Golden Jubilee
Jubilees are occasions to be celebrated, to recall the marvelous ways in which the school has fulfilled its mission in imparting education, moral and spiritual values, and discipline to help build leaders who will bring about a culture of peace and love which our society and country needs today. They also provide an opportunity to reflect on the past achievements of the school as well as introspect on the preparations to meet the challenges that lie ahead.
Mount St. Mary’s School celebrated its Golden Jubilee in the year 2013-14. The festivities included a plethora of exciting events spread over the year, making it one of the most festive and memorable periods in the history of the school.
From very humble beginnings in 1963, Mount St. Mary’s School has grown leaps and bounds, andnow stands tall and proud with impressive buildings in a symphony of red and cream, equipped with the latest innovations intechnology, expansive playing fields, beautifully landscaped gardens, a state of the art swimming pool and a student roll of over 2500 students. The school has grown from strength to strength under the able guidance of 18 Principals, and now occupies the place of pride in Delhi. Talented students from the school have excelled not only in academics, but also made a mark in literary and cultural activities. In the words of Mr. Feilim McLaughlin, Ambassador of Ireland, “MSM has played a central role in educating generations of Indian youth, many of whom have gone on to play an important role in society, whether culturally, in business or in public life.” To celebrate 50 years of glories and achievements, various events were organized.
The celebration was kick-started with the enactment of a rock-opera, ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’, a modern presentation of a classic theme. Directed by Mr. George Pulinkala and Mr.AndrewHoffland, the musical wasstaged over a span of three days. Archbishop Salvatore Pennachio, Apostolic Nuncio, was the Chief Guest for the inaugural show. Mrs. Shiela Dixit, Chief Minister, Delhi, was the Special Guest. Another Special Guest was Lt. Gen G.K. Pillai, GOC, Delhi Area. On the second day, Mr. Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. On the final day, Mr. Tejender Khanna, Lt. Governor of Delhi was the Chief Guest, while a host of dignitaries were present as Guests of Honour. Bro. Jerome Ellens : Congregation Leader of the Patrician Brothers, Air Marshall L.K.Malhotra, Mr. Felim McLaughlin : Ambassador of Ireland, and Mr. Jamestin : Director HR & I/C Business Development & JV, ONGC were the Guests of Honour. The musical was a great success and a very different experience for the students. The involvement of students of Carmel Convent made the whole journey of painstaking practices a new learning experience for every participant.
To honour and pay homage to the school’s patroness, Mother Mary, the foundation stone for a new grotto was laid and blessed early in the year. May 2013 saw the staff and students assemble to inaugurate the grotto. After the Principal’s address, invoking the blessings of our Patroness Mother Mary, Bro. A. Bosco inaugurated the grotto, followed by a short prayer service by Fr. Lall, Resident Parish Priest of St. Paul’s Church, Delhi Cantt.
MSM has always had classes on Value Education and Faith Formation, as part of syllabus, to inculcate values among the school students. Religious instruction is imparted to Catholic students and they attend mass on special occasions and on the first Friday of every month. To promote a harmonious and holistic development among all students of the school, Inter-Faith assemblies were organized during the golden jubilee year. Eminent speakers were invited to speak on Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism and Sikhism. It was an enlightening and enriching experience for students and staff alike to hear them speak.
A colourful Calendar of all events slated for the Golden Jubilee was released by the Principal during the morning assembly. A special Calendar, it displayed pictures of various activities held through the years, and was distributed to all students, staff and well wishers.
In honour of the Founder Principal Rev. Bro. E.T.Dunne, the school initiated the Bro E.T.Dunne Inter-School English Debate. Many schools from all over Delhi participated in the competition. Mr. Satish Jacob, former BBC Correspondent and author was the Chief Guest at the Inaugural Debate Competition.
In October 2013 the entire school watched as a Time-Capsule was buried, near the Grotto, containing various items pertaining to the times, the current school year in particular. The memorabilia included photographs, a school uniform, a journal, badges, mementoes, a school diary, the jubilee plate and experiences of Marians, both past and present, among other knick-knacks.
The celebrations continued with a grand Musical titled ‘Fast Forward’ staged on the 1st of November 2013, showcasing the events of the past 50 years of MSM’s golden history, while simultaneously looking forward to the future. The play was set in the year 2062, and included the Time Capsule buried 50 years prior to the setting of the play: in 2013. The esteemed guests included dignitaries of the Church, former Principals, retired teachers and old students.MSM was privileged to have as the Chief Guest, His Grace Anil J. Couto, the Archbishop of Delhi. His Grace KuriakoseBharnikulangra, the Archbishop of Faridabad, and Rev. Bro. Bosco, the Patrician Provincial were the Guests of Honour. Another Guest of Honour was Lt. Gen Sanjeev Chhachra, GOC Western Command. The guests and distinguished alumni were felicitated on stage, and the Archbishop then felicitated former Principals of MSM. Almost a thousand students spoke, sang and danced, doing it as a Marian does everything: from the heart. The Musical, thus, not only looked at the past to dwell on its achievements, but also looked forward to the future. Personalized mementoes were designed to be gifted as well as to be sold.
On the 14th of March 2014, the Golden Jubilee Celebrations came full circle to culminate with the Holy Mass, coinciding with St. Patrick Feast Day. The MSM family, past and present, gathered to give Him thanks and praise for 50 years of blessings. Emeritus Archbishop Vincent Concessao, Rev. Father Victor D’Souza and Rev. Fr. Lal Joseph graced the occasion as celebrants of the Holy Mass. This coincided with the St. Patrick Feast Day which was celebrated in advance.
‘When we honour the past, we energize the future and the present becomes a celebration.’ The celebrations continued with the felicitation of our former teachers, maintenance staff and all those who contributed in their own little way to make MSM what it is today. The Golden Jubilee could well be called the Year of Gratitude, because we have so much to be thankful for.