Saurav Sethia reports on the 70th Inter-House PT Competition-2006

School PT Leader Shilavadra Bhattacharjee’s address to the gathered House squads on Saturday, April 29.

Apart from cross-country and marching, PT is an activity that brings the whole House together. While many may curse it, calling it a waste of time, it is on this very day that those curses turn into words of joy and pride when all the Houses get together to bring home the PT Gong. All the hard work and dedication starts from the beginning of the term when Doscos come to the field in the chill to exercise, along with their PT Leaders. Well, all the hard work that is put in through the days is displayed in the arena for competition on this very day. Indeed, I have been honoured to have worked with such a dedicated lot of PT Leaders, who have trained and managed their squads adeptly. Shaping up a new squad is a rather daunting prospect, which these PT Leaders have, however, achieved. PT in our school is the mark of a true disciplinarian and brings out the will-power and dedication in a true Dosco. All the effort that is put in by seniors and juniors alike, in doing the same exercises over and over again. In the end, I would like to thank all those who have put together such an impressive display as we see assembled here today. Making this PT Competition a success would not have been possible without the guidance and support of the respective Housemasters and the masters-in-charge of PT, Mr. Michael James, who worked with us every day and shaped up each and every squad with his firmness and congeniality. Mr. Nitin Chauhan, who is behind the brilliant performances put up by the respective junior squads. And last, but not the least, Mr. Deepak Sharma who was always there to extend a helping hand to us. At the end, congratulations to the winners and the others alike, for their active participation in yet another successful Inter-House PT Competition. As we come to the end of the 70th Inter House PT Competition, I would like to say that the keen participation in this event shall continue to be an integral part of the Doon School traditions. It will perhaps never die out, for this activity has been carved into the very ethos of Doscos.
In the end, I would like to thank all those who have been associated with this event.

Oberoi House started its PT display in the Inter-House PT Competition 2006. Shilavadra Bhattacharjee, the School senior PT leader commanded his squad in the most authoritative manner, while the junior PT leader of Oberoi, Shoaib Ahmed, ordered the junior squad to perfection, or so he hoped! The senior PT squad definitely lived up to its standards, while the junior PT squad has some way to go before they can match the senior Swans. The real manifestation of their awesome skill lay in the fourth sitting exercise which they did extremely well. Then came the Jaipur House PT squad. Rohanjit Chowdhury tried with the senior squad’s perfomance to add points to the junior PT squad which was doing exceptionally well. He commanded with precision, catching the attention of the judges and for his efforts was awarded ‘Best PT Leader’. His role in the alignment of the senior Eagles was most significant. But the senior squad did not manage to save the reputation of Jaipur House. Some of their members were out of time in the Double March Time and especially in the fourth sitting exercise, the judges definitely saw a sharp contrast between both the squads of the House. The junior one was ably led by Siddharth Swarup. Then in marched the Warriors of Tata Hose, who started with the will to win and the determination to crush everyone else in the competition. Their knees were raised high throughout their ‘fall-in’ and their hands were rock-steady during the time. The senior PT squad was well led by Pathare who did his best to enthuse the squad. The junior squad, led by Siddharth Sharma, was also doing its very best for the House and, it has to be said, they put up a very commendable show indeed. Next, came the Nizams of Hyderabad House to prove to the school that they were not far behind in

(Contd. on Page 2)