Loyola School, Jamshedpur - Echoes Ring Again

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Echoes Ring Again

Wednesday, 18 December 1996

A Kishore

The other day when I heard my son singing the Loyola anthem, a nostalgic time machine teleported me back to my school days. A kaleidoscope of vivid images danced before my eyes: images of the quadrangle, the red stage, the stately corridors, the vast playing fields, the Fathers in their cassocks, the teachers with chalk dust on their hands, the bustle during the recesses and the scurrying out after school. When the flutter of images subsided, only a few of them remained. These were the images that were etched deeply on the young and impressionable hiind.

I could write volumes about Loyola describing its one of a kind education, its rich tapestry of extra curricular activities, its exemplary teachers and its ‘par excellence’ educational facilities. But, I shall limit myself to a few things that have had a lasting impression on me.

First three cub scout officers (1951)

In the sixth standard, our science classes were held in the Junior Science Lab. When we went for our first class we found a grey metallic strip and a beaker containing a klue solution on each of our desks. Fr. Kirsch asked us to dip the metallic strip into the blue solution. To our amazement, the dipped part of the metallic strip became brown and the solution transparent. That was the beginning of our magical mystery tour of the world of science. A tour spangled with the resplendent colours of the spectrum, the topsy-turvy world of the pin-hole camera, the enchantment of magnets and the voodoo of chemicals. That was the spirit of science at Loyola; of learning by observation and deduction; of not accepting the written word as the gospel.

Emphasis on understanding along with an active discouragement of learning by rote was a salient feature of Loyola’s education. In standard seven, Fr. Roberts even gave us the unique experience of learning history without memorising. We developed the ability to extract and assimilate the fundamental concepts, the pearls of knowledge that lie hidden in the ocean of details.

The library under Mrs. Irani's stewardship

In the English Literature classes of standard eight, Fr. Roberts posed thought provoking questions; questions that required cerebration; questions whose answers were not in black and white. We first had to think of the answers ourselves and then discuss our answers in groups. Finally, the groups had to present their answers to the class. We learnt not only to think but we also learnt that there could be a multiplicity of correct answers. We were exposed to various view points and to a variety of approaches. This was in contrast to most other schools where ‘the correct answer’ was thrust upon the students by the teacher. Spoon feeding had no place in Loyola.

Mr. Ward’s scout troop was perhaps amongst the best in the world. Those were the days when scouting dominated the school activities. Few may know that Loyola’s school uniform had its origin in the scout and cub uniforms. The corridors were patrolled by the scouts, first aid was provided by the scouts, etc. etc. Professionalism was the hallmark of the scout troop those days. The skill levels required for earning badges at Loyola were higher than those specified by the national body.

The bustle during recess

The Loyola Library, under the able stewardship of Mrs. Irani, was perhaps better than most college libraries in the country. In this repository of knowledge, our main target used to be Franklin W. Dixon’s chef d’oeuvre. Yes, every week, during our library period, we used to scramble for Hardy Boys. For the hungry and inquisitive mind the library had a large reference collection. Loyola had everything that was required for a well-rounded education.

Now with my son at Loyola, I will be able to experience Loyola again: directly as a parent and vicariously as a student. I am sure this will augment my treasury of cherished memories of my alma mater.

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