Established in 1923 as Jagirdars College by the Seventh Nizam of Hyderabad, Sir Osman Ali Khan, the school was meant exclusively for the aristocrats and elites. Sometime in the early fifties, when the Zamindari tradition was abolished, the name of the school was changed to Hyderabad Public School. Mira reports the Silver Jubilee Reunion of the 92 batch, exclusively for Different Truths.
Students of Hyderabad Public School (HPS) Begumpet (1992 batch) celebrated a three-day reunion, from the 24th to the 26th of December 2017. The event was a real nostalgic moment for the 110 alumni who made it for the occasion. Out of 110, most alumni are from Hyderabad and other parts of India but 35 travelled from different parts of the world to be present for this occasion.
HPS is a privately funded public school in Hyderabad, Telangana, India which was established in 1923 as Jagirdars College by the Seventh Nizam of Hyderabad, Sir Osman Ali Khan. Initially, the school was meant exclusively for the aristocrats and elites but sometime in the early fifties, when the Zamindari tradition was abolished, the name of the school was changed to Hyderabad Public School.
The school campus is stretched over an area of 150 acres. The academics begin from pre-primary to the 12th Standard and the school follows the ICSE pattern. The emblem of the school is an Eagle and “Be Vigilant” is the motto to inspire the students to soar to great heights. The four houses Nalanda, Nagarjuna, Taxila, and Vijayanagar were named after the ancient universities, which were known as the finest cultural and intellectual hubs of India. The alumni for sure must be ecstatic for having spent the most significant years of their life at such a prestigious educational institution.
HPS has produced quite many popular personalities. To name a few of them are Harsha Bhogle now a Cricket Commentator, Ashok Gajapati Raju – Union Minister for Civil Aviation, Satya Nadela – CEO of Microsoft Corporation, Shantanu Narayen – CEO Adobe Systems, T K Kurien – CEO of Wipro, Prem Watsa – Founder and Chairman of Fairfax Financial Holdings based in Toronto, Canada. He is known as “Canadian Warren Buffett”.
Coming to the celebration part, it was an exclusive and elaborate event extended over a period of three days:
Day one (24th) kick started on the eve of Christmas with Dinner at Taj Krishna giving alumni the opportunity to renew the old friendship and exchange news related to family and career. Although the rendezvous was short and sweet, it aroused zeal to meet up again and spend some more quality time together.
Day two was full of excitement starting at 9.00 am with sports. The sports enthusiasts were all charged up to prove their mettle once again after years. The dress code was blue Tee shirt included in the kit provided by the school. After the successful sports event at 12.15 pm, it was time for the photo shoot to capture the alumni at their best. At 12.30 pm everyone gathered at the school’s New Dining Hall for lunch. A walk through the school was at 1.30 pm. At 5.00 pm the occasion referred as ‘Down the memory lane sundowner’ was held at the Hotel Avasa. Soaked in spirit the evening was concluded after dinner with an assurance to meet at the next sunrise.
Day three began at 12.00 noon with lunch at Marigold Hotel (spouses and children included). At 3.00 pm snacks and tea were served in the Assembly hall of HPS. The dress code was black Tee shirt provided by the school. At 3.45 pm it was time again for some more shutterbugs to capture the groups in the frame at the old Dining hall steps. At 4.00 pm just like good old times, alumni met the teachers and support staff in the Assembly Hall. The teachers and support group were then felicitated and given a token of appreciation comprising of silver coins to the teachers and cash of Rs.4000/- each to the support group. At 7.00 pm everyone moved for a reunion in front of the Shaheen block of the school where Band Theory was playing. Some shook a leg or two while the others watched the moves and shake wishing they could also attempt the same to mark the evening on this special day. Buffet dinner was announced at 8.30 with teachers in the Assembly Hall. The event concluded with alumni bidding goodbye to one another and a pledge to stay in touch.
The three days agenda was an amazing affair full of entertainment that had the alumni wanting more of it but as all good things must come to an end, so did this fabulous event called Class of 92 Silver Jubilee Reunion. The event was a grand success and the credit of organising this incredible event is attributed to the tireless efforts invested by a bunch of alumni (Class of 92) as below:
- Nidhi Khemka Reddy from Taxila House whose present position is consulting and Education Management.
- Suneil Reddy from Taxila House is managing a healthcare business.
- Madhavi Chandra from Nagarjuna House is an Educator.
- Nirav Modi from Nagarjuna House whose present profession is business – Dealer for Ford cars, Honda Scooters, and Mahindra Commercial Vehicles.
A Book of Memoir also was published titled Then & Now Class of 92. The book contains school song, little about the history of the school, old photographs of alumni taken during various events and eulogy. This Memoir was gifted to each and every alumnus present.
©Mira Pawar
Photos sourced from the author
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