St. John Bosco’s College, Hatton:

A silver line in the dark clouds

V. K. MUTHULINGAM Patana Group Corr.

Located in the high hills, St. John Bosco’s College Hatton completed its 75th year milestone on its educational career on February 3.

The Old Boys’ Association (OBA) has organised a wide range of events and a grand celebration to mark this diamond jubilee. Dr. A. Nandakumar, Chairman, Hatton-Dickoya UC will grace the function as the chief guest along with other distinguished guests.

Like a sliver line in the dark clouds, St. John Bosco SSJ Missionary Rev. Brothers came forward to render their education service to all. Rev. Hyde, determining to educate the youngsters primarily in the English language, started his own primary English school with only 20 students in the name of St. John Bosco which flourished and gained the Government’s recognition after many years, when the number of students increased, Fr. Hyde wanted a better prospectus and handed over the school to the Catholic Mission in 1944. Rev. Bro. Aloysius and Rev. Bro. David SSJ became the pioneers of the school.

They extended their unstinted services to estate youths and as a result the number of students increased causing a deficiency in accommodation. Rev. Bro. Clement built the main hall to ease the congestion.

After Rev. Bro. Clement, Rev. Bro. Benjamin took charge of the school in 1937, it blossomed in every field which was regarded as the golden period of the institute.

The school was graded up to SSC classes in 1947 during Rev. Bro. Chrysostom SSJs period but the idea was dropped after the Government’s takeover in 1962.

Principals Rev. Bro. Jerome Thomas 1965-72, Rev. Bro. S. A. Francis SSJ 1973, Messrs. Bernard Gunasekera and A. Nesadurai 1974, K. Paranjothy 1975, N. Pushpanathan 1977, S. Thiruchenduran 1978, V. Sumathipala, P. A. Sebastian, S. Krishnan, K. P. Mayawardaram, S. V. Vincent were among others, highly spoken for their dedicated services to Hatton Bosco.

The non-ethnicity policy of the school was another good aspect which had paved the way for national peace and harmony as both Tamil-Sinhala stream students were housed together in the college.

Thus much has been said and done to St. John Bosco’s College, Hatton which will remain in the annals of its history as unforgettable.