Reunion for a cause

Old students of 1977-2013 batches of Fort Catholic Girls High School meet for the first time to raise funds for the Hudhud-hit institution. For many, it was the perfect moment to rejoice as the event brought the old friends from different parts of the globe together, including the U.S., the U.K., and Singapore.

Former students of Fort Catholic Girls High School celebrating their reunion on the school campus in Visakhapatnam on Friday. Photo: C.V. Subrahmanyam

A group of women were busy posing for selfies with the newly-designed cut-out that had a faceless image of a schoolgirl. Peals of laughter echoed at the venue as friends met to make merry after a long time.

There was excitement in the air as old pals, from 1977 to 2013 batches, met at Fort Catholic Girls High School to celebrate their reunion for the first time. Apparently, what united them after such a long time was their love for the school. “We came to know that some of the classrooms have become roofless post the cyclone Hudhud that damaged the city beyond its recognition. The reunion has been organised to raise funds and bring the 162-year-old school back to its feet,” says Lakshmi Kamal, who belonged to the 1995 batch.

For many, it was the perfect moment to rejoice as the event brought the old friends from different parts of the globe together, including the U.S., the U.K., and Singapore.

“In 1977, the scenario was entirely different. We were adept at giving the students their space and be strict when it comes to studies,” says Rupali Banerjee, a retired geography teacher. What was initially a five-member group has now grown up to a network of 216 members.

“We have been in touch with each other through Facebook and WhatsApp. This is a result of our two-month hard work,” say Beena, Neelima, and P. Anuradha.