JOIN USThis photograph, taken in 1965, is that of the class ten students of Bishop Cotton Girls’ School. It was the centenary year and all of us had completed our All India Secondary School Examination that momentous year. Many of us are indeed lucky to be around to see the 150th year of the school, which moulded us to become responsible citizens. We enjoyed our school days, with an equal share of academics, co-curricular activities and sports.
The centenary year was celebrated on June 30, 1965, and many VIPs of that time presided over the various functions. S Radhakrishnan, then President of India, VV Giri, Indira Gandhi and then Chief Minister of the State, S Nijalingappa, were some of the distinguished dignitaries who graced the occasion.
I have great memories not just of my friends but also the teachers of the school. Mrs Acca Joseph, the Principal, was a strict disciplinarian who used to periodically walk around the sprawling campus to ensure that the grounds were tidy.
She would also keep a watch out for students who stayed out of class and the other unwanted people wandering there. Some of the unforgettable faculty members were Mr Godbole, the Hindi pundit, Miss Susheela, who drilled into us the basics of Hindi grammar, Miss Grace Mulley, the Biology teacher who used to throw chalk bits at inattentive students, Mrs Theodore, the Maths terror, Sadagopan, the Arts master and Mrs Fewkes, a music legend of those days in Bengaluru.
Mrs Anne Warrior, whose enactment of Shakespearean plays was a delight, taught English to other classes but is not present in the photo. Unfortunately, she passed away a few months ago. The other aspects of English were handled by Mrs Whitbread.
A few months ago, one of our oldest staff members, Miss Marjorie Suarez, the Physical Education teacher, was awarded the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ by the Karnataka Athletics Association for her achievements in the Asian Games and national-level games in the 1950s. On this occasion, some of us old Cottonian girls of the 1960s classes organised a felicitation function for her at her residence, along with the Karnataka State officials.
When I look back, I realise how different life was during those times. My friends and I didn’t have many places to hang out at and would often take a walk in the extensive compound of the school whenever we were free. Some of our favourite spots within the campus were the throwball, basketball and hockey grounds. The school only had one entrance — the St Mark’s Road one. Now, there is a gate on Residency Road too. There wasn’t much of traffic or public transport and only private vehicles would come inside to pick the children up.
After finishing my schooling at Cottons, I pursued my engineering degree in Bengaluru and joined Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. Now I have retired after of 37 years of active service.
I haven’t visited the school in a long time but I will be going there for its 150th anniversary. However, I have passed by it a few times and am pleased to note that the old buildings are still there. Thankfully, the greenery inside the campus is intact too.
I wish to conclude with my good wishes to the faculty and students, past, present and future, of this great institution to carry forward the motto ‘Nec Dextrorsum Nec Sinistrorsum but On Straight On.’