Carmel Convent - Celebrating 60 years

The feast of St. Thérèse, known for her humility, was celebrated on September 30, 2009. An exciting quiz programme was part of the celebration showcasing her life and message of “the little way of childhood”.
The feast of St. Agnes, a saint noted for her purity, is celebrated on January 21, 2010 for the first time through an innovative shadow play highlighting her life and death
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The feast of St. Joan of Arc, known for her courage, falls during the School’s summer vacation (May 30). Nonetheless, it is celebrated by the students during the academic year.


The logo of ‘Carmel Dreamz’ formed the backdrop for the stage where a wide range of events were held
Apostolic Carmel Junior College
Empowering women has always been Apostolic Carmel’s primary focus and education the key to that empowerment. Thus, the Apostolic Carmel Junior College marked the dawn of a new beginning – the fulfilment of a long-felt need for an institute of higher learning for women in Bandra.
In the year 2010, the congregation’s dream of starting an all-girls’ junior college took off with a fun-filled fund- raising drive entitled ‘Carmel Dreamz’. The fete held for three days from October 29, 2010 also served as a platform for the Carmelites to showcase their talents and creativity – right from singing to dancing and ramp walking. Not to forget the peppy jingle that got everyone’s toes tapping. The School still had a long way to go. Nevertheless, it was a great way to start.
Some of the colourful dances that were part of the Opening Ceremony on October 29, 2010
Bishop Agnelo Gracias is welcomed at the entrance
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The Chief Guest on the third day of the event, Salman Khan, is mobbed by the crowds
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The Chief Guest on October 30 was Genelia D’Souza, a popular Bollywood figure and ex-student of the School
The Primary students confidently sashay down the catwalk


The board announcing the addition of the Junior College
The School’s Diamond Jubilee Year took off to a memorable start in the year 2012 with its elevation to a Junior College offering Science and Commerce courses. The Arts stream commenced the following year.
July 13, 2012: The Opening Ceremony of the Junior College commences with the School Band and a Guard of Honour
Sr. M. Vincent A.C.
declares the Junior
College open. The
Scroll reads...By the
Grace of God and
the blessings of Our
Lady of Mt. Carmel, I, Sr. Vincent, Provincial Superior of the Apostolic Carmel Western Province on this day, 13th July, 2012 do declare the Apostolic Carmel Junior College open.
The Manager of the School, Sr. Thelma, inaugurates the Junior College. The College started off with two
classrooms on the School’s premises while its new rooms were under construction.
The Apostolic Carmel Junior College has become a stepping stone to higher learning for young women desirous of equipping themselves to face the challenges of today. The new college also fosters in them the rich values of Christian and cultural heritage so that these young women are urged to respond to life’s challenges with the joy and courage that is rooted in prayer and committed to serve society as responsible citizens.
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No school memory is complete without invoking those heart-warming anecdotes starring the School’s very own Changoor, Karan and Dayaram. These three faithful stalwarts were an integral part of the school support system and will always be fondly remembered. They were cheerful, affectionate and dedicated. Who could possibly forget the dignified, always polite Dayaram or Changoor with his six toes and fingers and his flashing gold tooth or Karan’s ‘Namaste Baby’. This ‘awesome threesome’ were utterly devoted to the children. From supervising the students as they entered their respective school buses to escorting them home in dire circumstances; whether it was a sprained ankle or a broken arm – they could be counted on to render assistance in any untoward crisis with a smile. They never forgot the girls long after they had left the school portals. “Kaise hai, kaise hai bachhe log?” accompanied with a delightful smile became the standard greeting to every ex-student they ran into, from time to time, whether in the precincts of the School or out in the
streets.
Sr. Thelma remembers, “Once Changoor fell sick and I got him some medicine. He quickly downed half the bottle in one gulp saying he was doing so, because he had to get well in a hurry.” When Changoor was hospitalized (in Bhabha Hospital), the nurses and hospital staff were amazed at the avalanche of cards, flowers and the stream of visitors that trooped in to wish him well. Loretta Ferreira Pereira recalls missing the school bus while in
Std. II and being escorted home by Changoor. “He held my hand and took me all the way home... from School through Chimbai to Perry Cross Road; stopping a few times to call out “Kahon... Yeh kiska bachcha hain?” Much as that line makes me giggle even today, it is an act of kindness never to be forgotten.”
Another enduring image is that of Karan staring transfixed at the astonishing sight of a group of nuns happily prancing about on stage, gyrating to the heady tune of “I will follow Him” from the movie, Sister Act at an alumni Annual General Body Meeting. He grinned sheepishly on realizing that the dancers were none other than the School’s very own ex-students in nun’s habit and not the Sisters of the convent! A few hours later, the students received the sad news that he had passed away on July 24, 2011. It was indeed the end of an era as he and his tribe have forever faded into oblivion.
The Three Stalwarts – Dayaram, Changoor, Karan
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Winners of a race for non-teaching staff on Sports Day in the 1970s. From left to right: Dayaram, Changoor and Karan


The faithful and hardworking peons in 1988. Front row (left to right): Freeda, Sunil, Dayaram, Changoor, Harish and Melinda. Back row (left to right): Karan, Dhamendra and Shantaram
There were tears all around as Changoor Nokhai bade farewell to Apostolic Carmel High School in 1990 after twenty-eight years in service of the Sisters, staff and students
The High School peons in 2008 with Principal Sr. Pearl-Anne and Vice- Principal Sr. Marisa. From left to right: Karan Agyaram, Shivkumar Chindeliya, Vishwa Mohammed, Sunil Tambe, Chandrapal Chindeliya.
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The Mother Veronica Year
The ‘Apostolic Carmel’, an Indian Congregation of Sisters, owes its existence to Mother Veronica of the Passion, a holy and dedicated woman who was inspired by God to start a congregation devoted mainly to the education of youth.
She founded the Congregation of the Apostolic Carmel in Bayonne, France in 1867. The first group of Apostolic Carmelites arrived in India in 1870 and established their first convent (St. Ann’s Convent) in the diocese of Mangalore, Karnataka. In the one hundred
and forty-three years
since it began in India, the Congregation has spread across one hundred and eighty- one convents over eight countries including Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Africa, Bahrain and Italy.
Mother Veronica of the Passion, née Sophie Leeves, was born in 1823 into a cultured English family. She was gifted with singular talents of mind and heart, which were nurtured by sound education and wide experience, as she was well-travelled. God took possession of her heart so powerfully, that she first broke off her engagement to a marine officer whom she loved, and then responded generously to the call to Religious life.
With a view to making her loved and known amongst the students at Apostolic Carmel High School, 2012 was declared as ‘The Mother Veronica Year’. It began on October 1, 2011 with a Mass (October 1 being the birthday of Mother Veronica) and closed with an exhibition and Mass a year later.
The Mother Veronica Year commences on October 1, 2011 with Mass celebrated by Fr. Reuben Tellis in the School Hall.
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An exhibition showcasing the life of Mother Veronica is held in early October, 2012. School children from the various Bandra schools were invited and introduced to Mother Veronica and the history of the Apostolic Carmel congregation.
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Sixty Years of Apostolic Carmel High School
It isn’t difficult to equate Apostolic Carmel High School to an incredibly resplendent ageless woman, who having attained her silver gilt in 1978 and her golden aura in 2003, soared towards the scintillating glitter of her diamond age in 2013 with poise, dignity and purpose.
As the Diamond Jubilee Year of the School dawned in July 2012, it was marked by a very special programme spearheaded by Sr. Pearl-Anne. Of this she said, “The focus was on enlarging our hearts and reaching out to the poor, the marginalized, the weak and the downtrodden and those forgotten by society.” The entire school community embarked on a beautiful journey of the heart through the following school year. Exemplifying how reaching out
brings exquisite joy to the giver, every division from the Kindergarten to the Primary and the Secondary took up a project and reached out to the marginalised in society.
Sr. Pearl-Anne summed it up remarking, “As time went on, I was happy to see the transformation taking place in some of our students, teachers and even parents... hearts were touched, tears flowed, and resolutions were made. I was amazed to see the tiny little ripples of compassion spreading... I silently thanked God for providing this little beacon of light in our world darkened by greed and selfishness.”
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The Diamond Jubilee year commences on July 15, 2012 with Mass celebrated by Fr. Magi Murzello, Principal, St. Andrew’s High School


Ice-breakers during the function
As part of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations, peons and helpers from the educational institutions around Bandra were invited to a dinner where they were served by the staff and students of Apostolic Carmel High School. Thanking Sr. Pearl-Anne with tears in his eyes, a peon summed it up saying, “I’ve worked as a peon for so many years at my institution but for the first time, I was treated as an equal.”
Dancing to Bollywood music
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Sunil Tambe, a peon with A.C.H.S. for the last twenty years, lights the lamp


Focus of Std. X A: Maids and workers of the students’ families. Each maid/ worker was welcomed to the function with an aarti and tilak done by the students themselves. The fun-filled evening was thoroughly enjoyed by all the attendees once the ice-breakers were over. The sumptuous dinner and gifts for all brought a smile to each one’s face.
Std. X C interacted with the Kalina unit of Mother Teresa's Roses which runs a balwadi for children. It created awareness among the students – that there are people who needed their generosity and to thank God for their family and the food they received every day.
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Std. X B interacted with the orphans and street children at St. Catherine's Home where behavioural problems and learning disabilities are tackled with the help of experts; and recovery from the trauma of abuse and abandonment is a priority. As one student said, “We realised how blessed we are to have loving parents who scold us and cajole us and stay involved in our lives. Without saying anything, these orphans taught us how important a role our parents play.”
Focus of Std. VI C: Ashray Ashram (Committed Communities Development Trust). Established as a voluntary secular trust in June 1990, under the Bombay Public Trust Act, it empowers marginalized communities through comprehensive development programs, integrated health services, social education and community development. Summing up her experience, a student said, “Life is a miracle; a gift from God. We have everything but we do not care for it. The Ashray children have very little but they care for what they have.”
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Souvenir released at the close of the sixtieth year; thanking all those who contributed towards making it a success
And so Apostolic Carmel High School and Junior College, Bandra continues its illustrious journey to greater heights in every aspect of education for girls, whether in school or junior college, stimulating the best in every student. In the rapidly changing socio-economic scenario where empowerment of women is an on-going clamour – they want to be treated as equals - we salute the erstwhile and sterling qualities of the Apostolic Carmel girl who has consistently proved herself.
The Carmel diaspora is spread across continents. In this decadent age of crumbling morals and eroding values, Carmel girls have stood tall. They have managed to juggle the responsibilities of family and career with poise and dignity, retaining the enduring values implanted by their beloved Alma Mater.
That, after all, is the Carmel Hallmark.
HEAD GIRLS
Eroica de Souza Simone D’Souza Shweta Kalbag Kimberley Duarte Anneka Cardoza Alisha Pinto
Afshaan Mazagonwalla Ankita Bangui Sagarika Rao
Eleanor Pinto
2003 – 2004 2004 – 2005 2005 – 2006 2006 – 2007 2007 – 2008 2008 – 2009 2009 – 2010 2010 – 2011 2011 – 2012 2012 – 2013
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Our Heartfelt Thanks...
...To Sanchia de Souza, whose passion for history led her to conceptualise this project. Without her vision, a tome of this calibre would not have seen the light of day.
...To all who contributed to the content of this book – dug out facts, jogged their memories in interviews and on Facebook, shared their school photographs and memorabilia.
... To those who transcribed the interviews, scanned and documented all the photographs and memorabilia.
... To the authors whose flair for writing allows the reader to literally travel back in time through the pages of this book.
... To the proof-readers who ensured every comma and period was correctly placed.
...To those who contributed financially so we could defray expenses and reduce the cost of this book drastically.
... To the team at Synergy Creations for their fantastic ideas and layouts which makes this narrative a visual treat.
... To Print Hub for the neat printing and superior quality binding making this a collector’s item.
...And last but not the least, to our dear readers, for giving us the opportunity to share our memories of our Alma Mater with you.
- The Managing Committee, Apostolic Carmel Alumni Bandra
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Alumni Executive Committee Members
Name Batch
Sr. Theodomira --- Sr. Pearl-Anne A.C. --- Ms. Alice D’Souza 1974 Ms. Arlene D’Sa 1982 Ms. Mildred Castelino 1966 Ms. Chantal-Ann de Souza 1989 Ms. Jennifer Pinto 1981 Ms. Anita Lobo 1977
Name Batch
Ms. Anjali Heredia 1994 Ms. Francesca Pereira 1990 Ms. Jacqueline Tellis - Andrade 1994 Ms. Marina Dharmai 1971 Ms. Petra Fernandes 1982 Ms.ShakuntalaVazirani 1970 Ms. Tanya Mascarenhas 1994 Ms. Yvette Gonsalves 1964
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