Rakesh Chopra Curzon 1958-63) passed on at Delhi on 29th March 2025.

PRAYER MEET

Rear Admiral Rakesh (ROCKY) Chopra VSM (RETD).

Sep 27, 1948 – March 29, 2025

Celebrating a distinguished service career and a life well lived

Remembrance To Be Held On

April 2, 2025 Wednesday | 3:30 pm

Venue:

Chinmaya Mission

89, Lodi Road, New Delhi

—•—

Marilyn I Vikram-Noopur I Varun

RSVP: 99719 72221; 9820238515

FROM VIJAY KHURANA :
While I put up details on the WhatsApp Group,” Young but Once” for those who did not possess this information, Rocky was admitted with acute COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), diabetes and he had had a stent inserted a few years ago. The medical condition was, when he was admitted, bleak and in the previous few days at home he had been indolent, sleeping most the time and ignoring meals or any other activity. The family then admitted him to the Army Hospital Research and Referral on Sunday March 23, 2025. He was taken directly to the ICU given his precarious condition.

Rocky’s cremation took place yesterday, March 30, 20225 at the Lodhi electric crematorium with arrangements being made by the Indian Navy.

A prayer meeting for Rocky will be held onWednesday, April 2, 2025 at theChinmaya Mission on Lodhi Road at 3:30PM. Details in the attachment to this mail

Several of you have sent comments and condolence messages over WhatsApp or separate mails. You may like to place them on this trailing page.

On a personal note, Rocky was a second generation naval officer. His fatherDevender Chopra was a Captain in the Indian Navy, his mother,Kamala, passed away early. For a while Rocky was the only child and developed his skills at being adept at making friends offering a lively disposition. He was never heavily academically inclined, though he did well in School (Curzon, 1958-1963),  but that scholarly attribute of character made itself obvious in the years to come. He collected a PhD, became an academic and that was a side he rarely exhibited with any kind of abandon. His vast knowledge he never flourished except to his students in the class room. It earned him great admiration and respect. In any discussion, Rocky preferred to listen and when he did offer a view point, it was supported by hard core information and indisputable facts. He was dead sure when he did offer a comment!!

Rocky was scheduled to spend four months in Taiwan collecting material about a book that he was planning to write on the politics of the South China Sea !! That is no ordinary subject in today’s political context.

We all knew Rocky as an affable, lively soul which is an enduring memory. However, he was also a very private man and you never got deep down into the recesses of his personality or his mind. Some things and important aspects of his life he kept to himself !! That private side he never offered to anyone. Often the butt of jokes, he accepted them with a smile and a gentle flick! He left us with a persona that he would like us remember –Jovial,Happy andVery Friendly.

Good bye, Dearest Friend. We will miss you when next we raise our glasses!!

Warmly

Vijay Khurana

­For WE Buchanan and his Shimla-born son Colin, the quality of a town was defined by the quality of its public realm — a maxim ignored in Himachal

RAAJA BHASIN

As a typecast Parisian, with both flourish and conceit in his pocket, the gentleman’s opening statement was: “Don’t you know that man discovered fire and invented the wheel?” I looked at him blankly. “So why are you still doing it?” he continued. This was in 2012. The person in question had just driven past an under-construction building that had collapsed near Himachal Pradesh’s High Court in Shimla. “Why must you further congest an already congested town?” he added. Through the course of the next couple of hours, abandoning other plans, we moved back and forth on Shimla’s Cart Road and finally focused on the stretch between the old bus stand and Himachal tourism’s Hotel Holiday Home. He went on: “Here is your solution. Put a bridge from below the gurdwara to below the tourism hotel. Pedestrianise everything in-between. In the space created, have parks, homes, shopping.” All excited, he continued in the same vein about the endless possibilities that could come about. (For someone not familiar with the place, this bridge, if built, would eliminate traffic from the core of Shimla).

Much of the extraordinary character of the hills is being eroded by supposed development. Colin Buchanan’s report established the benchmarks with which traffic could be handled with efficiency. Tribune photo: Lalit Kumar

While the basic idea could do with some more thought, he obviously knew what he was talking about, as he had been a part of the team which had built the Millau Viaduct in France. For a long time, this held the record for being the tallest bridge in the world. That was not all; this multi-span cable bridge, apart from being an outstanding engineering feat, is designed to cast a minimal possible shadow. With high-speed traffic moving overhead, the valley below still retains its rural character. Duly impressed, and having had both fire and wheel explained, off one went to have a word on this with the Powers That Be. The Powers listened. The Powers proclaimed it to be a brilliant idea. Then the Powers forgot all about it.

Much of the extraordinary character of the Himalaya, its forests, villages and towns is slowly being eroded by two behemoths — climate change and supposed development. That is not to say that ‘development’ is not required. Of course, it is. Many aspects of life in the hills are far better now than they were even a couple of decades back — access has improved, water and electricity have made life easier, and even if this leaves much to be desired, basic education and healthcare have come along. What is disturbing is the sheer size and greed of the development avatar that we worship. Off the record — and for ethical reasons, they shall remain unnamed — many of the aforesaid Powers have said the same thing: “It’s about money and votes.” Segments of the same Powers, those with a modicum of conscience, have also admitted that these two beasts, ‘money and votes’, feed from the same trough. Combined, they make a sizeable pair of elephants in the room.

The aforesaid Cart Road, which could have had another role, remains as congested as ever. Further down the hill, a four-lane highway zips one up the hill. As one approaches the town, one enters a traffic funnel and may well spend hours inching forward. All this seems to be a little ironical as the man to whom we owe the understanding of traffic movement and its impact on human life was born in Shimla.

In the early 20th century, WE Buchanan was the municipal engineer of Shimla. He held this position for several years, and much of the efficiency of the town’s water supply was attributed to his capability and diligence. Buchanan had significant local standing, but the extraordinary legacy of the family was to come from his son, who was born on August 22, 1907, while they lived in a house named Marl Bank near Chhota Shimla.

The son, Colin, went on the write a document titled ‘Traffic in Towns (The Buchanan Report of 1963)’. For the first time since the invention of the automobile, the report presented the whole picture of how transport and cities were inter-related. In a simple and readable manner, Sir Colin Buchanan’s document showed how economic growth could be accommodated and greater mobility provided. The report was widely circulated and while giving its author worldwide fame, also established the benchmarks with which traffic could be handled with efficiency. This ‘holy text’ of sorts was subsequently edited and abridged, and was published by Penguin. A bit of a surprise to both author and publisher, it became an international bestseller.

Traffic, for Buchanan, was “the monster we love”. His argument was that the existing towns and cities have a finite physical capacity. This was based on the character of a town and the buildings and spaces within it that would allow motor vehicles. In the context of the town of his birth, Shimla, one could add historicity and terrain. Access, in this case, could be achieved, but at an enormous cost. This cost would be financial and would result in a loss of the town’s character and buildings — as witnessed not only in Shimla, but practically every historical town of our country.

Buchanan remains one of the world’s great thinkers and planners of townscapes — and he did not advocate comprehensive redevelopment to favour motor vehicles. For him, the quality of a town was defined by the quality of its public realm, not by private spaces.

–Articleby Raaja Bhasin

Wikipedia about the book “Traffic in Towns”

March-29-2025
With profound grief, we regret to inform you of the passing of Rear AdmiralRakesh (Rocky) Chopra, after many glorious years of service in the Navy and an accomplished post-retirement career.

Rocky, as he was affectionately known within the naval fraternity, was from the 31st NDA course and was commissioned on 1st July 1968. After completing his Sub Lieutenant courses, he qualified as a ship’s diver and helicopter controller. He was part of the team of divers deployed off Chittagong to recover gold that had been sunk in the river by the retreating Pakistani Army.

In 1973, he specialized in Navigation and Direction as a Lieutenant and later completed the Staff Course at Wellington in 1980 as a Lieutenant Commander, eventually serving there as Directing Staff.

Throughout his distinguished career, Rocky held several key appointments. At sea, he commanded a Petya-class frigate in the Eastern Fleet and later INS Ganga in the Western Fleet. His shore postings included Fleet Operations Officer (Western Fleet), Director Warship Overseeing Team, Chief Staff Officer (Operations), Eastern Naval Command, and Instructor at the Naval War College.

On promotion to Rear Admiral, he took on significant leadership roles, including FODAG and later a key appointment at Naval Headquarters.
Beyond his naval service, Rocky was a highly respected professional, a lively and immensely likeable officer, and a cherished friend to many. He had a rare ability to connect with people, earning admiration not just from his peers but also from those he mentored and worked with. His departure leaves an irreplaceable void in the lives of his close friends and coursemates, who will forever treasure his camaraderie, wisdom, and unwavering spirit.

Rocky was a lifelong learner, always striving to expand his horizons. While posted in Mumbai, he completed an MBA from Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management, a qualification that proved invaluable in his post-retirement years. He went on to become a Professor of Management and Strategy at XLRI, Jamshedpur, and later at IMT, Ghaziabad, in recognition of his academic excellence. He also earned a Diploma in International Humanitarian Law, a testament to his relentless pursuit of knowledge.

To his friends and colleagues, Rocky was the embodiment of intellectual curiosity, adventure, and lifelong learning. He had an insatiable passion for travel, both within India and overseas, and a deep love for yachting, always embracing new experiences with enthusiasm.

The funeral and last rites of Rear Admiral Rakesh Chopra will be performed Lodhi Electric Crematorium on30/03/25 at 1330.

We pray to the Almighty to grant eternal peace to his noble soul. His memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.

NOK:

Wife Marilyn Chopra (99719 72221)
Son Vikram Chopra (9820238515)
Son Varun Chopra (9920200104)
Daughter-in-law Noopur Jain Chopra

PRAYER MEET details link 

NOTICE:
OCA INDIA
Annual General Meeting.
On Thursday27th March 2025.Time.5.30 pm

On ZOOM (Link is shared below)

AGENDA

1.Welcome Address by The President.OCA.India.

2.Confirmation of the Minutes of the meeting of the last AGM.

3.To adopt and approve theAnnual Accounts as on 31/03/2024.

4.Darpan Requirements.

5.Appointment and Confirmation of an Auditor.

6.Income Tax dues.

7.To conduct any other business with the approval of the Chair.

K.Vijay Singh
Secretary
Old Cottonians Association (India.)

ZOOM LINK

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82048961817?pwd=B8jgKVxbDaSHJ5m2LgmaMCOyQBEfP0.1

This message received from Vivek Bhasin, is quoted below:

The BCS Board of Governors meeting at India International Centre New Delhi, I was appointed as Governor.. this has been a colossal task, a frustrating and tiring journey with bends, hoops, boulders and obstacles but persistence and perseverance made it possible..I am very pleased, grateful..I wish to Thank and Hug everyone who supported me on this quest… however my work will begin immediately and this is only possible by your active contribution in assisting guiding and applying modern ways to regain the higher threshold of our BCS to where it was ..new modern, continuous old traditions ..
To mind comes excessive marketing ; improving the BCS website; audio visual interviews with OCs who can come forward and talk about their lives, achievements thanks to their rock solid foundations at BCS… the intake of boys has been dropping and the need to interact with prospective parents of students who look at various schools; their final choice must be BCS..
Of course there are many many factors that need to be implemented but soft skills etiquette first impressions is where I will start .. as a Governor I am there not to place another silken feather in my cap but chart a course for our alma mater with my USP, where my strength lies…
I need your full support..
Be it, when I am in Sweden, Europe or walking the Caminos to Santiago de Compostela…I will be focusing on BCS with a strong and determined commitment…I want you to reach out to me just as I will be reaching out to you…
We may have arrived at another junction in our lives … but we cannot and will not forget BCS
Warmest Wishes, Hugs and God’s Blessings,
Vivek ‘Bonnie’ Bhasin

Heartiest Congratulations Vivek Bhasin!

Celebrating the life ofInderjit Singh Bawa

[Inderjit Singh Bawa 07 July 1942 – 24 January 2025]

Final farewell on 27 January 2025
High Tea 4-5pm at 6 Hailey Road, New Delhi.

Sadly announce the passing on of Inderjit Singh Bawa

24th January 2025

Final Farewell Jan 27th 2025. click for details.

OCA MUMBAI CHAPTER Cordially Invites all OCs to its Contributory Annual Reunion Lunch on Saturday, 1st February 2025 Venue: BAR 72, Otters Club, Carter Road, Bandra West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400050 Time : 12 noon onwards Dress Code : Blazer & Tie, Smart Casuals Single : Rs. 2500, Couple : Rs.4000, Students : Free For Further info you may kindly get in touch with Bittu Sehgal – 98210 65159, Yadvendra Sharma – 98209 42310

Old Cottonians Association invites you to the Annual Reunion lunch:

SUNDAY FEB 9th 2025  12:30 PM ONWARDS
Pool Side, DELHI GOLF CLUB,
Dr Zakir Hussian Road, South Delhi, 110003
CONTRIBUTION: SINGLE: 2500
COUPLE: 4000

For further info pls call or write to Ashwani Virk +91-981-019-4724 ashvirk@hotmail.com

Dear Editor OCA,

It is with great sadness that we announce the departure of my dear husband Behram D. Irani on 24th Dec. 2024 in Geneva, Switzerland.

He leaves behind his wife Gool, daughter Roneesha, son Kaizad and family.

Behram Irani was at BCS 1950-1954 in Lefroy House.