North Point all set to welcome President

Amitava Banerjee, THT, 8 October 2013, DARJEELING: St. Joseph’s School, Darjeeling at present is a beehive of activity. The school, also popularly known as North Point, is all set to welcome President Pranab Mukherjee to inaugurate the 125th year jubilee celebration on November 10.

The school was first opened on February 13, 1888 at Sunny Banks in Darjeeling town with 18 boarders and 7 day scholars. Later, extensive property was procured by Father Henri Depelchin, the founder, and the school shifted to its present location at North Point, on February 18, 1892. By 1947 the student strength had reached 422. At present, the school has 520 boarders, 700 day scholars and 81 teaching staff. Interestingly, Father Depelchin was instrumental in founding St. Xavier’s Kolkata and Mumbai.

On November 10, the President will be arriving at Bagdogra airport and from there will be flown by helicopter to the Lebong Army Helipad in Darjeeling. From the Lebong Army Helipad he will head for the Governor’s House in Darjeeling. After Lunch at the Governor’s House, he is slated to arrive on the school premises at 2.1 5pm where he will present till 3pm. From the school he will depart for Sikkim.

On November 11, the President will inaugurate the 40th Jawaharlal Nehru National Science, mathematics and environmental exhibition at Saramsa Gardens, 13 km from the Gangtok in Sikkim. On 11th after the inauguration he will depart for Delhi from Sikkim.

“The 45-minute inauguration ceremony has been kept very simple. It will include the felicitation of four alumni educationists including Dr Pinto Lama, Manuel Coutinho, Robindra Subba and Dhiresh Thapa. The President will also release the school souvenir and a special cover with cancellations,” said Father Santy Mathew, Rector, St. Joseph’s School.

The President will be accompanied by gover nor MK Narayanan. North Bengal development minister Gautam Deb will also be present. “Along with the parents, well wishers we have also invited the heads of educational institutions, Gorkhaland Territorial Administration members,” said Father Mathew. The 125th Jubilee celebrations were scheduled to be held throughout this year. However, it was postponed owing to the political strife that had gripped the Hills. The closing ceremony will be held from April 21 to April 23, 2014.

North Point always had a global appeal. In 1954, 28 nationalities could be found. There were students from UK, France, Germany, Australia, Tibet, Thailand, Myanmar, Bhutan and Nepal. St. Joseph’s school run by the Jesuits was adjudged the number one boarding school in West Bengal and ranked 8 in India this year. “For the closing ceremony we are expecting hundreds of the alumni from all around the globe,” said Father Mathew. The Royal families of Nepal, Bhutan and erstwhile Kingdom of Sikkim used to send their scions to St. Joseph’s.

The alumni list includes famous personalities four-time world billiards champion Michael Ferreira; Late Lawrence George Durrell, expatriate British novelist, poet, dramatist and travel writer; Nyunt Win-matinee idol of Myanmar; Kasit Piromya, former foreign minister of Thailand; David Mcmohan, Melbournebased novelist, journalist and internationally renowned photographer.