School Souviner Final Draft

BHPV SCHOOL
MEGA REUNION
1978-1993 Batches
When the entire school
pitched in to help a family
While the idea of the Mega Reunion was
being churned, one of our school
mates from the 1987 batch S. Kalyan
Chakravarthi, was battling a critical illness. The
dreaded disease sneaked up upon him without
a hint and suddenly one day he came to know of
it. When his treatment began, the prognosis of
recovery was not very good. However, Chakri
(as he was known) was very positive. At the time
videos were being made to encourage school
alumni from all over the world to attend the
reunion, Chakri sportingly gave a byte stating he
was looking forward to the event and hoping he
will attend. It would turn to be a poignant
record.
Chakri gave it his all and a hard fight it indeed
was. His classmates who were active on a
Whatsapp group were following the progress of
his health while hoping and praying for him to
recover fully. Whenever he was in Vizag (and not
out for his treatment), many old friends from
BHPV would meet him and include him in their
local get- togethers to cheer him on. It was also
during these meetings they understood the
need to support his family which consisted of his
wife and two young children. They were keeping
a strong front but that this was an extremely
difficult period for them was not lost on anyone.
Things were not looking up for him as the days
went by. It was around this time that an appeal
was made across various social platforms where
BHPV alumni existed for monetary help and
around Rs. 6,00,000 was collected that helped to
hire special ambulance to bring him back from
Chennai to Visakhapatnam.
But as they say, “Man Proposes and God
Disposes”. Chakri's valiant fight with his illness
finally ended on 13th December 2019. It was a
sad day for everyone who knew him and
especially his BHPV School batchmates who
were expecting some miracle.
The one special thing that our wonderful school
has given us was the spirit of camaraderie. That
was in evidence many times even before where
batchmates would empathize and selflessly
pitch in to support friends in need.
1987 Batch
Yatish Shetty
The BHPV 1987 batch on their Whatsapp Group
wanted to help Chakri's family especially
because his children were small. Within the
group they mobilized resources and tried to
help the family. However, with the Mega
Reunion coming up, it was suggested that
maybe more can be done. With a decent
attendance expected at the Mega Reunion, a
raffle could be arranged where people would
contribute to a noble cause while also having
the possibility to win some interesting prizes.
At the time this idea was conceived, it was not
sure how much funds would be collected from
which costs of the prizes would first have to be
covered and then the balance would go to
Chakri's family. It all depended on the goodwill
of the alumni who would buy the raffle tickets
on the Mega Reunion day. The prizes would
have to be bought first in any case and there was
a slight risk the cost of the prizes would leave
little for distribution. We would have to wait and
see.
However, on the day of the Mega Reunion
almost all who were approached to purchase a
ticket ended up buying it when they were
informed about the cause it was suppor ting. In
fact, there were many who purchased a whole
bunch of tickets. This was done by people with
absolute pureness of their heart – and to help a
fellow alumni's family. And it exhibited the
wonderful ethos that was built by our brilliant
school.
A total of 3 prizes which included 2 Suitcases
and a Microwave Oven, were awarded. In the
end, after covering the costs of the prizes, a total
of Rs.1,00,000 was available to be given to
Chakri's surviving family. This amount was
converted to LIC bonds with his children as
beneficiaries and presented to them. Chakri's
wife conveyed her heartfelt gratitude and
thanks to the entire school.
December 2019
52