Dear STX Alumni,
 
Some of you might have already received an email from Radeep Khadka from GAA regarding the plight of "Jhamke" from Godavari. If not, scroll below for the copied text of the email. Jhamke needs us!
 
I did not go to Godavari myself, but my brother did; and I only have fond memories of "Jhamke" through my weekend visits to my brother. I am sure most of you who went through Godavari must also cherish Jhamke's love, care and, most of all, his simple yet honest and unquestioning dedication to the institution and it's pupil through most of his life.
 
A handful of generous members of the Alumni have already pledged handsome amounts for the cause.
 
I say, let's hold off on the large pledges for now. The essential beauty of these kinds of endeavors should come not from the amount we pledge, rather from the symbol of "togetherness" that we can show in times of need. So, I suggest maximum number of alumnus donate whatever small amount they can ($10, $20, etc.) to help
"Jhamke". The principal Jhamke owes is relatively small anyway (in dollar terms), so I think we should strive towards paying off his entire debt, rather than just helping him with the interest payments, which is what the honest "Jhamke" is seeking help on. This way, our help would stand to mean more by relieving him
from the strain of interests that he may never be able to otherwise.

I am willing to co-ordinate the collection in the US. Since we should be acting fast on this, I have taken the liberty of setting the deadline of Saturday,  March 14th, 2009 to make pledges and/or to send
checks. You can pledge by email (anil_shahi_et@hotmail.com)[anil(underscore)shahi(underscore)et@hotmail.com] and send your checks written to "Anil Shahi" to:

111-01 78th Avenue
Forest Hills, NY 11375
 
If you need to talk to me: 917-670-1057
 
I will make the final list of donors available to you all -- and to GAA -- for the purpose of transparency.
 
That said, I really think we should also establish a St. Xavier's Alumni Trust Fund in the US. Today it's Jhamke -- tomorrow it could be someone else, or something else. We could even use the fund to provide scholarships for the needy at St. Xavier's, so that the school that has made us who we are today can continue to make more of us, even while providing opportunities to the less privileged. More on this another time,
though, after much homework I shall do on logistical aspects of the idea.
 
If we raise more than what we need for Jhamke in this round, perhaps we can even save the excess amount to be deposited into the future "STX Alumni Trust Fund".  
 
Please forward this message to as many STX alumnus as possible.
 
Anil J. Shahi, "ET" ('85)
*****************
Email from Radeep Khadka:
 
Dear Members, 
 
For those of you who studied in St Xavier's Godavari will recall 'Mr Jhamke'. He was an employee of Godavari School from 1966 till 1997.
 
'Jhamke Dai' as I know him, came to GAA  a few days back and shared with me this sad part of his life which has been troubling him. I would like to share it with members who would know him and may
be able to help him.

Jhamke was living a quiet, happy villager's life after retirement from Godavari. He still lives in the village further down from 'bigfield'. Among his two sons, the elder (Sujan Basel) worked for Bishnu AutoWorkshop. He'd been working there for 10 years and was a trustworthy employee. This son fell in love with a (not supported by Jhamke) girl. He brought the girl home a few times and eventually decided to marry her. Apparently, the girl had been through a rough childhood having had to live with her step mom. Her dream plan was to go to Korea for working purposes. The girl was in the applying process when they decided to tie the knot. Despite Jhamke's worries and warnings against the marriage the son eventually married the girl and brought her home. 11 months later the family was gifted with a beautiful daughter. 4 months affter this Jhamke's daughter in law's visa to Korea was approved. She left, leaving her 4 month daughter with her husband's family.
 
The daughter-in-law came back to Nepal after 4 years (a year before she was due). Her first reaction to her husband was the house was very messy and dirty and asked him to renovate it immediately. After getting Jhamke's permission, his son spent 1 lakh Rs renovating the house. This money he had borrowed from different places. Eventually after picking up fights on regular basis, the daughter in law and his son had a last blow in which windows were smashed in the house and cops had to intervene. This followed the lady giving divorce to his son. His son, due to all this has gone mad. On top of this medical expenses not, to pay back the 1 lakh his son owed different people, Jhamke deposited the papers of his family land. He still had payments to make and had to sell his wife's jewellery. Daily rations were even hard to meet so his wife borrowed a sum of Rs 25,000 from the Local Women's Samuha.
 
Now, here's where he wants help. Every 15 days, he has to pay Rs 1600 to the Women's Samuya (repayment of the loan). This is getting impossible for a family with a medically insane son and a long time retired father. He is worried due to the shame in the locality his wife might end up doing something irrational.
 
Jhamke say if someone could lend him this amount asap he would be very grateful and definitely paybackk as soon as he can. If someone would be willing to hire him for somekind of work until he pays back, is also fine with him.

Please call GAA at 4414785 or me at 9841382053 to know more and help.
 
Regards,
Radeep Khadga
Office Manager
Godavari Alumni Association