ANNUAL SPORTS DAY ST.MARY'S SCHOOL MT.ABU

ANNUAL SPORTS DAY ST.MARY'S SCHOOL MT.ABU
83

Tradition & Honour House Captains marching onto the sports ground with respective flags.

Annual Athletic Meet and Drill Display

[ 8^th October 2012 ]

ANNUAL SPORTS DAY ST. MARY’S SCHOOL, MOUNT ABU – 83rd 

After the students delivered a dazzling performance at the Annual Concert, “The Edmund Rice Musical,” the organizers scheduled another memorable event for the following day—the 83rd Annual Athletic Meet & Drill Display, held on October 8th, 2012. This day marked a significant milestone in the school’s history, as former students from across the globe returned to their Alma Mater to show their love and support. The ex-students, especially those from the batches of ‘82, ‘72, and ‘77, made their presence felt, along with older alumni from the years ‘55, ‘67, and ‘69, and many more from younger generations. The fellowship was profound as old friends reconnected, reminiscing about their school days at St. Mary’s. Known for being one of India's few remaining boarding schools, St. Mary’s High School Mount Abu holds a special place among Christian Brothers’ schools and in the hearts of its ex-students. Alumni are drawn to the school’s rich legacy, considering it a prized institution where they cherish memories and uphold traditions.

Here’s a glimpse into the day’s events captured through my lens. Stay tuned for more updates!

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The collage displays the grouping of the ex-students at the closing ceremony.

The proud recipients in various fields receive their well-deserved certificates.

The winners of the 50m, 75m and 100m dashes

The Novelty event “Junior Boys”

Bear with me folks will add more events tomorrow till then adieu 

INTER-SCHOOL INVITATION RELAY

One of the most expected events of the day is the Inter-School Invitation Relay. Every year, St. Mary’s throws an open challenge to other schools and the public, but so far, no team has outshone the St. Mary’s boys on their home turf. This year was no exception—the A and B teams raced ahead, leaving their competitors far behind, a testament to the strength and speed of the boys.

A to D teams ‘B’ Division Relay collage. 

The Finalists of the 100m,150m and 200m dashes

The EX_STUDENTS Run for GLORY

Drill display put up by classes 5 and 6

The CATERPILLAR RACE

A to D teams ‘A’ Division Relay collage.

'A' Division Obstacle  Race

Drill Display Put Up by Class 7 and 8

OPEN RELAY 

The Open Relay is a unique event where anyone is invited to participate, but very few individuals muster the courage to challenge the school’s well-trained athletes. The ex-students gave it their all, and while they put up a valiant effort, the St. Mary’s boys dominated the track once again, navigating the bends with precision. Three cheers to the ex-students for their sportsmanship!

Drill Display Put Up by Class 9 and X

CLASH OF THE TITANS 

TUG-OF-WAR

EX-STUDENTS 0F 82 AGAINST THE REST OF THE EX-STUDENTS.

Collage of the March past by the Senior and Middle School

Closing Ceremony 

Sports Day 8^th October 2012

As I wrap up this post, I’ll leave you with a short video highlighting the day’s most exciting moments. Kudos to the boys for pouring their heart and soul into every event. And a special shout-out to the ex-students for standing by their Alma Mater—your presence made the day even more special.

Stay tuned for more updates! I’ll be diving into another nostalgic post soon, and if time permits, I’ll share a little something about the spectacular annual concert.

THREE CHEERS to everyone who made this day unforgettable!

THE CLOSING CEREMONY 

THE RESULTS

THE SCOREBOARD AT THE START OF THE SPORTS

CONGRATULATIONS ST. PATRICK'S A WELL DESERVED 

WIN.

ABANDONED BUT LOOKING FOR SYMPATHY Mt.Abu

Last night while returning home I had to pass the home of “Veerbabji” it’s a small shrine situated on the bend between the army ground and Rotary Integrated School, I spied a creature beloved of the human race, taking shelter from the thunder, lightening and rain, he seemed lost and forlorn.

I reached into my pocket to get my phone, the poor mongrel seemed abandoned,  he looked like a well-bred mutt, left by its owner to fend in the wilderness on the muddy roads of Abu. I raised my phone to click the mutt, he looked at me, I tell you not a word was spoken between us but a mutual understanding passed between us. I did not encourage him, as I knew he would follow me and that would have been the end of him as my pack of mongrels back at home would have ripped him apart, so I turned away after snapping him, unresolved as to what action should I take to solve the fate of this poor faithful dog.

The shelter given to him by the God should tide him over for another day, if he moved out of its light he would be hunted by the leopard making his way through the misty hills looking for prey.

I passed him tonight once again, and I have wondered in vain if this poor mutt has had a bite to pump his fast failing veins. Before I lose my emotional cool and go back to feed him and bring on the poignant pain, I rather you see this dog in person through this strain in pictures I clicked while in the rain.

Anyone in Abu in needs of a lovely dog? Head for  this spot.

Where's my Master? I'm  sheltered but for how long? 

An update on The Abode of the Gods Mt.Abu

The Abode of the Gods Mt.Abu.

Blame it on the “BLUE Moon”, Global warming, blah blah—Well the weather sure has taken a strange turn, drought-like conditions have suddenly turned into raging flood conditions in the least expected places in Rajasthan and part of Gujarat. Mount Abu was apprehensive for a short duration with the late arrival of the monsoons, but today, with its reservoir’s almost brimming or overflowing, the Abuites are comfortable that there is enough water to tide them over till the next year.

We still have more rain in the making! Looks like we do not have to resort to the “Indian rain dance to appease the rain gods anymore” as I mentioned earlier, there seems to be a radical change in the weather. The seasons seem to keep pace with the changing pace of human progress; the predictable rise and fall of the monsoons have sure changed over the years. Overnight lightning and thunderstorms followed by cloudbursts seem to be the norm.

I, for one, love and appreciate the steady rainfall that used to be Abu’s hallmark; today I’m apprehensive when I see this dramatic change in nature.

OH, By the way, I was to apprise you of the latest events in Abu, well some young men went bathing the day before late in the evening to one of our waterfalls on the way down and two of them did not make it back as they were swept away and their bodies only recovered the next day. Tonight I heard it through the grape wine that a lad from Delwara went for a dip in Mini Nakki Lake and drowned, will look out for the local paper tomorrow to confirm the news.

Some snaps I took a few days ago on the latest in Abu.

Blue Moon Taken in Abu 31 Aug 2012 

Not so Blue

Return of the sparrows 

Rammed into a date palm tree

Mount Abu’s New Tourist Attraction

Mount Abu’s New Tourist Attraction, floated by Mars Enterprise

Mount Abu’s New Tourist Attraction, floated by Mars Enterprise, At the beginning of this month Mount Abu inaugurated.“The Tethered Helium Balloon”. I really don’t know if it has had its maiden flight. As of the moment, it seems grounded. I believe the formalities towards the aviation department have yet to be met.

If it has anything to do with the differences between the Forest Department and that of the Municipality regarding permission of allowing this operation of going through then it could take a while as these two departments don’t see eye to eye. Like the Salgoan Dam project that was sanctioned aeons ago, but is still lying in limbo.

The place where the balloon is parked right now is the same spot that was made into a musical park years before for the entertainment of the tourists. It was a lovely spot, but somehow it seems to be jinxed and the musical park, with all its lovely lights and sounds, faded away like the mist that visits this lake regularly. I really wonder how long this present project will last, guess as long as it ropes in enough dinero and is workable.

 The tariff for an 8 minute spin to a height of about 350 feet is Rs300/- almost a buck per foot, pretty steep and for a child its goanna be Rs 200/-. Tourists know that you are to buy your ticket in advance and only mount the podium after 20 individuals have bought tickets. Your waiting period would amount to the ratio and volume of visitors on a particular day. Take your time to read the rules and regulations carefully.                          

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Monsoons & the Weatherman MT. ABU

Monsoons and the meteorologist MT. ABU

The monsoons this year have been unpredictable, with meteorologists’ forecasts missing the mark and leaving everyone in a state of uncertainty. Despite predictions of an above-average monsoon, the rains have been sparse and scattered.

It began raining on July 10, 2010, followed by a significant downpour on August 8, bringing 6.2 cm of rain. There was a brief pause until a modest 5 cm rainfall on August 11. On the night of August 12, the rain gained momentum, and by morning, Brother Gale had recorded another 3 cm. The rains continued throughout the day, with the gauge reaching 3.6 cm by around 3 PM. Afterwards, a thick mist descended, shrouding the Abode in a heavy, silent blanket.

Today, the lake overflowed, reminiscent of the Lower Khodra Dam’s overflow from August 13 to September 28 last year. This year, the dam’s level was at 36 feet on July 10 and has now risen to 40 feet after today’s rain. GOSH! We still need 20 more feet! Will the gods perform a miracle to reach this target? I hope not to face the ordeal of a flooded house this year. After every heavy and prolonged shower, friends and well-wishers call to check if everything is alright, reflecting the collective concern and cautious optimism we share during these unpredictable monsoons.

Taken with my mobile