Shimla : Celebrating the completion of 101 years The Old Cottonians Association (OCA), the alumni committee of one of the oldest boarding schools in Asia, Bishop Cotton School , Shimla held its annual Lunch in Delhi. The OCA also presented a cheque of Rs one crore to Roy Christopher Robinson, headmaster of the school .
Commenting on the occasion,KC Anand, Member, OCA said “Our school has given us the association and training to mark varied but successful careers in different industry throughout the world. We are proud to be associated with such a heritage and hope our efforts help the school in the years to come”.
Col R Dewan, Hon Secy OCA said , “Cottonians today comprise of 37 World War Martyrs, 57 national award winner, 3 heads of state, 10 ambassadors, 6 judges, 36 cottonians with the highest medals / national gallantry awards amongst a host or other achievers. We also have the highest decorated officer amongst all Armies of the World Maj. Roy Alexander Farran who has been awarded L of, H(France), DSO, MC**, L of M(US) Cde G.(France) (Awarded MC three times).”
The Oldest Cottonian, at 92 years young, to attend the function was Gen. M N Batra who finished his school before the Second World War. The President of OCA (UK) Niblett flew from England for the Lunch. The function also saw Widows of around 10 Cottonians meeting their friends.
The Schools also released a souvenir & brochure for achieving 150 years.
Bishop Cotton School which completed its sesquicentennial (150th year) in 2009 was founded on 28th July, 1859, by Bishop George Edward Lynch Cotton The then Bishop of India, Burma and Ceylon & in Greatfulness to God after the 1857 revolution, he decided to found a school so that the British Boys in India unable to study in England could study in the Mountains.
The school opened for students on 15th March, 1863. The first boy, Frederick Naylor, joined the school on 16th March, 1863, “creeping like a snail, unwilling to school,” watched by the staff in curiosity and amusement. 35 boys were admitted that year and the school increased its strength to 65 students by the year 1864.
In a 20 year career published widely. He has worked for the BBC, AFP, The Statesman, IANS and the Business Standard . Known for his hard hitting writing and occasional off-beat stories. He lives in Shimla.
