Three women from diverse fields — a professor, a civil servant and a priest — were felicitated by Modern High School for Girls as the school celebrated its platinum jubilee on Saturday.
The school that started on January 3, 1952, started felicitating its former students in 2008.
“So far, we have felicitated 38 of them. There are so many dazzling stars in our alum galaxy that we are spoilt for choice,” said Devi Kar, director, Modern High School for Girls.
On Saturday, the school felicitated Piali Sengupta, who is Harold and Bernice Davis Chair in ageing and neurodegenerative disease, and professor of biology at Brandeis University, Massachusetts; Jaya Bhagat, principal accountant general and officer on special duty, Maharashtra; and Nandini Bhowmik, priest and founder of a group of women priests.
Sengupta could not be present for the felicitation and sent an acceptance message.
“Our alumnae, who are spread across the world, bring glory to the school and they give back to their alma mater,” said Kar.
While many could not come many more attended the programme on Saturday, filling the school ground.
Stories of yesteryears were heard from the audience as the school celebrated 70 years.
In the past seven decades, the school has transitioned in various ways.
One of which is changing from a school affiliated to the state board to being affiliated to the Council for Indian School Certificate Examinations.
But it did not stop there and now has another school, Modern High School International, that follows the international curricula.
“The transition was necessary but that does not mean we will discard old traditions. International curricula approach makes one an independent learner and that is required to make global citizens,” said Kar.
The school also felicitated Nirmala Birla, chairperson of the two schools and daughter-in-law of founder Rukmani Devi Birla.
“She (Nirmala Birla) was there when the school was founded. She wants a spotless school, both literally and figuratively, but she never micromanages and we cherish the freedom we enjoy in the workplace,” said Kar.