School invites alumni across the world to come forward and support their Alma Mater
Clayton Barreto, Social Secretary to the High Commissioner at the High Commission of India (HCI) in London, being felicitated by the G S Amonkar Vidya Mandir (New Goa High School) in Mapusa.
PANAJI
When Clayton Barreto, Social Secretary to the High Commissioner at the High Commission of India (HCI) in London, was felicitated by his Alma Mater in Mapusa on February 17, it was part of efforts by the G S Amonkar Vidya Mandir (New Goa High School) to connect with its past pupils spread around the world.
On February 17, Barreto – the only Goan presently at the HCI in London – received a warm welcome by Trustee and Member of the School Managing Committee, Suharsh Usgaokar, on behalf of the school management.
Barreto later interacted with his teachers and those who spoke included School Headmistress Pooja Dalvi and Asst Headmistress Zena Viegas.
In his short message to the staff, Barreto said he was proud of his school and said that apart from parents, teachers play an important to nurture the minds of students. He advised them to offer students a career guidance at a young age. He also spoke about his activities at the HCI.
Barreto was later welcomed by a large number of students in the school hall.
In his interactive and informal address, Barreto recalled heartfelt memories of his school days as a backbencher and admitted he was never a brilliant student in class. He highlighted the role his teachers played in shaping his life and career.
Barreto said he has rarely seen Goans in the Indian Foreign Services (IFS) in comparison to Indians from other states and highlighted the importance of pursuing areas other than only traditional jobs, given the many opportunities in various activities of life.
After a Question and Answer session, some students stayed back to interact with Barreto.
Barreto said he was proud to be associated with the school and expressed his gratitude for the solid foundation it provided for his career growth.
He thanked the Chairman of the School Managing Committee, Adv. Sanjay Usgaokar, for inviting him and honouring him for his achievements.
Barreto was then taken around the school and was impressed with improvements in infrastructure under the leadership of Adv. Sanjay Usgaokar.
Suharsh Usgaokar, Headmistress Pooja Dalvi and Assistant Headmistress, Zena Viegas later presented Barreto with a memento as a token of appreciation.
Clayton Barreto along with the staff at G S Amonkar Vidya Mandir (New Goa High School) in Mapusa.
“My visit to the school was a momentous occasion, filled with gratitude and reminiscence. This event took shape when I had visited my school last year. Sir Budhaji Gawas, who had recently joined the school when I had passed SSC in 1997, later spoke to Adv. Sanjay Usgaokar. Adv. Usgaokar then invited me to a function in the school,” said Barreto.
Asked about the reaction of his parents when he had made up his mind to go to UK, Barreto said he was grateful that they had encouraged him to go abroad.
“We also have a 1997 batch WhatsApp group that we all keep in touch and keep ourselves updated with the latest from the school. On Friday, some of us past pupils from Goa and different parts of the world handed over a cheque to our Alma Mater,” he added.
Suharsh Usgaokar, Trustee and Member of the School Managing Committee who was present at the event, said Barreto's visit was a testament to the strong bond between the school and its alumni, inspiring current students and honouring the legacy of excellence that G.S. Amonkar Vidya Mandir embodies.
“We are proud that our student who has achieved such a high position still has a strong bond with the school. He expressed willingness to help the school identify some bright students and has even put us in contact with someone who will help in the process to take them to different parts of the world. This is a very nice gesture on his part to offer his services to our school,” said Usgaokar.
“We would also appeal to other students who are in high positions across the world to come forward and support the school. In this regard, we have already started the process to connect with our former students around the world,” he added.
School Headmistress Pooja Dalvi, who had taught Barreto in school, recalled that as a student he was mischievous yet at the same time focused on his studies.
“He enjoyed his school life taking part in co-curricula and extra-curricula activities,” said Dalvi.
Asked for her message to former pupils spread all across the world, Dalvi said: “We are always proud of our alumni. We love when they visit the school to see the infrastructural changes that have been made. We do get monetary assistance from some of our ex-students and hope that many more come forward to contribute to the development of their Alma Mater.”
Budhaji Gawas described Barreto as a humble and down-to-earth person who had a strong emotional connection with classmates and teachers during his school days.
“He always had a natural smile, a trait that remains unchanged even today. I am very proud that he was my student, and he is a shining example for the youth of today and tomorrow. He is still connected with his batchmates, speaks from the heart, and shows his love for Goan culture, Goan food, and the youth of Goa,” said Gawas.
