ST  FRANCIS  ICSE INVESTITURE/ FELICITATIONS

             It was indeed a matter of great Pride and an euphoric moment for the Principal and Teachers of St Francis ICSE Borivali West, when 46 out of 76 students of ICSE Board scored over 90 percent and the rest 30 students achieved Distinctions in subjects. 

           Cdr Vijay Vadhera, Secy NFMC accorded me an honour to grace the Investiture and Felicitation ceremony of St Francis School, Borivali West on 14 Jun. Rev. Br Wilfred extended the invitation to Meena and I for the function a week prior and we had been intently looking forward to the School’s propitious ceremony. Early morning on the D Day we were driving down over the Flyover separating Borivali East from West. Meena was looking elegant in her Red Saree and I in my NFMC Veteran Blazer was behind the wheel. We reached the School dot on the hour and were pleasantly greeted by the Principal, Reverend Br Wilfred at the School gate and escorted to his Office. Br Benny, the recently appointed School Manager welcomed us in the Office. Br Wilfred belongs to Mangalore and has been the Principal for the past 4 years. His dynamic leadership has resulted in the School scores in Boards advancing in Geometric progression over the years. The school has outshined its rivals in North Mumbai. Br Benny belongs to Kochi, Meena who is Sanjeevani born was glad to interact with him and this interaction literally bore fruits later. The Principal proudly briefed us about the School and presented us with the School magazine ‘Vignettes’. The two student Guides smartly saluted us and marched ahead to escort us to the Arena, where the Investiture Ceremony was programmed. The ceremony Anchor Ms Petal warmly welcomed us prior to the traditional Lighting of the Lamp with solemn prayers, as each one of us lit a wick of the tall glittering brass lamp. Immediately a choir of chirpy students sang the Prayer song enthusiastically. This was followed by a motivational speech by the outgoing Head Girl, Miss Hitaishi Patel welcoming the newly appointed students council with a word of advice for their future conduct.

     It was endearing to witness the ceremony of the handing-over of the House Flags and Badges/Sashes by the outgoing council conducted with a perfect military precision drill. Equally impressive was the drill of the taking over ceremony by the new council of smiling effervescent students. The new Head Girl, Miss Alisha Mathias boldly took to stage and spelt out the objectives of her council and vowed to excel on all fronts for continued supremacy of their School. She lead her team for the oath-taking Sacrament after which a sonorous song ‘A Million Dreams’ was crooned by a wonderful group.

        In my concluding address, I applauded the School staff and students for the record results in Boards and narrated to them a story of my joining the Indian navy. Was humbled by a standing ovation. I was particularly dazzled by the uniformed School Band and sprightly interacted with them. The Investiture function was followed by a short interlude for refreshment comprising delicious  Appam, sliced Mangos and cakes in the Staff  Room. Grateful to our hosts Madam Anne and Anu to have tended to us cordially. 

 
        The Felicitation function for the brilliant students of std-X, who had excelled in the Board Exams was conducted on the 4^th Floor of the multistoried School. The Principal escorted us to the Auditorium, where Ms Christine warmly welcomed us to the cheerful aplomb of students and Parents. The Principal and I followed by Meena and Br Benny felicitated the 46 students one by one, who had scored above 90% and kept the flag of the School flying high. The Top 4 illustrious students who have glorified the  School are :

A) Master Aditya Sanjog Kabare – 97.83%

B) Miss Aastha Sandeep Parulekar – 97.67%

C) Darsh Bhavin Doshi – 97.5%

D) Master Abhimanyu Nitesh Kapoor – 97.33%

        Master Aditya Sanjog’s  speech was forceful and efficacious, reflective of the ethos and values that St Francis ICSE is reputed for. In my address, I narrated another short story from my Life in the Indian Navy after which I felicitated the Principal, Rev Br Wilfred, by presenting him with a Naval Cap on behalf of the Navy Foundation, that drew roaring applause from the students and parents.         It was a magnificent morning to have interacted with the bright and beaming students of St Francis ICSE. Along with the Principal and Br Benny, we returned to the office and later Br Benny escorted us for a walk up the CMSF monastery and garden that is sprucely nurtured and preserved. He presented us with the Garden coconuts, jackfruit and a bunch of plantains. Apart from the fruits, as we set course, we carried with us a lot of sweet memories captured in our DSLR camera for recapitulating in footprints of times later.     

Video-1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3d_il2b2Nw

Video-2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OHpEpNDRAw&t=123s

Video-3

About the Author

Commander Rajinder Dutta (Retd) has been a Naval Pilot and a Qualified Flying Instructor with about 3000 hrs of flying on various fixed wing Aircraft of Indian Navy, viz HT-2, HPT-32, Kirans, Islander, Super Connie, Fokker F-27 and IL-38.

 He is a Master of Ceremonies and a blogger.

 http://rajdutta26.blogspot.com/
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