Get Together Cum AGM - ISMAA Delhi Chapter !

Get Together Cum AGM - ISMAA Delhi Chapter -

06th November’ 2011

 at Bawal, about 60 Km from Delhi.

 

 

I wrote few words which I am catching up from my Diary, regarding New Delhi Trip – Sept’ 2011 to Dec’ 2011 and I quote:

“I take this opportunity to wish you all a happy, peaceful & healthy New Year 2012, we are already finishing first month of New Year. Lot many make new resolutions what all they want to achieve in this New Year other take stock of what all has been achieved and few will make themselves in the history down the lane. Who knows what and where world takes us, if we have taken step on this mother earth, one day we all will go slowly and it’s inevitable”.

“Further without a doubt the year of 2011 would remain one of the memorable years of my life, firstly I had an opportunity to get our batch, seniors and juniors connected with the today’s electronic world, if not all a substantial figure of 850 to 900 individuals coupled with telephonic calls person to person and later followed by my trip to New Delhi, India, which strengthened my desire, faith and belief – it was just incredible journey and for me now to write this great experience”.

ISM Mates get together / AGM ISMAA - Delhi Chapter:

Some time early part of last year, I got connected with Mr. Suresh Mehta ('62 Mining), and came across his web site, (www.ism58-62.com/ - of late I find this site is not opening up) and activities of ISMAA Delhi Chapter, especially the words he has well recorded and they echoes our hearts and hope it does for all Alumni’s as we used to sing and remind us of great attachment to our great institute of learning, fondly we all used to call Mining College, when you are back to school era days:  His quote is as follows:

"Na Kabhi Judaa Honge Wo Saathi Hamare"

"Mile The Sabhi Jo Dhayia Ke Kinare".

Once I landed in my home country, and after getting my daily routine put in order for medical check up with Apollo Hospital – Specialist in Urology, spoke to him and showed my desire to meet, which he gladly accepted.

I wrote to Mr. Suresh Mehta (’62 Mining):

Today, I thought some thing, which I wanted to share with you, before I send my conversation to all. I would love to meet you, our seniors/juniors/classmates who are settled here in New Delhi and I would also like to see, I am enrolled with Delhi Chapter, as this is my home country/town, where I grew and had my best of education, when later we had best at ISM, which has its rich traditions, which is making us come close as clock is ticking as days, years and decades pass by.

Is it possible to have get together as I am still around until end of this month, schedule to leave for NZ in the first week of Nov' 2011 fingers crossed, to as many who could possibly could join as some may have there other engagements, due to marriage / Diwali season ahead.

We had many conversations over phone and most important being that I should attend ISMAA – Delhi Chapter AGM and will also give me an opportunity to meet & greet him not to mention all seniors, juniors, classmates who are settled in and around New Delhi.

I was not very sure then due to my return booking of 05^th Nov’ 2011, as they were scheduled much earlier to 06^th Nov’ 2011 date I come to know for the get together being organized. But did mention him fingers crossed, if for any reason my date with flights confirmation etc are re-scheduled, I will certainly join you all. As it happened, my flights were re-scheduled as my Doctor at Apollo Hospital wanted some more time, to see follow up of the medication he was prescribing for my medical condition etc.

Mr. Suresh Mehta (62’ Mining) along with Mr. N N Gautam (’62 Mining) were very kind to invite me to join there AGM cum get together at Bawal about 60 Kms from New Delhi on New Delhi - Jaipur HWY which was wonderful & amazing experience. Photos below are testimony of how every one was enjoying to there thrill and catching up with there mates.

15^th Oct’ 2011 Mr. Suresh Mehta (62’ Mining) wrote:

Dear Arun,

Thanks a lot for your mail. The get together of ISMAA Delhi chapter is scheduled for 6th November at Bawal, about 60 Km from Delhi. I am sending you the attachment of the notice. The same can also be viewed at  www.ismmaadelhichapter.com.

As luck would have it, Delhi chapter is indeed looking for some space to hire presently before we build our own building. The right person to contact is my batch mate Mr. N.N.Gautam. I am giving below both our mobile numbers although the same are also printed in the notice of AGM cum Lunch.

I had my cataract surgery done 2 days ago and my doctors have advised me as not to move for a week but thereafter I shall definitely come and see you. I know Jangpura Extn well, so please send me your address. I shall pick you up and take you for lunch at my NSCI Club.

Best Wishes, Suresh Mehta

Finally on the day, we assembled & traveled from Lodhi Road, designated spot by bus, bus started a bit late around 9.30 am to 10.00 am, but we had lot of uncertainties on the way, when the bus started showing signs of a problem to pull us any further. At that stage we had left N Delhi behind and were on State Jaipur HWY. 

 

 

I know how Mr. N N Gautam kept

on ringing to find alternative solutions, for us to reach Bawal. Bus stopped on the way, driver and bus owners were being called, some of our mates were looking for hiring taxis etc. But late than be never, later bus did make it to destination and we all forgot once we reached the venue.

 

This AGM cum get together followed by sumptuous lunch & drinks and the whole show was very well organized. We had snacks, drinks to every one likings both soft and hard and tasty lunch with deserts plentiful.

In the course of deliberations of AGM, I was invited to say few words, which I did on behalf of me and my wife and on behalf of us living in Australasia – Australia & New Zealand ISM mates, I handed a bottle of wine as token of love and remembrances of school days, and how strong bondage we all have, which I can say with great PRIDE, NO INSTITUION IN WHOLE OF WORLD HAS IT!

I have traveled quite a lot across the globe to different parts of the world, either on study, holiday or on working assignment etc. or where I am now settled (Auckland, New Zealand).  My firm convictions are – ISM Mates do not need any introduction, to meet there alumni’s settled across the globe. My doors remain always open to one and all, and also have a great desire to see if we can make a difference in meeting our mates & make them comfortable in a new place / environment etc. In college days, is that not true, when ever we used to leave for summer vacations training, our first reaction was to our teachers, who is from our college as MINE MANAGER.

 

Left to Right -Y K Sharma ('85 Pet. Engg.), B K Sinha ('70 Mining), Pradip Gangopadhyay ('70 Pet. Engg.), I J Talwar ('70 Mining), P.S. Upadhyaya ('70 Mining), B.K. Jain ('70 Appl. Geophy.) & V K. Mitra ('70 Mining).

I also got from Mr. Pradeep Gangopadhyay (’70 Pet. Engg) mail dated 27^th Jan’ 2011, who arrived N Delhi on 03rd Dec’ 2011 later in the day, whilst I left early morning hours by flight to Honkong on way to Auckland. He met few of his mates on 04^th Dec’ 2011, so I thought to be appropriate to add as I knew most of them in this report itself with photos. Sorry, I missed you, had it been a day in between.

 He also visited Bubaneshwar on 19th-20th Dec' 2012, to meet in person his classmate Mr Sangram Mishra ('70 Mining) who had been sick and was having treatment for Cancer. His burning desire to meet him at his place, where few snaps were taken. I wish I could have met him, but could not. 

I did manage to speak to him, when I got his news of sickness, while he was having treatment at Hyderabad, and wished him speedy recovery. He later sent me email of our association & meeting together at Mosaboni Group of Mines, with S K Patnaik way back in 1972 - 1974.  I wrote him back, how memories have faded away on my side possibly due to my few car accidents etc. But hats off to your memory, even when his health was fragile but was knowing what all was going around him and was keeping cheerful at all times.

I have got those and am placing it below:

Mr Sangram Mishra ('70 Mining)

L to R: Mr Sishir K Patnaik ('68 Appl. Geology), Mr. Saroj Panja ('70 Mining), 
Mr Sangram Mishra ('Mining) & Mr Pradip Gangapadhyay (Pet.Engg)

Group Photo at Sangram's Mishra Home, 
who knew this will be last meeting with his classmates!

Mr. S K Patnaik & Mr Sangram Mishra in deep thoughts

As I have updated, this page (May' 2012)  I am also deep in pain to pen down, that our dear friend Mr. Sangram Mishra has left us for heavenly abode on the morning of 03rd May' 2012. Our sincere condolences are there with his family. He fought his ailment, like a real miner, and knew he has to go - so join with me to pray to God Almighty that his soul rest in peace. We will miss him from core of our heart's.

Few of our mates, wrote back who could not have been present being away from N Delhi, please see what Mr. Ajoy K Chaterjee has to say.

17^th Dec’ 2011 Ajoy Chatterjee (1960 Mining) wrote: 

Dear Arun,

Enjoyed going through your mail with many photographs of Delhi Chapter of ISM Alumni Association. R P Prashara (’58 Mining) was a fine athlete in our time at ISM. J K Mahajan (’58 Mining) was two year senior to us. J S Chawla my classmate spent sometime in Zambian copper belt when S N Thakkar (1956 Mining) was sent on deputation to Zambia from DGMS (Directorate General of Mines Safety) for a few years. He is now settled in Goa; same as me. 

We had many occasions to be with J K Mahajan & family. In fact if you have a chance to see Golden Jubilee Volume of ISM, you will find a group photo of us as members of Goa Chapter.

I sincerely thank you for your mail and wish a speedy recovery from your ailments. God Bless!

Ajoy Chatterjee (1960 Mining).    

As I am completing my this report, 1962 batch is heading for Golden Jubliee celebrations which is being held at ISM, Dhanbad on Sunday - 05^th Feb’ 2012. Hope most of our seniors from 1962 batch, will be attending there Golden Jubilee celebrations, and many will join from around the globe. 

I would request and make an appeal to all ISM mates; it’s your time to meet your mates, some after many decades, on your 50th Anniversary. On the same note will request our seniors to share with us, how all went through coming SUNDAY – which will write yet another historical chapter in ISM history.

Mr. J K Mahajan facing and Mr R P Prashara

I also had an opportunity to meet some of my Mosaboni work mates namely Mr. J K Mahajan with Bhabhi & Mr. R P Prashara with Bhabhi, class mate Nav Kumar (’71 Mining) & few known faces near our batches like Mr. P S Upadhayay (’70 Mining), J Sahai (‘1970 Pet.Engg) from Toranto, Canada. 

I took few snaps, on this get together, which does gives how close we are in this world.

 

Nav Kumar sitting in blue shirt

 

L to R - Mrs Mahajan, Mr. Prashara (standing) & Mrs. Prashara enjoying tea

Few others whom I met in person or was introduced are Mr. J S Chawla (’60 Mining) among so many others known like Mr. M S Shambi (’66 Mining), Mr. R B Upadhyay (’65 Mining), Rajinder K Khosla (’61 Mining) & many more.

  

 

 

 

 

Ladies striking numbers on Tombola Ticket

Tombola / Housing Session On

  

Tombola Session On - Mr. Shambi & Others

Ladies Corner

  

J Sahai holding camera for the shot & R S Saxena Centre Seated

 

Mr. N N Gautam ('62 Mining) Standing

Last but not the least, I must thank every one, for what a wonderful afternoon I 

enjoyed with our fellow mates,my personal thanks goes to Mr. Suresh Mehta,  Mr. N N Gautam & Mr. Ram Upadhaya ('65 Mining), who made my this visit very pleasant and I will cherish this as great memory, till we meet again, God willingly.

Cheers, Arun Talwar (’71 Mining) Jan’ 2012

UPDATED- May' 2012.