Gangtok: The Tashi Namgyal Academy Alumni Association (TNAAA) has announced a series of events to mark 100 years of the Tashi Namgyal Academy campus, bringing together alumni, schools and the wider community through sports, heritage, social initiatives and music. The celebrations began on September 23 and will culminate in a grand Musical Night at Ridge Park on November 1.
Speaking about the centennial celebrations, Aditya Golay, Chief Patron of the TNA Alumni Association, said, “For us, this is not just about celebrating 100 years of a campus. It is about celebrating the generations who have passed through these gates, the memories they have created and the values they have carried forward. We want this centennial to bring together our alumni, our friends and the wider community and celebrate the legacy of Tashi Namgyal Academy.”
Brigadier MG Jacob, Principal-cum-Director of Tashi Namgyal Academy, said, “It is an honour for us to host this very special celebration. TNA has been part of the lives of generations of students, and to witness the institution’s campus complete 100 years is a very proud moment for the entire school community. We are delighted to welcome the alumni back to the campus.”
The main centennial programme will be held on October 30 and will feature the unveiling of a statue of Tashi Namgyal, founder of Tashi Namgyal Academy, by the Chief Minister of Sikkim.
Gary Chopel, President of the TNA Alumni Association, said, “Sir Tashi Namgyal was the founder whose vision laid the foundation for this institution. Through the statue, we want to pay tribute to that vision and preserve his legacy for future generations. The unveiling will be followed by a Heritage Walk from the statue to the TNA School Ground, where old photographs, montages and archival memories will take people through the journey of TNA.”
The sporting events will kick off the celebrations, with an Inter-Alumni Men’s Football Tournament beginning on September 23. Nine alumni associations will participate, including the TNA Alumni Association, T’Nites Alumni Association, Association of the Xaverian Alumni, St. Augustine’s School Alumni, Old Paulites Association, Namchi Public School Alumni Association, Josephites Alumni, Holy Cross School Alumni Association and North Point Alumni Association. The football final will be held on September 27.
An Inter-Alumni Women’s Basketball Tournament will follow from September 23 to 27, with four alumni associations participating: the TNA Alumni Association, Josephites Alumni, Namchi Public School Alumni Association and Association of the Xaverian Alumni.
Dr. Remon Chettri, Vice President of the TNA Alumni Association, said, “We wanted sports to be an important part of the centennial because sports have always been an integral part of school life. Through these tournaments, we are bringing together alumni from different schools, creating an opportunity to reconnect, compete and celebrate the friendships that began during our school years.”
The association will also organise a donation drive for children from underprivileged backgrounds from September 23 at the TNA Ground.
Simon Subba, Publicity Secretary of the TNA Alumni Association, said, “We want our centennial celebrations to have a social dimension as well. We will be collecting books, clothes, toys and other useful items for children from economically weaker backgrounds. We appeal to people to come forward and contribute whatever they can so that the celebration can also bring a smile to a child.”
The celebrations will culminate on November 1 with a grand Musical Night at Ridge Park, featuring Girish & The Chronicles, Mountain Souls, first runner-up of India’s Got Talent in 2018, and musicians and bands associated with TNA Touch Music.
Sonam G Bhutia, Cultural Secretary of the TNA Alumni Association, said, “Music has always had a special place in the TNA community. We wanted the centennial to end with an evening that brings everyone together through music. We have a strong line-up of performers, including Girish & The Chronicles and Mountain Souls, along with several musicians connected with TNA Touch Music.”
The programme will also feature Ananth Pradhan of Still Waters fame, Ananth & The Sonic Cartel, Diwash Rai of Crystal & The Witches, Gaurav Rasaily of G Force, Neha Pradhan of Half Past Eleven and Rohit Rasaily of Salakhala.
The Musical Night will also host the TNAAA Centennial Raffle Draw. Digcha Shree Rai, Executive Member of the TNA Alumni Association, said, “The raffle is another exciting part of our centennial celebration. The raffle ticket itself will serve as the entry ticket for the Musical Night, so people can be part of the celebration and also get an opportunity to win one of the prizes.”
The first prize is a Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450, the second prize is a Hero Xoom 110 scooter, and the third prize is an Apple iPhone 17, 256 GB. A special consolation prize of Ray-Ban Meta Wayfarer Gen 2 has also been announced.
The TNA Alumni Association has invited alumni, participating schools and members of the public to join the celebrations marking 100 years of the Tashi Namgyal Academy campus under the theme #TNACampus100.
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