IMPORTANT: CHANGE IN TIME

Dear All,

Please note that the time for the meeting on 3rd has been changed to 11:00 am to make it easier for any North Pointer who is working and has afternoon shift that day.

Please inform all others who may not access the web/mail before Saturday too.

Regards

SURSUM CORDA!

2nd MEETING OF THE NP MIDDLE EAST ALUMNI





Dear All,

The 2nd meeting of the NP Middle East Alumni is being held on Saturday 3rd May 2008 at 12 noon. (sharp 12 pls)


The Venue is Mr. Wilson’s office. It is at The Dubai School of Government located on the 13th Floor of the Convention Tower, alongside the Novotel Hotel and in the Dubai World Trade Centre complex. (see map below)

Shaikh Mohammed is the Patron of the School and drops in quite often so the dress code is smart-casual. Definitely no shorts.

Mr. Wilson has kindly arrange to provide tea/snacks for the gathering and would really appreciate it if you could confirm your attendance for the same (PLS confirm if you are not able to attend too).



We’d hate to waste snacks as much as we’d hate to have a shortage.

Another member Debendra Subba also added to the mailing list. Thanks to Norden.

Regards,

SURSUM CORDA

NORTH POINTER PROFILE # 2

Chogyal Tshering La

(NP 1973- 1982)

A Husband. An AdMan. A North Pointer

As fanatic about Barca as he is about NP, Chogyal has many accomplishments to his credit.

As he himself pointed out, but which we decided to put in the right order of importance (i.e. ascending) here are some of his accomplishments as a Spaggy of the 82 batch.

· conquered the Khang peak.
· hosted the carnival twice.
· was an important member of the batch that was NOT given a farewell by the school for obvious reasons!!! and ofcourse most importantly..
· reignited the socials with L.C after almost a decade long break.

Obviously impressed with the Jesuit style of education he went on to complete his High School from St Xavier’s College, Calcutta and then went on to specialize in HR and Marketing from Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneshwar.

St. Xavier's Bhubaneshwar

Plucked out as a management trainee by Lintas Worldwide, Bombay (then the largest Ad Agency in India) it was a baptism by fire into the Ad World. Not much of a problem for a North Pointer as we are known to start quite a few fires ourselves. Even more so if you are one from the 82 batch. So he prospered and after lighting quite a few fires for Lintas he felt the urge to travel.

His wanderlust soul finally led him to Muscat, Oman where he joined ADINC Y&R.

Eternal romantics say that marriages are made in heaven and that soul mates are pre-destined and waiting. In Chogyal's case she was waiting in Muscat.

"A Wife In Hand Is Worth 2 Boats In The Sea"

Anita & Chogyal met in Muscat and after many a Kodak Moments, began what is turning out to be a story to rival the great romances of the century.

Being in the middle east, it is difficulty to resist the lure of Dubai and they soon moved base to here.

His friend, Ram had just started an Ad Agency, Nebula Advertising LLC in Dubai and Chogyal joined him to service the recently acquired Kodak Account.

He has grown with this organization and currently is the Group General Manager heading Nebula FZ LLC and Al Maraya Advertising which is into Communications and Retail Solutions respectively.

He is also actively involved in general business management, adding competencies, involved with initiating non-related diversifications for the Group and today the group boasts of billings of US$ 45 Million in categories from communications, fabrication, digital imaging, hospitality, real estate and entertainment imaging

His wife, Anita is now a Teacher with the Dubai International Academy an International School that follows the IB pattern of education.

" A Golden Crowned Dancer May Be Quite Oriental, But Wifey Is A Man's Best Friend"

After working hard he likes to play harder too. He loves to snorkel and travel but likes camping most of all.

After all, you can take the boy out of the mountains but you cannot take the mountain….

But then again, if there is 1 thing that he is most proud of, it is in being a North Pointer.

As he would say:

“Once a North Pointer always a North Pointer.”

His Personal Mantra:

“Shower empowerment to those who show promise and lead with passion!”

Sursum Corda!

Chogyal can be contacted at sogyal@hotmail.com

And for those of us who need a gentle reminder....

THE SCHOOL CHORUS

1.Hurrah for our home in the mountains!~
Hurrah for the monarchs of snow!
For the land of the forests and fountains,
and the torrents that ever flow!(bis)

CHORUS
Toil up from the valley below;
"Lift your heart" to the breeze and the glow;
And our school on the hill
Here's a cheer for it still, Hurrah!
As onwards through life we go!

2.From the sweltering South and the Islands,
From the plains where the hot winds blow,
We have met in the heart of the highlands
At fair India's gates of snow.(bis)

3.Here`s a hand to a faltering brother,
Here's a lift for the lame and the slow,
And we'll stand, boys, like men to each other
As onwards through life we go.(bis)

MESSAGE FROM JORDEN NORBHU: President - DNPSAA

Dear ME North-Pointers,

This is to send you all at UAE my sincere greetings to fellow North Pointers.
It is indeed heartening to see fellow spagies getting together and also helping one another. After all no matter where we may go in this world the twin towers will always be a part of our lives even after we complete our education.

The last Saturday of April is now marked for the annual general meeting in Darjeeling.

This year its on 26th April 2008 and it is in this meeting that I will propose the formation of an apex body with a central secretariat at the Alumni Office here in school. We have to ask Fr Van how to create this and also Fr Rector who is also very keen to form a world body. It is no easy task but with the likes of you guys in UAE showing the way I am sure that we will eventually work out the details.

I shall let you know what happens in our AGM this Saturday and though I would like to be there with you all this year I have no choice but to wait for the elections first on Saturday see the outcome, then proceed for meetings with Sikkim, Siliguri and Bhutan then Nepal then will inform you and all chapters of the outcome.

Please bear with us

Jorden Norbhu

Dear All,


As part of our efforts to bring the NP family together we are beginning series of Profiles.

These will be of all northpointers here in the middle east and we begin today with one of our most illustrious alum. These series of Profiles will not only serve to better introduce each other but also to inspire all ex-northpointers.


After all as someone said so eloquently,


"Every human heartbeat is a universe of possibilities."

ROBERT WILSON.

An Academician. A Father. A NorthPointer

Born in 1952, Robert Wilson, has been blazing a trial in academics ever since.

After passing out from NP (where else) he went on to do his Bachelors and then Masters from Govt. College in Darjeeling. He then joined NP as a teacher and for almost 8 years he proceeded to give back to the next generation the values and ideals that he himself had imbibed while in school.

As many of his ex-students say “He was a tough ol cookie but with a heart of gold.”

“The best teachers teach from the heart, not from the book” John C Dana

His siblings too have followed him into teaching at NP.

His brother Patrick was a great footballer and a PD sub-prefect while his sister Viveka was not only a beloved teacher but also a virtuoso piano player whose considerable talents were never quite tapped fully. Lilting strains of the piano coming from the music room, overlooking the lush gardens and the UD flat.... aahhh to be 12 and in school again....

But Moving on..

After NP, Mr. Wilson joined Budhanilkantha School in Kathmandu and then in 1989 came to Dubai when he joined The Modern High School.

After a very successful stint there, he joined the University of Wollongong, Dubai Campus as Administrator and remained for almost a decade.

As a current member of UoW recently said, “The Dubai campus of the U o W is what it is today only because of the foundation and values laid initially by Mr. Wilson”.

After a 2 year term as Director QA & Compliance with the Overseas Program of the Southern New Hampshire University (USA) he joined Dubai School of Government as Operations Manager where he is today.

Phew…. Quite a mouthful there now isn’t that?

As impressive as that is, Mr. Wilson will readily give it all up for the 1 thing that he values the most. His Family!

I hate clichés but sometimes nothing drives home a point as well, so here goes…..

“Behind Every Successful Man Is A Woman.”

And in Mr. Wilson’s case it is Mrs. Purnima Wilson.

Since her marriage, she has not only been the love of his life but also a solid rock on which he has built his career. She is a homemaker in the truest sense of the word.

As he moved from N.P to Kathmandu to Dubai he always knew that the one, constant, solid equation would be a warm loving home to come back to.

And that, as Frost would say, has made all the difference.

They have now been married for 30 years and in today’s age of 20/20 cricket that is quite a miracle in itself.

“There is nothing nobler or more admirable than when two people who see eye to eye keep house as man and wife, confounding their enemies and delighting their friends.” - Homer

(L-R) Ludovic, Richard, Mr. & Mrs. Wilson, Serene and Zerene

In Richard, Serene & Zerene they have 3 wonderful children. Richard the eldest, is now a Manager with Communigate, a PR and Media Company in Dubai. Serene, the second born is happily married to Ludovic from France. Both of them are settled in Dubai and Serene is now busy trying to set up family having been with AC Neilsen for several years. Zerene is the youngest, and is about to graduate from Southern New Hampshire University with a degree from the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management. She is set to come back to Dubai in May.

“There are only two lasting bequests we can hope to give our children. One is roots; the other, wings.” - Hodding Carter

As accomplished an academician as he is, Mr. Wilson is above all a proud North Pointer.

Never too busy to join a just cause, never too tired to lend a helping hand.

As we start the Middle East chapter of the NP Alumni we couldn’t ask for someone more able & gifted to lead us.

Thank you Sir for everything you've taught us and everything more we hope to learn from you in the years to come.

SURSUM CORDA indeed!


"A teacher affects eternity:he can never tell where his influence stops." - Henry Adams

A message from Samir:

Dear All,

Today (April22 and everyday actually) is Earth Day and I thought I'd remind all North Pointers to go easy with their consumption and waste generation, especially in the office and while shopping.

Can we avoid using bags from the shopping malls and carry our own back packs instead, please.

You would think its difficult, its just an attitude change thats required and a slight change of our normal lazy habits.

Yours truely was instrumental along with Darjeeling Initiative and Rajesh Subarno, SP, Darjeeling in banning poly bags from Darjeeling town.

If we can change people there, we surely can change ourselves out here! Perhaps we can make this an important part of all our North Point get togethers and events. Green Events???!!!

A good example we've set already: Pooling cars to go for last Friday's meeting to Mirdiff. Keep it up guys!!!

REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE...Yep, thats the Mantra

Regards
Samir

Well,

Our Middle East chapter seems to be off the ground and if the initial response is anything to by then we are looking at a big successful reunion ahead.

And why not!

"Don't look so sad Samir, we'll get you another beer, but why am i drinking lemonade?"

meeting at Mr. Wilson's house on 18 Apr (pic courtesy Mr. Chogyal)

Apart from the stalwarts like Mr. Wilson and Mr. Chogyal we also have Samir Sharma with us. Many of you already know him as one of the main brains behind the Darjeeling Carnival. If the success of the carnival is any indication then we are all in safe hands here too. Samir is currently crazy busy with the upcoming bride show but is still taking time out for this. Thanks a Ton from all of us.

We have also received some mails from other alumni and here is a selection of what they had to say.

But before that we also have a message from Mr. Wilson.

"...by the way, Mrs. Wilson has asked me to thank you all for your words of appreciation on the site and says North Pointers are always welcome at the Wilson home for a good tuck in!!"

Amen to that. :-)

"I'm not posing for the camera, i'm just avoiding the flashy red shirts. Oh God! a Red shoe too."

(pic courtesy Mr. Chogyal)

---------- * ----------

When do you plan to hold the meeting in May as I will have to be out of the UAE for a few days around 25th May.

I am Gurdeep Dhatt, NP 1956-1967, O’Neill House

My contact details in the UAE are :

Dr Gurdeep Dhatt MBBS, CSi, FRCPath
Tawam Hospital Al Ain

Tel (h) 03 762 3503
Tel (w) 03 707 2417
Mobile 050 583 2795

Would be nice to catch up at some time.

Kind regards,

Gurdeep Dhatt

---------- * ----------

Dear ME Alumni,

Our best wishes to the NPites and keep in touch as we want to form an apex body of all Chapters

Best wishes

Jorden Norbhu
President DNPSAA

---------- * ----------

Hi,

I commend you guys for opening a NP Alumni Chapter in the Middle East. You guys are rich so there should be no trouble. Meantime I am proactive as the leader in the Canada Chapter. This coming 19-25 July there will be an historic event where we will commend and recognize the Canadian Jesuit fathers for the dedicated and effective education they provided to us who are settled across the world in success. There will be a formal dinner on the19th where we will gracefully pass a commemorative recognition plague to Rev Fr Gerard van Wallengham that will go to the North Point Awards Parlour for eternal memory. Please seriously consider coming to this event to raise the Middle East voice and to make history. I really await your serious consideration. There will be tour activities to Niagara Falls, French Montreal and the national capital, Ottawa. Most important, we will be together from Australia, Hong Kong, England, USA to name a few. I seriously await your full participation to launch your chapter. Sursum Corda Loyally and as a North point brother,

Roman Mukerjee (1950-62)

---------- * ----------

Dear Northpointers,

Thanks for the update. Will revert asap.
We must meet when next I am in Dubai or when any of you are next in Bangalore.

Regards,

Arif Vazirally ( class of ’66 ).

A Splendid Kick-Off

As many of you know Fr. Van is coming to Dubai towards the end of May.


This is the blog which we will be using to inform/update till we get a dedicated website.

A common email id has also been created for this darj.uae@gmail.com


In this regard a prelim meeting was held on Friday 18 April at Mr. Robert Wilson's house in Midriff, Dubai.

Before we go on I think we need to say a big THANK YOU to Mrs. Wilson for opening her house for this meeting and for a wonderful lunch. Feeding an impromptu group of people at short notice is never easy and that task becomes even more difficult when it is a group of hungry ex-North-Pointers. Once again thank you very much for your hospitality. It is much appreciated. You’ll just have to make sure we don’t make it a habit. Ha ha.

recent pics of school (new wing and pool)

The North Pointers present proposed that we try to set up a Middle East Chapter of the Alumni.


Some Objectives of this group would be - Fraternity, Networking, (upgrading skills through training opportunity and knowledge sharing, provide opportunities to North Pointers etc)



It was also decided that this group should be later expanded to include people from Darjeeling. In the process the people who are in good positions here in the UAE can help the other members to take up better positions, provide career opportunities to people from the Hills etc.



Some RESPONSIBILITIES were also divided:

Mr. Wilson - PR, Contact with Darj & Intl Alumni, Dinner Venue and organization
Mr. Chogyal – Frame Objectives, Goals & final proposal
Steven – Arrange Football program (to submit proposal to Mr. Chogyal & Mr. Wilson by 22 April)
Vishal – Prepare and maintain Blog and 1 common email id, liaison with Fr. Van
Tenzing – Network from Orkut
Samir - Act as focal pt for all communication / gather Mungpoo details from Ranjeeta / Rahul

recent pics of school (the new clock tower)

It has been suggested to Fr. Van that he schedule his trip to arrive on 28 and leave on 01 June (will keep everyone updated on this as i get the confirmation)

Accommodation for Fr. Van has been offered by Mr. Wilson at his place.

Proposed Program for his visit:

NP/Nepali Dinner get together (Steve’s band will play)

Talk about NP Mungpoo School Project - Presentation by Fr. Van

Other objectives for the event:
1) Get NP College and Loreto involved
2) Auction Gifts – (All are requested to bring anything they feel can be auctioned which kinda reminds me of the days before the school fete)
3) Tambola
4) Venue: Mr Wilson to work out place/rates etc.

Attendees at the meeting:


Mr. Robert Wilson
Mr. Chogyal Tshering
Mr. Norden Ghissing
Mr. Tenzing N Bhutia
Mr. Ashwini Gurung
Mr. Aakash Thapa
Mr. John Suman Roy
Mr. Vishal Subba
Mr. Samir Sharma
Mr. Steven Gurung
Mr. Gyan Prakash Rai

A second meeting will be held on 03 May so please keep checking your mails and this blog for details.


Please feel free top leave your comments/suggestions for improvement etc on the blog or through email.


Till next time.

Sursum Corda

Vish