Alumni Managing Committee

81er Rajiv Bhatia is the son of 54er Pushpa Bhatia. Pushpa is the elder sister of our much revered 56er Kirtee Dongersee, who passed away tragically at the Nariman Point corner in a scooter accident in 1957, the very last of of the First Term.

I remember, vividly, the shock that went through the entire school when we learnt of this tragedy.

Many of us who knew him, openly wept.

All of us cricket fans will always remember Kirtee, whose magic fingers spun our school into many victories.

I reproduce above the contribution by 56er HS Uberoi (Ubi), a clasmate of Kirtee, which was published two months ago in the Class Directory of the 56ers released at their 50th Reunion.

Address on behalf of the
Managing Committee of the Cathedral
School Alumni Association by
Committee Member Rajiv Bhatia (B’81)
made at the Middle School on
Founders Day November 14th, 2006

Friends

Good morning to all of you and a promise that I will make this brief. My name is Rajiv Bhatia and I belong to the class of 1981(ICSE). Barham continues to flow in my blood and am a serving member of the alumni association committee at present.

As you will see on my left, affixed on the wall is a detailed tabulation of the draft financial model being developed to take us to our 150th year, which is not so far away. We hope to move from financial fragility to strength, create efficiencies and resulting value to the school & students, delineated members of society, and alumni association members. This is to include staff of the school who may suffer the tribulations of their years of retirement.

Hand outs are available at on the desk on my left. We look forward to your feedback and participation based on the 3 page handout, which contents are similar to what is stated on the chart, but in greater detail. The first page raises a few questions, provides a brief analysis and some definitions as to the way forward. The second explains the financial model being developed to raise and utilize/disburse funds. The third states the objectives of the alumni association as filed with compliance authorities.

Some of the key things required to be done for greater effectiveness of the alumni association, not necessarily in that order of priority:

1. The development of a value proposition in consultation with school authorities, with a view to enhance rapport and activities for the benefit of the school & students.


2. Structured Fund raising and disbursement/ utilization.


3. An Admin Helpdesk as an efficient facilitator and coordinator.


4. An efficient committee facilitated by web/online information storage, dissemination and interaction.


5. A willing, participative, enthusiastic, well coordinated and committed alumni body,facilitated by strong class leadership.

We look forward to your valued feedback and participation as indicated in the handout.

In closure, this year my class of 1981 will celebrate its 25th year reunion, my Uncle the late Kirti Doongursee’s class is celebrating its 50th year reunion.

Considering all of what I have just said and with a desire to put my money where my mouth is and efforts are, on my part I find it appropriate to commit the sum of Rs. 100 thousand to the corpus of the alumni association.

Thank you for your attention and best wishes to all of you on this 146th founder’s day.

Rajiv Bhatia (B’81)

May I use this BLOG to connect some dots?

Could 57er Budni (Behram Badhniwalla) please contact Rajiv with his Medical Fund Idea so that we have something substantial happening under a co-ordinated banner.

I, personally, think Budni's idea for many of our alumni is brilliant. What better banner than our alumni association to help Budni realise his goals.

And Budni certainly will remember Kirtee, as we all from that era do!