it big in their respective careers all thanks, according to them, the grounding they acquired at their very own GSPS.  They were, Samrat (Kappu) and Amit Joseph(Joey), now a documentary producer and film director-cum-script writer respectively,  Bharat (Gowda), a hotelier, his brother, Vivek, Mitadru (Koley) and Deepu.T., a surgeon in making.  Though they came initially to the new campus at Palada to visit our Principal, Madam and their teacher, their hearts lay in the Fernhill campus to which they headed as soon as they had met all.  At Fernhill, it was laughter at reminiscing their days at school and even some long-forgotten names.  Each class, dormitory and their loved hideouts revived nostalgic memories that, when spoken about later, brought tears in some.  Later that night, they enjoyed a formal dinner at the new campus after which two of them addressed the students.  They spoke about what every member of the alumni speak about: the protection and nurturing they got at school and missed elsewhere, the concern and care that all at school had shown but had missed later.  They spent a few more hours the next day, visiting and meeting a few more teachers.  They left again but with promises to return earlier than they had done.  We are waiting…..

The migratory birds are back…

On 1^st August, twenty-five students of the batch of 2007 came back to their nest with tales of realization, success and a bit of regret.  They came from various parts of the world, the US, the UK and various pockets of India.  The re-union was one of its kind as it is very rare for such a large number of one batch to come together at school (such gatherings have taken place in Bangalore, Mumbai and Kolkatta), that too when it is not the usual Founder’s Day Alumni Association Meet.

2^nd August began with a formal assembly held to gather our birds back into the nest.  Sherwyn Katarki, the School Captain from the batch, Pallavi Kumar, the topper in English from the batch and Vikrant Shinde, the voice behind this re-union, spoke with their usual élan and verve primarily focusing on what they had gained from the school and what they had come back for.  Following a formal lunch hosted by our Principal, Dr. P. C. Thomas, students of our fifth batch of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme were enthusiastic participants in a discussion with those pursuing the programme currently, pointing out the most effective means of approaching the programme.  While one set revealed what works, the others were candid enough to admit what they did wrong.  What every member of the alumni looks forward to when he or she comes back, the food of the school, was enjoyed by them when they stayed back for the formal dinner.  The address was delivered this time by three stalwarts of the batch, Nikhil Parasar, the School Vice Head boy, Varun Godia, the Best Speaker of the batch and Udit Mehta, the Best Actor of the batch.  It was gratitude and a few words of advice all the way.  3^rd August saw them moving around in the school precincts catching up with every member of staff and the students on a personal basis, enjoying what they miss in their current, busy life.  Memories were received and fun and laughter echoed on the field when they enjoyed cricket and basket ball with the members of staff and existing students. When they bid farewell it was with a feeling of a trip well made and of course, with promises to return.

We would like to welcome the alumni from various batches from different corners of the world to visit the school.  We used to meet during the Founder’s Day every year but somehow the attendance has always been thin.  Some of our Old Students told us that it was difficult for them to come down in October so we were wondering if you could come over for an OSA Meet on the 1^st Thursday of April every year or on the 20^th of April / that weekend. Join us for our Sports’ Meet, participate in it & for a get together followed by lunch.  Please do let us know your feed back in writing and lets join hands and make our OSA a happening chapter in our lives.

We need your help as alumni

1. To share your positive experiences at GSIS as students / parents can learn a lot about a campus from literature & visitations, but there’s no substitute for a ‘real story’ from a successful graduate.
    

2. Participate in alumni activities.  Not only does your attendance help us, but is a great way for you to ‘network’ and make new contacts.
   
   

3. Tell us about your success so that we may share it with others.  We are always looking for ‘testimonials’ to use in our publications & communications.
   
   

4. Let a current student who is exploring career options ‘Job Shadow’ you.  You can help in the career choice process by demonstrating the positive aspects of your own career.
   
   

5. Let us know what we can do for you.
   
   

6. We are still waiting for write-ups from your end regarding you, your career, family and your contribution to the society, memories of GSIS life so that we can realize the next edition of ‘Flock’ a magazine for you & about you by October.

Remember only together can we take our institution to new levels of excellence and serve you as our successful graduates.

Keep in touch.

Awaiting your reply at the earliest in writing.

Yours sincerely,

Anila Mathew
OSA Coordinator