Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Dr Unni bestowed distinguished alumni award

Both the 'students' were from the 1980 batch of MIT and KMC respectively

About 500 alumni of Manipal University, some who studied more than 25 years ago, gathered here over the weekend to celebrate the re-union. On Saturday at the sixth Annual Alumni meet, two of them from the 1980 batch--Rajeev Chandrasekhar, MP (Manipal Institute of Technology) and Dr Unni Karunakara (Kasturba Medical College, Manipal)-- were honoured with the distinguished alumni award at a glittering function at fortune Inn Valley View.

There was a lot of bonhomie as old friends met up after many years and fondly recalled the time they had spent together in Manipal.

“There is a sea of change now. Manipal has changed tremendously. And we’re happy to see the exciting changes” they all said.

“The university campus wears a completely new look,” Rajeev, who was back in the campus after many years said.

In his address after receiving the award, he recalled some of the favourite hang-outs, favourite faculty and favourite food he had in Manipal.

“Manipal is clearly a destination for world class education and is a matter of immense personal pride to me and all the alumni who have come here today from all over the world,” he said.

Rajeev Chandrasekhar also thanked Manipal University for shaping his future.
“I made my moment in the sun in the area of technology from the first floor of the MIT building at the computer centre which had a DCM Spectrum 7 machine. I was introduced to many things here which I remain passionate about even today.”

“From there, I moved to Chicago and then to the Silicon Valley as an intern to witness and participate in the design and building of most of the technology you see around today. No matter where I am, I will always remember DCM Spectrum 7,” Rajeev reminisced.   
Dr Unni too recollected his days in KMC Manipal and spoke of his journey from here as a doctor with an MBBS degree to the heights he has been able to achieve in all these years to the present time where he is covering 5000 kilometres on a cycle expedition from Kashmir to Thiruvananthapuram to create health awareness among the masses and talk to medical students.

Pro Chancellor Dr H S Ballal, Vice Chancellor Dr Ramnarayan, Dr Nagendra Swamy among others spoke.

On Sunday, the MIT alumni of 1988 batch celebrated silver union at the institute premises. Dr H S Ballal was the chief guest. Sanjay Khanna and  Ganesh Prasad were honored with distinguished Alumnus award.