Keeping the past alive

PUNE, June 25; Memories, like wine, get better with time. They help get back to a time that was special. And to capture those special moment...

PUNE, June 25; Memories, like wine, get better with time. They help get back to a time that was special. And to capture those special moments, the old boys8217; of St Vincent8217;s got together to form an institution that has become the Vincentian Old Boys8217; Association VOBA.

Getting together in 1991 to form VOBA on the occasion of the 125th year of their alma mater, they let their enthusiasm take root. Students from batches as early as 1945 and 1948 got together. A committee was formed and 11 members were nominated by the fathers themselves. Lt Gen N Cheema was nominated as the president, Dr R Gulati as vice president, S Hegde as the secretary and K Dabholkar treasurer.

Fr Oesch and Fr Schoch were invited to be the first honorary patron members. The president now is Lt Col Bernard D8217;Souza retd, the vice president Dr Ravi Gulati, treasurer Surendra Moodliar and secretary Somnath Hegde. This committee meets once every month and plans about the general activity. An annual general body meeting is held once every year and a general meeting once in every three months. The school administration gave unstinting support and let VOBA use its office and the library, hall and other school facilities. Children of VOBA members are given preference for admission in St Vincent8217;s School. Special discounts are offered on goods and services to VOBA members in many shops and centres.

VOBA, since 1991, has been involved in organising and participating in activities covering the fields of sport, education, health and many others. VOBA also conducts a series of talks called the VOBA Talks8217; which is held every year. VOBA has also been organising health camps for the students of the school. These camps have students checked by doctors for ailments of ENT, dental, skin and a general checkup. Career courses and counselling have also been organised by VOBA for the students of IX and X for careers in the armed forces.

Since its inception VOBA has been felicitating students who have excelled in academics with state ranks or merit holders. A fund is also formed known as Fr Oesch8217;s for deserving students. Another fund known as Fr Schoch8217;s is for the welfare of teachers as well as for those who have retired.

Sports has always been a field which every Vincentian on mention blooms with pride. VOBA kept up this feat by forming a football and a hockey team which now play in the first division. VOBA has also been holding the VOBA Football Cup8217; every year for the last three years under the banner of the Pune District Association. Its sports history is highlighted by players who have made it to inter-state levels.

Today VOBA has a membership of about 950, the Bishop of Pune being one of them. The ex-Vincentians abroad are also in touch and now they plan to set up a place for VOBA on the Internet. Many future plans, like setting up a Footpath Pathshala is on the cards and will be beginning shortly. VOBA has also been providing sports equipment to the school like a foam landing pit for high jumps and pole-vaulting. VOBA is also involved in organising events for its members like dinners and get-togethers. As they look back, members have the earned right to feel proud of being part of a distinguished association like VOBA as they cherish and recollect their school life along with their schoolmates which offers them nothing but pure satisfaction.