Golden Jubilee 1961 Batch Reunion – A Report Feb' 2011 (By Dr Pramod C. Thakur - '61 Mining).

Dr P K Thakur

Dr. Thakur has further added nostalgia of classical / musical evening enjoyed by him & his class mates. This has been described in his own words in the email received by me, which I feel honored on behalf of my seniors to share on my blog.

Dear Mr. Talwar, 

Thank you for an excellent job.

I would like to add to what J P Goenka wrote about our 50^th reunion as a cultural correspondent for the Class of 1961.

Main ISM Building Glittering at Night

The main Indian School of Mines building was very well decorated - like a bride from the main gate to the main buildings. She just looked awesome & beautiful! I walked around the campus with my wife for hours enjoying all flowers. We stayed at the ISM Guest house.

I missed the old “Champa Tree” (no longer there; I used to pluck a few flowers for my wife when I was a student there) and the franzipeni were not in bloom but the roses & marigolds were in full bloom and this did made up for my loss.

The breakfast, lunch and dinners were sumptuous and comprised a great variety of Indian cuisine.

The two cultural programs, organized are as follows:

5th Feb' 2011: 

1. The program opened with Chants from “Durga Saptasati”. A Sanskrit scholar recited the prayer by Devas. I knew every single verse in the prayer because I have been reciting them for a long time.
2. The next item was a beautiful song in rag “Bageshwari”. It is the raga for scholars and is really sweet. Finally Ms Usha Uthap with her orchestra made the audience regaled with her fingers on strings & bringing beautiful music to our ears which we all cherished during function in progress and thereafter.

06th Feb' 2011:

The program opened with the singing of an accomplished singer from Dhanbad, Sri Rameshwar Baba.  He staged two songs, for packed audience:

1. First was Rajasthani Mand (a kind of raga) with words like, “Pardesi Balama Padharo mhare dware” - (O long-gone beloved, you are welcome in my home ---).
2. Second, breath taking song (called “Hori” usually sung at this time of year) in raga Kafi that had words like, “Rashia Berjori; Ankhian me Dare Abeer” - (my beloved is placing scented powder in my eyes by---).

Being an aficionado of Indian classical music, I thoroughly enjoyed and believe all our fellow class mates did enjoy the program, but some may have varied opinion. 

I commend the current student body for putting up such high quality programs. The present students were most courteous and helpful. The total number of students I was told are now 2,300 with over 200 young ladies.

I understand it was quite expensive but am glad they could afford it, more so to make the event more memorable to all of us. We all will cherish this memorable evening for days to come in our hearts.

Pramod Thakur ('61 Mining)

07.03.2011