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47 years ago, we stood at the cusp of something new, something exhilarating. It was a time when school days came to an end at class 11, and the world of college life stretched out before us like a grand, unexplored adventure. Gone were the days of the rigid school routines, where teachers hovered over us like ever-watchful hawks. Now, the horizon gleamed with the promise of freedom and excitement.
We, too, felt that surge of anticipation. Our hearts sang, and our faces wore smiles that could not be wiped off. College life was calling us, and it seemed like a world painted in psychedelic colors, just like the ones we had seen in the movies we grew up watching. It was supposed to be the time of our lives—the start of something unforgettable.
After the hustle and bustle of getting admissions, the feeling of triumph washed over us when we three, (Deepak Dharmarha) made it into Delhi College of Engineering (now Delhi Technical University), (Dinesh Chopra) found his place in Hans Raj College and Sanjeev Chopra secured a spot in Sri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC). Our dreams were coming true, and with it, a new chapter began.
Each day was filled with the rhythm of the Delhi University Special DTC bus, packed to the brim with students like us, riding from early mornings at 7:15 AM to late afternoons, only to return in the evening at 4:00 PM on the U Special bus. It was on one of these unforgettable journeys, one quiet August afternoon in 1978, that the three of us—sitting together on the steps of the U Special—stumbled upon a notice about reunion of another prestigious school. That simple piece of paper sparked an idea that would change everything. Why not create a reunion for the alumni of our own school, Hansraj Model School, Punjabi Bagh?
And so, the seeds of our alumni association were planted. We gathered in the SRCC canteen, where countless cups of tea and plates of snacks fueled our discussions. Our 1977 batchmate, Rajiv Khurana, joined the team, and together, we began researching the structures of other alumni associations in Delhi. We crafted the draft of the Hansraj Model School Alumni Association’s constitution, all with the dream of creating a space for interaction between the school management, teachers, students, and ex-students.
Our next step was to meet Mr. T.R. Gupta, then the school principal, to present our proposal. He welcomed our idea with open arms, offering not just support, but his wholehearted commitment to the cause. It was this support that helped transform our vision into reality.
And so, the sojourn began—a journey that would lay the foundation for a lasting platform, one that would help our beloved school in its many endeavors. The alumni association was conceived as a non-profit organisation, dedicated to bridging the gap between the past and the present, and to giving back to the institution that had shaped so many of us.
After many meetings, discussions, and planning sessions, the final approval came on September 15, 1979, when Mr. Gupta called a meeting at the school to officially endorse the creation of the Hans Raj Model School Alumni Association. We also created a list of aims and objectives which continue to guide our new generations.
As the structure of the Hansraj Model School Alumni Association (HRMSAA) was established, we began working together as a team to plan its activities. The first step was to gather information about ex-students and enrol them as members of the association. During those early days, the list was manually maintained in a register. Meetings were held in the Principal’s office, where the executive team members, along with the teachers-in-charge—Mr. R.K. Sethi, Mr. M.D. Gupta, and Mr. S.C. Anand—attended. We began planning HRMSAA picnics and get-togethers, while also offering support to Hansraj Model School by encouraging alumni participation in its various projects.
Back then we were still a small group and money was always an issue. It’s hard to imagine in today’s day and age but we didn’t have money to buy inland letters to communicate with our members. Here, once again Mr Gupta understood and supported us with some funding. These were the building blocks of our association and it stands tall today on the hard work and dedication of all the members and Mr Gupta. He understood the importance of having an alumni and was forever encouraging us to plan bigger. His guidance motivates us till this day. Despite all the challenges we continued to work towards building a strong alumni association. It is due to the efforts of the present and past members we are now connected with over 8000 ex students of Hans Raj Model School.
Soon enough we, the association members decided to open a bank account at Punjab National Bank, since it had an extension of its branch in the school premises. The executive committee back then decided to open a savings account of the association to have all transactions through that in a meeting held on January 10,1981. All the money which was deposited at the school fee counter on behalf of the association on a regular basis and all expenditures were done from the same account.
The association made an important decision in 1981 to streamline its financial transactions by opening a savings account at Punjab National Bank, particularly due to the convenience of having a branch extension within the school premises. This decision allowed the association to manage its funds more efficiently, with deposits made regularly at the school fee counter and all expenses being processed through the same account.
As another step towards building bonds, we decided to start gathering in the school in the mornings for playing. Mr Gupta was magnanimous enough to grant us the permission with a strict instruction to leave the school premises before the school began. As a proof of the permission to use the premises, we wrote a letter to the principal and took an approval.
We organised our first outdoor event, a picnic at Suraj Kund, on August 13, 1980. We charged Rs 10 per head and the school us with a matador for the travel. Those were the days when internet hadn’t come to India so we sent letters of communication via the post to all the members inviting them to join the event. The whole day passed like a breeze as all Hansarians met for a day of fun and activities with lots of stories to share about their lives.
That picnic is forever etched in our minds, and for all sorts of reasons. One moment that stands out—though slightly nerve-wracking—was when a few of our braver souls decided to climb a tree and started shouting, egging each other on to scale greater heights. The energy was contagious, but things took a turn when one of our alumni slipped on a trunk, crashing into some bushes and getting impaled by thorns. We rushed him to Rohtak Medical College Hospital in a panic. To this day, the image of doctors painstakingly removing thorn after thorn and carefully applying antibiotic lotion to every wound sends chills down our spines. That same guy is now a legendary paratrooper! Who would’ve guessed that an accident like that would spark a lifetime of wild adventures? And then there was the other friend who took on the dare to swim across a marshy pond, only to return as if he had just conquered a mountain!
We organised another picnic to Tyler Lake, Rohtak on August 9, 1981 and the principal was kind enough to support us with the transportation. We asked for a contribution of Rs 20 per head and spent another day filled with fun and adventure.
Against all odds, we kept our passion for the association alive and thriving! On November 10, 1985, we pulled off a spectacular Pankaj Udhas night at Talkatora Stadium, and it was a huge success. He being such a favourtie and famous name those days, that was our shining moment. The Alumni Association worked hand in hand with the school management to bring this unforgettable event to life. A modest contribution of Rs. 50 was set, aimed at raising funds to support students from underprivileged backgrounds. What seemed like a humble beginning at the time turned out to be a remarkable achievement, setting a new standard for the quality and grandeur of our future events.
In 1986, we achieved something extraordinary – the successful realisation of our very first gathering of ex-students. It was maifested. The result of relentless hard work, countless late nights, and unwavering determination. Every ounce of effort poured into this event was worth it. It was just the beginning, and from there, we proudly went on to organise many more annual reunions of the HRMSAA, each one growing stronger, more memorable, and more impactful.
By 1989, we took another significant step – a tradition was born. We began honouring the meritorious students, a practice that has continued year after year, for over 35 years now. These moments of recognition are not just about awards; they are about celebrating potential, inspiring excellence, and giving back to a community that has given so much to each of us.
Looking back, it was clear that our success wasn’t just due to our planning or efforts alone – it was something bigger, something almost divine. At times, we would marvel at how the events came together, how the finances magically fell into place. But more often than not, it was the heart and soul of the core committee that kept everything afloat. We never hesitated to dig into our own pockets to make sure things went smoothly, driven by our passion and our commitment to the cause.
We take immense pride in this journey – a journey that started with nothing but hope and determination and has blossomed into something extraordinary. The story of our association is more than just one of success; it’s a testament to the power of community, love, and unwavering belief in what we could accomplish together.
This Association has always embraced the “Open Slate” philosophy, believing in complete transparency. Every account and record has been maintained with utmost clarity, always accessible for review whenever needed. Our communication with the school management, former students, and current students has been diligently documented and preserved.
The alumni leaders have always understood the true value of keeping clear and open records. A special shoutout goes to the ever-dedicated Nalini Talwar, who wouldn’t allow any meeting to end until the minutes were carefully written down.
Our beloved alumni register has faithfully recorded the discussions, decisions, and milestones of many years. The snapshots below stand as a proud testament to our journey and the history we’ve built together.
15, Transport Centre, 1st Floor, Punjabi Bagh Chowk, Rohtak Road, Delhi 110035
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