Media Release

Mangaluru, Jan 5: "Time endures but cannot fade the memories that school friends have made."

Last week of December saw 43 classmates with 17 spouses make the trip to Mangaluru to remember, reminisce and re-ignite the bonds they had created in school 50 years ago in the classrooms, on the playground, in the canteen and on the streets and by lanes of Mangaluru. This was a promise they had made five years ago in December 2019, when they had over a 3-day event, celebrated completion of 45 years since they bid goodbye to their Alma Mater St Aloysius High School in 1974.

Classmates gathered in the school campus and had scrumptious refreshments catered by Taj Mahal Café December 28 2024.

Anil Noronha started the proceedings by welcoming the headmaster Fr Johnson Pinto SJ & fellow classmates and expressing how wonderful it was to meet again. Many had travelled from Canada, US & UK just to meet their classmates.

The school anthem (shaalageethe) ‘Bhuvanava salahuva karunanidhi’ (composed by our beloved teacher the late S Aithal) was sung by all gathered. A minute’s silence was observed as a tribute to teachers & classmates who had left for their heavenly abode.

Clarence Pereira then took over by giving a presentation on the ‘class of 1974 solar project’ the classmates had sponsored at the school after their 45th reunion in the year 2019. He gave a brief summary of the funds collected. After accounting for Rs 14.78 lacs towards the cost of the solar project there was a surplus of Rs 1.90 lacs. Between September 2020 & November 2024 the solar plant generated 1.70 lac units of power resulting in energy savings of Rs 4.57 lacs.

With the surplus funds it was decided to set-up a ‘class of 1974 meritorious student scholarship” with an objective to fully cover tuition fees, uniforms, books & shoes of two meritorious English medium students from std VIII, IX & X, respectively. There was immense pride among classmates that they were able to give back to the school albeit in a small way. Generous classmates have since donated an additional Rs 3.52 lacs & together with interest accrued the balance so far is Rs 5.74 lacs.

To commemorate the class of 1974: 50 years reunion, it was decided to award the scholarship for the academic year 2024-2025 to two meritorious students from class VIII Roshni N H & Aniya Jessica Madtha, and each of them were presented a cheque for Rs 25,600. The cheques were handed over by Kevin Saldanha & Vijay Rao the school toppers of the 1974 batch.

Fr Johnson Pinto addressed the gathering showing his appreciation for the generosity of class of 1974. He briefly explained the methodology of selecting the students by first short-listing about 20 students, then bringing it down to 5 & finally after personal interview 2 deserving students had been recommended for the scholarship. The students mothers too were present at this function. A shawl & memento were given to the head master by Lester D’Souza & Ashok Rao.

After a session of group photographs, classmates and their spouses, headmaster Fr Johnson Pinto, the two class of 1974 meritorious student scholarship awardees along with their mothers sauntered down the hill and reached Hotel AJ Grand where they were treated to a sumptuous lunch. Conrad Mascarenhas & his team joined by Niranjan Beliappa & Prathiba Nayak treated the gathering to good foot tapping music.

When twilight changed to nightfall the dashing men with their partners headed to the Village Restaurant to mingle and take part in a fun-filled dinner. Classmates and their spouses enjoyed each other’s company and the camaraderie was both endearing and heartfelt. Vinitha Shenoy organized a fun game of musical chairs while Francis Fernandes regaled the gathering to retro music.

The class of 1974: 50 years reunion party continued with dinner at the Mangalore Club on December 29. The band Ecstasy led by Conrad Mascarenhas enthralled the gathering with captivating music. Music and dancing continued till midnight. Classmates shared various anecdotes of their time in school which were very hilarious and had every one in splits.

The reunion was planned & executed to perfection due to the effort of the classmates who contributed with ideas, participation & donations which came about voluntarily. Plans were made to meet again; numbers and addresses were exchanged and with wrenching goodbyes they bid farewell to each other.