D.B.M.S. school today represents a success stony that can only be described as phenomenal. Twenty years may be a short time to have built this success story that our school is. Nevertheless, human memory may not go back twenty years so as to trace the rapid growth of this institution. Yet, as D.B.M.S. enters its twentieth year it is only fitting that we should he able to trace the important landmarks of D.B.M.S. history.
Thus, we at ‘Splash’ decided to bridge the information gap with an interview. The obvious choice was Mrs. Neelkantan, President of the School Managing Committee. Having been associated with the school for every day of its history, she proved to be very much the right choice.
One sunny Saturday morning found us facing Bhanu aunty in the library. Customary greetings dispensed with, we moved on to questions.
Q. What motivated you to take up the challenging task of bringing up this school?
A. We had run the Hindi medium successfully and the residents of the nearby locality requested us to start a Kindergarten school, so that they need not send their children to schools far away. So we (Mrs. Raja, Mrs. Anant, Dr. Mrs. Dharmambal and myself) decided to start a nursery in the present staff room. Mrs. Raja and I took turns to teach. The first Latch had about 13 students but by the end the year we had 30 students.
Q. Since you have already told us about the origin f the school, could you tell us something about the growth of the school?
A. Every year we increased one class and when we reached upto Std. V we got Mr. D’Souza as Principal. Slowly, we started taking trained teachers and expanded the building, when Std. VIII was to be started we raised a small laboratory. We save a lot of importance to library. Along with academics we were giving attention to extra Curricular Activities that develop the personality of students. We took part in lots of competitions and organised quite a few public programmes. We got affiliation (to the ICSE board) in 1974, eight years after we started.
We then found that there was need for a Plus Two in Jamshedpur As our students were doing pretty well, we decided to start the Plus Two in 1979.
This involved a very heavy expenditure, mainly because of the science student’s for laboratories. With a lot of effort, we managed it. I used to be very much concerned about our financial position at the Lank, by the third week of the month I always used to worry.
In the very early years we used to run short of labour payments and I used to chip in personal contribution to bridge the gap. Of course we were lucky in having very dedicated and interested teachers, from the beginning, under Mr. D’Souza, which is one of the major factors for the School’s phenomenal growth.
Q. The ‘passing out parade’ of the first I.C.S.E. batch was significant landmark in the history of the school. What were your feelings then?
A. I thought of the few ladies who had started the D.B.M.S. How they would never have imagined that a school of this kind would be successfully preparing students for the I.C.S.E. A good seed is very important for the growth of a healthy tree and feel grateful of the old timers for having sown that good seed.
Q. What are your immediate plans for expansion? Do you intend to add any more sections to the
Science or Commerce streams?
A. We intend to construct more rooms, mainly to provide rooms for different activities. The Plus Two Arts Section will be opened. There are no plans for additional sections in the Science and Commerce streams.
Q. Are you satisfied with our students results in the I.C.S.E. and I.S.C.?
A. No. I expect better results every year. One must continue to do better. I want our students to top in Jamshedpur.
Q. Some people point out the results of our students in the I.C.S.E. exams are not as good as other schools. Do you feel this claim is justified?
A. This is not at all justified, Actually, result-wise we are improving. Only in obtaining single digits in different subjects we have to come up with greater numbers. We are doing quite well as 71% is our overall average at present.
Q. You have been intimately associated with the school. Alter your husband retirement, would you stay back in Jamshedpur to carry on the good work?
A. After my husband’s retirement in about 3 1/2 years we will be moving out and I am very confident that the school will continue to function efficiently. I am also training a batch of dedicated ladies who will take over alter me. Apart from the school, I am related to other special institutions. Thus all my free time toes towards social work.
Even on the days when I do not come to school there are always problems concerning the school to be solved sitting at home. I believe in the saying that good work brings in more energy.
Q. What is your message to our students?
A. Students, along with studies, you must develop a very broad outlook, selfishness must thoroughly be erased from you minds.
Concern f or the problems of others and compassion for others difficulties must be developed. You must have the spirit of sacrifice and selflessness. Be proud of the great institution to which you belong and try to uphold the values that we all cherish here.
Vinod Diwakaran XI A, Prabhuddha Das IXC, and P. Preethi VIII C
Splash II, 1986