Glimpses 2006-07: Editorial

Dear Friends,

Not very long ago did we hear the clamour “Bring back dada; Chappell ko hata do” on the streets of Kolkata and elsewhere from the diehard fans of the former Team India Captain, when he was unceremoniously sent to the cooler by the then powers-that-be.  And the iron-willed Saurav did make a loud comeback with a winning knock of 51 in Durban that sent his detractors for cover behind bushes and made his bête noire blink like Sher Khan at the sight of fire. (Well, guru Greg  comes from the land of bushes and fires!)

Dr APJ Abdul Kalam had a humble beginning in the picturesque seaside town of Rameshwaram, Tamilnadu.  Well, with sheer hardwork and commitment, he put the country on the global map of Nuclear Powers and today he occupies the highest constitutional office in the country.

The steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal, one of the richest men in the world and voted as the man of the year (2005) by the Time Magazine  stood his ground and overcame a malicious opposition, racial slur et al, and bought the leading European steel company Arcelor.  Today, the gritty steel baron heads the Arcelor Mittal, the giant steel maker of the world.

Now, what do Saurav Ganguly, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, Lakshmi Mittal and a Nobilian have in common?  Well, Jesuit Education and its ingredients viz. an unflinching will-power, a drive to excel, a never-say-die attitude, and an instinct for success.  The former Team India Captain and the steel magnate are the alumni of St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata,  while the President is an alumnus of St. Joseph’s College, Trichy, Tamilnadu.

Jesuit Education is unique and the Jesuits are visionaries. Quality educaion coupled with moral values for life is the very essence of Jesuit Education. The Jesuits and education are indeed synonymous.  The Jesuits in India run hundreds of educational institutions across the country providing education to the children of the nation, building and developing their character, and making them educated human beings and civilized citizens. Through the field of education, these men-for-others have contributed immensely to the task of nation building especially in the post-Independence era.  Yet, their selfless service goes unstated and unnoticed! It is appalling to ask oneself how many Jesuits are decorated with the country’s prestigious awards. The number is definitely negligible! Even the media both print and electronic have done little to underscore the contribution made by these pioneers of education to the intellectual development and progress of the nation. Well, the Abhisheks and the Aishwariyas are in the spotlight and lo and behold, their engagements are the breaking news. Viva la  the media!

De Nobili School, F.R.I. has a plethora of real life-achievers in its kitty.  As a premier Jesuit Institution of the Coalfield, the school produces good students.  Here the toddlers enter holding tightly on to their mothers’ anchals with trembling hands and trepidation in their hearts, but soon build big dreams and go out with a merry song on their lips; and go on to live their dreams in this world of cut-throat competition.

This annual is a mirror view of De Nobili with memorable photo features for your album, and it showcases the creative talents abound in the Nobilians.

Before I sign off, on behalf of De Nobili family, Digwadih, I compliment the Jesuits of Jamshedpur Province on the occasion of their Diamond Jubilee.

Yours sincerely,

P. Francis Vijayan