Abdalians Alumni Home

Monday, 04 June 2007 08:46

Mr. Hugh Catchpole's students in Pakistan, Bangladesh and India celebrated his 100th birthday on 26th May, 2007 in India at the RIMC, forming phase two of the celebrations. The Pakistan Government released a stamp and a First Day Cover and announced an award of Hilal-e-Imtiaz for this great educationist, to commemorate the event.

Phase I was conducted in February this year when 35 boys and masters from Pakistani schools went to India and participated in the inter school cricket tournament at RIMC, for which a silver cup had been instituted by the Indian Chief of the Army Staff. The tournament was inaugurated by His Excellency Shri Sudarshan Agarwal the Hon’ble Governor Uttarkhand and the closing ceremony was presided by H. E. Lt. Gen M.M. Lakhera the Hon’ble Governor, Mizoram.

There was an overwhelming response from Mr. Catchpole’s students from across the border to participate in these functions at Dehra Dun. Around 125 persons finally congregated at Dehradun at their own expense from Pakistan, Bangladesh, UK, USA and the Middle East. Among them was a 91 year old Rimcollian (ex student of RIMC) Mr. Sahibzada Alamzeb. He was accompanied by his two daughters one of whom had come from USA, which showed the extent of enthusiasm generated.

Phase III of the centenary celebrations shall be held in Pakistan, when cadets from RIMC and other senior Rimcollians will cross the border on 10th June at the invitation of the Centenary Committee of Pakistan, to participate in the celebrations here.

Most of the delegates arrived in Dehradun from Wagha border by bus on the 24th May and a few came by air via Delhi on the 25th. On the 24th evening there was a party hosted by Lt. Gen Kripal Kohli at the Naval Officers Mess Kotah House, New Delhi.  At Dehradun the functions began from the evening of 25th May 2007 after all the delegates had reached. A dinner party was hosted at the Defence Services Officers’ Institute, Dehradun by a senior Rimcollian Maj Gen T V Manoharan. There was so much of good will all around and the rapport was instantaneous. Air Marshall Sarfraz A. Toor (Retd), a Sargodhian, gave a moving speech on behalf of the Pakistani delegates amidst a big round of applause.

On 26th May the actual centenary celebrations got under way. The Chief Guest was H.E. Shri Sudarshan Agarwal, the Hon’ble Governor Uttarkhand, and H.E. Lt. Gen. M.M. Lakhera, Hon’ble Governor Mizoram was also present. To begin with, there was a wreath laying ceremony at the War Memorial, followed by an inspection of Cadets’ Guard of Honour in the adjacent Parade Ground. Thereafter all the functions took place in the Thimayya Auditorium. After the traditional lighting of lamp, the marble bust of Mr. Hugh Catchpole was unveiled amongst a thunderous applause. Then there was the release of the Coffee Table Book authored by Cdr A.P. Bhattacharya followed by the release of the Special Postal Cover. Mr. Hugh Catchpole’s nephew, Mr. Guy Catchpole was invited to the stage and presented with the copy of the Coffee Table Book and the Special Postal Cover album. He in turn presented a silver salver to the College.

There were many high ranking dignitaries from Pakistan and Bangladesh who spoke about their experiences with Mr. Hugh Catchpole. All of them without exception commented on the prevailing good will and reiterated their resolve that such good will should be carried forward in full earnest so that the countries can live in peace and harmony. After these functions there was a tea-break followed by the Graduation Ceremony of 161 Course specially dedicated to Mr. Hugh Catchpole. At the end of it all both the Governors gave a very moving speech on the need to carry on with this wonderful beginning. The dossiers containing school reports of Brig Mokhtar Karim (83 years old) and Sahebzada Alamzeb (91 years old) were presented to both and received by them with tears in their eyes. Finally, the cadets of RIMC gave a scintillating performance of song and dance, thereby giving a fitting end to the morning celebrations.

In the evening there was a dinner party by HE General Lakhera at the RIMC swimming pool. Despite the inclement weather, the part was a great success in the beautiful ambience of the swimming pool. Next morning on the 27th May the visitors were taken on a visit to the Indian Military Academy and an excursion to Mussoorie with a picnic lunch arranged by the Eco Task Force. In the evening HE Governor of Uttarkhan, Shri Sudarshan Agarwal hosted a dinner at Raj Bhawan for the delegates, which they enjoyed a great deal and in a wonderful company on the beautiful Raj Bhawan lawns.