The Old Martinians Association of New England (OMANE), an organization of the alumni/ae of the prestigious La Martiniere schools, held its General Body and Elections meeting and celebrated Founders Day on 18th September, 2016, toasting its founder Major General Claude Martin on his 216th death anniversary in accordance with his Will. The seven La Martiniere schools formed under Martin’s Will, include two colleges (boys and girls) in each of Kolkata and Lucknow, and three coeducational colleges in Lyon, France, Claude Martin’s place of birth. These schools rank among the top ten of India’s elite schools, and count among their alumni/ae many of India’s Who’s Who across all segments of society, for example, education, science and engineering, medicine, journalism, armed services, civil services, cinema and performing arts, and industry.

The event was organized at Masala Art restaurant in Needham, MA, where the attendees were treated to a sumptuous meal designed by its owner Vinod Kapoor and Shikha Kapoor, and attended by locally based alumni/ae as well as from Connecticut and New Jersey. A key item on the agenda included a remembrance in honor of Mr. Sarojit Malik, a committed OMANE member, who this past year passed away in Delhi while visiting India.  A new member, Mallika Narayanan was also welcomed.

Other highlights included a fascinating presentation of the proud La Martiniere legacy by a visiting distinguished Martinian, Dr. Bryan Cooke – Professor and Chair (Emeritus), Department of Community Health and Nutrition at the University of Northern Colorado, a brief video briefing on Vision Aid by Member at Large Mr. Ali Rizvi (Ali bhai), short briefings by the OMANE office bearers on the highlights of the previous two years, singing of the school song “Hail Hail the name we own …,” certain proposals offered by Dr. K. Raman for consideration, and the election of the new Executive Committee for the two year 2016-2018 term, with Mr. Neeraj Chandra serving as the Election Officer.

The following were elected to OMANE’s Executive Committee as Office Bearers for the 2016-2018 term:

President:  Mr. Syed Ali Rizvi (“Ali bhai”)
Vice President:  Dr. Ali Ashter
Treasurer:  Mr. Siddharth Jeevan
Secretary:  Mr. Narendra Mukherjee
Member at Large:  Mr. Rajiv Sharma

The outgoing President, Dr. Kaplesh Kumar, was thanked for his exemplary leadership and providing guidance in the initial formative years as its first President. He will continue as member of OMANE and chairperson of its Board of Trustees of which Dr. K. Raman is the other member.

Several alumni were recognized for exemplary services to La Martiniere and/or OMANE:  Prof. (Emeritus) Bryan Cooke, an alumnus of the Lucknow boys school and its College Captain during 1953-54, Mr. Vijay Kumar (Spaggie) Gupta (New Jersey), and Mr. Samir Punn (Boston).
The Martiniere spirit and the long list of accomplishments of its alumni/ae live on. Vive La Martiniere!

Information on OMANE and its mission are available at www.omane.us or may be obtained from Mr. Ali Rizvi at alirizvi.resolv@gmail.com or Dr. Kaplesh Kumar at KapKumar@aol.com.

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