THE 173rd COMMEMORATIVE SERVICE OF THE FOUNDER MAJOR GENERAL CLAUDE MARTIN

by Brig SK RAYCHAUDHURI, VSM (Retd)

La Martiniere Kolkata

This Founder’s Day was different.

It had many ‘firsts’ this year; some delightful and some recollected by nostalgia of the past being absent.

It was ‘eye candy’ to see Ex Principals of the Boys School, for the first time, like a gaggle of geese, occupying the first row of the audience. Yes, they were pleased as Punch and chatting away nineteen to a dozen. They were no old harridans, but were all sprightly like spring chicken. One of them was bouncing up and down vigorously shaking hands, and his name was not Jack, even though he had a ‘Box’ seat! He had a pleasantly shiny half bald pate. It reminded me of the song sung by Johnny Walker that has something to do with ‘tel malish’! Networking seems to have been this chap’s passion! Their boisterousness set the pace of the Proceedings, so it transpired!

Then there was the new Bishop of Kolkata, Rt Revd Ashoke Biswas, who presided over the Proceedings. He was as congenial as Friar Tuck. His sermon had the touch of sincerity. He was immaculately turned out, unlike the last wonder of the crumpled cassock, hurriedly pulled out of a kitbag, fame!

The Boys’ Orchestra was good. However, it stored a surprise in a lady music teacher who sang along too! If Mr Menezes, our very versatile Music teacher was around, he would have surely endorsed ‘has a good ear’! Since the boys extra lustily sang, I couldn’t check if she was comparable to Madonna in vocal expertise.

And the Chief Guest was a military man! It was none other than Lt Gen VK Singh, GOC – in – C, Eastern Command. There could not have been a better tribute to the Founder, who too was a military man. This was a pleasant departure from having businessmen and politicians as Chief Guests. Apparently, there is a changed emphasis to showcase leadership and character building since Army men are supposed to have both in abundance. It reminded me of the time when Gen Maneckshaw was the Chief Guest in one of the dos and was being referred to as Gen Macintosh! Witty that he was, he said that since it was sunny, he forgot his Macintosh and so had come as only Maneckshaw!

The only departure that made the mood a trifle uneasy was that this year there was no Girls’ School choir or the girls. Ms Peacock, the Girls’ School Principal explained that the joint Founders Day was discontinued 9 years ago because of shortage of space and this year, even the Girls’ Choir had to be given the go by. Just for record, the Girls’ School had their Founder’s Day on 12 Sep. So, the Joint Founders Day has dissolved into history. Till the Schools hire the Eden Gardens Stadium and has a Jamboree like Obama’s Inauguration, the Twain shall never meet!

La Martiniere students have always endorsed whole heartedly the essence of the School song and believed in being his forever (be his forever). Thus, the Founders Day is celebrated the world over, wherever two ex Martinians can congregate. If more than two can meet, they form the Old Martinian Association (OMA) as in the UK, Australia and Canada (rather clannish! Wink! Wink). Then there are those who can make it from overseas, sparing no expense in money and time, to join the School function. This year, a British couple, Mr and Mrs EW Bird (Mr Bird is LMC 1955), joined the festivity. Commendable spirit! It was rather good of them to be here with us. He wants to get in touch with the OMA, UK since he is not aware that such an organisation exists. His impression was that there was a seachange from his time, but he felt it was for the good. Yet, whenever an Old Boy passes the ‘Steps’, the absence of the etched names that were there from time immemorial is disconcerting. One wonders which Principal vandalised these hallowed Steps and wiped history for the filthy lucre! Money cannot be more important than history and anyway, this School is famous in India for its traditions and history and that is why it is still the leading school notwithstanding glass and chrome façade Schools springing up all over Calcutta. I am sure that Principal who vandalised history could not have come from a school of standing as ours! Harsh words no doubt, but it comes from a person who has seen how history and traditions lead to sacrifice to uphold the cause – Ducle est Decorum Est Pro Patria Mori! One can take solace that the current Principal, Vice Principal and the Staff, appear to be made of sterner stuff. I am sure the Almighty will lead them with Wisdom!

The last of the firsts was that this year the School Boys themselves. Under the wizard baton of Mr Pitts, they played the Bugles themselves for the Wreath Laying Ceremony and that was no mean a feat! En passant, I might mention that since the recorded version that used to be played had the Lunch Call instead of the Rouse, my unit sent a CD containing all the bugle calls (with instructions of which ‘G’ is to be played) so that the correct version could be played. Kudos to Mr Pitts and the Bugle boys! Three Cheers for Mr Pitts and his boys.

Dot at Noon the Proceedings commenced. The boys ramrod straight, marched in with the School Banner leading and House banners following. The films, Spartacus and Ben Hur came to mind. Then shuffled in the ‘cavalcade’ of teachers, gowns a flutter, swaying as if having overindulged in the sacramental wine! They could also have been mistaken for penguins. They wore a ‘delightedly morose’ look. One can’t blame them. It is hard work organising the Founders Day. And the narrow isle sure encouraged stepping on each others toes, even though they were no novices at the Founder’s Day Ball! That reminds me, I don’t think there is this Ball any more. I remember how I was challenged to have a dance, and inspite of the fear of rejection, I was the first amongst my class (not counting the Anglo Indians) who dared asking a girl to dance with me. I know her name even now, but I will not mention. It was the first bold step I took in my life! I thought I was not handsome, but nowadays I am told I look sexy! Imagine how I have wasted my life!

The Principals followed the swaying teachers and the Bishop and the Chief Guest followed in their wake. The Processional Music was ‘Two Trumpet Tunes’ arranged by AW Benoy.

The Wreath was handed over by two NCC cadets of the School in military style to the Chief Guest. The Bugles played the Last Post, paused, and then played the Rouse. The General executed a smart salute through the Proceedings. The Allegro, ‘Eine Klien Nachtmusik’ by Mozart was played by the School Orchestra.

The dignitaries seated, the Canticle, ‘Let us Now Praise Famous Men’ was sung by the Boys Choir and quite well too. Yet, this was the prerogative of the Girls School choir from time immemorial. The oddity struck like a thunderbolt. This is where I realised that the birds have flown!

The Principal of the Boys’ School read the Special Prayer. He is an impressive speaker. My wife, who is from Loreto (and my daughter too) think La Martiniere is all ‘air’ and survives on mere ‘snob value’! My daughter has heard him at the PTA. My wife heard him this Founders Day. Both are impressed. I, however, am not that impressed since I am from ‘snob’ LMC! Wink! Wink! Fine, he speaks well and has a great personality, but he is not La Martiniere. He is from the hills. Yet, no kidding (to use an Americanism), with great regret, I concede that he does impress. Funny that up country chaps are as good as us!

The Vice Principal, Mr Francis, is the typical happy go lucky but serious about his responsibilities Anglo Indian! This reminds me of an article in Kolkata Telegraph which was full of praise of the Anglo Indian railway train drivers and Guards and how the Railways miss them! India does miss the Anglo Indian teachers most, the railway folks and those in government service, to include the military, police and customs. They were great people and had immense pride in their place in society. Talking of Anglo Indians, it reminds me to inform that I met Air Commodore Herman Robey (Oak Groves and LMC 1962) in Secunderabad in 2002. He looks like Santa Claus!

After the Special Prayer by the Principal, the Prayers followed concluding with the Lord’s Prayer.

The First Lesson read, the Anthem, ‘Rivers of Love’ was sung by the Boys’ Choir. It was catchy and it was great to see the lady music teacher enjoying herself as she sang lustily while playing the synthesiser. A School boy replicated Zubin Mehta!

The Second Lesson was read and the School Prayer followed. It pleased me that I had not forgotten a word even after 46 years! As I stood saying the Prayer, I was transformed to the schoolboy I was. It filled me with pride and nostalgia!

The Rt Revd Biswas gave the Sermon. The theme was Trust and Sacrifice. Very topical. He did thump the pulpit, but was not of the fire and brimstone signature. He had a gentle sincerity that touched the heart. Good Bishop, that.

The Sermon was followed by the Hymn ‘God, whose city’s sure foundation Stand upon his holy hill’. This hymn was not of the lusty, full throated variety I am used to. When one comes for the Founder’s Day, one is charged with what, in Hindi, is called ‘josh’ (charged up with zest and enthusiasm). One thus prefers lusty full throated hymns. Hopefully, next year, I will get a chance to exercise my ageing vocal chords. I always loved to sing hymns every morning at the Chapel. I believe that there is no more of the Morning Chapel these days!

The Bishop gave The Blessing and the Presentation of Medals followed. Thankfully, this Year the Gold Medal for the various streams and the Silver Medal or Good Conduct Medal were presented. We were spared the agony of seeing the Bishop Raju’s era of bequeathed Gardening or Insect Watching medals. True they are great for motivation, but they can be given during the Annual Prize Distribution. Thank God for small mercies. I am not meaning Bishop Raju’s absence; I mean a short presentation of the real and critical medals.

The Chief Guest, Lt Gen VK Singh’s keynote address emphasised on Character and it was well received. It is worth mentioning that he had just returned the previous night from the US and was leaving immediately on a tour of the East! Good for him that he made it to the Founder’s Day. Shows leadership and character.

One must commend Revd Simmick for his Vote of Thanks. He is indeed a true Christian – not affected by the Power and Glory of that permeates society – he thanked all, the powerful and the poor. He did not forget even those who toiled behind the scenes including the standby generator boys! Thank you, Revd. The world requires people like you – people with humility and who care for even those who are not the glitterati!

The School Song was then sung and the National Anthem followed, and true to La Martiniere tradition, was sung lustily and with full throated ease.

The Proceeding thus concluded.

The assemblage moved to the Girls’ School Millennium Hall, which is fully air-conditioned, for the Founder’s Dinner. There was also an Exhibition in the Round Chapel on the Railways organised by the Boys’ School’s Heritage Club. It was an interesting exhibition where the boys had themselves prepared the exhibits!

The Founder’s Dinner was fine, except the Chicken was as ancient as some of us. It took youthful teeth to chomp into it. I have fought wars, but I was defeated by this Chicken and chickened out!

Lastly, let us talk of normal men and not of famous men. Let us talk about Mr Francis, the Vice Principal, who I believe is the Man behind the Scenes for organising the Founder’s Day. He was cool as a cucumber, unlike the years previous when he resembled squashed tomatoes or a plucked chicken. I had gone early to observe the ‘subchiz’ and I must say that this year things were clockwork! He had taped up all the loose ends. No expense or organisational effort had been spared. Everything was spic and span and what was most interesting was there were huge Generator Trucks all wired up and ready for the inevitable power cut. It was one of the best Founder’s Day.

I also had the opportunity to talk to a Gold Medal Winner and the Good Conduct Medal Winner, apart from a Prefect and some mortals amongst the boys. I found all were quite focussed as far as their careers were concerned. They were smart and were equipped for repartee. The only issue is that quite a few wore real low slung trousers. I believe they are called hip hugging, even though these trousers look hipping failing!

It is not that I am a trouser watcher; it is just that one from the audience had wondered in a stage whisper if Nigel Salters’, the GCM winner, trouser would fall off, when he was receiving his Medal! This made me watch his trouser and hold my breath and because of this anxiety, I missed the actual exchange of the medal from the Chief Guest to Salters. However, why pick on Salters alone? It seemed to flavour of the NextGen of the School, possibly inspired by the swimming wonder, Phelps and his low slung swimming janks!

The School Captain and Gold Medal winner, S Chatterjee, was also very smart and a cheerful chap. His trousers were standard.

I must say, this Founder’s Day was a real experience.

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Our thanks to Brig. Raychaudhuri who makes it a point to attend the Founder's Day function every year just to keep us in touch, and with his sense of humour and flair for writing not only makes it a pleasure to read but also takes us back to our old school days and allows us to revel in all the nostalgia. Cheers to Saibal......Vinoth Kumar, London