Alma mater honors Sethna

Dr Homi Nusserwanji Sethna, the force behind the country’s first nuclear test, deputy secretary general to the United Nations International Conference on Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy, recipient of several awards, culminating in the Padma Vibhushan (1975) was honored posthumously by his alma mater — the St Xavier’s High School, Bombay. The award was received by his brother Rusi on February 12, 2011 at the School’s annual Nostalgia night organized by the Xavier’s School Alumni Association (XSAA) which has been in existence since1994.

A collage portrait of Dr Homi Sethna (left); Jimmy Wadia presenting plaque to Rusi Sethna (right)

Nostalgia 2011 initiated the "Xavier Ratna” and Sethna was its first recipient. The honor, which carries a plaque and a citation, was presented by the oldest ex-student present, Jimmy Wadia, a timber merchant. The citation, read by Feroze Patch, a logistics consultant, states: "Dr Homi Nusserwanji Sethna... pioneered the establishment of India’s first nuclear reprocessing plant... He successfully completed India’s first peaceful nuclear explosion code named ‘Laughing Buddha’ at Pokhran... A fearless, no-nonsense man, who carried on with India’s nuclear mission despite the challenging backdrop of sanctions and technological denial imposed on India... We salute the man who gave the world an everlasting reason to fear and respect India.”

Nostalgia 2011 was a festive evening of dinner, dance and music with pop music performed by a group of Xavierites with their own band. A fire dance solo by former student Newton D’Souza stole the show. A Marathi skit was performed by the current students. Sarosh Sanjana and Darius Engineer organized a musical quiz in which a medley of 10 songs needed to be identified with a first prize of a two-day holiday to Goa for the winner.

In 2009 the XSAA decided to undertake a major fund-raising drive to enable the School to continue providing students top class education at Rs 10 per month. A major project is to have a medical insurance policy covering all retired teachers. The Godrej family — five of whose members are ex-students — is sponsoring renovation and air conditioning of the School hall which will be equipped with a sophisticated audio system so that the School can then hire it out for functions, corporate meetings, entertainment, etc.

Plans are also afoot for the grounds to be fitted with a permanent lighting system so that sports events and wedding functions can be hosted there at night. In addition, the Association plans to upgrade the chemistry laboratory and set up a language laboratory.

Mehroo Kotval