Tom Alter '68, actor and author, was awarded one of India's highest distinctions, the Padma Shree, on Republic Day 2008. Click here for the report.

Woodstock School celebrated this award with a ceremony at the school, which turned out to be one of Woodstock's most memorable occasions. The sun shone, the Quad was decorated, and the employees excelled themselves in assembling a groups of dancers and drummers to herald Tom's arrival and play him into the Quad where the whole school was assembled, along with many special guests and old friends. As the party walked from the gate, elementary students lined the route and cascaded confetti on the procession. The performance of the dancers and drummers as they arrived at the Quad set the heart racing.

Speeches of tribute are always an important part of an occasion like this, but it was clear that this was no ritual. Mrs. Kaye Aoki, Principal and Mrs. Jane Cummings, Development Director, spoke with affection, appreciation and knowledge about Tom's career both at Woodstock and beyond. Most gasps were drawn from the assembled students when Mrs. Cummings recounted a story from classmate Steve Van Rooy of how the two of them had cycled to Delhi in a day.

Special guest Jot Singh Ghansola, MLA, spoke feelingly about the pride that Mussoorie has in its famous son, and former employee Shri Chander Singh Bhandari paid his own tribute. It was noticeable that in Tom's response to the speeches he paid most attention to Chander Singh, and told several stories of the escapades they had shared together. The ceremony ended with a special tea for all present.

You can view video from the ceremony by clicking on the viewer below.