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Dear Joan
I couldn't write you immediately as all the computers were out of order
due to some lightning flash. My own is still not working but I have found
one in the Prefect's office that is working off and on. Just now it is on.
For how long I do not know.
KK Gurung was not at the meeting as he was ill but I met him today at
Mungpoo where I had invited some alumni to get a taste of what is
developing there. The children of class 5 & 6 came, though it was a
Sunday, to show us how much they have learnt in two and a half months.
Though they had never spoken English before, now they seemed very capable
in it. The alumni went through the two classes asking them questions and
they received instantaneous replies. This is all due to a retired teacher
of the Convent , Ms Pramila Allay who is a wonder. At present the classes
are housed in another primary school not too far from the site for the
bamboo constructions that will begin soon. To say the architect and the
surveyor marked out the playing field and a few other things because the
government has just allowed us to start working in the land they allotted
last August. KK was there so I gave him the Action Plan.
We did not think it would be wise to shorten the reunion to three days but
if course some want to leave early for other mini reunions we cannot stop
them. Taking two days to get out of India is the same as it was for us to
get out of Thailand from Hua Hin and from Chiang Mai. We really have only
four days for the actual reunion if we leave off the arrival date and the
leaving date.
That is one thing but we will obey whatever you think is wise.
We will be leaving a few things till tomorrow afternoon when I meet the
College alumni. But we have already decided firmly that the welcome dinner
will be at North Point. The time we figure will be about 6 or 6:30
p.m.depending on their arrival time in town and how tired they may be..
They will have to wash up at their respective hotels.
The second day (first day of the four days) will be visits to their
respective institutions with lunch in those places, meet the staff members
and the present day students. We will have to leave some latitude in this
because some of the alumni may have studied in both school and college.
That evening we will leave free for small group gatherings on their own in
various restaurants.
On the second day of the four, I will have to wait for the minutes to be
published, but it will end up with a concert probably at Loreto. A new
Headmistress is joining in June and she will be deciding what it will be.
This is Sister Molly.
The third day of the four will be a picnic at a tourist centre not too far
away. It is called Jore Pokhri. It is in the forest. For this the buses
can bring people right to the site. There is an official canteen there but
we will bring our own lunch. It is on the road from Ghoom to Mirik but not
far from Ghoom. In the evening we will be at North Point for DREAM ON and
for dinner and socializing.
The fourth day will be left for sight-seeing, zoo, Himalayan
Mountaineering Institute, Rock Garden and other tourist sights. Breakfast
could be at Keventer's, and time for shopping. This day lunch, too, will
be on their own and then a farewell dinner and dance, maybe auction if we
can collect items worthwhile auctioning. This could be advertised and
items invited Alumni may be willing to offer items that would interest
others. All this may be at the Convent but as the Superior, Sister
Elizabeth Chatterjee, has just had serious surgery on her eyes, she was
not able to be present. She is a diabetic but apparently can see far
better now but is under a mandatory rest..
We have decided that alumni coming from Nepal, Bhutan or any part of India
should have a registration fee of Rs.4000/-, from abroad, what was
decided before Rs.7000/-.
Local, Town, Kalimpong, Kurseong, or other places close by Rs.500/- for
the welcome and Farewell dinners and if they want to join everything
Rs.1000/- which would include both these dinners, too. This we will really
have to trash out in tomorrow's college alumni meeting. The new elections
to the executive held two weeks ago has brought in more understanding
minds but they want to get full agreement.
I told KK today to answer you directly about his transportation.
As for mementoes in the registration kit, it was felt that they should
make something perhaps a ceramic plate with pictures of the four
institutions. Other mementoes would be available for purchase.
This is all I can remember. Once the minutes are published and I find
other things mentioned I will inform you., Especially concerning what
functions Loreto College and NP College might be able to arrange. The real
official time table will come to you through Andre Lefevre. I am just
telling you what I remember of the meeting so that this information may be
of some value to you immediately.
Loreto College is very interested in following your advice about involving
their students in various ways and probably the NP College will also be
willing.
Tashi will inform you about dormitory space at NP once he has consulted
with Fr. Kinley.
Fr.Van
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