Hindu Astrology - Author: Dr. Anthony Stone

This blog entry is in two parts, the first on the book "Hindu Astrology" by my late friend Dr. Anthony Stone (Tony) and the second part of the blog is the inauguration of the Ram Mandir Temple in Ayodhya by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 22nd January 2024.

The first part is being cross-posted on all my major blogs while the second part is only being posted on my main blog - Jacob’s Blog.

Late Dr. Anthony Stone

Tony was my teacher of Mathematics in St. Stephen’s College, Delhi, and my good friend. His book on Hindu astrology is to be shortly released as a paperback and I wanted to give you a look into the facts behind Indophile, Tony, and our relationship pre the release oif the paperback edition.

I was sent the details of this book by the publisher, another dear friend and alumni of St. Stephen’s College, Professor Prabhu Guptara.  

Tony was the teacher of Mathematics in St. Stephen’s College in 1962-63, my final year. He took over the duties of Principal S. C. Sircar in the Mathematics Department and joined Professors S.R. Nagpaul, S. B. Mathur,  and Ranjit Bhatia (Rhodes Scholar and of Indian Olympic fame) in the college Mathematics Department.

I lost touch with Tony till he turned up on my Kooler Talk Blog in the late 1990s. We established a close  relationship. When his wife Bertha was hospitalised and he had a short holiday in 2000, as he was then caring for Bertha, he decided to visit Annikki and me in Oulu, Finland. He stayed with us for a week and we had wonderful reunion, and discussed many of his projects.

He was well versed in Indian culture and he was working on a few projects, one of which was Hindu Astrology.

He was also working on a special area of mathematical research which coincided with the interest of a Cathedral and John Connon School, Mumbai, friend of mine, Bhupinder Singh Anand (Bhupi).

Bhupi was a couple of years senior to me but stayed on in School to do the 12th standard HSC qualification. He was also from Savage House and in our final year, he was the Head Boy of the school while I was the Savage House Captain.  

Bhupi, the School Captain is sitting third from the left, while I am sitting second from the right.

I did keep in touch with Bhupi as he joined my “Seventh Heaven” Cathedralite Heaven Google Group although he was not technically a 59er. I had great respect for dear Bhupi as he was a sincere individual and a true Cathedralite.

The publisher of this book on Hindu astrology is Professor. Prabhu Guptara, from St. Stephen’s College, junior to me but also a good friend now living in Cambridge in the UK.

Prabhu had done an chapter in the book "Malayali Diaspora" several years ago about the oldest Malayali in Continental Europe (not the UK), which was about me. 

Frank Raj was the editor of "The International Indian till 2017".

Frank Raj (Picture from LinkedIn)

This was later published in his magazine with pictures of us and our family in the Dubai publication “The Indian International” edited by Frank Raj.

In 2014, when for several reason, I was stranded in New Delhi, which is explained in Annikki and my book “The Titanic Called India”, Prabhu put me in touch with Ivan and Silvia Kostka.

Ivan and Dr.Silvia Kostka (Picture from LinkedIN)

I had the pleasure of dining with them and a couple of friends. Just a couple of months after they were harassed by the Hindutava faction because they were practicing Christians devoting their their life to uplifting the OBC Community. They were raided by the Delhi Police in October 2014 for supposedly saying derogatory statements about Goddess Durga. Their publication FORWARD Press was being targeted by the Hindutava faction of Narendra Modi’s BJP/RSS wing claiming that Ivan and Silvia were converting Indians to Christianity.

Here I must make a point that I went to Christian schools in Mysore, Bangalore and Mumbai. In my class in Mumbai we were just 4 Christian’s while the rest of the students were Hindus, Jews, Muslims Parsi, Sindhis and Sikhs, from all parts of the world, not just India. I did not even know or even care, what religion the students in my class were.

60 years later, I am still the fulcrum of keeping the surviving classmates together and there is not one single student who has changed his/her religion. They all subscribe too a secular education which has broadened their attitude to life and there is no discrimination on any grounds whatsoever. 

Christians lead by example of the two principles laid down by Christ. . 

There is only one God (different names: Jehovah, Allah, Brahma). Secondly, we must love our neighbour as ourselves. 

All the other laws are man-made derivatives of these two fundamental principles.

Thefollowing year, I had the good fortune to get an email from Silvia (a noted plastic surgeon) that she and Ivan were likely to transit through Helsinki and they were likely to be delayed in their return trip to India. She was interested in meeting up with me.

I did offer to put them up in one of the apartments that Annikki and I had in Helsinki during their stay but we lost contact after that.

Ivan was the Founding Editor of FORWARD Press and it was likely to be shut down by the intolerant society which had spread its wings under Narendra Modi. Silvia had told me then that the last edition of FORWARD Press was likely to be in March of that year (2015).

However, FORWARD Press has survived and is thriving even today under Anil Varghese who is the current editor-in-chief.

So that is my personal background to the book on Hindu Astrology penned by Tony.

Until a few years ago, interest in astrology was widespread - but thin. 

Now the astrology market is growing by leaps and bounds.

In the US, over the four years to 2019, revenue from the top 10 astrology apps market saw an astonishing  compound growth rate of 72.8 percent per year! In India, ten astrology firms in 2021 raised INR 1300  million -300% the combined amount raised by ALL such start-ups over the previous five years!!

No figures for the UK are available, but here is a BBC report:

 https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20210205-why-astrology-is-so-popular-now

Into this burgeoning international demand, Prabhu Guptara’s “Pippa Rann Books” imprint is publishing the paperback version of Tony’s book, Hindu Astrology.

The hardback came out some decades ago, but only in India.

The author, late Tony, was an Oxford PhD in Mathematics who went as a university teacher to India, where he was so intrigued at finding most highly-educated people allowing their lives to be ruled by astrology that he learned Sanskrit for the specific purpose of reading the texts in the original language, and writing an adequate history of Indian astrology as well as evaluation of it. 

Brief information on the book is attached below, in form of the full cover the book.

But of course the field is highly contested!  

The honourable Supreme Court of India proclaimed in 2004 that astrology is a SCIENCE.

On the other hand, Madhavankutty Pillai argued in OPEN magazine (2011) that astrology is a HOAX - 

openthemagazine.com/features/living/the-scientific-case-against-astrology/

In a 2018 article in The Guardian, “I was an astrologer”, Felicity Carter concludes that astrology is a form of ENTERTAINMENT.

And here is a recent article arguing that astrology is a SCAM: Digital ‘Vedic Astrology’: The $40 Billion Scam | Madras Courier

Naturally not with reference to the articles mentioned immediately above but, in general, Tony concludes: “…it is a pity that many critics of astrology argue at a very superficial level. My purpose in this book is to shed some genuine light on the subject.  I hope the book will stimulate serious discussion about astrology.”

Do we need to start more knowledgeable debates and discussions on astrology?

Read the book and come to your own conclusions.

Outstanding Alumni: Prof. Ajeet Mathur

In a new series, parallel to "Guest Blogging by Alumni", I have started a new feature which will highlight many of our alumni who have acheived their mark not only in Indian but international spheres.

As a first in this series I have chosen a good friend who has a shared alumni with me both in Cathedral and John Connon School, Mumbai, and also in St.Stephen's College in Delhi University.

Considerably younger to me, our paths crossed when he came to Finland in 1993. We struck up  a friendship  which has grown stronger over the last 26 years. 

You can read his detailed biodata and his huge list of publications, research areas, teaching experience and the numerous awards he has been given on his Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, website. Prof. Ajeet Narain Mathur

.

We have worked together on several projects, even writing a joint paper many years ago. In many of his writings he has acknwledged the contributions of both Annikki and myself in shaping some of his ideas. 

In his most recent book, he has given us a great compliment by referencing one of our major writings "Handbook for Survival in Finland" first published in 1994 and updated in 2014. It was the 1994 edition of our book that helped Ajeet to settle down in Finland.

We were especially happy when he wrote a short acknowledgement when he handed over a personal copy of his book for us.

Although this book covers the business opportunities between the two countries, Finland and India, it is much more than that in that his in depth coverage of the socio-economic conditions, political background and the pros and cons in both countries is much better than many other books that I have had the chance to read.

An excellent feature is the listing of the top 500 companies in both Finland and India. A study of these is most revealing in that it shows the typical differences in the structure of these countries.

Those who know Finland will understand why it is among the top countries in the world in several fields as Innovation, Quality of Life, Happiness, Education, Freedom of Speech, Environment, to name just st a few. 

Taken against our last book "The Titanic Calied India" published after our last visit to India in 2014, the stark contrast between these two countries is obvious.

 

When Ajeet was living in Finland, we had regular alumni get-togethers, which were always 100% attendance as we were were then the only two in Finland. :-)

If you are interested in picking up Ajeet's book about Finland and India you can go to these links in either UK or in the US.

Amazon UK Link for "Finland-India Business Opportunities"

Amazon US Link for "Finland-India Business Opportunities"

For your help here are a few reviews of the book which I found:

“ Due to his long and rich experience of working with Finnish and Indian companies and passionate research at IIM Ahmedabad in India , Aalto University, Helsinki and University of Tampere in Finland, Professor Mathur has a very deep knowledge of how to do business in both countries. I think that every company leader who considers starting Finnish-Indian business should read this new book. This valuable new book will help companies entering new markets to flourish by building robust sustainable business relations.”

- Päivi Leiwo, Chairperson Oilon Oy, Lahti, Finland

“This book is a treasure trove of knowledge explaining the business opportunities, policies, cultures, institutions, country trajectories and nuances pertaining to Finland and India. The author has worked in business, government and academia in India and abroad. He has also had a long association with Finland and is able to bring you an insider’s perspective of both countries”

- Ashok Sharma, Ambassador of India

“The author’s deep insider experience in the two countries enables him to make very sharp observations on both sides. This book will definitely help in understanding the cultural differences and in making all interactions and communications smoother. It is also very interesting and helpful to read about the differences in legal structures and where these differences originate from.”

- Iiro Rossi, Managing Director, Holiday Club Resorts, Helsinki

“This book is a delightful and important guide for those who want to do business between Finland and India. It brings you the numerous business opportunities which wait to be availed, and highlights the deep understanding of the author of the culture and institutional environment of both countries. Read this book, learn and be surprised!”

- Niina Nummela, Vice Dean, Professor of International Business, Turku School of Economics, University of Turku, Finland

“This book is a reflection of Ajeet’s penchant for deep research on a topic and ability to structure and articulate content. This will be extremely helpful to both academia and practitioners who want to develop Indo-Finnish business relations specifically and international business in general. Sonata is currently engaged with business in Finland”

- Srikar Reddy, Managing Director, Sonata Software Limited, Bangalore

From the two of us, Annikki and myself, we can certainly say that is one of the best books that has come over our table during the last few years, and it is even more of great honour that it has been written by one of our alumni. 

Thanks and well done Ajeet.

And now there are two again

For many years, from the mid 90s, there were two Cathedralites in Finland, Prof. Ajeet Mathur and myself. Ajeet lived in Tampere, and me in Oulu (from 1984).

We used to hold reunions at my home whenever Ajeet had felt the need for some company or needed Annikki or my advice on something. (We authored a paper on E-Governance together and I read most of his papers before publication as a critique.)

Ajeet left a few years ago and is now a Professor at the Indian Institute of Management in Ahmedabad.

That left me as the sole Cathedralite on Finland.

After my retirement, I have been running a small service apartment business with apartments in Oulu, Tampere, Espoo and Helsinki.

Oulu is where I live and is a high tech city. Tampere is the industrial hub of Finland in Central South Finland. Helsinki, in South Finland, is the capital city and adjacent to the county of Espoo, which is also famed for higher engineering as it is the home of Otaniemi, the Technical University of Espoo.

The service apartment business is a sort of social service cum hobby. The main clientele are young engineers from various Indian MNCs as Wipro, TCS, Aricent, NSN Bangalore, Hughes Systique and many others.

Recently, I had a request from two engineers from a company I did not recognise. I was able to place them in separate shared apartments in Edpoo.

On my visit to Edpoo, after a hectic schedule, I found my way to the apartment block where I had placed thes guys. It must have been past 10 pm when I reached there.

I found both of them in one of the apartments as they had been dining together. Introductions over, as is customary for me, I pry! Both of them were from Mumbai. "Which school?" I asked, and Ashwin promptly came back with the answer - Carhedral!

I could not believe my ears. Another Cathedralite in Finland. Our Alumni Association was back in buiness.

For the next couple of hours we shared many a topic and I was able to show Ashwin and friends what Cathedral School had meant to me, my association with the school, our fabulous 59er Mother of all Reunions, and much more.

Ashwin has only passed out in 2003, so he probably could not quite fathom how we had kept our spirit so alive. I think he will learn as the yesrs go on.

I have visited Espoo a couple of times siince and made it a point to visit him. He has now moved to his own apartment. I will try to meet up with him on future visits to ensure that our Finnish Alumni Section is kept active.

Great to have you in Finland - Ashwin.

Yezad in Finland

About a week ago, on  hectic day in Oulu, I was all over the place. My phone was on silent or discreet because of meeting after meeting. (Please do remember that my phone number has changed. The new number is + 358 44 9361387)

Yezad, Rati, Ruki and Jero

We had some visitors, but as neither Annikki nor I were at home, so we did not know that they had been. They left a note in our mailbox which, because I was tied up till midnight, I missed.

The next day, I left for Helsinki at 3:30 am.

I decided to give 49er Yezad Kapadia's daughter, Ruki, a call to find out news of the arrival of her mom and dad to Finland.

Ruki answered my call, but she was not in Helsinki, but up north, about 200 km from Oulu near the eastern frontier. She was with her two kids as well as her parents!

She explained how they had been to Oulu the day before and missed us.

I was heartbroken as I was waiting to show all of them my home town of the last 26 years.

That evening I drove back to Oulu and reached about 3 am.

But I was up at the crack of dawn, finished my office work, and took off to Vuokatti, a small holiday resort near Sotkamo and Kajaani, quite a beautiful part of Finland. (Actually, these days we do not have dawn here as it has been our season of the nightless nights!)

It was really wonderful to connect with Yezad. We had lunch together, and then spent quite a few hours chin-wagging, till I finally had to take leave around 5 pm to reach Oulu at 7 in the evening.

I was really sorry that they could not visit and stay with us at Oulu, which had been the original plan.

Annikki and I will go Helsinki on the 9th of August and meet up with them at Ruki's place for dinner on the 11th night.

Yes, it will be Cathedralite Reunion! A 49er and a 59er! Any 69ers likely to join us? Barbara, game?

We talked a lot about our alma mater. The fact that Yezad is 10 years my senior just did not matter as we have so much in common to talk about.

I do wish more of you will make it to this lovely country!

SH-Issue 010202 - 010228

Dear 59ers and Other Cathedralites,

What a hectic month.

Sadly, Annikki's father passed away on 9th February, so we were busy making all the arrangements for the funeral and memorial service. I lost a substitute father who was a wonderful man. You can read about this unusual individual in our main ezine.

I had a letter from Staff Member Willie Shri who complained that he could not see the face behind the beard in our photograph which went up with the last issue. So I am putting up what may be one of the last photographs taken of me without a beard.

Portrait of me by Annikki (beardless)

Jacob without a beard!!
(Ed: I was accused of cradle snatching when we got married! Got way with a great sentence of life imprisonment to the baby.)

Annikki and Jacob 1967, Shrewsbury, England

Willie has also sent me a nice picture of himself with his lovely wife, Pushpa and equally lovely his daughter, taken by a 59er, Hasnain Chinwalla.

Willie, Pushpa and one of their daughters (Kiron?, Nina?)

Here is the content of Willie's latest letter which corrects me about our Geography teacher's name. Now it flashes back - Zavala!! How could I forget that name. Only a Zavala with Peruvian Indian fury could charge me full pelt waving his hockey stick in the air in the staff vs school hockey matches?

From: "William & Pushpa Shiri"
Subject: varied
Date: Tue, 27 Feb 2001 23:21:55 -0500

Dear Jacob,

I feel guilty that I haven't responded to you after all the messages we have been receiving. I really don't know how you manage keeping in touch with so many all the time ! What a magnificent job you do, holding all of us together!

When I read all the familiar names of my past students, I have a great urge to get in touch with them, I try spotting them in a couple of old photographs I have. I perhaps could, if it is o k with you, send a message to all in your Seventh Heaven. (Ed: The feeling is one which should be curbed. With a motley collection of photographs of some goblydook guys and gals haunting your house - you will be having nightmares every morning.)

Incidentally, here are some names that will fill in the blanks re Staff photo:

The Peruvian geography teacher: Alberto Zavala
Some first names: Rider Salmon, John Billington, Arthur Morecroft.

Pushpa was a Class 2 teacher in the Junior School 1955-62. Became a peripatetic music teacher in England, visiting three different schools. Remained so in Montreal for a few years, then switched to class-room teaching.

I was curious to know what you looked like. In that picture of two days ago, behind that thick white beard and moustache, I can faintly recognize the old familiar face. Have you grown a pigtail of sorts? (Ed: I called a line at pigtails - I am not quite Charlesian but more Darwinian.) Annikki (did I spell it right?) is nice looking, like I had imagined (Ed: There cannot be a more beautiful person in this universe).

I met Nusly Pocha (' 60) when he visited me here last year. Do you know, it was only when I spotted him in an old Wilson House picture just the other day that I really remembered him! Nusly sent me a ' 60 reunion photo taken last year and the only one I could spot was a Hirjikaka (who, strangely, hadn't changed a bit). and some faintly, after checking their names. Most I did not.

Fond regards to you both.

Willie

It has been such a hectic month. I established contact with two more 59ers.

From: Peter Miovic
Subject: Re: Fw: Wish to contact Peter
Date: Fri, 23 Feb 2001 08:57:34 -0500

Hi Jacob,

I am alive even if my dellnet.com address is dead. I enjoyed looking at your web-site and am impressed by the energy you are putting into the "search for cathedralites" effort. I hope to get around soon to updating you on what I've been up to this past (almost) half century.

I don't think I ever knew John Beddow, although I had heard of him. Maybe he was gone by late 1958, early 1959 which is roughly when I began to feel comfortable enough in English to reach out and meet people. I knew Bobby and Billy Anderson (mainly through Patty), but they too had gone off to boarding schools by 1958/59, so I only met them a couple of times when they were back in Bombay for vacations. I believe that Bill, who was several years older than we were, attended Miami University of Ohio, so you might get hold of him through their Alumni network. I have no idea what Bob ended up doing.

More later and thanks for your persistence. I appreciated "being found". I guess I now know that I exist.

Best,

Peter

and

From: John Beddow
Subject: RE: 59ers: Is it really you?
Date: Fri, 23 Feb 2001 16:37:09 +1100

Namaste baboo jee! you have indeed found John Beddow in Australia. Great to hear some of those old names from the distant passed. Visited Bombay (Mumbai) two years ago and the old parts of the city have not changed. Met some of the old pani wallas from breach candy and had a great time. John Vasica has Patty Andersons web number but we have not heard from either Billy or Bobby Anderson. I will send you a brief 100 pages on my life in due course,, meantime...chai biddy chai!!

John

Thanks to a Cathedralite a few years junior to us, Ranko Ivancevic, also from Yugoslavia, like Peter. He got the information from Peter's sister, and although the first mail bounced, with his perseverance, I finally got through.

Thanks to Vinay Dabholkar I got the email addresses of Bashir Currimjee and Wabhir Zayani.

From: "Vinay Dabholkar"
Subject: E mail addresses
Date: Sun, 25 Feb 2001 08:04:07 +0000 (GMT)

Dear Jacob,

Re your message about missing e mail addresses of some of the class of 59. We are sending two that we have which are on your missing list. Hope they'll be in the fold soon.

We love reading your mails. Just great to be connected.

Sorry to hear about Annikki's father. Hope the temperatures get warmer soon. (Ed: The day before the funeral was the coldest -35 C with a strong wind taking the temperature down to around -45 C. Now it is a mere -20 C.)

Don't think we can even imagine cold like that from here in Mumbai, which is really pleasant this year.

All the best to all of you !

Vinay and Sulabha Dabholkar

I thought I was lucky and I had managed to trace Bobby Anderson. But the lead I was so thrilled about was not so hot. I had a nice reply from the Pat Anderson - but it was not sister Patty. I still have the lead given me by John, so I am not giving up. Anyone know how to contact John Vasica?

Just this afternoon I had a very touching letter from 54er Sadhana Madhusadan. So you can see that I am giving you stuff hot of my iMac black ivories.

I wonder whether Sadhana knew she was writing to a Mallu. That is what we call ourselves in the wild euronorth!

For all you 54ers - I have a lovely relaxed picture of Aubrey and Pam sent to me by Aubrey.

This weeks picture of Cathedral School boxers has been provided by Aubrey to rack what remains of your brain cells.


Cathedral School Boxers 1953

No winners for our last picture identification competition. The prize of the Art Glass piece designed by the Finnish architect Alvar Aalto is being carried forward to anyone who can identify all the boxers shown below and also date the year of the picture. Only Aubrey is not permitted to enter.

From: "Sadhana Madhusudan"
To:
Subject: Setting the record straight?
Date: Wed, 28 Feb 2001 19:36:29 +0530

Dear Jacob,

Hi, after a long gap. There were a series of losses in our compound in Pune and in our family in B'lore so I was unable to keep in touch.

Pam's sudden appearance through your page and then equally unexpected exit from our midst was very unsettling. How fleeting this life is and yet we do not really feel the urgency to do things that this slight stay on earth warrants.

At least you aren't included in this bizarre laid back world of mine. You seem to be going great guns. (Ed: My work ethic is to reply my emails within 48 hours as with 300 emails a day I would be in a total mess within a week.) Maybe the land of Aurora Borealis has touched you with magic....I am truly a great procrastinator and lazy too..

I am married to a Malayali from Trivandrum Kerala. This was a very great news for my class mate Nalini Nair (Savage house, great hurdles expert) class '54. I would always refer to her casually as a 'Madraasi" (Ed: Does this ring a bell with one 59er, Mr. Viney Sethi?) Much to her chagrin. When she said she would be going to Cochin for her hols, to me it was always to "Madras". So, imagine her glee when she saw me married to a Malayali, with my "thaali" around my neck....

It's funny how things catch up

I am a Gujuyali now....(Ed: I was thinking of reserving the domain name Finnyali - but opted for Findians instead!!)

I want to add that my brother Indrajit Shah (Palmer House) was in your class. In fact he still remembers the picnic-at-Vasind incident where you almost drowned. (Ed: Not almost - I drowned!! Hi 59ers - one more to the fold. Lanky and thin Indrajit. A slightly higher pitched voice if my memory serves me right. Very friendly boy.)

And, he rues it to this day that everyone including him panicked and instead of holding on to you, swam away as you pulled at them...(Ed: I don't. I would have pulled anyone else down with me. And, I may have also been denied the most wonderful experience of my life which taught me that approaching death can be a beautiful experience if one gives oneself to his Lord and Master!)

I just read your account of what had happened.

I must inform him to log on to your page and see it for himself.

We lost my dearest Papa in 1955 and he was packed off to Ahmedabad with a younger brother Jagdeep Shah (also Palmer) So, he lost touch. There he joined St Xavier's. Later on graduated from Elphinstone College, carrying away the English Literature prize. Worked with Dunlop's India and retd (Ed: Retired at 58? Prime of ones life.) from Hyderabad a few years ago, Lives in Pune now, does some writing. Has submitted a letter to the school rag.

My other brother Randhir Shah (Ed: My elder brother's classmate. I remember Randhir very well - although did not realise he was Indrajit's brother.) graduated with best All Rounder student prize in 56. He was in Fulmala Maniar and Reema Savara's (Ed: Vickram Savara is a 59er now in USA and younger brother of Reema) class. He scored highest marks in Cambridge, went on to becoming an Engineer with Greaves Crompton. Passed away suddenly in Pune in 1989.

Some names in your student list have been mis-spelt. Gracie, will bear with me. It is Armaity Mody, Zarin Lam, Georgina Fannagan, Tutu Lahiri, Nilina Pillai... (Ed: Thanks for the corrections - I got some of the names from Catcall!!)

Incidentally, Mr Kuruvilla Jacob (Ed: My landlord of a veritable mansion) in Madras was the Headmaster of my husband's school in Madras-Christian College School.

My hubby joined the TS Dufferin as a cadet and qualified as Master Mariner with a British certificate...we used to bump into those guys at the Golwalla swimming pool at Backbay. And, we would run pell mell shouting "The Dufferin boys are here, hurry up put on your uniforms". (Ed: Wasn't it the Dufferin guys who were supposed to be wearing those uniforms. Naughty, naughty. :-)) You remember, those lockers had no doors. (Ed: Why did no one share this secret wiith me before? )

Those were the days...

All for now, stay well, love to Annikki.


Sadhana'54

ps could you send me Pam's message asking for my e-mail? Sounds senti but I,d like to see it? Thanx. (Ed: With pleasure - will be forwarded forthwith.)

What a warm letter - which makes the putting up of this rag such a worthwhile pleasure.

I was equally thrilled to get this feedback from Armeane:

From: "Armeane M. Choksi"
Subject: RE: 59ers: Is it really you?
Date: Fri, 23 Feb 2001 13:24:19 -0500

Dear Jacob

At long last I managed to find some time to explore the 7th heaven web page. What a fantastic job you have done. It's terrific!! All of us owe you a debt of tremendous gratitude for hooking us up to each other. While I have seen some of our friends on the distribution list in the past couple of years, I am using this simple facility that you have set up to say hullo (I'm still around!!) to those whom I have not. I live in Washington, DC.

If any of you is passing through please send me an email or call me and let me know. I would love to see you in person. Hopefully we would be able to recognize each other after so many decades!!

Again thanks Jacob for the wonderful service you have provided. What's with the beard??

Best Wishes

Armeane

And I do also have a message from a 49er.

49, 54, 59, ... - Does some pattern seem to be emerging? Before, I thought before it was the 7-year itch - hence Seventh Heaven.

From: "Yezad Sam Kapadia"
To: "Jacob Matthan"
Subject: Thanks
Date: Sat, 24 Feb 2001 07:48:41 +0530

Dear Jacob,

Thanks for your Special Edition of Seventh Heaven. It is good to know that you are still keen on tracking down old class mates.

The class of 49 is attempting yet another Reunion around Founder's Day this year. We are targeting those who could not make it in 1999. We are making a concerted effort.


Take care.

Yesh

Many of those of you who enjoyed my occasional Seventh Heaven Newsy Notes have asked me to make it a regular feature. I am resisting that call because of the bounced mail from those who do not update their email addresses to me.

Please register at the International Alumni. This is in addition to the Catcall alumni. This international one is the one which is usually found by the search engines. You can keep your privacy without a problem. It hardly takes a few minutes. DO IT NOW!!

Keep those emails and photographs coming. Armeane says that you all owe me a debt. I would like to say it is the other way, as I have had such fun doing this, that it makes life as the Dead Chicken worth living. I cannot put up these issues without your active co-operation. See you in a month when I will answer those queries about my beard.

Regards

Jacob Matthan
Honorary Editor
Seventh Heaven (Web Version)
Cathedralite 1954 - 1959
School Hockey Goalkeeper - 1958; 1959
School Prefect - 1958; 1959
Savage House Captain - 1959