Friday 14 February 2014

BITS 73 Returns to Campus Part 1

_________ When The Class of 1973 Returned after 40 Years! __________

Yes, the class of 1968-73 decided to invade the Pilani campus  for 40th year Reunion!
Preparations began almost a year ago with launch of a FB group. Credit: Dhiraj Shah.


Rallying long lost buddies across the oceans. Putting a three-day program together. Inviting present BITS leadership to be part of it. Logistics. Souvenir cap, Event logo, Commemorative Film...and so on!

The Team which made it happen:
Ashok Suri
Prem Jain
Ravi Mittal
Vinay Prasad
Harsh Bhargava

Special mention: Prof Arya Kumar, Dean Alumni Affairs, BITS Pilani.

Event logo:

The Program:

Celebrating Fifty Years of BITS
40th Year Reunion of BITS Pilani 1968-73 Batch
8th-10th November 2013
Program
  
Date
Time
Event/Activity
Remarks
8th Nov 2013
Forenoon
·         Arrival and Registration by 3pm.
·         Assemble at BITS Guest House (VFAST)
·         Bear hugs
·         Initial photo-op
Student volunteers to assist


4 pm – 5 pm
·         Introductions including spouses/children/grand children
·         Tea and samosa
VFAST Lawns. PA System required.
7 pm – 8 pm
·         Release of commemorative Film by VC
·         Address by VC/Director
·         Highlights of alumni and their contribution to society and corporate world
·         In Memoriam- Homage to buddies no more
·         Students and staff are welcome to attend (Poster sent separately)
LTC-5104 with LCD projector etc.
Live webcast on Google Hangout for those alumni/ families unable to come to Pilani.
Prof Rahul Banerjee to give URL
8 pm – 9.30 pm
Networking Dinner (Alumni and families)
Rajasthani menu- Daal Bati Churma with Cassatta
10-11.30 pm
Star gazing courtesy BITS Astronomy Club

Optional. Accompanied by student volunteers
9th Nov 2013
6 am-7 am
Nature Walk and Bird Watching
Optional
8am -9 am
Breakfast and Group photograph
Light coloured shirt and tie with jacket
9.30 am -12.00 pm
Fifty Years of BITS (1964-2014)
·         Visit Institute Labs/Library/Museum/ New facilities
·         BITS Connect 2.0(Directors of all four campuses to connect on-line)
·         Multi-campus learning demonstration
·         Photo-op

Alumni and those spouses who wish to join.
Photo-cover

12 pm - 1pm
Interaction with VC and Director
Live webcast for those alumni/ families unable to come to Pilani

10 am – 12.30 pm
Spouses’ visit to Pilani city
·         Handicrafts market
·         Tie and dye
·         Bangle making
·         Visit Birla Haveli
Spouses
1 pm-2 pm
Lunch
RP-A Student Mess
2 pm-3.30 pm
Interaction with student leadership
·         Feasibility of augmenting the Students Club activities through alumni support
Alumni to steer parallel tracks as required
3.30 pm-5.30 pm
·         Visit the village adopted by BITS students through Nirmaan
·         Visit PRC- Pilani Resource Centre
·         Spouses are welcome
Alumni and spouses. Accompanied by student volunteers
Photo-cover.
9th Nov 2013 (Contd)
3.30-5.30 pm
·         Visit CEERI
Parallel track
6 pm-8 pm
Campus walk around:
Saraswati Temple, Shiv Ganga, CP, Boys and girls hostels etc
Accompanied by student volunteers
8 pm-9.30 pm
Reunion Dinner
·         VC, Director, Dy Directors, Deans as guests of honour
·         Students Union President/ Secretary to be invited
·         Volunteers helping with the event also to be invited
·         Presentation of Bouquets

VFAST lawns.
PA system required.
Photo cover.
10 pm-11 pm
Night life on campus: Night canteen etc


Optional. Spouses welcome to join. Accompanied by student volunteers
10th Nov 2013
6 am-7 am
Nature Walk and Bird Watching
Optional
8 am-9 am
Breakfast

9.15 am - 10 am
Giving back to BITS- Interaction with Director
·         Scholarships
·         Awards in memory of deceased alumni
·         Student Clubs- augmentation of facilities
·         Adventure sports/expeditions
·         E- Mentoring by alumni
Alumni, BITS management and students
10 am-12.00pm
Spouse’s Interaction/Outing/Shopping
Volunteers to accompany
12.00-1.30 pm
Parting Lunch/Packed Lunch

1.30 pm onwards
Dispersal



Based on the program, an on-line poster was designed for campus intranet. It caught the eye balls. Here is the copy:


It built the hysteria.
Buddies arrived from both axes i.e. via Delhi and Jaipur. Cars and a Volvo bus. Bear hugs were followed by a formal intro session with spouses.


Introductions in VFAST Lawn
Glimpses:


























Sudha and KT Ramesh











And then it was time for 'Chaat'....



The Reunion has just begun. Next Part will take you to the Inaugural session, an interactive hour with the students and more pictures.
So, hang on.

Till then take care.

   - Harsh (Ghumakkad)/ Valentine Day 2014
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For quick referencing, links to all three parts of 40th Year Reunion are given below:
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Postscript: Two years later in Sept 2015, we celebrated the 42nd Year Reunion at Kodaikanal. Click here for the picture story which had 1000 page views in a single day!

_____________ End of Part-1 Pilani 40th Reunion _______________ 

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