Peter's Family snaps.

From: Fr. Cyril Veliath to Peter
Monday, March 22, 2010 6:05 AM

Dear Peter
Your kind letter and all those delightful snaps reached me intact, and I can assure you they really made my day.

When I looked at the photographs of your children and little Aryan, and your dear Mother of 84 years age, I realized that God has indeed blessed you in a special way. I pray these blessings continue to shower down upon you and all your family.

I have a special request for you Peter. Please do send all these photographs to Maxie to be put up on the blog. It would be nice to share this happiness with all our old companions, and I am sure that all of them on seeing these snaps will experience the same happiness that I did.

When I saw your photograph I immediately recalled your old features, but I doubt if I would have recognized you if I had seen you on the street. Well, I guess people must be saying the same thing about me, because 50 years is indeed a long time.

Whenever I see a photograph of our old classmates, all the old memories of the past come flooding back. Do you remember the time when we were in the 6th form, somebody brought a goat into Mr. Bhandari's class? I can never forget the expression on Bhandari master's face. Also, do you remember the incident of Bhandari master and Silvarious Rego? Those teachers were all great men who tried their best to make something of us, and I guess to a large extent they have succeeded.
I shall certainly keep your lenten retreat in my prayers.
So that is all for now Peter. Take care and God bless, and do keep in touch.
Cyril
---------------------------------------------

From: Peter L. Fernandes
Wednesday: 31 March 2010 09:00

Hello friends,
Just thought of enclosing two of my recent snaps in response to Arun's initial clarion call a few months ago.
Snap No. 1 - Taken on the wedding day of my son Pravin last Nov.
The bridal couple is flanked by his parents and his only sister Premila with her family.
Snap No. 2 - With my Mom (84 years) last month. In the background on the right is our snap framed of 4 generations.
A very joyous Easter to you all!
Peter
-----------------------------------------------------

Post Script from Peter: (Snaps sent to Maxie on 31.3.2010)

From: Peter L. Fernandes to Maxie
Wednesday: 31 March 2010 09:08

Dear Maxie,
As I could not email my letter enclosing 2 snaps, I have split it into 3 parts while mailing it to you.
Kindly combine them and treat it as one. Thank you very much in advance for your troubles.
Regards,
Peter

Golden Nuggets - from Peter

Tuesday, 30 March 2010 00:50

                         Golden Nuggets

 

The paradox of our time in history is that

we have taller buildings, but shorter tempers;

Wider freeways, but narrower view points;

We spend more, but have less;

We buy more, but enjoy it less;

We have bigger houses and smaller families;

More conveniences, but less sense;

More knowledge, but less judgement;

More experts, but more problems;

More medicine, but less wellness;

We have multiplied our possessions,

but reduced our values.

We talk too much, but love too seldom

         and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life;

We added years to life, not life to years.

We've been all the way to the moon and back,

but have trouble crossing the street

         to meet the new neighbour.

We've conquered outer space, but not inner space;

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul,

We've split the atom, but not our prejudice.

We have higher incomes, but lower morals;

We've become long on quantity,

but short on quality.

These are the time of tall men,

and short character;

Steep profits, and shallow relationships.

These are the times of world peace,

but domestic warfare;

More leisure, but less fun;

More kinds of food, but less nutrition.

These are the days of two incomes,

but more divorces;

Of fancier houses, but broken homes.

It is s time when

there is much in the show window

and nothing in the stockroom;

A time when technology can bring this note to you,

and a time when you can choose

either to make a difference… or just hit DELETE.

 

            ************************

 

                      A  WAY  OF  LIFE

 

"I expect to pass through this world but once."

Any good therefore that I can do, or any kindness

that I can show to my fellow creature, let me do it

now… for I shall not pass this way again."

                                                 -  Lord Tennyson  

Reactions to "Program for Reunion".

From: Raphael Maliakal
Thursday, 25 March 2010 18:16

Excellent program. I am looking forward to it. It looks like you already had a reunion with so many assembled. Thanks to all.
Where is Francis Mascarenhas? I was hoping he will come up with a cricket match. Not a big deal but I thought it would be fun to relive the old days. Cricket was more important than math when I was growing up.
Sincerely
Raphael Maliakal
-------------------------------------------------

From: Terence Mathias
Thursday, 25 March 2010 20:17
Hi Guys,
Thanks very much for all the hard work you have put in. The best surprise would be to recognize each other after 50 years. I am looking forward to this great event. I met Kini once on Kadri hills he had come for a walk in the morning. I once flew with Norman Lobo from Mangalore to Bombay. I bumped into Denver in Hampankatta. I visited Subraya at his store. All this happened several years ago. It would be great to meet all these classmates and many more again.Thanks once again for organizing this momentous event.
Terence
--------------------------------------------------

From: Raphael Maliakal
Thursday, March 25, 2010 1:10 PM

Excellent work. Thanks to all.
I did not see some of the addresses. So I am sending it to all.
I am glad Kini has come out of hibernation. I met him some 12 years ago. He said his daughter is married and settled in US. He planned a trip to US. But I never heard from him after that.
Sincerely
Raphael Maliakal
---------------------------------------------------

From: leo cunha
Friday, 26 March 2010 09:14
sounds exciting! i look fwd to this event. many thanks to the committee of organisers for time & effort involved in the planning.
............ leo
-------------------------------------------------

From: Arun Talwar
Friday, 26 March 2010 17:26
Dear Raphael
Thank you for forwarding waltz's e-mail, yes, I was one of the missed ones.
Great work committee !
The programme looks fun, and hope the weather is kind to us for those two days.
I am busy counting the day and like Terence, I am standing on one leg.
I hope we manage to trace the five missing classmates before the the D day, any progress on Jude Thomas ?
love to all
Arun
Church Road, CAERAU, CARDIFF CF5 5LQ
Tel: 029 20 403197 Mobile: 0771 485 6975
-------------------------------------------------

From: Peter L. Fernandes
Sunday, 28 March 2010 23:14
Subject: Golden Reunion

So happy to read from your "Progress Report" about our eagerly awaited grand programme schedule.. Great job from all those who made up the Committee at the HQ! .. I could see that you have taken care to accomodate as much as possible all the suggestions put forward so far by some of us actively through the internet and Maxie's blog.
By the way, is anyone reaching out this latest info to our other classmates who do not have an email ID? This will need your attention.
Thanking you and the Committee once again,
Peter

Reactions to "Program for Reunion".

From: Raphael Maliakal

Thursday, 25 March 2010 18:16

 

Excellent program. I am looking forward to it. It looks like you already had a reunion with so many assembled. Thanks to all.

Where is Francis Mascarenhas? I was hoping he will come up with a cricket match. Not a big deal but I thought it would be fun to relive the old days. Cricket was more important than math when I was growing up.

Sincerely

Raphael Maliakal

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

From: Terence Mathias

Thursday, 25 March 2010 20:17

Hi Guys,

Thanks very much for all the hard work you have put in. The best surprise would be to recognize each other after 50 years. I am looking forward to this great event. I met Kini once on Kadri hills he had come for a walk in the morning. I once flew with Norman Lobo from Mangalore to Bombay. I bumped into Denver in Hampankatta. I visited Subraya at his store. All this happened several years ago. It would be great to meet all these classmates and many more again.Thanks once again for organizing this momentous event.

Terence

--------------------------------------------------------------------

 

From: Raphael Maliakal

Thursday, March 25, 2010 1:10 PM

 

Excellent work. Thanks to all.

I did not see some of the addresses. So I am sending it to all.

I am glad Kini has come out of hibernation. I met him some 12 years ago. He said his daughter is married and settled in US. He planned a trip to US. But I never heard from him after that.

Sincerely 

Raphael Maliakal

------------------------------------------------------------------

 

From: leo cunha

Friday, 26 March 2010 09:14

sounds exciting!  i look fwd to this event.  many thanks to the committee of organisers for time & effort involved in the planning.    

............   leo

------------------------------------------------------------

 

From: Arun Talwar

Friday, 26 March 2010 17:26

Dear Raphael

Thank you for forwarding    waltz's e-mail, yes, I was  one of the missed ones.

Great work committee !

The programme looks fun, and hope the weather is kind to us for those two days.

I am busy counting the day and   like Terence, I am standing on  one leg.

I hope we manage to trace the five missing classmates before the the D day, any progress on Jude Thomas  ?

love to all 

Arun

Church Road, CAERAU, CARDIFF CF5 5LQ

Tel: 029 20 403197 Mobile: 0771 485 6975

 

Reunion-2010: proceedings of 19th-Mar meeting

25 March 2010 11:26

'GOLDEN REUNION' OF THE CLASS OF 60 (VI  E)

 

 

Progress Report

 

An informal meeting of a few members of the class of 60 was held at SAC canteen (cafeteria) on Friday 19 march 2010. The following were present: Harry Saldanha (convener) Ravindranath Kini , Denver Fernandes, Norman Lobo J, Subraya Shenoy S, Hector Noronha, Patrick Saldanha(Treasurer),Walter Andrade.

 

1.     REUNION DAYS:

 

Sat 19 June 2010& Sunday 20^th June 2010. These dates were confirmed.

 

2.      PROGRAMME:-

 

  Saturday Morning: 11 A.M

 

      Walk down (up?) the memory lane from the "Down College" (primary school) to High School and to the College. Climb the college Tower.

 

        Lunch at School Premises.

 

       After Lunch, Mock Class. Mr.Kairanna could be asked to take the class. Around 3.00 PM visit to SAC second campus, Beeri, Ullal.

 

      Tea at Beeri.

 

      Visit to Someshwara Beach (Weather permitting).

 

      7.00 PM Dinner (Venue to be fixed by Harry Saldanha)

 

       Sunday '20^th June 2010'

 

       8.00 AM Thanksgiving Mass and mass for the departed members of the class of 1960.Walter Andrade has volunteered to celebrate the mass.

 

      9.00 AM Breakfast.

 

     Visit to Pilikula Bio-diversity Park.

 

      Lunch at Pilikula or in the city.

 

      6.30 PM Get Together at Mangalore Club, Morgan's gate.

 

      9.30 PM End of the HISTORIC GET TOGETHER.

 

     During the informal meeting it was agreed to collect subscription of Rs.1,000 or a little more to meet all the expenses. It was also suggested that we establish a prize / scholarship in the name of Class of 60 in St.Aloysius High School.

 

      Prabhakar Bhat paid a surprise visit to SAC on 24^th March 2010. He concurs with the programme drawn up.

 

 

 With warm regards,

 

 

 Walter Andrade & Harry Saldanha

 

P.S 1- could anyone trace the whereabouts of Sudhir Rao, Jossy Rego, Rudolf Edward Vellu, Subraya Shenoy B, Narayana Swamy. Thanks.

P.S 2 - Spouses are most welcome for all the programmes.

Time Magazine Quote on Sachin Tendulkar

Wednesday 24 Mar 2010 05:49:11 +0000
"Morning Inspiration"
TIME Magazine -

When Sachin Tendulkar travelled to Pakistan to face one of the finest bowling attacks ever assembled in cricket, Michael Schumacher was yet to race a F1 car, Lance Armstrong had never been to the Tour de France, Diego Maradona was still the captain of a world champion Argentina team, Pete Sampras had never won a Grand Slam.

When Tendulkar embarked on a glorious career taming Imran and company, Roger Federer was a name unheard of; Lionel Messi was in his nappies, Usain Bolt was an unknown kid in the Jamaican backwaters.

The Berlin Wall was still intact, USSR was one big, big country, Dr Manmohan Singh was yet to "open" the Nehruvian economy.

It seems while Time was having its toll on every individual on the face of this planet, it excused one man. Time stands frozen in front of Sachin Tendulkar.

"We have had champions, we have had legends, but we have never had another Sachin Tendulkar and we never will."

Cricketers !!!

Most cricketers, who are not comfortable conversing in English, go prepare for some standard questions that are asked to them when commentators chat with them during the awards ceremony. Inzamam was once asked a different question after Pakistan won the match, for which he was not prepared. He always used his standard response to the first question after winning....

But this time.....
After Winning the Match

Tony Greg : So Inzi, that's fantastic, your wife is pregnant for the second time and u must be happy!

Inzamam : Thanks Tony?,?.! All credit goes to the boys. Everyone work hard for it, especially Afridi. It was tight situation when he went in. Also Bob Woolmer was keeping close watch on progress and giving instructions. It's all team effort. Insha Allah, we all will work together as a team, put in big effort and deliver good result all the time and will be able to REPEAT the same result.

Tony fainted!!!!! !

The Genesis Code - by John Case

Is “The Genesis Code” by John Case......
really “….impeccable in plot, immaculate in story resolution, moving with high skill from locale to locale and from suspense to suspense”?
Why then does the book’s main character appear naiive enough to invite on himself expected harm to his own self and body which miraculously he appears in the book again and again to be able to endure like no normal human can;
.....and more particularly, why does he carry the letter with the so mysterious and secret answer to the entire plot… in the pocket of his jacket through the entire latter half of the book without opening it –
till it is convenient to the author to end his story in a damp squib fashion?
I suppose fans of this book have all the answers!

20100319: Photos from Harry - Arun clarifies!

20100317: Photos from Harry Saldanha: Identification!

Dear Raphael, Cyril, Maxie and the rest of our classmates

Yes, I can fill in the blanks.

As Raphael has so rightly said the IPS eyes are still good, and it is not Stanley, but Patrick Saldanha, Harry kindly took me to Fr. Mullers Hospital to see Patrick and the picture was kindly taken by Patrick's wife.

The second picture from left to right Denver Fernandes, Subodh Malli. Harry and yours truly.taken at the Officers Club, Morgans gate, Jeppu the venue of our grand reunion - exactly three months today !!!!

The third one was taken at Victor Currie's residence taken by his good lady.

Harry and I did visit Stany who was recovering from his heart op.

Count down has begun(89days to go).

keep in touch

love

Arun

20100319: Lionel Vasant Kumar writes to Maxie!

On 19 March 2010 15:25, Lionel Vasant Kumar wrote:

Hi Maxie,
This is LIONEL. Do you remember me ? We used to sit on the same bench (2nd row with one Melville. So now you try to locate me in the group photo. (Clue : Shorty with specs.)
Regards,
Lionel
------------------------------------------------

19 March 2010 19:38, Maxie replies-----
Dear Lionel,
Of course I remember you...
In fact if you go back into the earlier postings on our blog when the class photograph inndeed was posted on the blog, and some of us were busy identifying who we could remember - you were among those I could easily remember, clearly saying so in my very first email identifying people.
Also, if you go into the postings on the Blog for December last, you will find a specific post with my comments on each of my classmates as I remembered them - whether I could or could not place them on the class photo!
You and I perhaps were among the shortest in the class, after "Chicky" Bonaventure Martis Walter Andrade, Subodh Malli and Canute Machado - so we per force had to be either on the first bench or the second. The memory of which made Raphael comment on his email to all after I visited him in Boston in January earlier this year, telling all that "....Maxie is not "small" any more!
Lovely to hear from you Lionel. Would love to hear from you more in detail - about you and your family, about what you did in the last 50 years since we left school - and whatever else about you that you want your classmates to know. Quite a few have already done it, and I have posted their life sketches already on the Blog. Would love to extend this courtesy to all, especially to those who have so not as yet shared with the rest even a single word about themselves.
There is enough on the Blog about me - so I do not want to repeat it here for your benefit - to once again flood flood the Blogt with information about me, I and myself !
My warm regards to you and your family...
Maxie

Oh these HUMANS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

There was

a blind girl who hated herself because she was blind. She

hated everyone, except her loving boyfriend. He was always

there for her. She told her boyfriend, 'If I could only see

the world, I will marry you.'

One day,

someone donated a pair of eyes to her. When the bandages

came off, she was able to see everything, including her

boyfriend.

He asked

her, 'Now that you can see the world, will you marry me?' The

girl looked at her boyfriend and saw that he was blind. The

sight of his closed eyelids shocked her. She hadn't expected

that. The thought of looking at them the rest of her life

led her to refuse to marry him.

Her

boyfriend left in tears and days later wrote a note to her

saying: 'Take good care of your eyes, my dear, for before

they were yours, they were mine.'

This is

how the human brain often works when our status changes.

Only a very few remember what life was like before, and who

was always by their side in the most painful situations.

Life Is a

Gift

Today

before you say an unkind word - Think of someone who can't

speak.

Before

you complain about the taste of your food - Think of someone

who has nothing to eat.

Before

you complain about your husband or wife - Think of someone

who's crying out to GOD for a companion.

Today

before you complain about life - Think of someone who went

too early to heaven.

Before

whining about the distance you drive Think of someone who

walks the same distance with their feet.

And when

you are tired and complain about your job - Think of the

unemployed, the disabled, and those who wish they had your

job..

And when

depressing thoughts seem to get you down - Put a smile on

your face and think: you're alive and still

around.

==========================

I PRAY

THIS MOVES AROUND

THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE...

100318: "Raphael's Story" - shared with Fr Walter and Maxie for all of us....

18 March 2010 16:34

Dear Walter,


Thanks for the information.

I went to KREC for Mech Engg.

Then I worked at Hind Motors in West Bengal for three years.... and 2 years at TELCO/ Jamshedpur - before going to Chicago.

I did my masters at IIT, Chicago.

I left Chicago in 1978 and have lived in Boston ever since.

I am retired. My wife Tessy works part time and plans to retire this year.

I have a boy and two girls. All are married and settled here. I have four grand children. God has been good and I am enjoying good health so far.


See you in June. Thanks for arranging the class room and class with our old teachers.

Make sure you visit me next time you come to USA. Many Jesuits come here to Boston College.

Sincerely
Raphael Maliakal

100318: "Walter's Brief" - shared with Raphael

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 16:05:09 +0530
18/3/2010

Dear Raphael,

Thanks for your mail.

You may be interested to know what I was doing during the last 50 years.

After graduation at SAC I did a Masters in Economics from Loyola College Madras (now Chennai) and taught in the same College for one year. In Aug.1967 I joined the Jesuits and was ordained Priest in 1977.

From 1981 to 2001 I was Principal of Jesuit Colleges in Bangalore – 16 years and St.Aloysius Evening College for 4 years.

After retirement from teaching, as per the wishes of my Superiors, I went into the field of training of young Jesuits.

After an 8 year stint in formation, I am back in Education, taking care of the finances of St.Aloysius College, Mangalore.

I heard that you did Medicine. If so what is your area of specialization?

Mr. Bhandary our Maths teacher passed away about 4 years ago. Mr. Kairanna, PT Master and Fr.Walter Albuquerque who taught us Maths in the V Form are still around.

I stay on the Ist floor of our School building where all Father's stay.

The Chapel paintings were renovated 10 years ago.

I had been to the U.S.A in 1992 and 2002. It was a short trip.

With warm regards,

Fr.Walter Andrade SJ

Old snaps of Mangalore

Dear Harry and other old friends,
Just a few hours ago Mr. Ivan Rodrigues, who is a former student of mine living in New Zealand, sent me these beautiful snaps of Mangalore city as it was many years ago.
It is the city of our childhood, as I will always remember it.
I have sent them all in a single folder.
Do take a look at them in your spare time.
Take care and God bless.
Cyril Veliath

20100317: Photos from Harry Saldanha: Identification!

Even though Harry the originator of these pictures has been silent on the issue, I will hazard a guess

a) In the first picture: Hary on the left extreme, and Arun on the right extreme. Could it be Stany Coelho in the middle between Harry and Arun? My guess is not because I recognize Stany, but just guess work from a hint from what Arun had told me during our conversations - that Harry and he had gone visiting Stany in hospital on Arun's last trip to Mangalore!

In the second picture I can straight away recognize Harry and Arun as 3rd and 4th from the left. Numbers 1 & 2 from the left defy my IPS eys (as Raphael has called them)

In the third photograph again, recognition is easy. From left to right, it is Harry, Victor Currie and Arun....

Do correct me Harry, if I am wrong!

Maxie
------------------------------------------------------

From Cyril Veliath to Harry and Maxie
17 March 2010 17:27
Subject: Re: 20100317: Photos from Harry Saldanha

Dear Harry,
I have not the faintest idea as to who these people are in the snaps you sent. Could you please include their names?
Thanks.
Cyril

------------------------------------------------------

On 17 March 2010 17:57, Raphael Maliakal <raphaelmj@hotmail.com> wrote:

I can not recognize anyone except Arun. I don't have the eye of an IPS officer.

Raphael Maliakal\

20100317: Old snaps of Mangalore from Cyril Veliath

Date: 17 March 2010 13:59

Dear Harry and other old friends,
Just a few hours ago Mr. Ivan Rodrigues, who is a former student of mine living in New Zealand, sent me these beautiful snaps of Mangalore city as it was many years ago. It is the city of our childhood, as I will always remember it. I have sent them all in a single folder. Do take a look at them in your spare time.
Take care and God bless.
Cyril Veliath

20100317: Photos from Harry Saldanha

17 March 2010 10:17

Hi Maxie,
these pictures were taken in Nov.2008.
Could you please froward them to the rest of the group as I am unable to do so.
Thanks.
With regards,
Harry.

100315: ....on efforts to track down Jude Thomas!

Dear Harry and Arun...
As indicated in my previous mail, I did indeed touch base with a few
IHF officers finally - only to draw a total blank as regards any
information on Jude Thomas, or Alex Thomas or Felix Thomas... in any
Indian Hockey Team between 1960s to 1990s.
Finally yesterday I was able to zero in on a Jude Felix who is an
Arjuna Awardee and captained India's Hockey Team in the 90s. I was
quite excited indeed, even though I knew Jude Felix would definitely
not be the one we were looking for - but there could be that remote
possibility that Jude Felix could be a son or a nephew of our Jude
Thomas.
Today my guys zeroed in on one SK Sharma a DIG in the Indian Hockey
Federation, got his telephone number, and I spoke to him explaining to
him the sentiment behind my search for Jude Thomas. He promised to
help by looking up the records of the Arjna Awardees and then get back
to me.
Just a while ago Sharma came back to me with disappointing news.
Apparently Jude Felix who captained India's hockey team was tracked
down with an address in Bangalore - and then traced and located
Singapore where he is coaching the Singapore Hockey team. Jude Felix's
father is one Stephan who never played any hockey. Jude Felix neither
recognized or recalled about any Jude Thomas in his family.
This is sad and disappointing. I was almost certain we had clinched it
when Jude Felix was tracked down to a Bangalore address. Veru very
sad.
Well, let's keep up the effort any way. Who knows we mat strike gold
at some other quarters!
With regard,
Maxie

100314, from Maxie in Delhi to Arun

Dear Arun and Chand,
How are you?
Saw a missed call from you Arun, on my mobile yesterday. Sorry it was on silent mode then because I was on stage performing - at one of our Capital City Minstrels 'do'....
I myself had tried calling you on my vonage a couple of times, once even left a voice mail. Was hoping to catch you this weekend, but find for some reason my vonage is not functioning at the moment. Hope it will set itself right before long. I have no clue how this contraption works or is configured!
So how've u guys been?
It is eight days today since my return to India after the long stint abroad in the US and in the UK - the time abroad spent so wonderfully and delightfully with the children and my grandson (...not forgetting the brief but very satisfying interludes with friends like you in between), that the empty walls around me back here now never cease to be a pain and constant reminders of the physical distance between me and my loved ones.
Still, the last eight days feel like eight weeks already, for reasons of pace and quantum of activity they claimed and swallowed - partly because of the mountain of personal work that's piled up, some musical activity too, and partly also because I got roped in for an advisorial role on security matters for the IPL-3 season of cricket.
I am not sure how much you are hooked on cricket to know about IPL (Indian Premier League) which as u know has become the world's greatest fun and sporting event today; perhaps because it threatens all other major Games and sporting events in the world for its money-spinning potential. The IPL's 3rd season is currently on, and straight after my return to the country I have got dragged into its affairs as the chief police coordinator for Delhi where most of the IPL matches are scheduled.
Thanks to Harry, I see some progress in bits and pieces in the matter of tracking down and tracing our missing classmates, which is good. Harry called me too regarding Jude Thomas - perhaps you mentioned to him about the cue I mentioned to you - that I may be able to tracfk down Jude's brother through the Indian Hockey Federation?
Well, I have tried at the IHF headquarters at Patel Nagar here in Delhi, but was shocked to find in what shambles and sorry state it is in. No records of any kind, though there is a website, and even a wikipedia account on the IHF - all of which I have accessed and scanned for information. Contacted on telephone or on email almost every name found on the websites - none of who have been able to shed any light. One of the erstwhile Vice-Presidents of IHF from Bangalore even told me IHF does not exist any more, it is defunct since KPS Gill was removed as its President, and now some other Hockey body has been formed. Something like this must have happened, for Delhi hosted this year's Hockey World Cup which concluded yesterday with Australia beating Germany in the finals. I have detailed one of my former officers specifically to snoop around and to follow up on this. Even so, I am not sure of how much help the new body would be in tracking down Jude's brother, I will keep at it though!
That's it for now...
With warm regards to you both,
maxie

Don’t shoot the messenger

.....I received this one as a forward in the email circuit from one of my friends. Contrary to the author's fears at the prospect of having to brace himself for a volley of abuse, it is bouquettes that I post here to compliment his candour and articulation of everything that every sane Indian wants to say --- has and holds in his mind, disgustingly and frustratingly critical of our so transparent shortcomings....
Kudos to Irfan Hussain for this piece of his in Pakistan's 'Dawn" newspaper...
Maxwell

Don't shoot the messenger
By Irfan Husain

Every now and then, I get an email from one irate Indian reader or another, demanding to know why Jawed Naqvi, Dawn's erudite and irreverent New Delhi correspondent, is so critical of India. Invariably, I reply that they should ask Jawed about his views. I also point out that just as I am often critical about Pakistan, he has every right to point out his country's shortcomings.
I suspect what upsets these readers is that an Indian should be voicing critical comments about his country in a foreign newspaper. I was subjected to similar censure from expatriate Pakistanis when I wrote for a Gulf daily. Finally, the editor told me politely that my criticism of Musharraf was incompatible with his paper's policy, and that was the end of the (small) trickle of Dubai dirhams.
The reality is that we are all touchy about seeing our dirty linen washed in public, but somehow, Indians seem super-sensitive to any hint of criticism. While there are many dissenting voices that question Indian claims to having reached Nirvana, they do not find much space in the mainstream media. Although Indian journalists do excellent work in digging up scams and scandals, they do not often question the broad consensus underpinning the 'India shining' image the media, politicians and big business work so hard at projecting.
I spent the other evening at the Karachi Boat Club in the company of a European who has spent a long time in the region, and knows South Asia well, having lived in Pakistan and India for several years. When I asked him how it felt to be back in Pakistan after being away for a few years in New Delhi, his answer came as a surprise. As we have known each other for fifteen years, he had no need to be polite: "It feels great to be back," he replied. "You have no idea how difficult day-to-day life is in New Delhi. Apart from the awful traffic, the pollution, and the expense, you have to put up with the prickliness of most Indians you meet. They are touchy to the point of paranoia. There is a lot of very aggressive poverty in the air. And when the New Delhi airport opens, we'll have to brace ourselves for yet another self-congratulatory blast. What is truly shocking is how little the well-off Indians care about the poor.
Here in Pakistan, people are so much more laid back. Karachi's traffic flows much faster, and I don't sense the same kind of anger. While I'm sure there must be slums, I do not see the same level of abject poverty that is ever-present in India. And of course, the food is much better here.
I suspect this last observation will provoke more ire among my Indian readers than anything else my friend said. The truth is that meat dishes cooked in Pakistan are better than in India, although vegetables there are far tastier than ours. However, this article is not about scoring points, but about the different ways in which we react to criticism. It is also about the myth and the reality underlying the Indian success story.
And before my inbox is flooded with angry emails from across the border and the Indian diaspora, let me say that I am delighted at the huge strides our neighbour has made over the last decade or so. From cricket to technology, the progress has been little short of spectacular. I was thrilled to learn of the discovery of water on the moon by an Indian space mission.
So clearly, Indians have much to be proud of. Nevertheless, there is a dark side to this progress, and one that is ignored by those who react angrily to any criticism. In a recent article reflecting on his recently concluded six-year stint as the Guardian correspondent in India, Randeep Ramesh writes: "Whether I was visiting a rural police station where half-naked men were hung from the ceiling during an interrogation, or talking to the parents of a baby bulldozed to death during a slum clearance, the romance of India's idealism was undone by its awful daily reality. The venality, mediocrity and indiscipline of its ruling class would be comical but for the fact that politicians appeared incapable of doing anything for the 836 million people who live on 25 pence [33 Pakistani rupees] a day.
"… India is perhaps the most unequal country on the planet, with a tiny elite engorged on the best education, biggest landholdings, and largest incomes. Those born on the bottom rungs of the social hierarchy suffer a legacy of caste bigotry, rural servitude and class discrimination…"
Many of these painful observations apply to Pakistan as well, but by and large, we accept these flaws, and do not react angrily when a foreigner points them out.
The current issue of The Economist carries a searing cover story about the shameful phenomenon of millions of aborted female foetuses, mainly in China and India. This has caused the male-female ratio to be skewed to an alarming extent. The number of male babies in India is now around 108 for 100 girls, raising the possibility of serious social consequences.
Indian civil society is acutely aware of these grave social issues, and many of its members have long been demanding change. However, their voices are often drowned out by the chorus of those shouting 'India shining'. Many activists have distinguished themselves by their heroic advocacy of the downtrodden, but it is the success stories of dotcom entrepreneurs that are in the spotlight.
India's soft power is a potent instrument of projecting the country's image abroad. Its brilliant software engineers, its talented scientists, its outstanding cricketers, and its artists are all wonderful ambassadors for India. Bollywood and India's appeal to millions of tourists have put the country firmly on the map as a highly desirable destination.
All in all, as I said earlier, Indians have much to be proud of. But by focusing only on their country's achievements, the danger is that they will lose sight of the huge problems that still exist. Friends who point out these failings do not do so out of a sense of malice, but out of concern.
However, as I brace myself for a volley of abuse, I fear that it's often easier to shoot the messenger than to undertake the hard work needed to address the problems.

ICE

We all carry our mobile phones with names & numbers stored in its memory but nobody, other than ourselves, knows which of these numbers belong to our closest family or friends.

If we were to be involved in an accident or were taken ill, the people attending us would have our mobile phone but wouldn't know who to call. Yes, there are hundreds of numbers stored but which one is the contact person in case of an emergency? Hence this 'ICE' (In Case of Emergency) Campaign

The concept of 'ICE' is catching on quickly. It is a method of contact during emergency situations. As cell phones are carried by the majority of the population, all you need to do is store the number of a contact person or persons who should be contacted during emergency under the name 'ICE' ( In Case Of Emergency)..

The idea was thought up by a paramedic who found that when he went to the scenes of accidents, there were always mobile phones with patients, but they didn't know which number to call. He therefore thought that it would be a good idea if there was a nationally recognized name for this purpose. In an emergency situation, Emergency Service personnel and hospital Staff would be able to quickly contact the right person by simply dialing the number you have stored as 'ICE..'

For more than one contact name simply enter ICE1, ICE2 and ICE3 etc. A great idea that will make a difference!

Let's spread the concept of ICE by storing an ICE number in our Mobile Phones today!!!

You may like to share this with as many of your near and the dear whose welfare and concerns are important to you. It won't take too many 'forwards' before everybody will know about this. It really could save your life, or put a loved one's mind at rest. ICE will speak for you when you are not able to....

20100311: Arun to All: grand reunion

Dear Friends

Just spoke to Harry and guess what!, .....He has managed to trace Lionel Vasanth Kumar and I believe he is in Bombay and Harry, our chairman has had a chat with him and our Mumbai ambassador Pedro will send all the correspondence to date and the blog address to Lionel.

Rabindranath Kini has arrived in Mangalore and Norman J is expected on the 17th. and Harry will call for a meeting during his visit. and I am pleased that things are moving fast and boy am I excited ! .and through Rex he is trying to trace Jude Thomas(his older brother was the Indian Hockey captain and if you have any connection with the IHF we could trace him too) I am sure Maxie with his Delhi connections might help..

Sudhir Rao, I've been told is in Bangalore hope we can find him, once we do we can trace Vasanth Kamath too. Great that Norman J will meet

Archie's family (thank you Norman)

.

A Big thank you to Harry and the committee.

love to all

Arun

20100309: Peter with coordinates for Lionel Vasant Kumar!!!

From: Peter L. Fernandes to Harry, Maxie & Arun
Date: 8 March 2010 23:59
Subject: Contact details of newly-found Vasanth.

Dear Harry,

In response to your call this evening, I had a long chat with Lionel Vasanth Kumar residing in Goregaon, Mumbai.

His contact details are as follows:

E-mail address : elfahoist@indiatimes.com;

also lvamanna@hotmail.com;

Phone Nos. : 9820332656 and 25821050.

which may please be incorporated in our records.

Regards,

Peter

Straight from the Heart

STRAIGHT FROM MY HEART

I would never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful life, my loving family for less gray hair or a flatter belly. As I've aged, I've become kinder to myself, and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend. I don't chide myself for eating that extra cookie, or for not making my bed. I am entitled to a treat,
to be messy, to be extravagant.

I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon; before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging.

Whose business is it if I choose to read or play on the computer until 4 AM and sleep until noon? I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 50's, 60's &70's, and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love ... I will.

I will walk the beach in shorts that is stretched over a bulging body, and will dive into the waves with abandon if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the jet set. They, too, will one day get old.

I know I am sometimes forgetful. But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten. And I eventually remember the important things.

I know some times I drop or break things, mess up matters that cause concern, lose patience and flare up - despite my best effort not to do so, to be careful to not let myself be out of control.... On occasions such as these when I upset my children or others around me, I have no hesitation to tell them, "...tomorrow is not going to be better. Each new day in my life will find me sliding down the scale,.... expect my faculties and my control to be worse than they were today...."

Sure, over the years my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even when somebody's beloved pet gets hit by a car? But broken hearts are what give us strength and understanding and compassion. A heart never broken is pristine and sterile and will never know the joy of being imperfect.

I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turning grey, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face.

So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver.

As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what other people think. I don't question myself anymore.
I've even earned the right to be wrong.

I like being old. I do not dye my hair. It has set me free. I like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be. And I shall eat dessert every single day(if I feel like it).

MAY OUR FRIENDSHIP NEVER COME APART - ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S STRAIGHT FROM THE HEART !!

20100306: Norman J Lobo's proposed visit to Mangalore.... his letter "To: the Class of SAC"

20100306: Norman J Lobo's proposed visit to Mangalore....

Dear Harry,

I'm planning to visit mangalore for 4/5 days.
I want to meet all my batch mates(including you) presently residing in mangalore. Could you please give me a list of names, address, telephone numbers.
I am trying to get archibold pereira's wife contact details.

Thanks.
Norman.

20100304: Hacker problem remedied !

Dear classmates of SACsslc1960...

I'm afraid, with regret I have had to withdraw the facility extended to y'all - of posting directly into our common Blog. I was constrained to do this by changing the password and the direct access email address earlier shared with you.

It is embarrassing for me to share with you the reason why - but our blog was hacked into to post unsavoury crminal messages with intent to con people into parting with their money.

Unfortunately one of you has compromised our Blog by inadvertantly sharing the email address with unauthorised persons - the knowledge of which has enabled access to our blog to criminal scamsters (mainly from Nigeria) to post their famous messages of sob-stories with financial demands - very often convincing enough to con the recipients and gullible Readers of these messages into parting with their money.

This could have also happened when the blog direct access email address was included by any or one of you while sharing with multiple email addresses of the Group your email messages addressed to one or more individual members in an open email.

I will not say more for reasons it may confuse your minds and compicate matters further.

No harm done though - I have now remedied the damage done:
i) by immediately changing the password for access into the blog;
ii) by also changing the direct access email address;
iii) by changing the stettings so no dirct post by a possible hacker, or by anyone for that matter, can get published right away - but instead, gets saved and hidden in the background for editing by me (as the administrator of the blog) before it appears on the blog for viewing as a published post; and finally,
iv) by cleaning up the Blog of all the hacked-in unsavoury messages and deleting them.

As I specified, no harm done!
You can continue to enjoy the Blog by accessing it at http://sacclassof1960.blogspot.com/ as before - the only change being that you will not be posting on the blog anything directly now, but only through me. It will entail a little more work for me to archive all your messages that are marked to me too, and such others as you may specifically desire to appear on the blog.... but then, that's my headache...

For those of you interested in posting on the blog diectly, and would individually indicate to me your wish, I will share with you the new direct posting email address once I am back in India - ONLY on telephone though, and ONLY after thoroughly briefing you on matters of email etiquette AND internet protocol to be observed - and most importantly, on how NOT to be a victim of scams.

On a personal note, I leave for India today and should arrive in Delhi tomorrow - Saturday morning.

Cheers,
Maxie