Decades after completing their schooling, more than 150 Kendriya Vidyalaya alumni from Bengaluru came together to visit their alma maters. But their trip down memory lane — during which they visited old classrooms, playgrounds and childhood haunts — was more than just an exercise in nostalgia. As adults and contributing members of society, they wanted to raise funds to improve the infrastructure at their schools and lend a helping hand to current students.
Last week, they formed the Federation of Alumni Associations of Kendriya Vidyalayas, which has as its members former students in their early 20s to post-60s. “The vast range of experience and youth energy is driving us to serve society. In the coming days, we will be able to contribute to not just the KV institutions but also to projects such as Swachh Bharat and Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao,” said Sanjay Sinha, a member.
While the federation was formed recently, the process of giving back to their school has been going on for a few months. Kawaljit Singh Narula, who passed out of KV NAL in 1989 and is one of the founding members of the federation, said they had contacted several principals over the past four months and made a list of contacts of former students. “Over the past few months, we have helped in the construction of a conference room, fixed fans and air conditioners, and also donated sports equipment to KV NAL. We have also taken students on visits to scientific institutions and helped out by providing books and uniforms,” he said.
At the same time, alumni of three other KV schools in Bengaluru have helped organise sports tournaments, construct toilets and provide financial support to students from economically weak backgrounds. .
The federation now plans to expand the initiative, #GiveBacktoKV, and take it national. They want to give special attention to sports, and aim to support the dreams of at least 50 students this year.
P. Devakumar, deputy commissioner, Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, Bengaluru regional office, said: “It helps when the alumni of a school who have successful careers come back to their classroom and tell students that they too sat on the same benches and achieved so much in life. Alumni are the ideal role models for students.”
