Goa's Sharada Mandir School hosts biggest alumni meet, vows to help underprivileged students

PANAJI: Sharada Mandir School, Miramar, marked a historic moment on Sunday with its largest alumni gathering to date held on Sunday at the picturesque Bay 15 in Dona Paula. The evening witnessed an overwhelming turnout of former students from across six decades — from batches 1975 to 2025.President of the Sharada Mandir ad hoc Alumni Association Committee, Shrinivas Dempo, formally introduced the first ever core Alumni Association Committee which comprises of 20 members in total including the Vice President, Secretary, and Core Committee Members.Speaking at the gathering, he said, "The school has seen instances wherein there are students who have done well academically but not fared professionally, and for some, it is the other way around.

These life-turning curves must be explained to current students, and we must give them guidance. We must also support underprivileged students with scholarships and meaningful projects and stand behind the school in every way we can.

"He also encouraged the alumni body to initiate events that not only strengthen ties among members but also contribute meaningfully to the wider community, particularly the underprivileged.

He also commended the vast and valuable efforts of the Chairman of the school, Dattaraj Salgaoncar and Vice-Chairperson, Dipti Salgaoncar.The event began with a warm and nostalgic welcome as volunteers greeted arriving guests with enthusiasm. Attendees were given blank name tags, which they were asked to fill in with details of their school house colour and year of passing, sparking memories of their school days and initiating conversations across generations of alumni.The formal ceremony opened with a heartfelt welcome address by Principal, Sharmila Umesh, who reflected on the school’s rich legacy, evolution over the years, and the joy of reconnecting with students who once walked its hallsVice President of the Alumni Association Committee, Kedar Dhume added, "We have all worked hard to make this gathering a success. The 60th anniversary of the school will be celebrated in 2026, and as alumni, we will have a big role to play in the success of that landmark event."The event was also graced by senior school leadership including Administrator Oscar Gonsalves and Associate Administrator Sindu Hemanth, whose presence added warmth and significance to the celebration.The event saw interactive alumni games that rekindled school-time camaraderie. A lively musical performance by the school’s talented music teachers was the highlight of the evening. The gathering led to ample networking opportunities for alumni from varied fields and generations to connect and collaborate.Music teachers Siddarth Cota, Nikhil Noronha, Dale Correia, Simone Pereira, Velma Fernandes and Belmira D' Sousa put up a great show, Shivraj Naik captured the memorable moments while the decorations were handmade by Melissa Rego and Alisha Agasnalli.The alumni association has now set the stage for more such inclusive and purposeful gatherings in the future, especially as the school gears up for its diamond jubilee next year.