Iftar 2009

([url=http://www.photoblog.com/killerbatch/2009/09/13/ansaraku-iftar-12sep2009-page-1.html]Go here[/url] for photos by Agon. We have seven pages of photos. Great pics Agon!)

I saw lots of photograhers that night and would appreciate if you could share your photos with us asap please.

Thank you to all who turned up for the event. They were a few glaring shortcomings and I, on behalf of the committee, apologise for them. I hope on balance you could forgive us and agree that it was generally a success.

First, some statistics. We had 179 registered and 28 failed to turn up. But we had some who did not register that turned up as well. So I think we hit around 160 to 170 pax that night. Lolly is reconciling the numbers. Nonetheless, whatever the exact number is, it is quite a decent turn out. Nine teachers turned up with Cikgu Dzul from Kulim and Cikgu Ghazi from Serting (two hours drive away). Dato Mydin, Ali Badri, Md Noor, Somchit, Samsiah, Salleh Deni and Azman completing the team.

The most interesting part, and I am sure all of those who attended would agree, is the impromptu assembly that we held that night. Teachers at the front facing us. When they took the mic one by one it was like old times. When they spoke about how they remembered us more than other students, I believed them cause I know they meant it and its true. They were in mid 20s when they were entrusted to take care of us and it must have scared them to be given such responsibility as such young age. Remember, Cikgu Mydin was only 29 when he was the Principal MRSM Kulim in 1977. So surely, if we cannot claim to be their favourites, we certainly are the most remembered.

They spoke about old times. Its the little stories that count. Like when Cikgu Ghazi went broke buying mee goreng for the football team when we became Kedah champion. It costs RM70 back then. How the last bus in Kulim was at 6.30pm and there was nothing to do in Kulim. So they took care of us. They remembered little details. Names were mentioned in their speeches like Shahar Sham, Duan Kuda, Azhar (lots more which I cannot recall now) as if they happened only last week.

I think we have stumbled upon something good here. I think this "meet the teacher" session should be an annual event. I am not sure if its in the same format ie Iftar or annual dinner. But the good thing that happened was that we had them sitting at the front like assembly day back in Maktab. That evokes some nostalgia. So I hope next year's event would be bigger with double the teachers attending. I am happy to slave for a bigger & more successful event next year if it makes our ex-teachers happy.

So once again, thank you all who participated and I look forward to your support for more events that this new committe have planned. The next one being Art Appreciation Afternoon at Galeri Chandan after Raya. The gallery owner will show us the finer points about what to look for when we view a painting. We are locating Cikgu Hamidah, our art teacher, to give her keynote address. I understand she now lives in Muar. Wait for further details in the coming days.

Can the respective batch rep distribute this President's message in your own e-groups please.

Selamat Hari Raya!

Raja Ali