“SIXTY WINTERS” AGO

I have a vivid and memorable recollection of two days cricket match fixture a special event organized some fifty nine to sixty winters ago on the grounds of St. Xavier High School between the Xavier’s team and selected players from cricket clubs of Jaipur and Ajmer. The school team was led by Shamsher Khan an elegant athletic all-rounder who also excelled in Basket Ball, Hockey and Sprint. The rival team was captioned by S.K.Zibbu, a regular Ranji player for Rajasthan and Central Zone he was also one of the probable for the Indian Test team during Richie Benaud tour of India in 1959-60. Our school team batted first and by tea break Shamsher scored a century supported in batting by Manoj Sharma, Subash Prohit, Dutta and Rafiq faced the hostile attack of Zibbu,Maulana and Shekar (first class cricketers) Iqbal Khan (school bowling coach) and Rafiq Khan were Shamsher’s brothers. The three Khan brothers were handsome lean and athletic, their presence in the field evoked confidence. It was a period of classic cricket more emphasis on technique and exerting skills to retain the crease, judging the deliveries before stroking the ball all along the ground was the responsibility of a mature cricketer. The combined team had two star players Zibbu and the other tall dark nick named “Maulana” who strode briskly to the crease on the fall of a wicket, bat tucked underneath the arm, brown cap and a white scarf around the neck this is here CRICKET STARTED FOR ME, I liked the paraphernalia there was a masculine touch of massive power, Maulana clobbered several sixes battering three window panes of the rust colour stone school building beyond the square boundary. Fr. Cosgrove stopped abruptly while on his way to his quarters grimly mumbled “Thank heavens the school is on recess”. The match ended in a draw, we witnessed a memorable game, I and several of my school mates will remember this match even after 60 years. Our school cricket was also for a long time under the mentorship of former Test player N.D. Marshall and Basketball was infused by Fr. H Berney who literally gave his life for the game died on the Basketball court. Fr. Berney picked me for three field events for our 1957 annual school day sports, it was here I got the opportunity to record my performance led in three events, Amjad did well in long distance running (we both represented the Green team of the School) the three certificate of performance bearing Fr. Berney signature remains my most precious possession.

Sir Julian and his brother Hermen were sports coaches – cum class teacher both of them represented Rajasthan state for the “Rovers Cup” and “Durand” national football competition. Dalpat Singh, Hanumant Singh, senior student of the school were first rate football players of the state. Football was a popular game in India during sixties and the Indian Team under Chunni Goswami won the Asian games gold medal in 1962 and from 1951 to 1962 it was the golden era of Indian Football. Our school used to engage playing with team of much higher level either with colleges or even team from other states in the country. After attending two coaching sessions at Mt Abu coaching camp for cricket, I could get selected to represent Rajasthan University in 1966 and later in 1967-68 represented North Zone combined university team at Chandigarh. Students who were interested in sports were attended equally well by teachers so that they do not suffer in studies. The senior staff members I recollect were Fr. Gerald Grace (rector for school for 8 years) Fr. Casgrove, Fr. Pinto, Fr. Extross, Fr. Williams, Fr. Francis, Sir John, Sir Brandon, Sir S.N. Misra, Pandit Hukumnarain, Sir A.A.Sayeed, Mrs Sarkar, Mrs. Alexander, Mrs. Barar. Also there were some reputed public schools in Rajasthan for instance Sadul Public School established in 1893 (earlier it was known as Noble School) by Maharaja of Bikaner. Mayo Public School Ajmer founded in 1895 by Earl of Mayo Viceroy of India, its curriculum was similar to Eton College and is boarding school houses about 1000 students. BSP and BHS (Birla School) pilani, Rajasthan founded in 1944 huge campus covering 100 acres, presently ranked amount ten prestigious institutions in India. Maharani Gayatri Devi Girls school the first public girls school in India established in 1943. Ms. L.G. Lutter a Scottish was the school principal was awarded Padma Shri by Govt of India.

Few notable Alumni from St. Xavier school Jaipur were :

-         Admiral Madvendra Singh former chief of Naval staff

-         Fromer chief of Airstaff Mr. S.P. Tyagi

-         Mr. Piyush Pandey Executive chairman of Ogilvy &  Mather India

-     Mr. Rakesh Hooja Director General Indian Institute of public Administration

-       Mr. Goverdhan Asrani Bollywood Actor

-         Mr. Sidhant Vyas entrepreneur and Inventor of first Android watch

-         Mr. Subhas Mathur- former chief commissioner customs.

-         Mr. Vijay Bakaya former chief secretary J & K

-         Mr. Parthsarthy Sharma former Indian Test player

-         Mr. Satish Mathur Director General Maharashtra Police

-         Mr. Promod Tiwari former Director General of Rajasthan Police.

Before independence of India in 1947, Rajasthan had 565 princely states termed as native states which were part of British India, few of the native states tried to establish some educational institutions with good discipline and values.