In an age where man has long forgotten even ‘thanks’ as an expression to convey the essence of gratitude, a heart-warming gesture by students of the 1985 batch of St. Johns senior Secondary school, Mandevalli, to felicitate and honour their teachers took place at Hotel Savera on January 5. The student alumni body led by Mr. Ramesh Kumar and Vanamalee put together an evening, where both the teachers and the students met after three decades and expressed their love and gratitude in equal measure
Ignatius Xavier, the much-loved Principal of St. Johns in the 80’s, was chosen as the chief guest. He said “This noble gesture has pleasantly surprised and warmed my heart. This evening stands testimony to the fact that teachers who are seen as ladders of success will also be remembered with affection, if they bond with the students beyond the confines of a class room. To know that we are still respected and loved, is indeed what the entire teaching community strives for.”
More than 20 teachers such as Mirasu, Sylvia Reginald, Pushparathnam, Williams, Lalli Christopher, Vidi Kingsley and many more were honoured.
Most of them, having aged gracefully to their 60’s and above, were moved by the spontaneous show of affection with which they were received and individually felicitated.
They could not help remarking how the days of such close bonding between the students and teachers had long disappeared and the students of the present generation were in a constant mode of denial on both affection and curriculum.
A few of the students had travelled from Dubai, Hyderabad and Bangalore to be in the midst of this heady mix of nostalgia and gratitude. Many others, though absent, had still sent in their contributions to ensure that they could express their gratitude silently but the gesture from their end was most eloquent on the day. As the teachers left that evening there was a silent prayer and blessing that emanated in Fern Hall of Hotel Savera.
