JESUIT ALUMNI ASSOCIATIONS OF PUNE (JAAP) MEETING CUM ELECTIONS

It gives me immense pleasure in sharing with you the proceedings of the meeting, with the Alumni, Principals & Director of the Four Jesuit Institutions of the Pune Province that are registered with JAAI held on 14 September 2025 at St. Vincents High School and Junior College and hosted by Vincents Old Boys Association (VOBA)

The meeting started off by welcoming the distinguished guests from Mumbai, Jesuit Dignitaries and the Alumni/ae in particular. Rev. Fr. Francis Raja SJ, Vice Principal of St. Vincent’s High School, led us in prayer remembering the deceased members of the Jesuit Community and members of the Alumni and for a smooth and successful meeting cum elections to take place.

The meet was attended by Prominent Personalities from Mumbai and we were privileged to felicitate them by the respective Jesuit Dignitaries present, namely Mr. John Neelankavil, an alumnus of Holy Family High School, Andheri-Mumbai, a founder member of the school alumni association (HyFyXS) that was formed in 1999, he has served in Jesuit Alumni Associations since 2003 at various levels viz-Bombay Province, JAAI WZC, JAAI GC and also the WUJA council. On request by Rev. Fr. Francis Patekar SJ, PCA-Pune Province, Mr. John had consented to share his expertise on the election process and in conducting the elections as the Returning Officer.

We had in our midst Mr. BabaPrasad Lanka, Vice President JAAI-WZC an alumnus of St. Xavier’s High School, Kolhapur, alumni XESAKOP. We were fortunate to have Mr. Benison Vaz, Secretary, JAAI-WZC an alumnus of St. Mary’s High School Alumni Association (SSC) Mazagaon-Mumbai to be a part of this meet. Amongst the distinguished guests was Mr. Bobby Jacob, National Governing Council Member, representing Pune Province an alumnus of St. Vincent’s High School, Alumni of Voba & VINCA.

Mr. John Neelankavil took us through a power point presentation, explaining in details our association as an individual Alumni with JAAP, JAAI-WZC, JAAI & WUJA, the presentation was very meaningful that enriched us all, knowing that many of us were total strangers, he also explained about the JAAI-West Zone Council, its importance and the role of the three members that would be representing from the Pune Province. He emphasised the importance of forming a body comprising of 3 nominated members each from the four Jesuit Institutions registered with JAAI, namely XESAKOP-KOLHAPUR, VINCA, ELAN & VOBA Pune. From these 12 nominated members, the elections took place for a member to be elected to the Office Bearers Post in the capacity of, President, Vice President, Secretary & Treasurer, thus giving an equal representation from all four Jesuit institutions.

BabaPrasad Lanka, presented a PPT on the 7th JAAI-WEST ZONE CONGRESS to be held from 14th to 16th November 2025. He explained the theme for the Congress and also encouraged one and all to participat wholeheartedly. 8 members were nominated and 3 elected as office bearers to the post of President, Secretary and Treasurer, with equal representation from the 3 Jesuit Institutions, and were introduced and congratulated by all present, the balance 4 nominated members and the Vice President will be introduced in due course.Rev. Fr. Francis Patekar, SJ expressed his heartfelt gratitude by welcoming one and all, in his views he explained the purpose of we being here today and the importance of the role of an alumni, he thanked each and everyone for attending and actively participating in making this JAAP meet and elections a great grand success.

The meet was well attended by the Principals & Director along with 1 member for St. Xavier’s High School Kolhapur, 6 members from St. Vincent’s High School & Junior College, 5 from Loyola High School, 10 from St. Vincent College. A special word of appreciation to the two ALUMNAE of St. Vincent College that made this JAAP meet more meaningful with their presence.

Mr. Shabir Poonawalla, President-VOBA presented a vote of thanks by thanking Rev. Fr. Titus Thangaraj SJ, Principal and Ex-Officio for his valuable support in providing us with the best infrastructure, he also thanked the

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Members of VOBA for sponsoring the entire event, finally in his thank you note he expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Rev. Fr. Francis Patekar SJ for his tireless efforts in bringing us all together and in forming the JAAP body. He also thanked the Principals/Director and the alumni/ae that attended in making the event a one to be remembered in the years to come, he thanked Dan Caterers for the sumptuous buffet and the Support Staff of Vincent’s for all the help provided.

Rev. Fr. Titus Thangaraj SJ, said the Grace before Meals.

BY RICHARD FERNANDES (EX-OFFICIO JAAP)