Editorial

Perseverance is the word that does not just describe our journey in bringing forth our ideas into reality for this Yearbook but illustrates the efforts of this entire institution for functioning in the hardest of times. With this reflection on our journey, which we dreamt of, the journey which we lived through and the journey which made us realise the pre-eminence of this elite institution, now comes to an end. This journey has been unconventional in many senses, which the past Editors-in-Chief would have never experienced.

The Yearbook is different from any of the School’s other publications, simply because we just get one shot at perfection, one attempt to engage with the Dosco community. In such a case, we can’t afford to have any errors or ‘jam-ups’ as we call them. This constant pressure along with the rich legacy has with every passing year raised the benchmark of creativity and efficiency as each subsequent Yearbook supersedes the previous Yearbook. In terms of the publication itself, we have continued on the path which our predecessors set out on in producing a publication which represents our School. While we may not have re-invented the Yearbook, we continued the journey of re-envisioning it.

For the two of us, the Yearbook has occupied more time and space in our school lives than any other co-curricular activity. While the final product gives us a sense of great gratification, the journey of putting together such a publication has provided us with some of the most memorable moments of our School life. From setting up chairs early in the cold mornings for House pictures to tidying up each Dosco’s uniform to guiding juniors in our senior forms to actually becoming the Editors-in-Chief and now writing this editorial for ‘our’ Yearbook, we would love to relive this remarkable journey.

The Yearbook has been a truly surreal learning experience. We have garnered learning like leadership, responsibility and humility. This annual publication is so much more than a coffee table book. It holds a place of respect in the community which comes with a heavy weight of responsibility to carry for the board members, and specifically the Editors-in-Chief. We hope to live up to the standards of our predecessors by releasing this issue for a most influential batch. Producing this much awaited publication after 2 years makes it an extremely significant one.

This reflection would be simply incomplete without talking about the Covid-19 pandemic and the impact it had on the whole community. The Year 2021, started with the optimism that the pandemic would find its near end and life will return back to normalcy after the unprecedented Year 2020. To our dismay, it really didn’t happen, as the country saw the worst of the pandemic in the summer of 2021 and the pre-pandemic life didn’t return to Chandbagh till early 2022. This issue accurately captures the charm of Chandbagh and showcases a Dosco’s tenacity, dedication, and capacity for change in the face of adversity.

By talking about the journey, reflection and evolution in this editorial, this edition’s Special Section is not just looking at a journey which gave Doscos a distinct identity but also portrays the significance of illustrations in conveying a message. We have the history and evolution of the Dosco Doodle as our Special Section for this Yearbook.

It gives us immense pleasure to present this year’s Yearbook. We are truly grateful to be in a better situation with regards to producing an issue this year, and wish to pass this legacy on to the next generation. As we accept the fact that we will soon be exiting these gates, it is reassuring to know that we have left a mark and set a standard to live up to for all those to come. It has been a pleasure.

— Aryan Bhandari & Ameyath Sodhi Editors-in-Chief