What do college buddies do when they meet after 42 years?
Bear hugs.
Thumping of the back which seems endless.
ओए कहाँ था तू इतने दिन? Where were you all these days?
And similar dialogues.
Plus, they make lot of noise.
When 25 batch mates of BITS Pilani 1968-73 batch met in Kodaikanal, they did give huge hugs to each other. But they also did many other things. Spouses too joined in.
This picture story of Ghumakkad's college buddies, gives you a feel of the 5-day alumni bash held in cool climate of Palani hills, Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu India.
Q: What do college buddies do when they meet after 42 years?
A: Go on a forest hike together.
After the exhausting hike for 64-year olds, here is their response to the question 'How was it?' See the video
A: Hop across and chill out at a Water Fall.
A: Make lot of noise, even if you are nearing 65!
See this short video "BITS 68 Rocks".
A: Take a morning walk together! What else do you expect from senior citizens?
A: Celebrate it with virtual buddy across the oceans! Like with Raja Venkateswar who sent a specially recorded piece despite his disabling injury!
We inaugurated the musical evening with Raja's rendition. See the audience here. Video recording courtesy Ashok Suri.
A: Sing and dance.
A: Play good old अंताक्षरी by a lake side.
We all went for a picnic to Berijam Lake 25 kms away from Kodaikanal in a protected forest. Pictures.
A: Displaying woman power!
A: Eat and eat! Age no bar!
A: Shikara शिकारा ride in Kodaikanal Lake.
The Carlton Hotel, where we stayed, has brought four 'Shikaras' from Kashmir for its guests in Kodaikanal. It is an exclusive experience.
For Shirish and me, it brought back memories of our visit to Kashmir in 1976-77.
A: 'Prem Kahani' Love Story-- so what if you are 65?
A: Lend an ear for Conservation Project.
A: Admire the flowers
All these flowers and many more are from the garden at Misty Cove.
A: Enjoy the beauty of Nature.
A: Warm up with bonfire.
A: Pair up with spouses!
From L-R: Javid, Dayal, Bipin Agarwals, Mittals, Dhanukas, Shahs, Ashok Gulechhas, Rathis, Neemas, Bhargavas, Chinoys, Vijay Gulechhas, Bajajs, Safys, GS Agarwals, ML Agarwals, Talesaras, Mohandas', Somanis, Menons, Jains, Suris, Anoop and not in picture Shashi Menon and Harsha Singh.
A: Pose for group photograph.
All this was made possible by Vijay Gulechha who owns 'Misty Cove', a prime property by the lake side in Kodaikanal. It has been run as a home stay for many years. Soon it will be operated as a resort after on-going renovation is completed. Contact me for any queries.
Special thanks are due to entire Gulechha family. Here is a short thank you poem specially composed for the Gulechha family.
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
We all posed for a special group photograph with the family seated in the centre. See the placards in the picture.
And here is Vaibhav, who despite an injury, was up on his crutches making sure everything was perfect. Talk of dedication!
We had to bid good bye to Misty Cove-- a real paradise on earth!
Am sure, all the readers will have similar memories and experiences of their own alumni bashes. Events like this recharge you-- until the next Reunion!
Postscript: For those who missed the 40th year Reunion at BITS Pilani, here are the links (just double click)
40th year Reunion- glimpses
Bear hugs and Inauguration
The Reunion Program and who all came
Thanks for browsing.
- Harsh-the-Ghumakkad/ 29th Sept 2015
hbindia@gmail.com
Bear hugs.
Thumping of the back which seems endless.
ओए कहाँ था तू इतने दिन? Where were you all these days?
And similar dialogues.
Plus, they make lot of noise.
When 25 batch mates of BITS Pilani 1968-73 batch met in Kodaikanal, they did give huge hugs to each other. But they also did many other things. Spouses too joined in.
This picture story of Ghumakkad's college buddies, gives you a feel of the 5-day alumni bash held in cool climate of Palani hills, Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu India.
Q: What do college buddies do when they meet after 42 years?
A: Go on a forest hike together.
After the exhausting hike for 64-year olds, here is their response to the question 'How was it?' See the video
A: Hop across and chill out at a Water Fall.
A: Make lot of noise, even if you are nearing 65!See this short video "BITS 68 Rocks".
A: Take a morning walk together! What else do you expect from senior citizens?
A: Celebrate it with virtual buddy across the oceans! Like with Raja Venkateswar who sent a specially recorded piece despite his disabling injury!
We inaugurated the musical evening with Raja's rendition. See the audience here. Video recording courtesy Ashok Suri.
A: Sing and dance.
We all went for a picnic to Berijam Lake 25 kms away from Kodaikanal in a protected forest. Pictures.
A: Displaying woman power!
A: Eat and eat! Age no bar!
A: Shikara शिकारा ride in Kodaikanal Lake.
The Carlton Hotel, where we stayed, has brought four 'Shikaras' from Kashmir for its guests in Kodaikanal. It is an exclusive experience.
For Shirish and me, it brought back memories of our visit to Kashmir in 1976-77.
A: 'Prem Kahani' Love Story-- so what if you are 65?
A: Lend an ear for Conservation Project.
A: Admire the flowers
All these flowers and many more are from the garden at Misty Cove.
A: Warm up with bonfire.
A: Pair up with spouses!
From L-R: Javid, Dayal, Bipin Agarwals, Mittals, Dhanukas, Shahs, Ashok Gulechhas, Rathis, Neemas, Bhargavas, Chinoys, Vijay Gulechhas, Bajajs, Safys, GS Agarwals, ML Agarwals, Talesaras, Mohandas', Somanis, Menons, Jains, Suris, Anoop and not in picture Shashi Menon and Harsha Singh.
A: Pose for group photograph.
All this was made possible by Vijay Gulechha who owns 'Misty Cove', a prime property by the lake side in Kodaikanal. It has been run as a home stay for many years. Soon it will be operated as a resort after on-going renovation is completed. Contact me for any queries.
Special thanks are due to entire Gulechha family. Here is a short thank you poem specially composed for the Gulechha family.
_____________________________________________________
How do you thank a
Buddy
How do you thank a
person
Who showers you with
affection?
Who lives in a place
endowed with natural beauty
And along with family,
goes beyond the call of duty
To look after us during
the 42nd alumni bash
With a personal touch difficult
to match
Yes, we are talking of
Vijay and Vinita Gulechha and the entire family
Who created an
atmosphere for 40 of us which was
absolutely homely
Be it the planning of
the event
Or the evening
entertainment
The hike in the forest
culminating in Pambar Fall
Or the picnic at
Berijam Lake, we all had a ball
We thank Vaibhav,
Anita, Saurabh and Divya for your warm and personal care
Your children reminded
many of us of our own grandchildren who were not there
All that we would like
to say-- May God bless you all
So that your
togetherness and love for life grows tall.
Once again, thanks for everything
-
The Gang of
Sixty Eight/ 28th Sept 201
_____________________________________________________
We all posed for a special group photograph with the family seated in the centre. See the placards in the picture.
We had to bid good bye to Misty Cove-- a real paradise on earth!
Am sure, all the readers will have similar memories and experiences of their own alumni bashes. Events like this recharge you-- until the next Reunion!
Postscript: For those who missed the 40th year Reunion at BITS Pilani, here are the links (just double click)
40th year Reunion- glimpses
Bear hugs and Inauguration
The Reunion Program and who all came
Thanks for browsing.
- Harsh-the-Ghumakkad/ 29th Sept 2015
hbindia@gmail.com
Beautifully presented! Too bad I wasn't there. -- Maninder.
ReplyDeleteDo join the next time Manny.
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