Reviving memories after 16 years
Though every student promises to keep in touch when they depart after their schooling or graduation, hardly anybody keeps the promise. And the 1994-BSc batch of St Aloysius College was no exception. Hardly anybody was in touch with the others.
However, 16 years after they completed their graduation, a thought comes into the mind of one person (who works in Duabi) and he shares the same with his friend/college-mate (also in Dubai). The same day he requests for leave. The minute he gets a green signal from his boss, he hits the Face Book, contacts as many persons (classmates) as possible and even fixes a date for the re-union.
Within 10 days, 21 people (Aloysians scattered all over the world) meet at the famous St Aloysius Chapel. Almost everybody is surprised to see his classmate grow so ‘tall’ (in his respective profession) and so ‘old’ (one bald and many with grey hair). In fact, there were doctors, managers, businessmen, software professionals (in Australia and the US among other nations), 1 officer in intelligence department and 3 journalists.
Minutes after they met, most of them forgot that they are no more students. While a few of them rushed to their hostel rooms (where they once lived), many others went from department to department to see their teachers. Of course, many had retired.
Interestingly, the College too had changed with many new buildings coming up in the vicinity.
In the afternoon, the then vice principal (presently vice principal of St Aloysius Institute of Management and Information Technology) Rev Fr Denzil Lobo gave a brief outline of how the College has transformed over the years. Soon, the ‘students’ went to see their dear hostel warden Rev Fr Lawrence Castelino (who is sick) at Fathima Retreat House. He was very happy to see the ‘old boys’.
The next destination in the evening was obvious — a bar and restaurant on the outskirts of City. As everybody decided that they would have dinner ‘late night’ (it was already 11.30 pm), the unanimous decision was to get food parcel (take away) from ‘Bombay Lucky’ (of course, no other hotel is open after 11 pm in Mangalore!). The next destination was a service apartment in City where one by one, the batchmates started narrating their stories — what they did in the last 16 years?
There were many interesting stories. Surprisingly, many never thought that they would become what they are now. Right from their hard days (jobless, initially) to the golden days (a few), they all narrated their stories thus making all those who were present proud of their batchmates. In fact, Anil Joseph claimed that he changed 19 companies in 16 years! He also won successful entrepreneur of the year award two years ago.
Then it was time for departure again...! After a few hugs, the localites bid goodbye at 4 am when the ‘hostelites’ (in the service apartment) decided to have dinner (or early breakfast!).
Two days after the reunion, the ‘students’ started uploading the photos of the reunion and also about the college days and of course the famous 10-day South India tour in the final BSc where the then students dared to go without even a single lecturer accompanying them. Of course, not even a single untoward incident took place and the credit goes to Jaya Prakash who had meticulously planned the 10-day tour (16 years ago) and the re-union (16 years after), who is presently working as a manager in a commercial bank in Dubai.
Looking at the success of re-union, many more have started contacting each other. And yes, the number is going to increase manifold next year. Jai Ho.
