by Jennifer & Lisa Dominic for BISMumbai

August has always been a bustling month for Don Bosco, Nerul as teachers and students are busy preparing for the grand Independence Day Programme, Don Bosco’s Birthday Celebration programme and the Annual Alumni Meet too. The year 2020 saw us cancelling most of our gatherings and one of them was the Annual Alumni Meet 2020. This year, Don Bosco Senior Secondary School Nerul decided to organize an Online Alumni Meet for the past pupils on Sunday 15 August 2021, at 11.30 a.m. The online meet came as a silver lining amid the pandemic to around 80 past pupils from the 2012 batch to 2020 batch as they got an opportunity to relive memories and reconnect no matter where they were with just one mouse click.

The programme commenced with an introduction and prayer. Principal Father Blaise Fernandes then extended a warm welcome to the past pupils. He also narrated an anecdote through which he explained how Don Bosco loved the pupils studying in his oratory, but there was a special place for past pupils in his heart. This was followed by introduction of the management members. In his address to the past pupils, the Rector Father Barnabe D’Souza explained how Don Bosco Nerul gives equal emphasis to co-curricular activities which helps build self-confidence in students and also offers them opportunities for development of individual talents. He further added ‘You are the ambassadors of Don Bosco who should carry the values, the cheers, the happiness that Don Bosco shared with you wherever you go.’ Father D’Souza also elucidated the social work activities carried out by Don Bosco Nerul under his leadership. The activities planned for the year 2021-22 were shared with the alumni. A session of discussion saw the students sharing ideas about ways in which the alumni could build a strong network. Suggestions like organising online workshops and seminars for the present students and the alumni, charity events, online happy hours were welcomed by all. The past pupils shared old stories, experiences and funny incidents which made everyone nostalgic. This was followed by the Vote of Thanks where the management, supervisors and staff were thanked for making the day special for the past pupils.

The day ended on a pleasant note with everyone being grateful for the reminiscent and enjoyable trip down memory lane. “We are so happy to be back with our alma mater virtually and relive the most cherished part of our lives,” said Payoja Mohanty from the Batch of 2020.