By OUR STAFF REPORTER
Mussoorie, 17 Mar: St George’s College, Mussoorie, observed St Patrick’s Day today with a vibrant celebration, honouring the rich legacy of the Patrician Brothers. The Chief Guest was Lt General Anil Kumar Bhatt (Retd), Director General of Indian Space Association and a distinguished alumnus. Principal Brother Ramesh Amalanathan and Vice Principal Brother Felix Kumar were also present.
The special assembly, led by Class 8 students, commenced with a warm welcome for the Chief Guest, who was presented a potted plant, symbolising growth and sustainability. The school choir set the tone for the occasion with a soulful rendition of ‘The Breastplate of St Patrick’. A PowerPoint presentation traced the life of St Patrick and commemorated 150 years of the Patrician Brothers’ presence in India.
Adding a touch of theatrical brilliance, students performed a short skit featuring leprechauns imparting lessons on joy and happiness. This was followed by a heartfelt poem on St Patrick’s Day and a lively dance performance.
In his address, Lt Gen Bhatt fondly reminisced about his school days, especially St Patrick’s Day celebrations at St George’s College. He spoke passionately about his love for nature and the importance of preserving a sustainable blue planet. He commended St George’s College for its commitment to environmental conservation and tenderly recalled Brother Masterson, a mentor who deeply valued nature. Reflecting on his journey in the Indian Army, he credited the values of hard work, honesty, and discipline instilled at St George’s College for shaping his career. In a heartfelt moment, he declared, “If reborn, I would love to study at St George’s again and fight for the nation.”
Shifting focus to India’s advancements in space and technology, Lt Gen Bhatt envisioned a future where many Indians would venture into space by 2060. He underscored the urgent need to reduce fossil fuel consumption to preserve Earth for future generations.
As a token of appreciation, Brother Ramesh presented a memento to the Chief Guest, expressing the school’s gratitude and admiration. In his concluding address, Brother Ramesh encouraged students to embrace hardships as opportunities, emphasising resilience in adversity, the power of forgiveness, and a life dedicated to service.
The event was a perfect blend of tradition, learning, and inspiration, leaving the students with a renewed sense of patriotism, responsibility, and faith.
The St Patrick’s Day celebration was successfully organised under the supervision of Brother Ramesh Amalanathan (Principal), Brother Felix Kumar (Vice-Principal & Sports Secretary), Brother Babu Varghese (Superior), Mark Gonsalves (Senior School Coordinator), Deepali Ballabh (Cultural Coordinator) and Bhavnesh Negi.
