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Impressions |
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QUOTE Ever since I got engaged to “Nevri” in 1986, I’ve had so much of an overdose of BITS, Pilani……travelling atop buses, traveling in train toilets, not bathing for several days (yuck), etc. Plus, all new faces…maybe I’ll feel left out as these guys would be in their own world. I wasn’t too sure if I should attend the Reunion at all. Nevri forced me into coming….he assured me that I’ll have a whale of a time and that I’ll miss the event if I didn’t come. Secretly within, however, I was excited too. I realised that the brainwash over the years had gotten me to feel a part of it all. I was now eager to meet as many as of Nevri’s batchmates as I could particularly, Bajju (great guy). I began meeting the 78ers; Mohan, JP and Asgar (and their families), Nilay, Anurag, Avinash and Mrs. Laddha at Mumbai Central Station. We ladies (5 of us) were an instant hit with each other……like it was “Reunion (Spouses) 78”. Got to know Sanjay Shrivastava, Wadhwa, Golia, Shaily, Kansal, in the bus from Delhi. By now, I had actually started enjoying the event. Thanks, Man Mohan (and Ashok) Bhutani for having arranged the wonderful lunch at Sagar Villa, Rohtak. We celebrated JP’s and Asgar’s Birthday with cake-cutting. The “Bums” given to both by the 78ers was a new concept to me. As we entered Pilani, Kansal, Golia, Nevri, Praveen, Shaily were sitting all so excited next to the driver………providing inputs to other bus people with continuous comments like….” BPS aa gayaa, Panchavati aa gayaa, clock tower dikh raha hai…” and finally the Institute gate with lots of Yeeeeaaaaahhhhhhhhh….. Bajju and gang were there to receive us. Bajju’s Reception jig at the VFAST Gate was thrilling. But once batchmates saw each other, everybody forgot the world. So we families quietly walked towards VFAST allowing them to enjoy. The feelings in all at the reception was a surprising thing for me. Since I was not a hostelite I did not know what hostel life meant but I began to understand what a bond of love those years got into this batch of 78. The introductory session was a very good opportunity for me to get to know all of the other 78ers and their families. I finally met Pragnya…..made me so very comfortable………like I was one amongst them. A visit to the Saraswati Mandir was a great experience the next morning. The campus tour gave us a clear idea of the lecture halls and the library and the general life of the student in the campus. Campus Life seemed to be peaceful. Lots of facilities for the students. We happened to meet Professor Mundra. The batch guys were having conversation with him as if they were still in their student life. JP and family, DVR, Kansal, Shaily had Shikanji at Nagar (Rediwala outside VK). Amazing that Nagar recognized all even after 20 long years. Kansal’s/ Shaily’s comments had me all in splits; old stories of samosas with colorful chutney, etc……..I felt these guys are heart-of-heart still not out of student life. I came to know that the 78 batch was the naughtiest batch on which the professors had given up. The professors were surprised to see the sincerity and seriousness of the same guys now. This made me feel that they lived their student life to the full while at BITS. Three cheers to the three guys Shaily, DVR and Nara who came all the way from “phoren” to India just to meet their friends for just these two days. I was really touched by their love and eagerness to meet their friends, a rare quality to find these days. All of the two days, the 78ers wore the Reunion T-Shirts……..made me feel touched by their unity. Thanks to Danny and Anna. Monday morning, people were retuning to their homes…..uneventful. All buses left after lunch. “Thanks” to the rough behavior of driver of Bus 1, I got the opportunity to see the student in Raja who, today manages so many students. Our journey came to an end at the Vishwa Yuvak Kendra by saying “Bye” to all and promising to relive the nostalgia in 2008. I got this opportunity because Bajju decided to make it happen and put in his efforts besides his business and family life to reunite his batchmates. Thanks to Vinita for giving him the moral support in this great job. Everbody; BMD, Nevri, Sunil Mehta and all others who were present also supported him so well. End of it all I think I took the right decision, after all, to come for the Reunion. Now I know what a Halu is all about. Now it’s almost a week after we have returned but I am still not out of it. I’m a sure shot for Reunion 2008. UNQUOTE |