What: Alumni meet of the 1988 batch of Sacred Heart Convent School
Where: The Sonnet, Bistupur
When: July 22
The hugs and the smiles never ended. As the gang of girls met — some after decades, plenty was said — from the “gosh, you haven’t changed a bit” to “where are those pigtails of yours, I want to pull them” and “which House where you in, gold?” — and felt and remembered.
Some 40 girls of the Class of 1988, Sacred Heart Convent School, came for their alumni meet from all parts of the world at The Sonnet on July 22. Many old teachers, Sister Flavian, Lalita Sareen, C. Kamala, Saroj Taneja, many more... turned up too, to share the joy.
The Conventees visited their Northern Town school building in the morning and strolled down impeccably maintained grounds, the all-important corridors where best friends swapped gossip and notes, classrooms and the library.
Then, dance, songs, games and fun galore made for a memorable evening. Nostalgia tugged at every heartstring when the ladies got to witness a PowerPoint Presentation featuring snapshots of their childhood, classroom and sports days.
The evening ended on a fruitful note when the alumni donated 20 sewing machines to students of Community College, which imparts vocational courses to underprivileged girls.
Sister Flavian, who served as the principal of Sacred Heart Convent School for the longest tenure of 12 years, lit the inaugural lamp as present and former teachers looked on. Sister Flavian, who came all the way from Buxar in Bihar to attend the reunion, had played an important role in developing Carmel Junior College too.
Jhumjhumi Nandi, principal of Jusco School, Kadma, who played a pivotal role in organising the reunion, said she was grateful to social networking sites which helped bring all her friends under one roof. #ThankYou Facebook
Nandini Mukherjee, a Mumbai-based writer couldn’t stop beaming after meeting her school friends. “It feels great to meet your old friends because there is so much to talk and gossip. This is surely one of the most memorable days of my life,” she quipped.
Remember the ‘Love conquers all’ motto? Well, it was there, as a huge heart on the stage, a reminder of the golden years
Lalita Sareen, a former teacher of Sacred Heart and currently director of Mount Litera Zee School, admitted she spent some of her best days here.
“Since many of us here teach English, it proves we are really adept at the language. You all have coloured our lives and I can also proudly proclaim that we’ve created true masterpieces,” the teacher gushed about the girls.
Okay, ever wondered if that old uniform would fit you again? Oh yes, it can! This pretty lady found a perfect way to dress up like a schoolgirl as she posed behind a cardboard cut-out, one of the star attractions of the evening.
Lakshmi Koduganti, a mother of two and an executive with SAP, came all the way from Dallas to attend the alumni meet. “How can I miss an opportunity to meet my old friends. I can’t express how overwhelmed I feel,” said the computer professional.
These Conventees looked picture-perfect in their ethnic wear and their pearlies. Ladies, this picture looks all set to go viral!
Raina Sen Roy Bhatt, currently an English teacher in Hyderabad, wowed the audience with her dance as she performed to Ganesh Vandana.
“We are so proud of you all. I feel the knowledge and the values that we have imbibed in you is worth the sacrifices that we have made. Today you all are successful in your own ways. I will still urge you all to devote time to serve the society,” said the indomitable Sister Flavian.
Antara Bose
Pictures by Bhola Prasad
