(“Rendezvous 2000” was a grand celebration of ONA Day 2000 after almost fifteen years of ONA nonactivity in Punjab and PPS. It is the biggest gathering and best celebration of ONA Day to date till 2020. Read about the proceedings of the day.)
ONA Day (‘Rendezvous 2000’)
The year 2000’s ONA Day held on 22nd Oct. at PPS was a landmark and a grand event. Henceforth, all ONA Days would be judged by the high standards set by this gathering. Courtsey Rajiv Bakshi(B-151,1972) MD of Cadbury’s all Old Nabhaites were welcomed with chocolates and sweets.
There was a record attendance ( a record over 120 old nabhaites became life members) and many new features were introduced.
The Pictures show the stage backdrop,and The reception center. Section of audience.
The headmaster Manjitinder Singh Bedi (J-82,1969) welcomed and addressed the gathering. Mr. Manjit Inder Singh Bedi (J-82,1969) as Headmaster of PPS, aptly, personified the tremendous achievements of ONs.Rajiv Bakshi (B-151,1972) delivered the keynote address on “Qualities Required for Success” emphasizing the role of Emotional quotient in addition to Intelligence quotient.
Pictures show from left The Headmaster Mr MS Bedi giving the welcome address. Rajiv Bakshi delivering keynote address and Dr Jashanjot welcoming guests and presenting Secretary’s report.
Some of top names in India’s corporate cream like Pawan Kant Munjal (S-163,1970), Managing Director, Hero Honda (also member of Board of Governors, PPS) and Rajiv Bakshi (B-151,1972), CEO and MD, Cadbury India,. graced the occasion. Rajiv Bakshi also delivered the first ever keynote address. Dr Jashanjot welcomed the audience on behalf of the ONA and read out the Secretary’s report.
The pictures show the audience, Mr GS Punia former Bursar conducting the Assembly of Old Nabhaites and Navin Talwar President of ONA addressing the audience.
Senior ONs and all the old girls present were presented mementos, ex-teachers were honoured with shawls and support staff of school were gifted blankets (Khiljee etc.) They were all felicitated by the ONA at the occasion on stage.
The pictures show Wg Cmdr. Bikramdev Singh honouring Teacher Mr. RC Bhalla, ON Surinder Gupta (J-1) from USA honouring Mrs KP Tandon, , Dr Preetam Singh honouring Sports incharge Mr PS Gill.
The pictures show different sections of the audience and Nikhil Sharma (J) felicitating Support staff “Khiljee”
Pawan Munjal honouring late MR GS Punia, the Bursar, Dr Jashanjot honouring Key note speaker Rajiv Bakshi, Capt. Inderjit Dhami honouring a support staff with gift of a blanket.
The morning function in the Pavate Hall was followed by a brief formal ceremony outside the Auditorium , where Pawan Munjal cut the tape and sat in the driver’s seat, to start the bus, he gifted to his Alma mater. Ladoos were also distributed at the occasion as seen in the pictures.
Pictures show Launching of the bus by Pawan Munjal and last picture shows section of the audience with families of brave-hearts Maj RS Cheema,Capt. MS Bhinder and Capt Harpal Singh are seated in the front two rows.
The Headmaster’s Lunch, that followed in the Senior School Dining Hall brought back nostalgic memories. The Mess counters with their shining ceramic tiles spoke of the efforts being put in. ON, Lt. Col. Tejinder Singh Dhindsa (B-167) as Bursar, is doing his bit for the school.
Mr Ashwani Aggarwal(J-188) makes a comment. The invitation card for “Rendezvous 2000”. Mrs Jatinder Kaur wife of Major RS Cheema and son presenting a trophy to the Headmaster Mr MS Bedi.
Apart from the usual football match and evening tea in the new Junior School Dining Hall, the highlight of the Day was the Evening gathering at the ONA Complex. Here ONs and their families along with a high spirited Dinner were feted with a Slide Show of PPS history), top class D.J., Music and dance enhancing the quality of fellowship. and a The day ended with beautiful fireworks lasting ten minutes display reminding one of Olympics Ceremonies and bringing the ‘ONA Day 2000’ (Rendezvous 2000) to a spectacular end.
The thrilling Fireworks! that filled the sky on that exciting night.
A successful event of this magnitude is always the result of untiring efforts of a very large team (some seen and some unseen).
We would be failing in our act of collective ONA gratitude if we do not mention the efforts of the entire PPS administration led by Mr. M.S. Bedi (J-82) and Lt. Col. T.S. Dhindsa (B-167), the efforts of the official ONA team comprising of Naveen Talwar (S-71,1969), President, Dr. Jashanjot Singh Bhangu (S-52,1967), General Secretary and Sqn. Ldr. Kedar Bansal (J-4,1964), Treasurer.
Col. Sant Parkash Singh (R-84,1969) who was Chairman of the Jalandhar Chapter Organizing Committee put in stupendous efforts. Col. Tej Inder Singh (S-70,1968) and his team were behind the PPS Slide show which was compiled by efforts of Dr Jashanjot (S-52,1967). Over 100 hours and two trips to PPS went into preparing this historical statement.
The pictures show the members of the organising team Jalandhar Chapter Kulwinder Sangha, Col Sant Parkash Singh, Sabjit Pannu and Inderjit Dhami. Mddle picture shows Col SP Singh, Dr Jashanjot and MC Geeta Sharma, lastly Dr KS Sangha felictating Mr KC Tandon.
The Jalandhar team was ably supported by Dr. Kulwinder Sangha (B-371,1976 ICSE), Capt. Inderjit Singh Dhami (R-257,ICSE) (Secretary, Organizing Committee) and Lt. Col. Hardev Bajwa (S-25,1966). They were responsible for publicity, newspaper advertisements, communications, mementos, coat lapel badges, printing work and overall administrative workup.
Nabha team comprised Rajesh Jindal (R-486) (reception), Sandeep Bansal (R-572,1986) (Accommodation) and Anil Bansal (J-233) (Venue).
Gita Sharma (R-529,1987) conducted the auditorium proceedings with poise and grace. Dr Paramvir Singh (R-325,1978) was great help in emergency troubleshooting. Each one of the organisers left no stone unturned for the success of the ”Rendezvour 2000”.
The Ludhiana ONs Ravinder S. Chopra (R-33,1966), Lt. Col. Bhupinder Singh Grewal (S-50,1967) and Gurpreet Randhawa (J-98,1969) sponsored the Memento kit (addresses floppy, blazer badge and ONA diary), distributed, free of cost, to ONs.
The ‘Rendezvous 2000’, the best ever ONA Day so far also incurred enormous costs, which could not have been met with the registration fee only. It became possible with financial contributions by Umesh Munjal (S-166,1969), Suman Munjal (S-165,1969), Dr. Preetam Singh (J-242,1974), Dr. Inderbir Singh Nijjar, Dr. G.S. Dhami (R-78,1969), Dr. Jashanjot Singh Bhangu (S-52,1967), Sqn.Ldr. Kedar Nath Bansal (J-4,1964), K.J.S. Sujlana(B-125,1966) and Rajeev Bakshi (B-151,1972) and last but not the least sponsoring of drinks by the School Authorities.
Dr Jashanjot Singh Bhangu(S-52,1967)