Lawrence School ghoragali

An interesting visit to Lawrence School Ghora Gali by two teachers and some current students from Lawrence School Sanawar.

UNFORGETABLE VISIT TO THE LAWRENCE COLLEGE GHORAGALI, PAKISTAN

The children and staff of The Lawrence School, Sanawar , Himachal Pradesh
visited their sister School, The Lawrence College, Ghoragali Murree in
Pakistan. The School was Founded by the same person who started the School
in Sanawar, Sir Henry Lawrence who had established 4 schools in 19th
century. The first one being The Lawrence School, Sanawar, second was The
Lawrence College, Ghoragali (now in Murree Pakistan) , third one is The
Lawrence School, Lovedale in Ooty in the south and the fourth one was The
Lawrence School, Mount Abu in Rajasthan. The last one stands converted in a
Police Academy.

18 children and three Staff members headed by Mr. Rajesh Puri Dean of
Faculty of Sanawar School visited the Ghoragali School from 11th of July to
16th of July, 2006 the invitation extended by the Principal of the Ghoragali
School Air Commodore (Retd) A. K. Kiyani.

After crossing the Attari- Wagha Border at about 1:00 pm. on 11th July,
2006. the Principal Air Commodore (Retd) A. K. Kiyani received the
Sanawarians with the Headmistress of the Junior School and the President and
Secretary of The Old Ghallians Chapter of Lahore with a big banner " WELCOME
TO THE SANAWARIANS". After some refreshment, photography and live interviews
with GO TV channel of Pak, the delegation reached Lahore, the first
destination in Pakistan, and reached the Farm House of an old Ghallian
Chaudhary Tanvir Ahmed, DIG Police at Raiwind Road, followed by a lovely
lunch and after a rest for few hours the delegation went around Lahore
City, the famous Panjab University, the Assembly Hall, the Lahore Fort,
Badshahi Masjid next to a Gurudawara, the Lama Muhammad Iqbals Mazar. The
children were taken to a Mall known as PACE owned by famous cricketer Imran
Khan. The delegation visited a street known as "FOOD STREET" where one can
go only on foot as no vehicle is allowed. This street is known as the Old
Anarkali bazaar, where a Police Band played and welcomed the delegation,
then was followed by an excellent dinner.

Next morning, after the breakfast, a visit to the House of the Governor of
Panjab Lt. Gen. (Retd) Khalid Maqbool was organised. The reception was very
warming. He spoke about the academic condition of the schools in Pakistan.
He stated that there is no School in Pakistan where you have co-education.
The literacy rate is 57% only. This was said by the governor. Mr. R. Puri
thanked them for the warm welcome at the Wagha border. After a cup of tea
and snacks the delegation left for Islamabad, by the Motor Road
constructed by the Koreans. It is a six-lane road and only Cars, Buses and
Trucks are allowed. No scooters, motorcycle or tonga, rickshaw is allowed.
The roads were very neat and clean with no animals on sight. The road has a
wired boundary all through from Lahore to Peshawar, about 550 km. One can
not drive on this road less than 120 km per hour. Lunch on the way was
served by the President of Old Gallian Society followed by a cup of tea at
Islamabad with Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Mr. Mohammad Ali
Durrani. Both these meetings were telecast on the PTV on the same day. And
the next day this news was in the News Papers.

At about 9:00 pm the delegation arrived at the School, where reception by
Staff and the School children was unforgettable.

The next morning, it rained very heavily and the whole programme got
delayed. The most important function was the Special Assembly by the
Gallians in honour of Sanawarians. The children of Sanawar sang the School
Song and the National Anthem. The Ghoragali Head Boy presented their School
flag to the Head Girl of Sanawar and the Sanawar Head Girl exchanged the
Sanawar School flag with the Ghoragali Head boy. The ceremony was fabulous.

A visit to Murree was organized after this ceremony, the nearest Hill
Station like Kasauli. In the evening the entire Ghoragali School presented a
variety programme. The Sanawar boys and girls also presented variety items.
It was a wonderful show.

The next day, i.e 14th July a visit to Taxila Museum and Gurudawara Panja
Sahib was organised. The Mayor of Taxila received the delegation, who took
us to the Panja Sahib Gurudawara, where all paid thei obeisance and
touched the Panja of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. From this place the famous Museum
of Taxila was visited by the delegatin, the articles lying there were of the
old civilization and number of statue of Budha were seen. Later on reaching
Islamabad at about 6:00 pm. a visit to the residence of Brig Rajinder Singh
the Millitary Advisor at the Indian High Commission in Islamabad, who
happened to be an alumni of Sanawar, which was followed by a visit to
shopping centre known as Jinnah Supper Market.

Next morning, i.e. 15th July a friendly Basketball match was played amongst
the students of the two schools. On way back, Famous Sher Shah Suri road
known as G T Road was taken by the delegation. We stopped enroute at a place
called Mangla

lake which is a dam on the Jhehlum River. A bit of boating followed by a
lovely lunch there made up for the day. At Lahore a Dinner at a five Star
Hotel called Pearl Continent, by a old Gallian who was the Head Boy of the
School in 2004, was a grand way of finishing the day.

The next morning was the day to say good bye to the hosts. At about 11:00 am
the delegation left for Wagha Border and again Principal Air Commodore
(Retd) Farooq H Kiyani accompanied the students and an unforgettable send
off was seen. The President and the Secretary of Old Ghallians Society,
Lahore Chapter, was also present there. After crossing over the delegation
reached Attari at about 3:45 pm and left for their residences in India

The exchange visit was a memorable and unforgettable experience of every
Sanawarian who was part of this delegation. They all wish to thank the
Principal Air Commodore Farooq H Kiyani, the staff and the children of
Ghoragalli for their great hospitality.