The Summer Vacation siesta in our Mission compound was broken with the noisy shrills and laughter of the Hostel Boys returning with tanned faces and leaner physiques, in early June 2011. The ‘Mashis’ (female attendants) hugged all the 36 toddlers back to their St. Nick’s Home dormitory. The Warden and Assistant Warden smilingly welcomed 94 ‘big boys’ into their Hostels. The ‘back-stage’ managing staff wasted no time in organizing the fresh schedules and requirements for the total 130 boys.
Departures
Six Hostel boys, having been successful in their school-leaving Board Examination (Class X), left for their homes after a Worship Service, followed by felicitations, farewell gifts and a sumptuous dinner in their honour. All six are pursuing higher studies with financial assistance from the Mission towards admission fees, cost of books and monthly tuition fees.
One boy from Class VIII deserted the hostel permanently, after being reported again for an immoral activity; another boy from St Nick’s (Class I), being totally hostile towards schooling, had to be released due psychiatric reasons. The Hostel boys’ strength is presently locked at 122.
After giving seven years of dedicated service as Resident Student Chaplain of Oxford Mission (OM), the Reverend (retired) Ranjit Banerji left for his home on 31 August 2011. All of us wished him a peaceful and happy retired life with his family. A farewell luncheon was also organized in his honour.
Arrivals
Ms Sulata Ballove joined the Mission on 01 May 2011 as ‘Female Medical Assistant (Resident)’ on a contractual whole-time basis, much to the delight of all and sundry. Being a one-time student of OM, Barisal and a qualified Nurse having extensive experience at St Annes Hospital, Barisal, Rajsahi (Bangladesh) Mission Hospital and Lady Rogers Nursing Bureau, Kolkata, her services as St Nick’s Matron, together with being in charge of our 8-bedded sick bay and the free ENT Clinic, is greatly appreciated.
The Revd A D Isaac (retired), CNI, has been employed on a contractual basis, as Resident Student Chaplain of OM, with effect from 01 September 2011. His selection by the OMTA was based on his close and long association with the Epiphany Brotherhood Fathers (U.K.) and his profound experience of the Anglican worship methodology and other philanthropic activities of the OM.
Vegetable Gardens
The engagement of a part-time Gardener, coupled with the helping hands of the few maintenance staff and the enthusiasm of the Hostel Boys, meant that fertile plots adjacent to the Chapel and in front of the boys’ hostels were ploughed, tilled, manured and regularly watered, to produce fresh garden vegetables. These include tomatoes, brinjals, Ladies Fingers, lintels, pumpkins, bitter gourds, bottle gourds, ridge gourds, beans, cucumbers and green chillies. The Hostel kitchen were amazed with the lush vegetables, and ‘a few pennies’ towards food expenditure were thus saved. We can now foresee a fund generating scheme captioned ‘not to earn but to save on costs’.
Additions / Alterations
a)Renovation of Father Douglass’ Hut has been completed with aplomb and soft illuminations. Arbori-culture and landscaping tasks are progressing well. A life-size, framed, photograph of our Founder Father has since been placed in his one-time abode. Prototypes of furniture and furnishings are in the planning stage and should be ready by the coming ‘D’ day (22 July 2012). . b)Chaplain’s Residential Quarters. The hither-to dilapidated Chaplain’s double-storied building, having been thoroughly renovated, has added to the ambience of the compound. The first floor has since been allotted and occupied by the new Resident Student Chaplain. The ground floor has been earmarked for the Hostel Superintendent, due for induction very soon. . c)Four, used, personal computers, received through the office of the Bishop, Diocese of Kolkata, were cannibalized to make two useable ones, thereby raising the number of personal computers available for the boys to use for home training classes to a total of six. . d)The boys’ Hostel kitchen unit, after thorough renovations, was furnished with stainless steel storage utensils and metal drums for bulk storage of cereals and cooking oils – a dream fulfilled! . e)All stringed and wind musical instruments have been provided with cotton cloth coverings for better storage and longer life.
Notable Happenings
a)Douglass’ Day celebrations were commenced on 22 July, with a prayer assembly by all Hostel boys and Mission staff in front of the well-illuminated, newly furbished Douglass Hut, followed by a procession to the gaily-lit, flower-bedecked Mission’s Burial Ground. A solemn Memorial Service around the Founder Father’s grave, led by the Revd Ranjit Banerji, was also arranged. In the evening, the Hostel boys organized a variety programme comprising of songs, dances, drama and a music concert to commemorate Father Douglass’s birthday. The Administrator high-lighted his life, works and teachings. A sumptuous Mughlai dinner was laid out for all Hostel boys, staff members, tutors and a few guests, which was savoured with smiles.
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b)]On 07 August 2011, 60 boys, in different groups, attended the Diocesan Sunday School Annual Competition Rally for all Churches and institutions, held by the Diocese of Kolkata at St James’ School, Kolkata. The to-and-fro bus ride, with snacks to chew, bolstered the boys’ egos to do their best. They emerged Overall Champions once again, with 13 individual prizes, and with the icing on the cake being full marks for the 40 seconds Tableau depicting “Peace be still” (Mark, chapter 4 : 37-41).
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c)An evening in memory of the Poet Laureate Rabindra Nath Tagore’s 150th death anniversary was specially arranged by the Hostel boys in the Mathieson Memorial Music Centre on 08 August and was well attended. The Administrator narrated his childhood years, followed by salient achievements of our world-renowned poet.
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d)64th Independence Day was observed on 15 August at 07.30 a.m. with prayers, patriotic songs, musical items and the hoisting of the Indian National Flag. The Administrator, OM, spoke to a large gathering of boys, staff and morning walkers on the history, making, meaning, usage and do’s and don’ts to be solemnly observed for the Indian National Flag. The boys enjoyed a special breakfast treat and an Independence Day ‘extra-ordinary’ lunch!
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e)The Annual Aquatic Sports Day was organised on 10 September. It was an evening well enjoyed by the guests, audience and Hostel boys. Fr Ian Weathrall was the Guest-in-Chief.
Accomplishment
A ‘Memorandum of Understanding’, duly approved by the OMTA, has been executed between OM Behala and Calcutta School of Music, to impart musical training to 12 junior musicians of OM Hostel boys, aged between 8 and 15 years, for once-a-week music tutelage sessions, with the ultimate objective of including these students in the Junior Orchestra of the Calcutta School of Music. The School has agreed to provide the stringed instruments and cash allowances towards transportation charges, and also refreshments for these boys. This venture is destined to create vocational avenues for out-going hostel boys.
This year’s monsoon was not wet enough to stop the St Nick’s toddlers and children from displaying their new coloured mackintoshes to colleagues at school.
Remembrances
OM Behala were grieved to hear the sad news on the demise of John Corrie, ex-Chairman, UK Committee, and Mother Susila, Superior, Christa Sevika Sangha, Jobarpar and Barisal. Condolence messages were mailed and remembrance prayers were organised, separately, in our Chapel, in memory of the departed souls. May the Almighty grant them heavenly peace and bliss.
Conclusion
Every passing day at OM at Behala has been well-lived due to the constant guidance of the Chairman and Trustees of the Management Committee. Our heart-felt thanks to all the UK Committee office-bearers, members and donors for their benevolent contributions and silent prayers.
Colonel (Retd) Subir Ghosh
Secretary / Administrator