What a May Day!

- Bernard F

There’s something special about the month of May.  Vacations, celebrations, events ...the list is endless.  There’s something even more special about the first day of this illustrious month. The world over it is celebrated as May Day – also known as the International Workers’ Day, in Maharashtra the echoes of ‘Jai Maharashtra’ rend the air, and closer home for us at Dolours, Wadala, it is a day ear marked for telegames for the parishioners.

In the morning, the mood was just right to chime in with the sentiments of the state of Maharashtra.  At a specially prepared program for the staff of St. Joseph’s High School, the patriotic songs and the speech set the tone for the patriotic celebrations.  In a symbolic act, the non-teaching staff came forward to hoist the national tricolour as the assembly gave a salute and joined in the chorus singing the national anthem.  Indeed an emotional moment for the workers of our institution to be accorded this rare honour and privilege to hoist the national flag in the presence of the entire teaching staff and the management! One of the peons, Mrs. Aarti More, was also awarded a certificate and cash prize for the ‘most dedicated peon of the year’.  The patriotic speech by our staff member, Mr. Thorat, was a paean to the indomitable spirit of the founding fathers of the state of Maharashtra.  He lamented the fact that the belief in some age old values – respect, value for money, hard work...- is passé, while lauding the grit and sacrifice of our leaders and elders.  

After a light snack, the teachers were on their feet for the distribution of results of the students at the end of the academic year.    And before long, all (staff and students) were on their way home to commence a well deserved summer vacation.

The day (and the evening) however belonged to our parishioners.  It was an evening of camaraderie, fun, merriment and stiff competition at the telegames.  Being an annual feature, the preparations and meticulous planning were on, days and months before the event.  In such circumstances, one can count upon our committed and reliable ‘Cultural team’ for a successful and detailed execution of the program.   The ball was set rolling with the grand entry of the six mascots with their respective teams in tow.  Striking costumes, imaginative cheer slogans, relevant themes, frantic waving of flags (and arms!), pledges, oaths... all these added colour and drama to the grand opening ceremony.  ‘Youth for youth’ from St. Peter’s church, Bandra, were in attendance with their cracking games and mind blowing props for the telegames.  They were the special invitees for the organization of the games for the evening, and perform and entertain they did! A bag of creative, energizing and intelligent games were there in the offing – Rolling pizza, crazy constructor, surf boards, fanning the ball...to name a few.   Members of the teams 

volunteered with alacrity eager and happy to push their team to the top of the table.  

At the end, the team “Spicy Chillies” were the runaway winners – in fact, they won a few other awards too.  The other participating teams did not lag far behind though, and were contented to walk away happy that they lent their bit to an invigorating and electrifying atmosphere at the games.

That then is the story of our May day out here...and to think of it that the month has just begun!