HOMECOMING 2017

Of  The Class of 1972

Where should I start? With the bugle call for the reunion in Goa? Or the plan to converge in Jamshedpur for Homecoming 2017. It doesn’t matter and the numbers in attendance matter even less. I know and sense that the entire strength of IR & BM ’72 were with Aquil, Gopi, Bodi and myself, with Dot and Pooja in the state of the art campus.   

You have read and seen the photographs from three of our distinguished classmates: Aquil, Gopi and Bodi. In my story, you will savour the visit to XL from a chatty narrative.There was considerable nostalgia on the loss of Fr. McGrath, a universally loved Teacher, Mentor and Friend.   

                                                      

                                                         The new Logo

                                                    The Portals to Learning

                                                    For the Greater Good 

I like the idea of benefitting the Community and Society. It recalls Gandhi's advice to Nehru on taking decisions. Most thought Gandhi was weird in his ideas of simplicity. The problem was that the sophisticates made bigger blunders.   

                                              

                                                   Vision and Values 

Prof Ray welcoming the Alumni

Fr.Dr. Abraham , Director of XLRI 

It was enthusing to hear Fr. Abraham share the growth plans for XL We can expect new campuses in Delhi NCR by 2019, addition of 3 campus of XIME. The XL map will be something by 2022.

The old Campus was cute and compact like all of us. The new Campus is bold and assertive with co ed Accommodation, An International Centre, And State of the Art Learning Centre.  

                                                          Co-ed Hostel, Learning Centre, International Centre

                                                      Jitu walking up

The facilities are excellent. The dinning hall and several party rooms for smaller groups. 

The Reunion Lunch was at the Diamond Jubliee Park on Campus and not to be confused with Jubliee Park. It was bright and festive, with Aquil and Bodi in great demand with the students, hoping to get some gyan. 

Aquil used a novel technique. He would accost a young thing or lad with his large Nikon with telescopic lens on. The youngster flattered and flustered would put out his hands. Aquil would place the camera in them and direct the photo shoot with many tips to the hapless photographer. Bodi prowled about for platters of desert while Gopi, Dot, Pooja and I chatted at our table. 

  

As you heard there were several awards for distinguished Alumni. Our own Dr. Aquil Busrai had received the Lifetime Acheivement Award in 2015. In the ranks of Joe Phillip and Mr Muthuraman. 

This is Arjun Chatterjee who is an Awardee. He wished to get a pic with me, and that was my brush with the celeb of the day!

The Alumni in the middle is Sanjiv Sen who received an Award.   

I found Aquil's pursuit of his Phd fascinating. He spoke of his special relationship with his guide, data collection and writing his thesis. Aquil mentioned the support he had from Madhukar shukla and the Institute. He described his final presentation to the Panel, how the Chief kept grilling him. Later after he had been awarded his honorofic, the Chief said told him how tough it was for him to grill Aquil dressed nattily in a suit while the panel sat in shirt sleeves. I have urged Aquil to complete the experience and bring out his thesis as a book. Aquil is a much sought out prof at Ranchi, Berkley etc.Wow!

Another scholar is Gopi and all of you would have heard of his work with rural empowerment. In my view Gopi should be awarded the Magsaysay Award. His work across India at the Gram Sabha level is unbelievable. You can imagine his shy smile as he reluctantly disclosed 12000 trainers working under him. Wow! Dorothy, Dot as I know her, remains the same affectionate gentle person with a kind word for everyone. Saw snaps of her two beautiful granddaughters.   

Bodi is a Corporate Encyclopedia and a Master Of Printing and Inks. Not just the business end, the chemical, alloys, and all production elements involved. On the train to Jamshedpur, we had Umesh Singal an IITian and Jamshedpur nivasi in our section. Umesh was floored how Bodi described testing done for him at IIT Mumbai, where Bodi had to guide them on a huge state of art printing press TOI was going to invest in. Remarkable. Very briefly I met Bodi's wife and daughter who came to see him off at Howrah Station. 

It was uncanny how Bodi came up to me at Howrah platform and took me in a bear hug, before I said Jack Robinson. He told my daughter he recognised me from the orange bindi I wore even at XL. A detail like that after 45 years floors me. 

A significant highlight for me was presenting my two books to Fr. Abraham for the Institute Library. 

Jamshedpur township is still green, clean. The station area has metamorphed into a smart one. Bistapur is the same with Boulevard Hotel and Regal Cinema one end. Now the market goes upto Ram Mandir. Natraj is a dump, Madras Hotel is Modern, World Bank closed, and plenty of eateries in Contractors Area. The TMH Hospital is huge. There is a DAV school now and plenty of private flat residences.

Circuit House area too is same with Dhar Roy's House a marker. Many houses have made way for modern places like the Naiks. 

I missed a visit to Fakira. And I compensated for it at Balram Mullick on Park Street, stuffing myself with Singadas and Rasagollas much to Walter's horror since I then had some tasty hakka noodles at Silver Grill. Surprise...as Pooja & I sat in Silver Grill chatting with Walter, in walked Bodi's wife and daughter. We left, gorged on singads and returned, they left, and Bodi arrived. Poor Walter had a Mad Hatters Lunch party. 

Walter told Pooja all about poor blushing Sudhas Roy embarassed when I spoke to him. It was great to meet Walter, enjoy his hospitality, topped with a humungous box of Bengali Sweets, speak with Norma and wish them the best for the Weddiing in January. The young couple looks handsome together at the pastoral civil wedding in Australia.   

     

Calcutta, Kolkata is beautiful and dignified. This time of the year it is charming with the flowers, the nip in the air, the bustle on Park Street, clean roads, well lit streets. Didi has transformed the city. Do visit Meera Basu for exquiste Bengali Handloom saris. 

I went to Belur Math and it was tranquil with the barages and boats going up and down Ganga.  

Wishing everyone of you the best in the years ahead. A joyous New Year 2018 to you and yours. 

Suraksha 

Ernest Writer, Struggling Author.