Students of as many as 39 previous commerce batches of Vijaya College came together for a mega alumni event on Saturday.

The college, which started its commerce course in 1972, has seen over 7,000 students graduate to date.

When the commerce course began over three decades ago, there was only one section. Today, it has grown to four sections.

The alumni meet was organised by Vijaya Vanijya Alumni. A festive atmosphere greeted the alumni who were thrilled to meet their classmates after several years.

Students of more recent batches, who were also present on the occasion, were overwhelmed by the large number of seniors who had turned up, outnumbering the more recent graduates.

Among the alumni were Suresh B S and Srivatsa T K, both 62, who belonged to the 1972-batch.

The duo had even brought along a framed copy of their class photograph, recollecting the nick names they had for their class mates and cherishing memories of college days when they bunked classes to watch cricket matches.

Each batch of students held a flag marking the year they enrolled in the college, and took part in a march past. On the occasion, former professors in the department, including Prof M K Sridhar and Prof K R Nayak, were felicitated.