IITBHF and IITBAA (http://www.iitbombay.org)

Reunion 2002

Hike to Makarandgad

Class of 1977 Hike to Makarandgad

Class of 1977 Silver Jubilee Function – December 21 & 22

Class of 1977's Silver Jubilee Function on December 21 & 22 was simply the best party I have ever attended. It was fun all the way. Many thanks to the Mumbai volunteer team (Speedy, Ashok Ekbote, Saheba, Shashi Bhat, Arvind Bhadbhade and Suhas Nadkarni). They made all the reunion arrangements. Thanks also to Shashank Kulkarni, Ganesh, Abhijit Gadgil and Subbu Iyer for their efforts. Special thanks to Parag Saxena for all his contributions in making this a memorable event for the Class. We would not have been as successful, without the guidance and weekly support from Anil Kshirsagar (President, IITB Heritage Fund) and the rest of the IITBHF team (Rudy Rosen, Dien Yuen, Ram Kelkar and the conference call coordinator). A big 'Thank You' to Prof. Pradipta Banerji (PICAA) and Prof. Ashok Misra (Director) for being the most wonderful hosts.

Saturday (December 21) – Registration at Gulmohar

Alumni and families from Mumbai, Pune, Chenai, Gujerat, Singapore, South Africa, USA and other places gathered at Gulmohar (Noorali Sonawalla sponsored building) and immediately connected with one another in the fondest of spirits. Joyous smiles, handshakes, hugs, genuine warmth and friendship flowed for over three hours. Even repeated lunch announcements were ignored for a good half an hour. Each of us received a bag with a handsome tee shirt, cap, copy of C77 yearbook (version 0.9) and a beautiful replica of the ‘Tree of Knowledge (Main Building lawn)’.

Saturday (December 21) – Lunch at Hostel 4

Lunch was catered by OTT (Event managers for the Class of 77 Reunion). The setting was newly refurbished mess of Hostel 4. This was an interesting juxstaposing of the new (mess), old (hostel 4 structure) and the delicious offerings at lunch. I had to exercise considerable self control to avoid over indulgence.

Saturday (December 21) – Visit to Hostel 5 etc. and Tea at Hostel 8

Most H-5 folks congregated there after lunch. We visited our old rooms (some were open) and met with current students. Our H-5 visit was followed by tea at H-8. The renovated H-8 looked quite different than H-5 whose mess is being demolished for new construction. H-5 students will use other hostel messes during reconstruction of the mess. The relaxed morning, lunch, afternoon hostel visit and chai allowed us to take in the ‘green’ campus before start of planned events.

Saturday (December 21) – Pagal Gymkhana

This event was a laugh riot. The class was divided in to four teams and competed vigorously in events such as – blind obstacle race, twelve legged race, fancy dress competition (four wives helping their respective husbands drape a sari and do shringar complete with lipstick, kajal etc.). I need to ask you to wait for the video, to get more.

Saturday (December 21) – Class of 77 Project Donations Meeting

Parag Saxena set just the right tone and the group responded wonderfully to the Class of 1977 project donations drive. Prof. Banerji presented ‘Faculty Housing Project’ information to the class. Prof. Misra answered alumni questions about funding for IITs in general and ‘faculty housing’ in particular. Prof. Narayanmurthy and Prof. Lakkad also answered alumni questions. Kiran Roshania made an eloquent speech on IIT’s contribution to his success. He had arrived at IIT from East Africa, without sufficient resources; and worked every summer to earn his expenses for the previous academic year. He has now gone on to be a successful entrepreneur in South Africa. He pledged Rs. 12.5 lakhs ($ 25,000) to the C77 project. Dhananjay Saheba, Ashok Ekbote, Shanshank Kulkarni, Ravi Muzumdar, Subbu Iyer, Scratch (Adil Zainulbhai), Noorali Sonawalla, Ajit Jawle, Homi Kapadia, Bhalchandra Bhedesgaonkar and Atul Kanagat also spoke and / or pledged at the session.

Total number of pledges on Dec 21 = 41
Total amount pledged on Dec 21 = Rs. 3 Crores ($ 600 K - $ 650 K)
More pledges are expected in the coming weeks.

Saturday (December 21) - Dinner

Profs. MGK Menon, Misra, Banerji, Lakkad, Narayanmurthi, Mrs. Misra and others joined the Class of 77 alumni and families on the lawns of the Guest House (facing Powai lake) for a delightful dinner accompanied by drinks, music and more frienship renewals. It was well past midnight before we returned to our rooms in the comfortable IIT Guest House.

Sunday (December 22) – Visit to two new hostels

Most of us made it just under the wire for breakfast at 9 am. After breakfast, it was time to tour the two new hostels (1068 rooms being built in record 13 months). This is a World class facility that will relieve the current hardship of freshies who are occupying our tiny hostel rooms (H-5 etc.), two to a room. Yes. The rooms we thought were small are now housing two freshies each. The new hostels (donated by Nandan) are beautiful – skyways connecting the hostel wings on the sixth floor etc. I for one have not seen such smazy dorms, even on American campuses.

Sunday (December 22) – Photo session and KReSIT tour

The Class of 77 group photo has over 80 of us. As you can imagine, 11 am was too early for the rest. There were also H-3, 4, 5 and 8 group photos and individual shots of the eighty early risers. The group photo session was on the steps of KReSIT (Kanwal Rekhi School of Info Tech). Dr. Phatak capitalized on this opportunity to give us a tour of the facility. Its imposing architecture, modern amenities (lecture theaters, computer labs etc.) and Dr. Phatak’s passion for all aspects of the school (it is funded 100 % by private funds – no government funding) made this an extraordinary addition to the planned agenda.

Sunday (December 22) – Lunch with IIT alumni from all batches in the Shamiana

Over 500 people (alumni, families, IIT faculty and staff) attended this Gala annual event. I was able to meet some H-5 alumni, I had not met in 25 years (Nirmal Jajodia & Co.). Shamiana saw continued jostling among C77 friends, families and others.

Sunday (December 22) – Distinguished Service Awards Ceremony

Sanjay Das Gupta (B.Tech, '72, MET)
Uday Apte (B.Tech, '73, CHE)
Jayant Sabnis (B.Tech, '75, ME)
Noorali Sonawalla (B.Tech,'77, EE)
Parag Saxena (B.Tech, '77, CHE)
Girish Gaitonde (B.Tech, '83, EE)

Quotes from the DSAs :

Sanjay Das Gupta : This award is premature but it will allow me to try some stunts.
Uday Apte could not attend.
Jayant Sabnis’ brother Deepak accepted the award for him and conceded that Jayant was the smarter one in the family. At this point, Prof. Misra pointed out that Deepak had himself received his DSA in 2000.
Noorali thanked Azmina, son, daughter and his extended family for their unconditional 24 x 7 support.
Parag expressed our inability to ever sufficiently thank our parents and teachers.
Girish concede that the high point of the award was not the Dec 22 ceremony, but the opportunity to speak to his EE faculty and be heard for a change. He is the youngest $ 1 Million donor to IITB.

Sunday (December 22) – High Tea at Director’s Home

Mrs. Misra and Prof. Misra hosted the C77 for high tea, in their beautiful garden. This was a most intimate and charming affair. We had an opportunity to ask Prof. Misra direct questions on any and all topics. He was very open and warm in his responses. He presented us all with uttariyas (gorgeous khaddar silk scarves).

Sunday (December 22) – Goan Carnivaal, Fireworks and Dinner

I decided to spend a second night (Dec 22) at the guest house to fully enjoy the last event of our reunion. It was the crown jewel of the two day party. The evening started with two hours of music and dancing. A troupe of young Goan musicians and dancers mingled with the C77 alumni, families, IIT faculty, student volunteers and others on the dance floor. We had a ball. The dancing and singing was followed by a spectacular fireworks display the likes of which I had never seen at a private party. It was breathtakingly beautiful. Eating, drinking and general merry making ended a little past midnight.

December 23 & 24 : Two day hike

A group of thirty hikers, including twelve alumni from the class of 77, seven alumni from other classes and their spouses and kids climbed Makarandgad following the festivities on campus. The reunion hike was reminiscent of the weekly hikes organized by the Students' Gymkhana in the late seventies. It was a grueling 2500 feet climb in the heart of the Western Ghats - a tough and rewarding experience. One part of the old hiking experience that we missed was getting lost. It was impossible to get lost as the availability of the mobile phones kept us in constant contact with one another. We were pleasantly surprised to find that our mobile phones worked even on top of the old remote fort - what a contrast to having hardly any phone contact with the outside world while we were studying in IIT twenty five years ago. The group studied and appreciated the ecology of the region during the climb and enjoyed singing old and new songs by the campfire at night.

Visit http://www.iitb77.org/ndex.html for more information ...

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