Almost all children enjoy their school years. Why then do we feel that our school was especially wonderful or different? Perhaps, the nature of interaction between teacher and student was unique in its informality. Both were encouraged to think and query rather than accept ideas unquestioningly, and the ideal was that learning takes place without fear of failure and judgement. Was it this that created a closer relationship between the teachers and the taught and made the school such a happy place? As students, we benefited from education at Vidyaranya and would now like to help the school in various ways. To this end, we have set up the Vidyaranya Alumni Foundation, a trust that will help organize activities and projects on an ongoing basis. On 7 and 8 January 2011, when Vidyaranya turns fifty, we will mark that milestone with events that we believe represent everything the school, and education within it, stand for. Joy, compassion, trust, and a sense of responsibility.