by Father Kenneth Pereira for BISMumbai

05 September 2020 was a day full of surprises. The first surprise was the good weather in the morning. The next surprise was an online programme of appreciation, from 8:30 to 9:30 am, organized by the senior students of the school, with dances, songs, a skit and a speech. One of the senior teachers also thanked the students for this heart-warming manifestation of love by the students on their own initiative.

The main programme for the teachers began at 11 am, and was held in the parish hall. All except 07 staff, turned up. There were also a few PTA members who came to help out. The programme began with a welcome speech by one of the senior teachers. This was followed by a prayer service, organized by Principal Father Cyril D'Souza, during which the photos of Dr. Radhakrishnan and St. Mother Teresa were garlanded by Rector Father Royal D'Abreo, and every teacher came forward to light a lamp. Then there was the traditional ‘cake cutting’ and distribution of gifts to the teachers. The PTA also presented gifts to the management.

The fun-time of the morning was during the series of party games and the cat-walk organized by the teachers. It was a feast for the eyes to see the teachers displaying their finest attire and jewelry. The games too were carefully planned so as to respect physical distancing in these ‘COVID’ times. Yet another surprise was when teacher Vaishali Mekhe presented the school management with a framed canvas of Warli art that she herself had painted during the days of the lockdown.

The programme ended with a sumptuous meal—no surprise—in which the PTA members present served ‘with-a-smile’.