Memories of the 2003 Alumni Bash
Dilip I. Chandarana
(Batch of 1972)

I visited Mumbai in December 2003 after a span of 5 years. Prior to the visit I was fortunate enough to contact K. L. Vinaya, one of my classmates from Our Lady of Good Counsel's class of 1972, to let him know that my family and I were visiting India for a short vacation. Much to my surprise and delight Vinaya wrote to tell me about a school reunion that was being planned during my visit. Vinaya said he was going to travel all the way from Bangalore to be in Mumbai for the reunion! What a pleasant prospect of being able to see him and other friends! Obviously, I was excited to be at the reunion.

I had left India in August of 1979 to go to the University of Maryland for a post-graduate study program. Although I visited India several times since then and had been in touch with some of my old schoolmates over the years, as is relatively common for one reason or the other, I had lost contact with friends with the exception of Vinaya, Pralhad Sonawane, and L. S. Padmanabhan. Thus, this reunion was my opportunity to meet people, some of whom I had not seen for 30+ years! It was amazing! As I greeted old friends, I realized that I had a hard time putting faces and names together and kept thinking to myself that all these people were pretty old! But then, I could see the same sentiment mirrored in their eyes too! I was thrilled to see everyone! It was an amazing feeling of mixed emotions, pleasure as well as sadness. Pleasure at being able to see everyone and sadness that all these years had gone by and I had lost touch with so many close friends! Unfortunately, not all of my old and close friends were there. I kept looking for the ones missing as I caught up with the events of the past 30 years with the ones that were present. The organizing team had done a wonderful job of the Annual Bash. The games, fun 'n' dance with food and music made the event memorable.

It was a pleasure to see old teachers also. The one that comes to mind immediately was Mrs. Nagambal - we were the first students she had the pleasure (or pain?) of teaching when she arrived at OLGCHS (and she remembered that in her speech) and now she was retiring. I was happy to have been physically present at both ends of her teaching career!

I will always remember the reunion of December 2003. I look forward to continuing my contacts with my old friends over the upcoming years! May all have happy and successful futures with good health and much happiness.

For those that want to keep in touch, here is my contact information. I look forward to hearing from everyone.

Dilip I. Chandarana