The Dosco and Public Conciousness By Lt. Gen. Adi M. Sethna (191-K '39)
The DOSCO response to the tsunami disaster is a reflection of the long tradition of public service, often hidden under layers of affected indifference.
This was my first reaction when I read with pride and admiration Gautam Chadha's initial mail on how DOSCOS were setting about bringing water to the Andamans. "Pride", because it showed how the spark of public consciousness lit when we were school boys in the late nineteen thirties was still burning bright; and "admiration" for the modern DOSCOS who were bringing succor to those who need it most using modern management and technology which is now at their command.
The DOSCO relief measures need to be highlighted - not merely for public consumption and earning goodwill, but more importantly for the DOSCO fraternity whose activities are highlighted in the Rosebowl too regularly only at "get-togethers". Many of we grandfatherly Old Boys are happy to be associated in recounting the early days when this spark of public consciousness was lighted.
1935 when the School was founded, was also the year when the Govt. of India Act was passed by the British Parliament. Mr. Foot and his team set about bringing up the boys to become the leaders of free India - possibly a strange vision for Englishmen during the hey days of the Raj. They helped instill a sense of Public Duty as a part of Public School education. It took many forms but possibly the most revolutionary was for boys in B Form Biology classes engaged in making compost under Mr. Hunter-Boyd. Ashok Raje Gaekward carrying gobar or cow-dung with me remarked that he had no objection to doing it but God help him if some of the courtiers of the Maharaja of Baroda reported this to His Highness !!
The class of 1938 was the first to work in Tunwalla village. This project carried on for many years. Even earlier some of us were teaching "servant's children" to read and write. The expeditions for relief in Midnapore, Contai and possibly also in Noakhali were after my days at school but some of my classmates attended as "young" old boys.
Our generation came out of school prepared to lend a hand - no work was too menial. We also learnt to appreciate what others did for us and still remember the special thanks we gave to the cooks of Kashmir House at every Golden Night dinners. All this has helped me through out my life.
I hope this will start a series of recollections which may interest others.