Some items for your attention

Can anyone identify this Cathedralite, Caroline Cattell, and help her out. I do not recognise any of the girl classmates she mentions (I was not much of a ladies man in school), but all the staff members are known to me. Caroline did not finish her schooling at Cathedral, but left in 1959. I have not figured out whether she would have been a 61er, 62er or 63er. Can someone reach out and help her?

"Hello Jacob

Hope you don't mind me contacting you.

By chance I was looking on the internet and came across the details of the pupil Reunion that the Cathedral school had and was
fascinated to read all the details.

I went to the Cathedral School in the early to late 50's when Mrs Downey was the English and Drama teacher and Mrs Bebbington was the head - does any of this ring a bell?

For several generations my family have lived in India - my father was Manager of Lloyds Bank in Bombay when we lived in Bombay and I was sent to The Cathedral. (Ed: I like that "The Cathedral".) Unfortunately I have lost touch with all the friends I made but remember very happy days at the school. I remember people like Gordi Bambote, Anne Chamarette, Bheman Homji and a few others - my memory fails me - I am now xx! (Ed: She is younger than me but it is not nice to reveal the age of a nice lady on the internet!)

I am returning to Bombay in February of next year (2007) and hope to call in at the school - just passing through on my way to New Zealand. I will be interesting to visit old haunts I remember as a child - where we lived in Malabar Hill and Colaba Causeway - I am bracing myself for a big shock - the changes!!

Would be interested to hear from you.

With regards

Caroline King (née Cattell)

When I replied her she continued:

Hello Jacob

How lovely it was to hear from you.

I do not recall any of the names that you mentioned in your email. I left the school in 1959 to return to England for good. Unfortunately I cannot remember whose class I was in but I am desperately trying to think - maybe if I have hypnosis!!!

A picture was taken of me at the school when I was in a production of country dancing - and I was in the Yellow House (Ed: Palmer in the Boys School.) - which if memory serves me right did not always do that well - I think Red (Ed: Bahram.) was the strong one! I don't remember the school doing any group pictures of the whole school?

However, I have just remembered an English girl called Lorna that was in my class - the surname escapes me. I shall think on. My surname was Cattell - hopefully someone might remember me - does anyone remember a Fiona Hopkins or an Alan Harper-Smith? Could you tell me the names of the English teachers or any of the teachers that were at the school at the time - we are talking about late fifties - I may recognise the names and go from there to remember the class I was in. I loved Mrs Downey - she was quite crisp and strict but she always brought out the best in me.

I shall stay tuned and wait in hope that you may be able to find me my team leader. I wish I had found you all before.

With best wishes

Caroline

Wish I had a picture of the 1959 Girls' School Staff with a list of names. I have one of the 1958 staff - pictures and names separate which was sent to me by Barbara Rossi from Italy. However, I have put up the 1960 picture. Sorry it is not so clear but at least the names are still readable. Wish I could remember who sent it to me. It was someone who told me about the Class of 60 Reunion.

Click to see larger image.

1960 Girls' School Staff

Turning to another news item of today that appeared in WebIndia123.com which mentions a leadng Cathedalite of the early 50s, Tamiflu in chemists' shops from Wednesday: Cipla Mumbai | February 20, 2006 6:37:08 PM IST - Yusuf is the elder brother of the Cathedral duo, 52er Yusuf and 56er Muku.

"As birdflu cases have been confirmed in Maharashtra, pharma major Cipla will make available 'Tamiflu' in India from Wednesday, according to its Chairman Dr Yusuf Hamied......."

With reference to the Bird Flu now sweeping across parts of Maharashtra, 52er Yusuf was on BBC World yesterday, as also Adi Godrej. (Can anyone clarify to me which year Adi was in? I seem to remember him being several years my junior.)

69er Prakash updates from Mumbai

59er Prakash sent me this email given below, one which I have been waiting for, for ages.

Thanks to 69er Barbara Rossi from Italy, I had this picture of 69ers in my files:

69ers at their 35 year reunion

Dear Jacob,

It's been ages since I corresponded with you.

Mumbai has had a spate of Music concerts and next weekend we have 3 days of some great artists performing.

The Jazz evening with Kenny Garret at the Gateway was an experience. The Moon shining with a few stars around, the subtly lit up Gateway of India, a gentle breeze blowing and one of the world's bext saxophone players regaling music starved Mumbai audience.

The Kala ghoda arts festival is on right now with old movies being screened at Max Mueller Bhavan, Plays, street vendors and of course food. The festival encourages children's participation in painting, origami, pottery and other arts.

The Mumbai festival that ended in January was a big disappointment as compared to last years.

Meenu and I have travelled extensively over December and January. Dubai for the first time - the city of gold everything glitzy and heady with the aroma of attar everywhere, and Goa, and Bangalore.

I was extremely fortunate to visit Saigon to check out business prospects. I tried some unmentionable foods including eels.

Right now our weather is changing from a very plesant mild winter to trying hot summer descending upon us.

The wedding season is not yet over so one sees plenty weddings at the Marine Drive Gymkhanas and even the Cooperage grounds are used with decorations like a mini Taj Mahal being built on the grounds to entertain over 5000 guests. The trees on our street are decorated with lights.

The area is being cleaned up but the roads are all dug up all over Mumbai. The Civic authorities want to level all major arterial roads before the monsoons set in.

The stock exchange touched the mystical figure of 10,000 this afternoon. Everyone is overjoyed and the TV stations proclaim that it will hit 12000 within two months.

The famed "Derby" was held Mahalakshmi Race Course yesterday, the first Sunday in February, drawing crowds of about 25000. People dressed to make an impact and be noticed.

The winner was rank outsider, Velvet Rope available at 10 to 1 odds & as the favourites failed, it gave all the bookies a fantastic earning.

Must end now.

More news when time permits.

My classmate, Barbara Rossi, is in Mumbai with her Mom. Meeting her on Wednesday at Anil Harish's residence.

Cheers and thank you for remembering me with this lovely gift I have placed right next to the computer.

Thanks for the update Prakash and give our love to Barbara when you see her. Do send us some photographs from the small reunion. Both of you have many followers!

A nice email from Mehfooz

I just received this email from Mehfooz

Hello Jacob,

Belated Christmas and New Year greetings! Its good to be back after a hectic tour of the UK where my wife and I went to visit our children and then to Pakistan. For the last three months I was aloof from the computer and the first thing I did was to check on your blog.

Its amazing how many contacts have been established from so manyCcathedralites all over the globe. I was surprised that Ubi also made his entrance in the blog and brought back those good memories of the quad. I was associated with Ubi and his family (parents and sisters) during the school days as we lived quite close to each other. I have yet to find such great parents such as Ubi's.

Incidentally, my visit to the School in April 2004 was very nostalgic as it had been almost 43 years since I had last set foot on the quad. It did feature a vital part in all our lives during the 50’s and early 60’s. One can hardly keep count of the activities that were connected to this quad especially cricket and tennis-ball football (which Ubi reminded us of the “Free Booters’ League”).

Who can forget the times when one wanted to be the first to reserve the quad to play football during lunch sessions!

Then there was that unique tournament which was held (probably in ’59 or ‘60) to prove the football skills by way of participating in events such as heading the ball in a particular spot, trapping the ball, penalty shoot-outs, etc. I wonder if anyone remembers this event.

I stood in the middle of the quad visualizing myself as a student and wondered whether there was anything that could take me back to those good ole days!

Take care and God bless.

Warmest regards,
Mehfooz (Sheikh Zahur)

I hope that it is Seventh Heaven with such great reader participation as yours that takes you back to those good ole days!

Mehfooz, I remember the tournament about football skills - it started in 1959 thanks to Mr. W. H. Thompson. I believe it was repeated in 1960.

It is my belief that Noel Ezekiel won that tornament in 1959 with Viney Sethi coming second followed by Vijay Nayar. Anyone like to correct me?

Stay in touch Mehfooz and have a great year.

"We fill the globe with character....

I must thank one of my very faithful correspondents, 63er Mithoo Malani, from Florida for sending me this information.

Hello Jacob:

At Cathedral he was known as Isaac Marshall right from KG, and was also in Savage House like you were, I think.

Not much into sports as far as I can remember. Fairly studious, usually ranked 6th or so in his Class "A" of 30+ kids.

Very likeable old chap, did act in some plays, lived in the Colaba area, was in the Scout Troop with me.

I met Isaac at our 40th year Class Reunion in November 2003. I had not seen or heard from him since December 1963 when we graduated from Cathedral.

I did hear from my other Bombay Jewish friends from time to time that Isaac was in Canada, but only was in touch with him again at the 40th Reunion .... what a grand time we all had !!!

Isaac, is this all true .... let Jacob know more about you ....

Please keep in touch .....

Mithoo

I was glad to hear from David shortly thereafter!

In the meantime, I did my own research and found that we have a great representative of our Cathedral model in David, a fellow Savage!

Mithoo sent me a couple of photographs.


This photograph of the school Scout Troop
was probably taken in 1960 as 59ers Viney Sethi and Ashok Ruia
were Scouts till 1959.

This photograph above is of the 59-60 Scout Troop with Mr. Patel, our Physics teacher and Mr. Joshi, our Hindi teacher, certainly raised many happy memories in my mind.

I was good at Physics and pretty rotten at Hindi!

Mithoo is sitting in the front row, fourth from right, in front of Mr. Green, who was the assistant PT teacher. David is in the top row, right in the centre. The person sitting next to Mr. Patel, is the late 59er, Jaswant Ghatge.


1963 School Prefects

I wonder if someone would clarify whether it is David who sits on the extreme left in the School Prefects photograph for 1963. Savage House Captain or Vice Captain?

Why are we talking about David?

He has been the Deputy Minister of Public Works and Government Services in Canada since 2004.

David Marshall, Deputy Minister

As Deputy Minister of Public Works and Government Services, David Marshall provides the overall vision and direction for the department.

An outstanding leader and innovator, he brings more than 30 years of domestic and international experience in information technology, financial services and the federal government.

Prior to re-joining the Government of Canada, Mr. Marshall spent several years in the private sector. He was the Vice-Chairman, Retail Products, Technology and Operation for the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC) from 1999 to 2002. He was responsible for the bank's extensive credit card, mortgage, payments and insurance businesses. While at CIBC, Mr. Marshall was instrumental in developing electronic banking products and for ensuring that CIBC was a leading technology innovator.

From 1996 to 1999, Mr. Marshall was Chief Information Officer and Executive Vice President of Bankers Trust New York Corporation — a leading New York-based Investment Bank. He was responsible for global operations and technology for the bank. He also served as managing director of Bankers Trust Company, the corporation's principal banking subsidiary, and as a director of BT Technology Partners, the bank's venture capital subsidiary. In 1998 Mr. Marshall was named CIO of the Year by Future Banker magazine.

Mr. Marshall has also held previous senior positions with CIBC, Unitel Communications Inc. — the operating arm of AT&T in Canada, and the Toronto Dominion Bank.

A certified general accountant, Mr. Marshall also served in the public service from 1977 to 1993. He has been Canada's Assistant Auditor General; Assistant Deputy Minister, Information Technology, Revenue Canada; and Assistant Deputy Minister, Information Technology, Employment and Immigration Canada.

In the Canadian Bureaucratic hierarchy, 63er David reports directly to the Minister and Receiver General for Canada, Scott Brison, P. C.

Pretty impressive career. Must be the year 1959 he spent as my Savage House protégé!

Thank you David for carry our Cathedral flag so high in Canada.

Having pondered over the photographs for many hours, I now recall the young David as he was in school. I must thank Mithoo for reviving that part of my brain.

David was known as David Marshall while at school and also through his professional career. However to close friends and his family he has always been known as Isaac.

I was also moved when David responded to my email with this:

I think its great that you put so much effort into keeping us all plugged in! I think all of us who went to Cathedral and are now in the “Diaspora” so to speak are very touched to be able to connect home from time to time.

Thanks again to Mithoo and David for the feedback. It is all of you and your exploits and achievements that keep this Seventh Heaven blog riding high, NOT ME!

Knowing the New Year has arrived

In the old days I knew the New Year had arrived when our wedding anniversary was the following day, and I had no present packed for my better half.

After the Seventh Heaven has created this enormous Cathedralite network, I now know when the New Year is entrenched when the first birthday wish for the year is sent out. For many years this most enjoyable task has remained with sending out greetings to my dear friend, retired Captain of the Indian Navy, Vijay Shivdasani.

Three from our outstanding set of 59ers -
Elijah Elias (Ooky), Vijay Nayar, Vijay Shivdasani

I had for years been calling him as a retired Commander. Vijay, very diplomatically, told me quite recently that he was just a shade higher in the hierarchy - he had retired as a Captain in the Navy, after serving in the INS Vikrant, the Indian aircraft carrier. I have enjoyed his hospitality on this great ship and have actually been piped aboard!


Sucheeta and Vijay dining in
a restaurant in Hong Kong

Vijay is married to a Cathedralite of the 61-62 era, Sucheeta. Sucheeta is a charming personality. I did not know Sucheeta while at school, but when I met her at their wedding in Mumbai in the 70s, I was charmed by this beautiful young lady. She has stayed as a special person in my list of friends as she oozes with charm and friendliness.

After his stint in the Indian Navy, Vijay moved to Hong Kong where he became a diamond dealer. He then decided to retire back to where all his friends and relatives were - Mumbai, and where he could have his daily dose of tennis. (Vijay, you should get together with another acquaintance who enjoys his tennis, the present Governor of Maharashtra, S. M. Krishna, a contact from my Bangalore days.)

I hope you will ring in the New Year by joining me in wishing this outstanding representative of us 59ers and a true Cathedralite who represents us 59ers year in and year out at the School Founders Day celebrations.

Happy birhday Vijay. I hope you will send us some recent photographs of us 59ers from Mumbai.

Literacy vs Education

In the context of Elizabeth Cherian's article, 56er Ubi (HS Uberoi) raises the most important distinction between people - that we at Cathedral get an Education rather than just being made Literate. Ubi wrote:-

Regarding what Ms. Cherian has had to say and also the fund of goodwill to you fom Cathedralites across the globe trancending age groups, I can only say that most ex students of Cathedral probably never ever get used to being out of school, so strong is the influence and therefore the bonds that tie all Cathedralites to the old school. It always remains a long ago, far away Camelot.

The true value of Cathedral, as I recall, is the realisation of the diffrentiation between literacy and education. I would like to believe that we all leave to be better human beings, rather than just having past an examination.

This is absolutely true. I have many many friends and acquaintances around the world. What distingushes a friend from an acquaintance is this little detail.

A friend is always there for you.

Here is an extract from an issue of Newsy Notes dated 28th December 2001. (For the unintiated, Newsy Notes were the irregular emails I sent out to Cathedralites over the years before I brought all together on the blog.)

A Friend

A friend is like a flower, A rose to be exact,
Or maybe like a brand new gate That never comes unlatched.
A friend is like an owl, Both beautiful and wise.
Or perhaps a friend is like a ghost, Whose spirit never dies.
A friend is like those blades of grass You can never mow,
Standing straight, tall, and proud In a perfect little row.
A friend is like a heart that goes Strong until the end.
Where would we be in this world If we didn't have a friend?

I quote an example of just this morning.

I sent an email to a friend in Mumbai (who has been to Finland) that two young Finnish ladies from a Finnish NGO were arriving this evening. My friend has never met these Finns. Before I knew it, the accommodation had been arranged, the car was organised to pick them up from the airport, and their two days in Mumbai before they went on to Hyderabad were planned.

I am so scared to ask people anything, as this outpouring of love is so great, I feel very greatly embarrassed at times. In these days where time is money, it is strange that I have such "friends" who show their love in such an intense manner.

Does this mean something to YOU?

This article by Elizabeth Cherian which appeared in 2003 in Deccan Herald, the leading local newspaper of Bangalore, may interest some of you.

The right spirit

Recalling her years as a teacher in one of the prestigious schools of Mumbai, Elizabeth Cherian concludes that schools have an important role to play in shaping a student’s future in the society

What is it that makes some students stand out and shine in the society and the world at large? Is it their intellectual power, or the values instilled in them by their parents, or their school and teachers who have, over a period of time, effected a positive change in their personalities? Probably, it is a mixture of all these factors!

These thoughts came to my mind as I retraced my life back to my teaching days at Cathedral and John Connon School in Mumbai. The school has an old world charm, with buildings of heritage value. It is traditional, yet very modern in its outlook, and has a very simple and straightforward approach to life. Teachers here have been chosen for their skills and abilities to deal with particular subjects, and also prepare the children for the day-to-day tasks they have to face in the world. Scores of students from this institution have today made a mark in the world. They are found excelling in all walks of life.

For instance, we read about Kumarmangalam Birla, the young head of the Birla empire, from time to time in the papers. Then there are the brothers Fareed and Arshad Zacharia, Fareed, who has excelled in the field of journalism and diplomacy, and Arshad who has made a name as a financial genius. Rajdeep Sardesai, the able political commentator on NDTV. Shiamak Davar who is a name in the field of dance and choreography. I remember Rahul Bose and Rajat Kapur were very good in acting even as students. They topped in debates, elocution and school plays. Gita Anand, who went on to win the Pulitzer prize, was also an ace swimmer and had participated in international swim meets. They are all products of the school.

Other noted personalities like Pradeep Kar of Microland, Salman Rushdie and the late PM of Pakistan Z Bhutto were also from the same school. All-time heroes like Homi Bhabha and JRD Tata, who have done India proud, were Cathedrites!

What is most important for any institution is to safeguard the integrity of student-teacher relationship. This is very closely and appropriately followed in the Cathedral and John Connon School. No matter what the background is, once an individual enters the portals of the school, he/she is identified as nothing more than a student or a teacher. No favours are shown to anyone in particular. Irrespective of who they are or where they have come from, everyone is treated equally. Every day, one student from the senior school is assigned the responsibility of keeping his/ her classroom clean and neat. The students are allotted marks for their SUPW (Socially Useful Productive Work).

In a lighter vein, I remember an occasion when I pulled up a student for keeping me waiting twice for his extra class. He had come from the US and had joined school a little late, and so had to make up for the lost time. I was quite annoyed that he was late to the class. To top it all, he apologised saying that he had gone to the Raj Bhavan for lunch! I told him he could go anywhere he wanted, even to the ‘White House’, but only after informing me first. From then, he abided by instructions without fail. Soon a special bond developed between us. Once he informed me casually that he was going to Ahmedabad to see his grand parents. Only then did I discover that his grandfather was the Governor of Gujarat!

The teacher-student bond between us grew so strong that when he passed out with flying colours, he presented me with a cake inscribed ‘Thanks Mrs C’. And eating most of it, he commented he was actually helping me to check my weight! These are little memories that make the school, and its students so great.

Some of the most significant values the school taught me and my students were that a strong code of ethics is as valuable as a compass, and a simplest task is most meaningful if done in the right spirit.