MAYO ALUMNI

Mr. S R Das succeeded Jack Gibson as Principal in 1969. Mr. Das built further on the edifice Gibson had left behind basically in terms of changes in curriculum, which laid greater emphasis on specialisation in an increasingly competitive world. Teacher exchanges between Mayo and schools abroad were continued and expanded. Extracurricular activities like mountaineering and rock climbing continued to gain in popularity. The Das years in a way were a period when the retirement and resignations of older, senior staff members led to a sharp break in continuity and absence of a wealth of old and experienced teachers which in any organisation causes many strains. The General Council was somewhat exercised by this sudden vacuum and their concern led to their unanimous choice of Mr. Ganju, an old hand, as Principal to ensure continuity.

Although McCanlis became Principal after being a Vice Principal, Mr. Ganju was the first Indian Principal of Mayo who had come up from within Mayo's ranks progressing from a teacher to housemaster to Vice Principal before becomingPrincipal. Mr. Ganju trained under Gibson was a fast believer in excellence and specialisation to meet the competitive
challenges of a fast changing environment and soon set about his task
with the energy and zeal he was known for.

Mr. Ganju's four years as Principal are notable for the greater focus on academics for better class results to ensure admissions in better colleges, universities where cut off averages were becoming stiffer. Inter - public school competitions at sports, debates were expanded to include competition at all-India level. Mr. Ganju stressed on the need for Mayo to retain its unique character as a school known for producing boys "with refinement, modesty, cordiality and an Indian traditional upbringing."
The Ganju years were also marked for the historic Mayo centenary in 1976 which was celebrated with great enthusiasm, and witnessed the release of a Centenary Souvenir/ Magazine and a large gathering of Old Boys and families from all over the world. The Chief Guest, Prime Minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi spoke at length about Mayo's long and glorious traditions, its adaptability to change and its need to remain in the forefront of educational institutions who would produce leaders of future generations. On Mr. Ganju's resignation, Mayo welcomed Mr. Gupta to the Mayo family. The Gupta years were not marked for much change and growth and were a period of permissiveness and slow erosion in standards all around.