After nearly 60 years in the Indian province of Hazaribag, Australia-born Father Bob Slattery has truly found home. With his tall, lean and thin figure, wearing round glasses and carrying his prized possession — a cloth bag around his shoulder — Father Bob Slattery is not difficult to identify. The Australia-born Jesuit, who has been in India for nearly 60 years, continues his work among socially oppressed Dalits and ethnic minority people in the Hazaribag region of eastern India. The 83-year old landed in 1958 in this area, now part of Jharkhand state, where the Jesuit Hazaribag Province is based. “I volunteered for India because as a Jesuit I thought it would be good to serve the poor,” said Father Slattery, currently development director of the Hazaribag province.

The 15th Congress of JAAI South Zone. was held at : Loyola Public School, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh from: 27th to 29th December 2017.

The Theme : Networking for Communal Harmony.

Main Host and Convenor : Rev. Fr. Rex Angelo SJ, PCA, Andhra & Telangana Province.

Host Alumni Body : Alumni Association of Loyola Public School, Guntur.

Speech by POSA George Pattery,SJ Provincial of South Asia

Spices Report

Highlights :

Your President was invited to, and attended the Annual Assembly of Alumni of Loyola School, Jamshedpur, Jesuit Central Zone on Sunday, 17th December 2017 as the Guest of Honour.

The meeting was presided by Rev. Fr. Pius Fernandez SJ, the President of the Association.

Secretary Pratim Banerjee presented the activity report.

JAAI Past President Ronald D'Costa presented a vivid report on the WUJA Congress held at Cleveland, USA in June-July 2017.

Another Global Networking initiative of JAAI and Loyola School Alumni Association has resulted in an Afghan Lady Doctor, Dr. TAHERA coming to Jamshedpur for 3 months for hands-on practice on a variety of GP cases. She was present and participate in the Assembly. She shall later come to Ranchi too, to specialize in Psychiatric Medicine. This shall be arranged and facilitated by Doranda Old Xaverians, Ranchi.

The St Xavier’s High School Loyola Hall Ahmedabad hosted its 83rd Sports Day on the school grounds on 10 Dec 2017.

APX (Association of Past Xavierites) members participated in the march past along with the school students. APX members also participated in a cycle race and 100 mts sprint .

New solar panels were installed and inaugurated on the school campus (courtesy an alumnus) on the occasion .

Students , staff , peons , alumnus , parents , benefactors and guests enjoyed the morning and this also was a binding and bonding exercise between all collaborators and stake holders.

Foundation Stone of VISION 2020 PROJECT of St. XAVIER'S SCHOOL laid on Saturday 09.12.2017

In a simple ceremony yesterday morning at 8.30 am, the Provincial Superior of Ranchi Jesuit Province Rev. Fr. Dr. Joseph Marianus Kujur SJ led a prayer service before laying the Foundation Stone of the Vision 2020 Academic Block Complex at St. Xavier's School, Doranda. 

Doranda Old Xaverians, who have made a commitment of financial support of Rs. 2,00,00,000 (Indian Rupees Two Crores only) were present in good numbers. JAAI President Dr. Devendra Singh, along with DOX President Sumit Khemka, Principal Fr. Ajit Kumar Xess, the teachers' representatives, the staff representatives, the parents' representatives, the students' body representatives and the builder's representatives assisted the Provincial Superior in laying the foundation Stone.

St. Lawrence High School, Kolkata and St. Lawrence Old Boys Association (SLOBA) together are nominated for the prestigious Peace and Sport Award under “April6 Initiative of the Year” category. [International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP) is celebrated on April 6th ]  

This happens to be the only Indian nomination and the only school in among all nomination categories.

The top three April 6th celebrations  in the world are nominated for the award out of 680 initiatives in 80 different countries in 5 continents.  The winner will be selected by a Jury Committee and announced during the Peace and Sport Awards Ceremony that will take place on Thursday, 7 of December 2017 in the presence of H.S.H Prince Albert II of Monaco during 10th edition of the Peace and Sport International Forum in Monaco.

LESA organized a workshop for the students on "LEADERSHIP AND PUBLIC SPEAKING", on the 17th , 19th and 20th of October 2017 from 9.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. in the School Hall, Margao. The resource person for the programme was Mr. Jesus Ribeiro. Co-ordinator for the programme was Mr. Denzil Colaco

WHAT THE STUDENTS HAD TO SAY

First of all, I would like to thank the organizers LESA for giving us this wonderful opportunity. Secondly, I would like to thank our Resource person Mr. Jesus Ribeiro, who enlightened us through his amazing and interesting three days session. He was very friendly, humorous and informative. I enjoyed these three day sessions which were very resourceful to me. I appreciate the efforts of LESA and hope they continue such resourceful camps. - Eric Pereira

The 4th Annual Mega Health Camp for the SXD Outreach Schooling Children, their parents and neighbours was an upgrade on the previous one in many good ways : -
a. This time, all students of the Jesuit Boys' Town (Kishor Nagar); a residential schooling facility for destitute and orphan boys) were also carried-in from 20 kms away for their holistic health check-up.

The Reconstructive and Rehabilitative Plastic Surgery of Nooria (an Afghan Refugee minor girl) being collectively sponsored and supported by JAAI, JCSA, Jesuit Ranchi Province, Jesuit Alumnus and Jesuit Refugee Services.

I had written to you all earlier regarding our humble attempt to support and arrange for reconstructive and rehabilitative plastic surgery of NOORIA, an Afghan Refugee girl who smashed her lower jaw in an unfortunate accident.

I am happy to inform you all that with GOD's grace and good wishes from all, our efforts are now ready to bear fruit. 

This case is going to be a unique example of International "SYNERJAAI"!

Thanks to our GC member and President of the Alumni Association of St. Xavier's Senior Secondary School Jaipur, Dr. Himanshu Sharma for organising a crisp meeting with Jesuit Priests and Alumni members at the School on 20th September. 

Your President, along with Harjas Singh, an alumnus of St. Xavier's School, Doranda, Ranchi were at Jaipur, Rajasthan from 18th to 21st. 

The meeting scheduled for 5.30 pm on 20th September lasted a good 90 minutes, whereafter we were given a tour of the school campus. Happy to put on record that every corner, every building, every playground and every feature of the School has a contribution from the alumni. 

The Jaipur Alumni Association is a vibrant, active and innovative body working for the alma and the society. The Principal is a strong pivot who involves and supports the alumni in all programs of the school.