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BRIEF
REPORT- Silver Jubilee celebarations- 2002
Dear All,
This is a brief report of the 1977 batch Silver Jubilee
celebrations:
Seventy nine batch mates attended the function; this is a new
record for REC (the previous highest for a silver jubilee
gathering was 63 by the 1976 batch).
We had 43 families and 36 singles. With family members we had
a 177 strong gathering; another REC record. Rajamma KK was the
lone female batch mate to attend. We had only two non-Keralite
batch mates; Ramchandra Rao from Andhra and Balachandran KB
from Tamil Nadu. But we had nine batch mates from abroad
(Abraham KM, Antony John,
Gopakumar P, Govindan Parayil, John CJ, Mathews KJ, Sreekumar
Varma, Tomichan PA and Thrivikraman PC). We had 7 batch mates from Maharashtra,
6 from Tamil Nadu, 5 from Delhi, 3 from Bangalore and one from Jamshedpur.
The program was organised by the nine executive members (Ashok
Kumar Edakandy, Baby Alex, Chilprakash PG, Damodaran Namboothiri, James
Joseph, Joji Antony, Johny CP, Joy Thomas and Sudheendran M) with able assistance
from six regional coordinators (Jagathish Chathoth, Panicker NC, Padmanabhan S,
Purushothaman MV, Sebastian PG and Subramanian R). Being the local in-charge,
most of the burden fell on the shoulders of Joy Thomas.
There was eighteen months of planning behind the organisation
of this event; the executive members have put in a lot of their valuable time
and efforts.
The first day's program was held at the enchanting Kadavu
Resorts on the banks of the river Chaliyar. The function started with the
traditional lighting of the lamp; followed by panchavadyam.
Participants could choose between boating, swimming, games and
internet conference in the afternoon. Though the internet conference
had some initial hiccups, efforts by Unnikrishnan, Subramanian, Padmanabhan and
M Mathews finally bore fruit and we could see our batch mates from
abroad on the screen.
Evening program started with the General Body meeting. It was
agreed to have the next annual gathering at Wynadu.
The cultural program opened with enchanting dances by
children. This program showed Joy Thomas at his organising best. Parallel dance
festival was going on in Baby Alex's bar with Antony John as the lead dancer.
Post dinner orchestra was taken over by Haridas UK,
Padmanabhan and then by a host of children. We concluded the official program at 12.45am
with Surangani by George Mathew (Bumble) and group.
But the unofficial program continued; the swimming pool was
full at night 1.30. At 4am Sebastian PG found out that he was not allocated any
room; and Thomas Babu Abraham (Kochumon) could give him company as he had
locked himself out of the room (with the key inside).
The second day started with the batch mate's group photo. By
9.40 NC Panicker managed to put every one into the bus to REC; some of us
travelled by the REC bus.
Formal function at REC started at 11.30am. Many of our
teachers and
non-teaching staff attended the program. Damodaran Namboothiri
welcomed the guests. Prof. Bahauddin, Dr. MP Chandrashekaran (Director,
NIT), Prof.Palaniraj, Dr. Achuthan, NC Panicker, Viju Thomas and myself
addressed the august gathering. Joy Thomas said the vote of thanks.
Post lunch session started with a small cultural program. (We
made efforts to stage the old drama I want my money back; but finally
abandoned the idea). This was followed by the campus visit. Batch mates practically
invaded E hostel. Sebastian demanded that the current occupant vacate
his old room. The mini-canteen (started when Chilprakash was hostel secretary)
is still there.
I went to my room in E hostel with family; and lingered at the
lobby where Kuruvilla Mathai used to discuss his love letters. (I still
remember the girls' words, "Kuru I love your eyes". A group of us used
to author the replies; poor girl).
Kattangal looks frozen in time. A two storied building stands
where hotel D' Rani once stood. The famous well in front of it (in which we
dumped the hotel furniture) is gone. But there is something more significant that is missing;
Koya's house .. it is gone. In its place stand some shops with shutters. For good or
bad, REC has lost a landmark.
Thomas George
Postscript: I extend my heart full thanks to all those who
cooperated with me in conducting this event. Without your active cooperation and
support, this event would not have happened. I thank all of you who attended
the program, especially those who came from far away. I thank the families
who came and ensured the success of this event. I sincerely hope that your
journey was worthwhile. Thanks are also due to those who could not come
but extended your support in so many different ways. It is a great batch. I am
proud to be part
of you.
Dear all,
I just reached Chennai this morning
after the event. I would call it a great event in my life, not
joking ; it was great to meet all those guys , most of them
after 25 years. My wife and daughter too enjoyed a great deal,
my daughter has made a lot of new fiends.
The events were organised very well
and the Kadavu resort was a great place. It was a great job
the organisers lead by Thomas George did. I thank them for
organising this and congradulate all of them for making it a
great success. There were a few of our friends who came from
US and the Middle East and also from far away place like
Delhi, Jamshedpur, Nasik , Mumbai etc specially to attend this
function.
Prof. Bahaudin came from Ernakulam
and we had some of our staff members like Prof Raveendran,
Prof. Meenaksikutty, Prof. Chandramohan. Prof Vijayan etc and
of course the Director of the Institute MPC who joined
us for Lunch. The Lunch was provided by our beloved Vijayettan
( canteen), who and his brother Mohan were personally there to
oversee all the arrangements.
Some of the non- teaching staff
members like Thamukutty and some canteen boys were also there.
Personally , for me I re-lived a by gone era and enjoyed
every bit of it and came back younger. I look forward to
attending such meets whenever I can.
Kudos to the organisers and all those who took the trouble to
attend the meet.
Regards,
Joseph Chaly
Click here to
see Silver
Jubilee Photo Album
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