ASHAANA’s Reunion
in Chicago
Ameer
Khan, Mayor Brian Krejewski, and old students of ASHAANA |
Chicago: All Saints High School
Hyderabad Alumni Association of North America (ASHAANA)
successfully organized its first reunion and 150-year celebration
of the founding of the school on April 14. There were awards,speeches,
music, nostalgia, and students from all over the States
on the joyous occasion held at Downers Grove, a suburb of
Chicago .
Over 450 former students and their families came together
on the memorable evening. The celebration was launched in
style with the Mayor of Downer’s Grove, Brian Krejewski,
cutting a cake to mark the 150th year anniversary of the
founding of the school, one of the ten top rated schools
in India.
Mr. Ameer Khan, President of ASHAANA, gave a brief introduction
and overview of the goals of the association, which is registered
as a non-profit organization. ASHAANA, he emphasized, was
formed to assist students with scholarships, and also to
provide assistance to retired teachers who could be in need
of financial and other help.
Former students of the school can become members of ASHAANA
by registering themselves through the organization’s
web site www.ashaana.com or www.myallsaints.net
Mrs. Zarina Ahmed, from All Saint’s sister school
Rosary Convent, spoke about the close association of the
two schools and their successes over the years. Rosary Convent,
established in 1904, is celebrating its 100th anniversary.
The evening brought together the old and the young, all
former students of the same school, sharing memories of
the good time they had at the famous school. Mohammed Faheem,
the emcee of the event, kept a brisk pace throughout and
Chicago ’s very own Sur Sangam Orchestra kept the
audience glued to their sesats by singing popular songs
of yesteryear . Awards were given to achievers and members
of the ASHAANA Executive Committee in recognition of their
hard work to make the evening a success. Mr. Sheker Mukesh,
Chairman of ASHAANA, rounded off the evening by thanking
all the guests and promising to make the reunion an annual
event. A professionally produced DVD of the event is available
from ASHAANA at a nominal price.
ASHAANA is also planning a second annual summer picnic in
Chicago and all old students are encouraged to contact the
organizers through the web site.
All Saints', the most prestigious and sought after educational
institution in Hyderabad, was established in 1855 by Rt.
Rev. Daniel Murphy, the Vicar of Apostolic of Hyderabad.
Initially, it was called the College of All Hallows. In
1858, Rt. Rev. Mgr. Caprotti became its first Rector. Being
an English school, it catered to the needs of English and
Anglo-Indian boys. In 1870, it came to be known as Seminary
and College of All Saints with a strength of 105 students,
45 of them orphans. In 1874, the school was shifted to the
present premises in Gun foundry.
The school has produced hundreds of outstanding students
who have distinguished themselves in various fields and
have brought laurels to their alma mater at national and
international levels.
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