Shillong, Oct 11: The roar of two-wheelers broke the quiet morning in Shillong on Saturday as the St Anthony’s School Past Pupils’ Association organised Ride to Unite 3.0.
More than 60 alumni mounted their bikes not just for a ride, but for a reunion on wheels, to foster brotherhood among Anthonian brothers and to give back to the underprivileged.
This year’s destination was Niriang village near Ummulong in West Jaintia Hills, home to the Niriang RCLPS Samagra Siksha Abhiyan school.
The ride itself was a celebration. Alumni in their riding gear, helmets and Anthonian colours rode in formation through winding hills, reliving school days, sharing jokes and stopping for tea along the way.
For many, it was a chance to catch up with old classmates, recall teachers, pranks and just reminiscent of the time they spent at St Anthony’s School.
The convoy was welcomed at Niriang with warmth that moved many to emotion. The 120 students of the school, from nursery to Class V, greeted the riders with a song, sung eloquently in English, surprising the visitors.
The school, started in 1990, serves children of farming families. Almost all villagers depend on agriculture, growing chillies, cucumber, cabbage, cauliflower and other vegetables.
While there are schools up to secondary level in the area, students have to move to Ummulong, Shillong or Jowai for higher studies.
As part of the outreach, the alumni distributed bags and stationery to the students and handed over a cash contribution to the school for exigencies.
An alumnus also painted an art mural on the school wall as a remembrance of the visit.
Addressing the students, President of the Alumni Association Rupert Lyngdoh urged them to work hard and excel in life.
He encouraged them to carry forward the spirit of giving when they become successful in future.
For the former students, the visit was more than charity. It was nostalgia mixed with purpose. Sitting on the school’s verandah, many shared stories of their own school days and how St Anthony’s shaped them.
The simple setting, the curiosity of the children and the hospitality of the village left a deep impression.
The ride back was filled with promises to do more. Members said “Ride to Unite” is not just about motorcycles but about staying connected as a family and using that bond for social good.
What began as a ride ended as a memory they will carry back to the city, with plans already being made for the next edition and more such visits to remote schools in Meghalaya.
