(Recapturing the excitement of the First Founders’ day cum inauguration of The Punjab Public School by the President of India ,Dr Rajendra Prasad. In the words of, and as remembered by Mr OP Bhatnagar, a multifaceted Teacher and also as recorded in the School Chronicle. The speeches are included in another section. Picture shows the President unveiling the Plaque at the entrance to Kairon Block.)

“The First Founders’ Day Cum Inauguration by Rashtrapati ji

a) The first Founder’s Day was on 11th April 1961. President of India , Dr Rajendra Prasad formally inaugurated the school. The Governor, Chief Minister, GOC-in-C Western Command, Area Commander, Lt Gen Kalwant Singh, the four erstwhile rulers, Their highnesses of Nabha, Patiala, Kapurthala and Malerkotla and several other dignitaries had agreed to come. Mass PT was to be performed on the ground next to MI Room (present Rose garden). A new stage was made in the circular lawn( in front of Kairon block) for speeches, prize giving, and stage performances. Maharaja of Patiala had loaned a gigantic Shamiana with thick wooden pillars for support. All human efforts failed to put up the shamiana. It was too heavy even for Punjabi muscle. Ultimately Army’s help was sought. Army sent two caterpillar type cranes with a fatigue party. They successfully pitched up the huge shamiana. But the maneuvering of the crane left 2ft deep network of trenches in the soft PT ground. Mr Kate was upset. We assured him to do everything to solve the problem. All night staff and students worked to fill up all the trenches with mud. Rectangular patches of grass were placed on mud to make the lawn look like a continuous lawn.

The President of India Dr. Rajender Parsad and the various dignitaries on the stage

 

The big shamiana (loaned by Maharaja of Patiala) under which the whole school and guests sat. The royalty in front. The school children at the back.

Tea was served during morning programme.

b) The highlight of the stage performances were plays. Hindi play, “kutte ki maut” was directed by Mrs Kate and English play “The invisible Duke” was directed by Mr SC Cowell. I played tabla and dholak with all musical items.

c) Two days before the function, on 9-4-61, Mr Kate asked me to paint three panels for stage .A horizontal panel of 36ft by 3ft was required for the top of the stage and two vertical panels of 18ft by 3ft were required for the two sides of the stage. He wanted the panels fixed next day. A very tall order! Mr Kate engaged three carpenters and got me the three panels by 5.00 pm. I worked on those panels with the help of my art hobby pupils. I worked non-stop from 5pm to 11am on 10-4-61. By 2.00pm the panels adorned the stage. Mr Kate could not believe his eyes when he saw the beautiful panels.

d) Seating dignitaries: Seating arrangements for such a large number of dignitaries was a nightmare. But the teacher-incharge, Mr. Joginder Singh (Head of English), was a habitual winner. He planned the seating arrangement. There were nominated and labeled seats for VIPs as per protocol rules.

e) Crashing of the Shamiana:As expected, the function was a huge success. Speeches, prize-giving, followed by P.T. display, visit to the exhibitions, tea party and back to the shamiana for variety entertainment program. In the end, Rashtrapatiji left for Hira Mahal (where he stayed) along with Governor, C.M., ex-rulers etc. In 20 minutes all left the shamiana. Then came a big dust storm with slight rain. Then I saw the gigantic shamiana crashing down. Had anyone been under it, he would have been crushed by the giant beams and pillars or would have suffocated under the shamiana. I was highly worried for the boys. I promptly walked all over the shamiana to check if there was any casualty. Thank God! No one was trapped underneath. A major mishap averted. It surely was an eventful function.

OP Bhatnagar (Ex Hindi, Art, Dramatics, 1960-70)

Mr OP Bhatnagar capturing a scene on canvas on a trip to Rohtang on the banks of Beas. and Sketching above on a picnic.

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THE INAUGURATION OF THE SCHOOL, 1961

 

“The woods are lovely dark and deep

But I have promises to keep

And miles to go before I sleep

And miles to go before I sleep”

(Robert Frost)

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Mr JK Kate being introduced to the President at the Nabha railway station. Between them is Gen Kalwant Singh.

On 11th April, 1961, The President arrived at Nabha station by special Presidential train with the engine bearing the national flag. The President was received by the Governor of Punjab, board members and the Headmaster at the station.

Excerpt from the Chronicle of April, 1961: 

The School together with a large concourse of parents and visitors, assembled in an enormous ‘Pandal’ erected on the circular lawn directly in front of the New Secretariat building (Kairon Block). Immediately on the President’s arrival at 10.00am with a huge entourage including the Governor Shri VN Gadgil, high ranking officials from the Defence Forces, State Administration, Prinipals of Sanawar, YPS Patiala and Lovedale, the members of the staff were introduced to him by the Headmaster. The President was then conducted in procession to the dais and proceedings opened with the singing of a prayer addressed to Saraswati, the Goddess of Learning. It was followed by the Headmaster’s report wherein Mr.Kate expressed his gratitude to the President

“If I mistake not, this is the first public school in independent India to be inaugurated by the First Citizen of the country”.

After the Headmaster had read his report, the President performed the official act of inauguration, which took the form of unveiling a tablet bearing the inscription:

THE PUNJAB PUBLIC SCHOOL

WAS INAUGURATED

BY

DR. RAJENDRA PRASAD,

PRESIDENT OF INDIA,

ON

11TH APRIL, 1961.

The President then delivered his address and expressed his pleasure at visiting an institution that he described as “young in age but full of enthusiasm and hope about the future”.

He lauded the role of Public Schools in providing holistic education to the children and at the same time emphasized that such schools should avoid being elitist and should open their doors to all classes of society like PPS had done. He concluded his speech with the following words.

“I have every hope that this institution will soon catch up with similar schools in Punjab and elsewhere and will continue to grow from strength to strength in the service of the youth and the country at large”

Before leaving for Hiramahal Palace, where he was to lunch with Their Highnesses of Nabha, the President went round the exhibition arranged in the Assembly Hall. This included Arts, Leatherwork, Handwork, Chemistry, Physics, Biology and Geography sections. During the course of the day a large number of parents and visitors visited the Hall and many of them spoke in high terms of praise of the exhibits, and in particular of the paintings and other articles turned out by the boys.

Picture shows the President in center with Headmaster JK Kate at far end,CM Sardar Kairon at foreground end, Governor Gadgil ,CS Mangat Rai and Brig Gurkirpal in between to right of The President.

The diginitaries on the stage from right Col F A  Von Goldstein (YPS), Col Naunihal Singh Mann, Gen Kalwant Singh, S. Partap Singh Kairon, The President and the diginitaries as mentioned in the photo above.

The Heamaster’s speech

The picture shows teachers at back stage Mr Punia, Mr Kumar, Mr YP Bharadwaj and Mr SC Cowell.

The President being introduced to staff members by Mr. JK Kate the headmaster, from Left Mr.Kumar, Mr OP Bhatnagar, Mr YP Bharadwaj, Mis Pannu (Mrs. Tandon) and Mr GS Punia (bursar). The visit was filmed as the camera being operated is seen on the right side. But at golden jubilee time this film could not be tracked down in the President’s estate, Information  and broadcasting ministry archives or in the School.

The second picture shows ladies, Matron Mrs Macmillan, Mrs. Asha Tankha (w/o Geography teacher MN Tankha) and Ms Pamela Rowe (Junior School) being introduced to the President

The President and his entourage were among the large audience at the variety entertainment which was presented by the school at 6.00 p.m. that same evening. The programme opened with a rendering of ‘Rag Malkaush’ by the School Orchestra. Next came an abridged version of ‘The Invisible Duke’, a one-act play in English. Taninder Singh (S-35,1964) as the Astrologer was outstanding, while Daljit Singh Shaheed (B-54,1965) gave an intelligent and convincing performance as Nekko, Deepak Kapoor’s (J-2, 1963) Duke was on the stolid side and distinctly lacking in verve Jasbir Singh Mann (R-37?) as the attractive but the irascible Lady Amelia, Narinder Nath Dogra (S-61,1964) as the amorous but pusillanimous Francisco, and Harjeet Singh (J-49,1967) as Dekko,the astrologer’s loyal adherent, all proved adequate in minor roles. The colourful period costumes and the realistic décor contributed appreciably to the success of the play.

The animated yet graceful Kumaon folk dance by Indra Surjit Singh (S-32,1964 first PPS girl), Surinder Punnia (J-54,1963, second girl) and Jyoti Kate (third girl) (R-52,1967) proved deservedly popular.

The highlight of the evening, however was ‘Kutte ki Maut’, a one-act play in Hindi in which all the players were drawn from the Junior School. Among a large cast, all of whom spoke clearly and distinctly and acted with the charm born of a complete lack of self consciousness, special mention must be made of Bhupinder Singh (B-20, 1966) as Miss Bela Batliwala, whose whole existence centred round her beloved dog ‘Tommy’, her boy-friend, Inderjit Singh (J-40,1967), who believed in the efficacy of the aphorism ‘Love me, love my dog’, Jyoti Kate as her maid –servant, naïve and pert by turns, and Narinder Mohan Gupta (J-25,1960-62) as Jyotishi who, despite his apparent artlessness, adroitly exploited the situation to his own advantage.

The day of days in the school’s history was rounded off by a display of mass P.T., Horse work, gymnastics and tableaux. The boys looked the epitome of smartness and carried through the whole show with commendable alacrity and precision.

–(from the Chronicle Archives, April,1961)

The President seated for the entertainment programme. Surinder Mohan Gupta (J-1, 1962) at the back is talking to the security officer if he  can get an autograph from the President. In 1962 he migrated to USA and became a doctor there.

Another section of the audience including the Headmaster Mr JK Kate and Sardar Partatp Singh Kairon with Mrs Kate. Mrs. and Mr. Punia can be seen in the third rowsecond and third from left.

The picture shows The Three (of the first four girls in school ). Surinder Punia (Minna)(J-54, 1965), Jyoti kate (R-52, 1967), they both took part in the entertainment porgramme on Founders’ Day, and Basanthi Mathu( R-73, 1967). who joined later. The first PPS girl Indira Surjit Singh(S-33) who performed the Kumaoni dance along with Surinder and Jyoti is not in the picture. The boy on left is Vilas Kate (S-96,1970) son of Mr. Kate and the boy on right on is Raguvender Punia (J-85,1969)  son of the Bursar Mr. GS Punia. .

The  picture shows Mrs Macmillan Nursing matron,Mrs Tankha and Miss Pamela Rowe with a guest.

In first picture Bhupinder (B-20,1966) is incidentally walking in front of dignitaries (Bela Batliwala in the play). Later, he became a Urologist in Minnesota. Second picture shows the men that mattered, the board members from left Brig Gurkirpal, Raghuvender Choudhary (DLF fame), Col Naunihal Singh Mann, Lt. Gen Kalwant Singh and the Secretary of the Board Mr JK Kate.  The next picture shows board member Lt. Gen. Kalwant Singh interacting with a student of the School. The last picture shows mass PT held in the dark, we the boys carried lamps at the start.

Mr Kate and Mr Tankha exchanging notes during the function. Mr Tankha played major role in helping in arrangements.

The President in the porch after unveiling the inuaguration stone.

The President visiting the students’ exhibition with Mr. Kate and Mr. Tankha.

President being shown a purse made by student in his leather work hobby.

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CHRONICLE

(No.7  April, 1961)

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A LETTER

(from chairman of the School Executive Committee)

My dear Kate,

I am writing to express my appreciation to you, all the Members of the Staff, as also the students, for the excellent arrangement that you made for the inauguration by the President of India. Please accept congratulations and convey them to those who helped you to make the functions such a success.

The students put up a very good dramatic show which I consider to be second to none that I have seen in various schools that I have had the privilege t visit.

With bets wishes,

Yours sincerely,

Kalwant Singh, Lieut. General

Gen Kalwant Singh was the guest who talked to the School on its first day, 14th April 1960.
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Through the kindness and good offices of Brigadier Gurkirpal Singh ,Sub Area Commander, P&H.P., a military pipe and drum band was in attendance at the time of the inauguration ceremony and did much to enhance alike the dignity and enjoyment of the occasion. To Brigadier Gurkirpal singh as well as the musicians we would express our warmest thanks.

We are deeply grateful, too, to the Officer Commanding ,Officers and all the ranks of The Scinde Horse, for their invaluable help during the course of the preparation for the various functions on the 11th of April. The success of these functions was due in no small measure to their generous assistance , given so willingly and in innumerable ways.

— Compiled by Dr Jashanjot Singh, (S-52, 1961-1967 ISC)