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Personal Reflections
Wednesday, 18 December 1996

Eugene Power
Eugene Power
I was associated with Loyola School for forty-one years and it seems like only yesterday that I arrived there in 1954 on the Bombay Mail at about 2.00 o’clock in the morning, while the Jesuit Fathers were still in the arms of morpheus. Fr. Dincher picked me up at the Tatanagar Railway Station. The date was Feb. 22, George Washington's birthday. I had embarked on the S.S. United States from New York on Feb. 12, the birthday of Abraham Lincoln. Therefore, both days were blessed by the two greatest presidents of the United States.

I was welcomed by the bright city lights of Jamshedpur and the brand new, spick and span, dazzlingly bright Loyola building. It had just opened for classes in January 1954, but some work was still going on in cleaning up the building and putting the final water-proofing surface on the terrace.

The next day, in the usual Loyola style, I was introduced to the student body and the staff. The student body at that time was less than 500, and the staff, a mere 18 or 20. In those days Loyola Was the only Senior Cambridge School in Jamshedpur, so the students and parents gave an enthusiastic welcome to any new American Jesuit who came to throw in their lot with the people of Jamshedpur and India.

Assembly in the quadrangle
Assembly in the quadrangle
The early days of the school were crucial because they laid the foundation for the future. I am prejudiced, but I do believe that the “early-birds” who were there at the beginning gave Loyola its unique spirit. This includes the first lady and gentleman teachers from Jamshedpur itself, the first American and Indian Jesuits, and, of course, the student body.

On the first school day after our arrival, we were introduced at Assembly. This was held on the cemented area on the side of the CNR Club facing the cricket grounds. There were two of us, Fr. James Gelson, rather thin and bony at that time, and myself, in need of shaving off a few extra pounds. We both felt tremendously welcome and appreciated by the whole city. Americans in those days were very much in favour in India because they had clearly backed Indian Independence.

At the helm of the school were Fr. Fasy, the Rector, and Fr. Hess, the Principal. These two also had the most profound influence in the laying of the intellectual and moral foundation of the Institution. After fifty years, you will not find any cracks in that foundation.

That first Assembly was my first glimpse of Loyola and I became a part of it for forty-one years. That was the beginning.

Ved Kapur
Ved Kapur
My final days also reinforced my love of that institution named after St. Ignatius Loyola, whose statue and spirit are at the centre of the school life. These final days at Loyola were in the 1980’s and 1990’s when the Plus-Two section and the addition of girl stud gave a new dimension to Loyola. At this time I saw the good effects of co-education. Loyola began to participate in the feminine revolution that was growing in India. The boys helped out by meeting the revolutionary change with maturity and equanimity, and as gentlemen. I was particularly observant of the relationship between the two sexes. Even a sceptic, as I was, had to be impressed by the healthy relationship that existed between the young men and women. They saw each other as companions. The romantic element did not dominate, but the mature respect and understanding of the beauty of God’s plan for men and women was evident. They were complementary and these two years at Loyola would be a healthy foundation for a life of mutual respect of men and women for each other.

Faculty (1960) The author is seated fourth from the right
Faculty (1960) The author is seated fourth from the right
Finally, I pay tribute to those Loyola students who died immaturely, in the flower of their man and woman hood. There were quite a few. I mention just three that I knew particularly well who never finished their education before death overtook them, according to the saying : “The good die young.”

They were Prem Mahalingam, a most promising scientist, who died at the age of 17 in 1969. Next I mention Ved Kapur, who was probably our most outstanding actor. He died suddenly at the age of 19, in 1970. of a brain tumor while on a train journey. Finally, I mention Shriya Mishra, a most lovely and unselfish girl who had a burning desire to do something great in the Indian Diplomatic service in imitation of her grandfather. Her life was struck down by a madly speeding car as she was crossing the road. on the Delhi University Campus to sign up for her M.A. studies that would lead her to her dream. The Delhi students renamed the street on which she was killed “The Shriya Mishra Marg”. She was twenty-three years old.

Macbeth - 'Powerplay'
Macbeth - 'Powerplay'
These three deceased students stand for the ideal that Loyola wishes to offer to all its students.

I look back on my forty one years spent in India, and look forward to a short visit in the future. After Almighty God, whose providence directed me there, I thank all my students and colleagues. Because of them, I can look back on a happy life. I will carry those memories to the grave and to heaven, where we will all meet again if we lead the holy life that Loyola taught us.

Dramatics Nijhawan style (Prize Night - 1960)
Dramatics Nijhawan style (Prize Night - 1960)
 
 
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