HOUSE HISTORIES
Mohindra House holds the distinction of being the first house of the school and was established in 1949. The House was named after Her Highness Maharani Mohinder Kaur of Patiala, who later became the Chairperson of the School Board of Governors. The first House Master was Mr. H N Kashyap and the House's initial strength was fifty boys.
Dhani Ram House was instituted in the year 1950 and named after the Founder-Headmaster of YPS, Rai Bahadur Dhani Ram Kapila. Mr. H L Gulati was the first House Master and Mrs. J Dawson the first House Mistres. In the beginning, the Junior boys of the newly-formed DRH stayed in the Mohindra House building for a short time, while the senior boys were shifted into DRH
In the August of 1953, the last of the three Houses in the school came up and was called the Headmaster's House. The housemasters of this new House were the incumbent heads of the school (though the practice was discontinued after a few years). Thus, the first House master was the then Headmaster, Col Frank Von Goldstein, assisted by senior teacher, Mr. Mendonza. All the day scholars studying in the school were initially attached to this house. The House, interestingly, earned the reputation of being called as the 'The Pampered Baby of the School', and, thus, in 1962, the House's name was changed to Phulkian House, after the royal dynasty of Patiala.
THE AMPHITHEATRE The Amphitheatre is one of the important landmarks on the campus and holds a special place in the hearts of all the Yadavindrians. It is a part of the Junior School building and most students grow up playing in or running up and down its steps. Built on the lines of the ancient Greek and Roman amphitheatres, it is the venue for most of the school functions - from the Junior School Entertainment Programme to the annual Goldstein English Debate.
PREP SCHOOL SWING AREA
The Prep School swings area is one of the favourite haunts of the Yadavindrians. Even when they grow up, and move to the senior classes, they visit this area to relive their childhood.
THE CLOCK TOWER The clock tower, undoubtedly, is one of the most noticeable features of the school. The school stadium would, perhaps, seem incomplete without its towering presence. It stands atop a flight of steps overlooking the stadium and though, without a clock for a while now, the students, learn a lot about standing the test of time from it.
THE NALAGARH PARK The Nalagarh Park is one of the most picturesque places on the school campus. The park is named after the Raja of Nalagarh. Raja Sahib was a man who held a deep passion for all the beautiful things in nature,especially flowers and plants.
The garden has been nurtured by numerous 'Maalijis' and one name that stands out is of 'Daroga ji ,' Head Gardener, who was extremely passionate and held his work in high esteem.
ONCE UPON A TIME 1. Before the advent of the new age technology, when watching a movie was a rare event, the school, used to screen a movie, especially for the boarders, every Saturday. This movie was screened through a projector. 2. The students played a more active role in the school administrative affairs. Surprised? Well, one student every day would take care of the day's proceedings at the Headmaster's office. This student used to sit at a desk marked, 'On Duty' throughout the day. 3. NCC has always been an integral part of the school activities and there was a time when the school NCC contingent would present a Guard of Honour to the visiting dignitary at the School Annual Days. 4. Students of senior classes were assigned Serving Days and they would serve diligently at meals. They did this with the help and assistance of the mess staff. 5. The Prep School used to conduct an elaborate fancy dress competition on the occasion of the Children's Day every year. The function used to be a colourful one with the tiny tots dressed radiantly for the occasion. 6. The Annual Academic Day function used to be held in the Boarding House area. The programme used to be a singularly academic affair with no cultural performances. 7. YPS offers a wide repertoire of games and sports. Interestingly, once water polo was also one of the sports played in the school. 8. Prior to the coming up of the School Swimming Pool in 1987, YPS boys and girls would go to the Army Swimming Pool in the vicinity to practise the sport. LOST LEGACY A life-size brick and mortar replica of INS Patiala, an iconic ship, stood at the place where the school swimming pool is at present. The ship was fully equipped with large guns, small boats, engine rooms, cabins with bunk beds, kitchen, pantry, dining room, washrooms, etc.
THE BOUGAINVILLEA YEARS Till not many years ago, the outermost boundary of the school building was covered with swathes of the colourful Bougainvillea. Now, of course, with the changing times, the fencing has been modified to make it more impregnable and impenetrable. But those Bougainvillea years still live with us!
ROLLICKING RIDES! The days were of sheer joy and fun when students would cycle to the school in overwhelming numbers and the cycle stand used to be a bustling place!
PREP SCHOOL SWING AREA The Prep School swings area is one of the favourite haunts of the Yadavindrians. Even when they grow up, and move to the senior classes, they visit this area to relive their childhood.
THE SCHOOL SONG The School Song has been evolved from the famous hymn 'Land of our Birth, We Pledge to Thee', by Rudyard Kipling. This poem is the concluding poem in Rudyard Kipling's 'Puck of Pook's Hill '(1906), and is dedicated to the Motherland. The hymn was adapted into the School Song where in the first two stanzas were retained and the last three replaced with new ones. The song was officially included into the School Service Book and released in the year 2008.
THE FIRST OF YPS 1. The first Vice –Principal - Mr. Harnam Singh 2. The first Bursar - Mr. RN Sharma 3. The first Head of the Junior School - Mr. MK Anand 4. The first Prep Wing Incharge - Mrs. Janak Sehgal 5. The first Sports' Incharge - Mr. Harpal Singh 6. The first student on school rolls - Col Harinder Singh Attari 7. The first OY on the School Staff - Inderdhir Singh Grewal 8. The first School Captain - Indermeet Singh Grewal 9. The first Head Girl- Gurinder Kaur Sidhu 10. The first Girl Recipient of the Yadavindra Gold Medal- Neel Kamal Puri 11. The first Recipient of the Nalagarh Gold Medal - Surinder Singh Sodhi 12. The first Recipient of the Majithia Gold Medal - Gurbaksh Singh Virk 13. The first Recipient of the Dhaliwal Silver Medal - Nirmal Singh Sohi 14. The first Recipient of the Rajkumari Amrit Kaur Trophy - Adarshveer Anand 15. The first Recipient of the Carriapa Art Shield - Harinder Singh Attari 16. The first Recipient of the Yadavindra Athletic Trophy - Onkar Narayan Singh 17. The first Recipient of the Nalagarh Cricket Trophy- Krishan Sher Singh 18. The first Recipient of the 1st Armoured Division Trophy - Dhruve Pandove
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