Dedications

It was an emotional occasion where the class of 82 had a memorial religious service for those who passed away. Emotional to realise the blessings of nature, God and destiny that I was blessed with. Blessed to be alive, healthy and with a family. Alive and hoping to make it to my 60th year of life in the next few months. 

The religious service was a Catholic mass and most of the deceased were non Catholics. Despite that families of the deceased came for the religious service, confirming that we all will be going to one creator who made us. Living at a time where the country is being torn apart on religious hate, here was a group uniting in prayer

The preacher Fr. Joe Gonsalves who was a 'reacher' of a beautiful message, that we need to be like salt. Salt that preserves and gives taste. Me being me and not yet grown up, grinning on how I use salt to rim my glasses. The beautiful choir led by Shayne and a beautiful rendition of a hymn with a saxaphone by Simon and he reading a gospel scripture. Audifax ringing the bell during the holy moments in the mass ritual. Making me a ring a bell in memory on how I used to wait for the bell to ring when school was over. 

One of the organizing team dude, Archan, was the ultimate spirit of life. Though on a wheel chair he was more full of life and refused to be bound to the wheelchair. Making all attempts to stand in respect for holy moments of ritual of the religious service. 

The service connected many of the old boys together with friends during the school years. Like I was thrilled to meet Ashlin a day scholar who used to share his lunch with me. Being a boarding student, home food was something we boarders craved for. One of the deceased boy Inderjit Singh sister, Happy, was really true to her name Happy, when many remembered her brother and especially the food they would be pampered at their home. I for sure will visit her for the parathas that many were lucky to have gorged on

There were pictures clicked outside the beautiful mahestic Church of Don Bosco and in my heart was a prayer for a long life of all surviving class of 82 and their families. The evening ended with a beautiful session of bonding over tea and lovely snacks. A bonding not just of the boys of 82 but also with their families. One of the families were siblings of Tony who passed away, and they came all the way from Goa. Tony's Dad used to teach us music and when most of the boarders learnt to play many musical instruments, I was kicked out as I could only play the fool.

A big shout to those who were thoughtful and  organised this beautiful reunion of memories of those who are not there in our midst today and those alive and all their families. Thank you Glen, the brain and heart of this thought, Archan, Simon, Sanjay, Shayne, Rajesh, Audifax and all families who were a part of planning and being a part of the choir. Praying and wishing for a loooong life for all of them and they stay alive till the rest leave this earth and they remember us this same way in prayer, with Simon on the saxaphone and Shaye giving the eulogy, and Glen ensuring he does not bunk like this time where he could not make it. Missed you Glen and thank you for this beautiful throught of remembering the souls of our departed brothers.

Left the evening connecting with friends and families. It was a teleportation back to my teens. Especially with families joining to sing the Don Bosco Anthem, with a line of the lyrics that say Don Bosco be with us, Don Bosco watch over us, Don Bosco forever our model be.