Farewell 2006

!ts Farewell
Today signals the end of our school life. This is indeed an auspicious occasion, a rite of passage, one which might be characterized by contradictory feelings such as loss, confusion and sadness on the one hand and sheer jubilation, exultation and unmitigated joy on the other. The years spent in the school have been a glorious roll of drums. As we, Class XII students look back down the corridor of our memories, we remember some milestones such as our first day at Ahlcon, our first fight with a friend, receiving our school report cards, breaking rules and bunking classes, at times being summoned to Dogra Ma’am’s office, those chalk fights, newspaper fights and pen fights, the list goes on and on... Life is a rich tapestry threaded and stitched together by such events. Many (vinyets) vignettes have been loaded into the slide show of our minds, lately - this wonderful farewell by our juniors.

It was about 7:30 am, early in the wee hours of morning. And there I was, standing in front of Ahlcon gazing in awe at this grand-looking structure that evoked in me a sense of fear. Fear, for the reason that soon the next steps I take and beyond will be solely my own, restrained by no-one, guided only by my own conscience and instincts.

On this day, I would like to first thank my Principal Dr. R.K. Sharma, Vice – Principal Mrs. Pamposh Dogra, Headmasters and Incharges for their valuable support and guidance. I would also like to thank in particular my teachers who have molded us into persons that are capable of withstanding and overcoming challenges. Thank you so much teachers. I would also like to thank my wonderful friends and batch mates, you all have been great source of motivation and inspiration.

To my juniors, I would just say - go confidently in the direction of your dreams, live the life that you have imagined for yourself and where you truly wish to go, your feet will take you there. Mountains will fall and seas divide before you if you take in your stride the difficulties of life in this pursuit of excellence. Believe in yourself and in your dreams, because often we lose what we might win, because we doubt the power within. Best of luck to you all.

Ahlcon has not merely been just an institution, it has become a part of our existence. The days of happiness, joy, learning and adventure would never return again – moments that we would always cherish. An episode of our life is over, and perhaps the most important one, but the greatest happiness lies in the fact that it couldn't have been more memorable.

Thank you!

Sanchit Mathur
(Head Boy 2005-06)

Happy New Year - 2006

Click Here for a Blast

May Joy Blossom in your Heart

like the petals of a Rose
as each day of the New Year unfolds...

HAPPY NEW YEAR
2006

Click on Comments to wish others the same.

Kapil Pajji & Ashish Nehra saunter in Ahlcon corridors with Annual Day round the corner

!ts true
Sardined with cynosure cricket celebs like Kapil Dev and Ashish Nehra, the scorching and sizzling sun itself turned into a pellucid and limpid ball of floe, greeting the notable guests for the afternoon. Its another milepost in the history of Ahlcon, giving a new life to the hoi polloi cricket believers. Yes, it was the inauguration of Sunil Khanna Cricket Academy by the great guru's of the game. The inception started with speeches by Head Boy Sanchit Mathur, Coach Mr. Sunil Khanna, our respected Principal Dr. R.K. Sharma, worthy guests like Mr. Suresh and last but not the least by our very own Kapil Pajji. This was followed by cutting of the ribbon and some stroke plays at the net. The occasion witnessed students, parents, media persons and in generic cricket fans in huge numbers and is definitely a step forward by Ahlcon in the field of Sports and Physical Education. |2:00 PM, Wednesday, 26th October, 2004|

Friday, the 28th was undoubtedly the most important day of Ahlcon for this session, for the Annual Prize Distribution Ceremony 2005 was scheduled for that morning. For weeks, students were tuning in and practicing for this event, and the result was a stupendous and breathtaking spectacle by Ahlconites. The function started with an awe-inspiring speech by our respected Principal Dr. R.K. Sharma in which he higlighted the achievements by the students of Ahlcon in the past one year and emphasised the need to realise one's true self. Honourable Chief Guest Mr. S. S. Ahluwalia and Chairman Mr. Bikramjit Ahluwalia then presented laurels and accolades to the prize winners. This was followed by an archetypal elegant and harmonious music performance by the school Band. And then came the much awaited farce - a play dedicated to the life of Mr. Honneyffuddin, a true story of a committed, loyal and honest soldier who had lost his life in the Kargil War. And the worst part was that his body was recovered after 42 days. The play was directed, written and produced by Mr. Rajeev Lochan, our dramatics teacher. It was definitely one of the most sensitive, emotional and tear-jerking plays I have ever seen, that made each one of us realise the patriotic side of this apostate being. It brought tears to our eyes and one could see the entire audience weeping and whimpering. And this was all the more plethoric with the presence of the mother of Fauji Honeyffuddin, those tiny tears racing down her eyes.... this is truely beyond words. Next was a speech by the Honourable Chief Guest Mr. S. S. Ahluwalia, Member of Parliamenet (BJP) whose brilliant and magnetic words completed the proceedings. A Vote of Thanks by our Vice-Principal Ms. Pamposh Dogra concluded the event.

I hope you all had a great time at the Re-Union Nostalgia 2005 and I request you to please write about the same.
I would like to wish you all a very very Happy Diwali full of light, colour, exuberance and ebullience and devoid of crackers and pollution.

! sign off
Sanchit Mathur
(Head Boy 2005-06)

Nostalgia 2005

!not there

Autumn leaves rustling,
together to the appointed place the young warriors come.
Hear the vibrations, feel the shudder of metal as
engines whine and whirl, and planes come to life.
Congjure those quondam memories
that deep within you still hold the very quintessential pulpit.
Let the ember flame to life and memories burn.
Ahlcon Public School and Ahlcon Alumni association invites you to

Nostalgia 2005
Re belong

| Ahlcon Public School Grounds |
| 30th October 2005 | | 5 pm onwards |

! mean it

Sprucing up for the soon to come Reunion and that too at this dolefully high Rs. 300/- entry ticket. Oh, well! It would have been a straight NO from my side, may I have been at your place... Whiz in Seniors!! and do something, get the grubstakers or a Santa Claus to this Reunion. For this 300 exorbitant price tag has to come down. And for this, we need your SUPPORT. And when I talk about support, you very well know what I mean. Try and ventriloquize the same to your Boss and convince him to sponsor the event. Am I saying too much (well, yes I am though). And it is very much possible that because of your efforts, class XII students may be allowed to get in Nostalgia 05 and have a bLaST (I just hope the organizers are reading this, for I have been flooded with the same request).
So, please please do contribute something to Nostalgia 2005 and make it a success. Because, as I always say, It is YOUR event (and till yet not mine).

What's new in Ahlcon?

!s it?

Whiffing in the zephyr (typical Allsburg's writing) of Ahlcon with ebullience and élan, there was this gleam and glimmer in its gaze, another episode of hoopla days come to an end or maybe splotch a new tabula rasa. Forging ahead in the midst of altercations and rumours, it emanated vanquishing these silly causerie.

Getting out of this flare of Chris Van Allusburg, its been a very over dramatic (I guess, the right word is 'schmaltzy') month for Ahlcon, with scads of competitions, ever strict and persnickety discipline, more and more controversies and rumours, its been all-in-all a very nervy and neurotic period.

Our school organised an Annual Inter-School Science Symposium on 9th of August and Neha Jain of our school vouchsafed the 3rd Prize. We were also awarded for the Best Interjection (me there).

On 10th of August, Souvenir Computer Club was officially formed for the session 2005-06. Following are the members: Sanchit Mathur (President), Akshay Gupta (Vice-President), Prashant (Sys. Admin.), Shaurya Jain (Network Coord.), Olga Mittal (Linking Coord.), Kshitij Banerjee & Nitish Huriya (Data Assembler & Allocator).

There is lot more to come in the next few days with the 6th Annual Inter School English Debate scheduled for 18th of August and celebrations for teachers day on 5th of Sept. The Mega Event Silico Battles 2005 is scheduled for 8th and 9th September. I request my seniors to help us organise this event in the form of Sponsorship. On 10th of September, Mathematics Lab, Language Lab, and Toy Room would be inaugurated. This is followed by Inter School Basketball Tournament and host of other competitions.

I have voluminous other things to write, but I must end my mail here.

Sanchit Mathur

Who is Who?

! made it
"And the post goes to...", before revealing the gist of it, let me give you an apercu of 19th of July, 2005.
The entire school was busy speculating "Who would be Who?" and the prowl for "THE ONES" was far more tormenting than the search for the Half-Blood Prince by enchanting and bewitching Potter readers. For none knew "Who would be Who?" and who are "THE ONES", for they could only card up their sleeves with Speculation. 48 Jaunty and bouncy students were convoked to the Auditorium for a Dry Run (being Techno Whacko), but nothing could be stipulated out of it, as our teachers were stolid and poker - faced.The day ended with the word "Confusion, Confusion, Confusion....". "Who would be Who?" and who is "THE ONE" was still an EnIGma.

And then the All Important Day came, it was 20th of July, 2005, a pellucid and bright day, a grave and decisive day. It was the Investiture Ceremony Day. It seemed as if the flambeau Sun had himself come down to earth crossing those aphotic, dark clouds to witness this event. The praxis started with a speech by the respected Principal Dr. R.K. Sharma. His words traversed us like tiffany speculum, for as time passed, we were losing our endurance and the thought "Who would be Who?" riveted our minds. And then, came the spine-tingling voice, "The Head Boy is.....", that pause, that abeyance, it seemed never to end.... "Would that be me?, or Arpit?, maybe Ashish..., or it has to be Narayanan, ahhhmm.... Vivek could have been there, Himank... maybe...Sanchit!!! .... Did I hear it right..was that Sanchit.....", yes it was..... it was me!!! That was inconceivable. For I once even doubted my tardy ears. I went up the stage and was congratulated by Principal Sir. He then hooked up the badge, and with that came a realisation, the quint essence of the Post. As said by Spider Man, "With Great Powers, come Great Responsibilities". One could feel the burden of the post.
It was time to move on, and the Head Girl's name was announced. It was Tavishi Behal, the topper of our batch, a sure-shot IITian, a VMC student, and a student of Ahlcon since class XI. Following is the list of Prefectorial Board Members:
School Post:
Head Boy: Sanchit Mathur
Head Girl: Tavishi Behal
Sports Captain (Boys) : Varun Mann
Sports Captain (Girls) : Ashima Singhal
Discipline Captain (Boys) : Arpit Shrivastava
Discipline Captain (Girls) : Medha Verma
Vice-Discipline Captain (Boys) : Kshitij Kulkarni
Vice-Discipline Captain (Girls) : Niharika Shrivastava

Dhruv House:
Prefect: Ashish Chaddha
Captain: Santosh Gurunath
Vice Prefect: Nupur Bawa
Vice Captain: Bhumika Mathur

Eklavya House:
Prefect: Sujata Chowdhury
Captain: Shourabh Gupta
Vice Prefect: Malvika Vats
Vice Captain: Heena Chabhra

Prahlad House:
Prefect: Jyoti Malik
Captain: N. Narayanan
Vice Prefect: Anjali
Vice Captain: Anusha Mittal

Shravan House:
Prefect: Himank Shankar
Captain: Ginney Rajbir
Vice Prefect: Archit
Vice Captain: Sayak Banerjee

The ceremony was concluded by an Acknowledgement Speech by the Head Girl - Tavishi Behal and a Vote of Thanks Speech by the Head Boy - Sanchit Mathur. This was followed by a photograph session and a meeting-cum-get-together with all the Senior Teachers. It was one of the most dramatic, electrifying and eye-popping day. The ceremony soon ended but it marked the beginning of a new School Phase (or u may call it face).
Thankyou

Sanchit Mathur
(not a question mark anymore!!)

Powwow with Principal Sir

! am

"May we come in, Sir", said a congenial group of students. "Yes, you may and take your seats..", came a tough nut voice.
The four of us were on pins and needles feeling jittery about the proceedings. It was definitely an all important and momentous day for us. It was the Interview Day - a day that would decide and put a final verdict on our approach to the school. It was in the air of Ahlcon for long, but we were not sure, it would be so close yet so far from us. Excited and exhilarated, yet wimp and worried, we hastily took our seats and there started a series of fireballs, thrown at us every instant and we were expected to defend them or pull them off for a six. "What do you understand by Discipline", "Do you think discipline can be achieved in true terms", "What are the problems faced by the school at present", "and how would you find a solution to them", "Tell me some of your instances in the school" and this went on and on. Though, you would find these sixty-four-thousand-dollar questions dim and dreary, but believe me, with Principal Sir, every moment is bright and chromatic. Its always a pleasure and edifying experience to talk and share your views with him. Though, you need to be a patient and enduring listener to understand and ornament with his perspective and outlook, difficult though it may seem, but million cents worth.The interview for the school post (as if you do not know by now) took place in two segments and is expected to continue on Monday. The first batch included Ashish, Arpit, Santosh and me (by mistake). The second batch subsumed Tavishi, Niharika, Jyoti, Ashima, Tarang, Swati and Medha. It all concluded by 1:30 on Friday and the tentative date for Investiture Ceremony is 20th of July 2005.

Schmeer Family in Kashmeer!!

A Scenic view of Dal Lake that awaits to mesmerise its dumbstruck on-lookers..

!dote on

Kasmir Trip: 12th June 2005 - 20th June 2005
Kashmeer is bestowed with beauty and hospitality. What makes it so special, is its people - true sentinels of God. In the midst of Dal Lake, you have a house boat shining in the moonlit night of glory. It was a marvelous experience. According to me, Kashmeer is one of the most secure place in this entire world... You have military men armed with an AK-47 or with INSAS after every 1 metre. What better you want? huh!! Its was truely a Royal Treatment. The people over there have brought an extra sheen on my face. The motley group of spirited drivers, caretakers of boat, and the rest made my experience one forever etched in my memories. And guess what, I did fishing there, and caught one tooo..Though, it was a teensy-weensy one, but it was great fun...So, all you people right there, I am waiting to see your Schmeer Family in Kashmeer!!
Cheerzzz Sanchit

In the Meadows & down we Swing

!awe

As a fond mother, when the day is o'er, Leads by the hand her little child to bed, Half willing, half reluctant to be led, And leave his broken playthings on the floor, Still gazing at them through the open door, Nor wholly reassured and comforted By promises of others in their stead, Which though more splendid, may not please him more; So Nature deals with us, and takes away Our playthings one by one, and by the hand Leads us to rest so gently, that we go Scarce knowing if we wish to go or stay, Being too full of sleep to understand How far the unknown transcends the what we know.

Kosher Drudgery for INOI 2005

!would

It was an auroral and limpid 27th April 2005. After weeks of hardwork and preparation, I was all set for the capstone raison d'etre. And that was to clear the Second Stage of National Informatics Olympiad, in short INOI 2005. After watching the phlegmatic debate at the school, we dilatorily set off for a kooky school called Laxman Public School - the centre stage for ZIO cleared participants. With its conked out computers, I had to literally change 8 PCs to finally find a not-so-conked out computer which had the Gnu C Compiler working. And that was a whopping job, which delayed me by 1.5 hours. There were 2 programming questions in the paper with all the mumbo jumbo hogwash to spook the contestants. The questions extended from finding a route for jumper balls to amalgamation of underworld prowlers. Finally at the end of gruelling 4.5 hour examination, I barely managed to do 1 out of 2 questions, which as per the paper standards is quite good.

We (did I forget to introduce Chandu Sir and Shobhit, the other finalist from my school) came back to school in a rickety "Palace on Wheels" and then set off in opposite directions to our havens. After this strenuous day, another chapter from my gazette comes to an end.

! sign off

Sanchit Mathur

(sanchitm@gmail.com)