Melbourne OBA's Ghana Mazhai 2010, a grand success

[Video inside] The Melbourne OBA successfully presented its 'Ghana Mazhai 2010' in aid of college development fund on Saturday, 20 November at St Jude's Parish Community Centre in Scoresby, Melbourne. Mr.Ponnampalam, former Principal of Jaffna Hindu College was the Chief Guest for the evening.

A large number of oldboys domiciled in Melbourne, their families and well wishers attended the evening of entertainment and enjoyed the events.

Keeping with the tradition, the event started with lighting the oil lamp; the Chief Guest Mr.Ponnampalam and other special guests were invited to light the oil lamp. Then the President of the Melbourne OBA, Mr.Siva Thavendran welcomed the guests and the audience.

The President, in his welcome speech thanked the Chief guest for accepting the invitation and gracing the evening. He also thanked the old boys, friends and their families for the support given to the event every year and for their participation. He specially thanked the Sydney OBA members for coming all the way from Sydney to attend the event.

He also briefly outlined Melbourne OBA's contribution towards school development with the fund collected from events like this.

Siva Thavendran, Melbourne OBA President in his speech further said:

Our Victorian OBA was formed almost 20 years ago and since then we have been these gatherings every year. Last year was an exception due to the tragic events that took place in our homeland.
Over the years, we managed to raise funds through these functions and contribute to many school projects.
Last year, we sent 10 new computers to our school costing around .
You all can be proud of this. It is because of your continued support, we manage to do all this.
It (Jaffna Hindu College) is a school which gives opportunity to Tamil students from many different parts of our homeland to excl in education, sports and other activities.
For these reasons, we believe as old boys we need to support this great institution to continue to do this.
After the sad events in our homeland last year, there is a greater need to help our younger generation in North and East to get better education and welfare. We all know as Tamils our greater strength is our education. The knowledge is the one that no one can take it away from us.
We need to support our schools to provide excellent education and discipline to our younger generation to create a new prosperous society in our homeland.

Following the welcome speech, the College song was sung by old boys. The the musical show started with traditional dance from Srimathy Meena Elankumaran and her students of Nadanalaya Dance School.

Then the Ghana Mahzhai started filling the ears of the audience.

The Orchestra for the evening was provided by Sivaranji and was supported by Ankura. They have been performing for Melbourne OBA functions for many years.

Mr.Ponnampalam, in his guest speech congratualed all those, who worked tirelessly to make the event a grand success. He also expressed his pleasure in meeting the old students and their families. He thanked the OBA for giving him this opportunity.

He said that these type events provide opportunity for the oldboys to share their nostalgic memories, build up friendship and to enhance their ties and loyalty to our alma mater. He was overjoyed by the old boys loyalty to their alma mater and the efforts they are taking towards the development of the college and the community, despite the huge persoanl responsibilities they have.

Chief Guest, Mr.Ponnampalm in his speech added:
As most of you all know, our alma mater is a well reputed National school in Sri Lanka, has a remarkable history of over 100 years and playing a major role in the educational and administrational achievements of the Tamil society.
We of Jaffna Hindu feel proud and elated to have gone through the portals of this prestigious institution.
Generations of students who had passed through this portals are spread all over the world distinguishing themselves in whatever vocation they are in. Whatevr they are, they reflect the discipline, dedication and character that had been inculcated in them during their student days.
Despite the huge responsibilities at work and at home our old students are taking every endeavour towards working for the development of the college and for the betterment of the community.
I express my great joy at the old students loyalty to the alma mater and wish for the continued success in the great work you are doing for Jaffna Hindu College.

While the musical show 'Ghana Mahzhai' was in progress, in the background photos depicting school and its premises was displayed through a projector. The photo display was a refreshing moment for the old boys and brought back the golden memories of their college.

In between the musical show, a dinner break was given. The audience were served with delicious food.

The musical show continued again after dinner and a raffle draw also was held.

Everyone well enjoyed the evening.

The event came to an end by 11.00 PM with the Vote of Thanks given by Mr.Aathithan Thangarajah, Secretary of the Melbourne OBA

The event was well organized and the exemplery team work of all OBA members made this event a great success.