Music, dance and a commitment to the school marked the reunion of South Point, held after a gap of three years.
Alumni cutting across generations came together for Rendezvous 2023, an initiative of the South Point Ex-Students’ Association (ASPEXS), in association with The Telegraph, at the Eastern Metropolitan Club on Saturday evening.
A retired policeman from the 1979 batch, a professional working in Toronto, a recent alumna... the reunion became a melting pot of sorts.
“It is fellow feeling that binds us together. When we meet our seniors we talk about how the school was during our times. While talking to the juniors we talk about the changes in recent years,” said Amit Mukherjee, from the batch of 1979, who retired two years back as assistant commissioner of the city police.
South Point will enter its 70th year in April and the school over the years has transitioned from being affiliated to the state board to a CBSE institution.
“Open meetings the ex-students’ association organises give us a scope to know and interact with people from different batches,” he said.
Last held in December 2019, the reunion this year saw an attendance of over 1,000 which comprised alumni and teachers. “The reunion attracted a lot of interest in people across generations who wanted to meet up and spend time together,” said Krishna Damani, president of the South Point Ex-Students’ Association.
Singer Sanchari Sengupta, from the 2019 batch, performed from her repertoire of songs. It was followed by a ramp walk.
When DJ Koyel took the stage it was time to put on the dancing shoes.
“I make it a point to come to Kolkata and attend the reunion,” said Samit Saha, who works in Toronto.
For a school that has produced successful alumni over the years, medical practitioners across batches came together with a promise to reach out to the South Point family.
Saturday marked the launch of SPHS Medics, which already has a membership of about 400 health-care practitioners.
“This will be a one-stop helpline of information and guidance to the South Point community and create awareness about healthcare facilities,” said Jyotirup Goswami, who started SPHS Medics.
He is an oncologist by profession.
Goswami, from the 1994 Madhyamik batch, said the group would counsel students about career opportunities in health care and raise healthcare awareness among students. “If we catch them young and tell them why one needs to avoid smoking or do lifestyle counselling, it would be more effective than addressing such issues when they have crossed the threshold age,” said Goswami.
Psychiayriat Jai Ranjan Ram, from the 1983 HS batch, said such initiatives went a long way in strengthening bonds with the school and encouraging them to repay their debt to the school.
“The school has one of the largest student strengths and that would give the opportunity to serve a large part of society. We would like to strengthen the hands of the ex-students association and work closely,” said Ram.