BENGALURU: The Old Boys’ Association (OBA), the alumni association of St. Joseph’s Boys’ High School (SJBHS), has hit a century with its members playing stellar roles across disciplines and continents. The OBA, formed just after the World War I, has over 7,000 members who have been contributing back to the school, society and country over the years. Academic and sports scholarships, prizes for deserving students, mid-day meals for the needy, health and accident insurance for teaching and non-teaching staff and teacher training programmes are some of the initiatives of the OBA at the school.
“Every year, apart from organising career-mentoring programmes for Class 10 and 12 students, we also hold different inter-batch sporting competitions,” said Jyotinath Ganguly (Batch of 1975), vice-president, OBA. Renowned surgeon Dr C.S. Rajan, who is batch of 1969, said that his formative years were shaped by the hallowed school. The camaraderie and spirit was what he learnt. “Our alma mater has played a pioneering role in making each one of us. We have the responsibility of contributing back to the system that made us,” he said.
Sharing his memories at school, Dr Rajan said that each teacher gave personal attention to students, cultivating discipline and good manners in them, which later helped him during his medical services. The other members said, “The emphasis on co-curricular activities, including sports and arts, helped us develop an all-round personality.” Rahul Tadimalla (1997 batch), musician and manager of Border Blast, a city-based rock ’n’ roll and blues band, said, “The engagement between OBA members and current students is at an unprecedented phase during the centenary celebrations. OBA Buzz, inter-house cultural competitions, is a platform for students to showcase their talent and capability,” he said.
Rector of St Joseph’s Institutions in the city, Fr Brian Pereira S.J., told Deccan Chronicle, “The old boys are the brand ambassadors of the school. The flag of Faith and Toil has always been held aloft by our past students by their hard work, splendid achievements, persevering pursuit of excellence, deep rootedness in moral and social values, spirit of adventure and creativity. These are the reasons for real celebration on the occasion of the centenary of the OBA,” he said.
