Fr. Rocky Vaz, SJ, Principal 1983-87, was key person who brought together the Loyola old boys and formed the Loyola Alumni Association (LAA) in the 1980s. In 1988, he printed a folder describing the beginnings of the School and LAA, it's initial activities and founder members. A very interesting document.

Loyola Alumni Association

There is nothing like friendship

To make a day bright

And to make your heart and home

Magically happy and light

News Year (1988) Greetings

Fr. R. Vaz, S.J.

Loyola School, Jamshedpur

Loyola School began in January 1947. The Jesuit Superior in Calcutta sent Fr. Cecil Leeming, S.J, and Fr. Robert Drugman S.J. to begin this new school. Fr. Leeming was Principal in 1947 when the school began in the old CNR Club with 44 boys in Stds. 4 and 5.  Fr. Robert Drugman left Loyola in December 1947 for Tertian ship, while Fr. Leeming continued as Principal in 1948, when there were 82 students present at Loyola in 1948 is given on page 2 of this fold.

First students of Loyola

Loyola Students in 1948

Birth of Loyola Old Boys Association

The Loyola Alumni Association really began with the graduation of the First Student, T. Srinivasan, in 1951.  Since then every year Loyola has had graduates, first from the Std. 11 Senior Cambridge  (1951-1966) then from the Std. 11 I.S.C. (1966-1975), then from the Std. 10 I.C.S.E ( 1975-now) and finally the Std. 12 I.S.C. ( 1986 to now)

Due to the number of students who were transferred from Jamshedpur before they completed their final exam or those who left to do the Matric exam, the Alumni Association was extended to any one who studied at Loyola. Hence the names “Old Boys Association” or “Ex-students Association”

Edward Dineen

Fr. Edward H. Dineen, S.J. could therefore be referred to as the Founder of the Loyola Association.

Re-Birth As Loyola Alumni Association

In 1982 two factors brought the Old Boys together in a special way.  Fr. Eugene Power, S.J., who had taught English to countless Loyoleans from 1954 (with a few years in between at Dhanbad) was being transferred to Allahabad Seminary. The Old Boys wanted to give him a fond farewell.  The second factor was that Fasy Auditorium had to be completed and the school had run out of funds and the Old Boys were asked to help.

So a few Old Boys got together and decided to combine the farewell for Fr. Power and the Inauguration of Fasy Auditorium.  The best farewell the Old Boys could think of, was to stage a “Play” ( something that they had learnt from their Master, Fr. Power) in the new Auditorium.  At the same time the Old Boys would collect Advertisements for a Souvenir for the Inauguration.  Finally two “Plays” were put up for the Inauguration in February 1983.  “The Lottery” directed by Alumnus Barun Roy and Alumnus K. Janardhan and “Pyramus and Thisbe” directed by Fr. Power himself.

Fr. R. Vaz, S.J. a student at Loyola from 1948 to 1954 had returned as Rector of Loyola and would take over as Rector Principal From March 1983.  Fr. Vaz was asked by the Old Boys involved in the above two Projects, to see if he could bring together more Old Boys and activate the Loyola Old Boys Association.

The purpose of bringing the Old Boys together was

1. To continue to uphold the values and attitudes learnt at Loyola, in their professional lives.
2. To be partners in Jesuit education, to suggest on how to make these values more practical;
3. To use those values and attitudes to help the less fortunate
4. To help Loyola School in her projects;
5. To bring together Old Boys and their families for lunches, dinners, picnics, get-togethers.

At one of the meetings, when we began seriously thinking of registering this Association it was decided to name it Loyola Alumni Association.

Activities of the Loyola Alumni Association

A. For Itself (Its Members)

B. Activities for Loyola School (Alma Mater)

1. Farewell for Fr. Eugene Power and the Inauguration of Fasy Auditorium February, 1983
2. Souvenir collection for Fasy Auditorium (through which Fasy Auditorium was equipped with window curtains, front Blue and Gold curtain, yellow backdrop, side panels for stage and PA system) February, 1983
3. Astad Deboo Show at Rabindra Bhavan and Souvenir collecting over one lakh.(used to purchase Oric Computers for the School ) February 12-13, 1983
4. Helped to contact Mr. Russi Mody and Dr. Jamshed J.Irani in getting help to build the New Science Laboratories (East Top Floor ) 1985
5. Loyola Blues and Loyola Colts (Both Alumni Cricket Teams) letting Loyola School team use their cricket equipment 1985
6. In 1985 old Boys gave career Talks to Outgoing Student.  Since Old Boys now in Rotary were doing the same, we did not continue.
7. In 1985 Old Boys helped to prepare the temporary Canteen and donated to kiosks.
8. Thorough the good offices Old Boys, Tata-Tubes Division built the new cycle and scooter stand in 1985-86

C. Outside Projects

1. Loyola Blues (First Division) and Loyola Colts (Second Division) doing creditably well in the Jamshedpur Cricket League. Special mention must be made of Alumnus Prem Prakash who takes great pain for these teams.
2. Free Saturday Clinic (5 p.m. to 7 p.m.) begun on July 4, 1987 by pioneers Shyamal Majhi, Prem Prakash, Dr. Dinesh Upadhyaya, Dr. Surajit De, Dr. Vinod
3. Singh, Dr. Rotheen Dutta, Dr. Tapan Banerjee and Fr. R. Vaz (joined by others later)
4. Visiting Nirmal Hirdaya (Mother Teresa’s Home for the Dying) every Sunday – Alumni Doctors taking turns.
5. Possibility of beginning Coaching Classes for Engineering and Medical Exams from 1988.

The Saturday Free Clinic in 1996

In order to build a fund it was decided in 1984 that there should be a membership fee.  It was modified in 1985 and finally it now stand as:

1. All the Jesuits who have taught at Loyola will be Honorary members.  They will not be charged for any activity.  The Association would pay for any expenses.
2. All teachers who have completed 25 years at Loyola would also be Honorary Members (like a above).
3. Life Membership Fee would be Rs. 250
4. Those who pay yearly: Working Members Rs. 25 per year.
   Studying Members Rs. 5 per year

Financial Status

When we bagan in 1983, there was no subscription. But due to expenses for paper, cyclostyling and mailing letters, it was decided to have a yearly subscription. In 1985 it was decided to have a life-membership to increase the Alumni Fund.

When we wanted to deposit the money collected, we were informed that an individual account can be opened in the Bank,  but for an Association it is necessary for it to be a Registered Society. At present the process of Registration is still going on. In the meantime, three fixed deposits, totalling rs 16,000 is put inCanara Bank in the names of Fr. R. vaz and dr. D. Upadhaya.

As of Dec 1, 1987

Expenditure are for Cyclostyling, Postage, Refreshments for Doctors and Helpers at the Clinic.

Jesuits

All Jesuits who have taught at Loyola. (as on till 1987)

Silver Jubilee Teachers

All Loyola Teachers who have completed 25 years at Loyola would also be Honorary Members

Life Membership

A life-membership fee of Rs. 250. Upto Dec. 1, 1987 the following had paid the life membership.

Yearly Members

Working members Rs. 25 Studying Members Rs. 5 The 1987 yearly members are: