On February 7, the Old Paulite Association (OPA) — the alumni body of St. Paul’s School in Darjeeling — held its annual OPA Dinner for 2025 at the Royal Calcutta Golf Club (RCGC) in Tollygunge. The night was filled with nostalgia as Old Paulities gathered and shared their school memories, with batches across decades reuniting. A total of 150 Paulites attended the formal dinner and some were accompanied by their spouses
Peter Lepcha, rector of St Paul’s Darjeeling, spoke to the gathering at large, expressing his gratitude to the OPA executive committee for organising the event. Speaking to My Kolkata, Lepcha said: “We are renovating and updating the school’s facilities and the alumni have always been forthcoming with their support. The admission numbers are looking upwards. The demand for education is always there and St. Paul’s is the first choice for people, especially in this part of the world.”
The old boys of St. Paul’s remembered many things from their school days, including the school song. All the Paulites rose to their feet and sang the school song without missing a beat, bringing back the emotions they felt while singing it at school events.
“I believe these gatherings are more than just social events, they are a way to strengthen the bonds that tie us together as Paulites. ‘Celebrating Friendships’ was the perfect theme for this dinner because it reflects the spirit of camaraderie and shared history that makes our community special. These reunions allow us to reconnect, welcome new faces, and ensure that the OPA remains a vibrant and supportive network for all,” said Rohan Ghosh, the secretary of the OPA executive committee.
St. Paul’s has a legacy of over 200 years and the alumni, too, have their traditions that have been passed down through the generations, like the OPA Kolkata Cricket team. The team travels to school for an annual cricket match against present students and also plays tournaments in Kolkata every year.
