It was a day to recall those demanding P.T. classes, sneak visits to the staff room to check marks and other nostalgic moments. For nearly 70 senior citizens, Sunday took them back to their good-old school days.
At the golden jubilee celebrations of the 1959-60 SSLC batch of P.S. High School, the alumni exchanged a lot of do-you-remember memories as their spouses stood yards away, with broad smiles. The occasion also marked the Founder’s Day celebrations of the school.
One of the alumni, former Chairman of Indian Oil Corporation M.S.Ramachandran, who was the chief guest, took the opportunity to pay tribute to his teachers. “The school had given us the greatest gift of knowledge. Our character was shaped at school. This was the place where we learnt to be receptive and modest,” he said.
Recalling the days when he was the secretary of the Tamil Literary Association of the school, he said most of his classmates had a flair for extracurricular activities. Former captain of Indian cricket team S. Venkataraghavan “used to wait restlessly for the classes to get over to resume his practice sessions,” he said. Encouraging youngsters to decide on their own the field of their choice after higher secondary, Mr. Ramachandran said the course they choose will matter a lot for them to move up the career ladder. “There are a lot of options these days. Don’t choose the course because many opt for it. Take a course that is close to your heart.” He distributed prizes to the toppers in academic and extra-curricular activities.
The mood turned nostalgic when the old students got on the stage one after other to reflect upon their days in the school. K.S. Jayaraman, secretary, P.S. High School Golden Jubilee Reunion, had interesting anecdotes to share with his former classmates on how he got in touch with many of them for the alumni meet. “Some had active online accounts, so reaching them was easier. Since most live in Mylapore, we went street by street to check some of the old houses where they resided,” he said.
Interlacing the memories with talks about their children, many were surprised to find that some of their kids work in same organisations. “I am sure many marriages between the children of our classmates would take place after our reunion,” Mr. Jayaraman said, with a chuckle. Exchanging numbers and addresses, they bid goodbye to others, making promises to meet up frequently.
