January 14, 1997

Dear Old Sanawarian,

This is a Post-Founders update on Sanawar and the Sesquicentenary.

Queries from OS. Many OS have written and called with questions about the Society. I will respond to the letters but, briefly, this is the background. Sanawar has had OS meetings, Dinners and other events at Founders since presumably the previous century. Due to the large numbers of departures for UK following India’s Independence, annual reunions began to be organized in London by the TiIley family. However, some 1947 students and staff stayed on, while hundreds of post-1947 OS went to the UK. (E.g. Mr. Trevor A Kemp who taught in Sanawar from 1940 and his wife were married in Sanawar in 1944 and still live in India while their 3 children, who are all OS from the I960s, live in England). English teachers continued to come to India to teach at Sanawar till the mid-1960s. The OS formed associations after UK in Delhi (early 1950s), Chandigarh, Canada, Australia, Bombay, Calcutta, Shimla, Defence centres, Dubai, USA and Europe.

To unite the Sanawar fraternity for the good of the School and of all Sanawarians it was agreed that the OS should combine themselves into a single entity. Thus was the Sanawar based OS Society launched in 1981 along with a class-wise published list, which was later enlarged to a Directory in 1985 including known addresses of pre-1948 OS. Presidents started interacting with Associations/Chapters and by 1990 0S joined the march past at the 'Trooping of the Colours' parade (the only other case being. Bill College's carrying the 1922 Colours in the 1957parade).

But, the Society could only be registered in the School after almost a ‘Long Hodson Run' in 1995. This Society is of and for all Sanawarians, students and teachers, worldwide. OS become members automatically without applying. Now, the Headmaster and Bursar are OS, so are several members of the Board or Governors and every OS Chapter (Association) head is automatically on the Nominating committee, (which is) the committee that nominates OS Presidents. The Society works very closely with the Headmaster and Sanawar, while striving to find ways to channelise the enormous goodwill that OS round the World have for Sanawar to keep it the "Best School of all". Suggestions and dialogue to that end are needed and are welcome. Let’s keep up the good work and "Never give in".

The Society's proposals to broad-base Sanawar's Board of Governors and the Government set up Lawrence School Sanawar Society that owns the School have been received well. If formally accepted, the OS will have a majority on both bodies,

OS Directory not to be on Internet. Please do not put Directory details on the Net. It is illegal and an infringement of privacy rights. We risk making the Private information into international Public property.

1996 Founders was an Administrative rehearsal far 1997 in many ways. Parents were encouraged to make their own arrangements and visitors including OS were provided pre-paid meals at the SSC hall above the swimming pool. OS now get together every evening at the old Staff Club except for the 4th when there is the OS Dinner, which has been made a buffet due to the large attendance.

Mr. Sarabjit A Singh (V 1 952-58) is the new President-elect and takes over after the next AGM, in October 1997. Vacancies in the Nominating committee were filled including 3 girl members, while the classes of 1961-65 were merged into the older classes as one "pre-1966" lot. Students who leave prior to the final year, will now be considered OS only after their class completes Upper VI. A School-Staff-OS relay is the last event at Athletics. OS won the inaugural relay as also the Hockey and Basketball matches.

News was received that besides the several OS who were and are serving as Generals and Air Marshals, the Indian Navy is now headed by Admiral Vishnu Bhagwat, OS 1954.

The class of 1971 had a sliver anniversary reunion: they pledged Rs 500,000 donation for a corpus to give scholarships to needy children (Rs 200,000 have already come in), were given mementos and had a special lunch with the Headmaster. This is to be an annual feature, so the class of 1972 get ready. Other classes too may want to start scholarships. class of 1947 could initiate a golden reunion in 1997.

Sesquicentenary. Hectic activity is on at Sanawar. Roads have been widened and resurfaced, floors refurbished at Birdwood School, Parker Hall, the Central Dining Hall and Himalaya BD dormitory (Nilagiri is next). Chapel roof repairs have been started. Money from OS is coming in, surely but slowly. The School needs it urgently to invest it as a corpus so that mainly the profits are utilized, now and subsequently, instead of spending the principal amount itself. Sadly, a devastating fire gutted the Headmaster's house barely 2 weeks ago. Dr. Dhillon also lost his personal belongings in the fire. The house will have to be rebuilt at "Double-time'. On behalf of all OS, I offer him our sincerest sympathies and help.

The HM has asked for help for the "History of Sanawar" now being compiled. Much archival material has been identified on the early years, but there is not enough of the more recent, 1945-55, period. Anne Carter has already offered some photographs (Thank you. Anne, they will be very welcome). To quote from the HM's letter, "if you could pen down some memories it would be worth diamonds in value for us". Specifically, he has identified these points :

1. Carter - The Principal and The Man.
2. Other Staff.
3. The European element in students and staff.
4. The Anglo-lndians.
5. The general feeling around - anything palpable?
6. How do you think the School managed the transition i.e. the handing over etc. Did you think about it at aII then?
7. Any obvious Indianisation?
8. Any change in activities? Senior OS, please all help

The Board of Governors has replaced the Sesquicentenary Committee formed in 1995 by a Coordination Committee that will sanction and review work done by specific Project Teams whose Leaders will control Team activities in consultation with the Headmaster. These Team Leaders, given below. have been requested to take on this heavy and urgent work on an honorary basis.

The Team Leaders have started functioning, but without any Teams! Any suggestions, work and Items that you can help with should be coordinated with the respective Team Leader. Every OS is requested to volunteer as formal/informal member of at least one Team, and to render whole-hearted assistance to each of them.

Yours Sincerely,

Rajiv Kumar
(signed)

CC : Headmaster,
Editor, The Sanawar News-Letter
Team Leaders