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.

Memories - Then and Now !

THEN - P K Thakur 

FLASH BACK OF ISM DAYS:

When I was young, I could remember everything that had happened and even some things that never happened. Today it is different. My mind has better comprehension but not as well for retention.

The best memory of ISM, of course, is the friends I made and the education I received, which I believe is the best we got in good old days. But the events that had a lasting impact on me are only two: one sad and one happy.

Day of Sadness:

On February 19, 1958, Chinakuri 1 and 2 Mine exploded and one of our alumni died along with 175 miners. The school was closed on the 20^th February’1958, to pay respect to the departed souls. I did not know any of the victims but felt very sad for the tragedy and cried. I prayed for knowledge so someday I can eliminate such tragedies in the mines. (You may not know this but I always pray for anything and everything I want in my life; some silly, some very profound.) I made up my mind to get higher education and learn how to get the mine gas out of mines in my year’s to follow.

R K Agrawal, Late D N Thakur and I took summer training in Chinakuri #3 mine in 1959 and planned on getting Ph.D. To this day I rejoice that dream became a reality as all three of us finally did so. Later working in Chinakuri 1 & 2 mines as PGPT, my desires became even stronger. Today I am so happy & thrilled in penning down, that my wishes were fulfilled beyond my wildest dreams & imaginations. Thanks to CONOCO and CONSOL Energy. I have traveled North America and the rest of this world many times teaching and preaching methane drainage to save lives, improve productivity and use the deadly gas for creating revenue for the coal companies.

Day of Happiness:

The second event on happy note happened same year in June’1958, I got married on June 26, 1958! But we began to live together only when I finished my First Class Mine Manager’s Examination (FCC) in 1964 and Meera finished her BA from Ranchi University. As we all know, that the marriage in Northern Bihar is consummated in two parts; the wedding (more like a betrothal) and “Gauna”- official arrival of the bride in her husband’s house. But I used to sneak out with her (as her family & folks lived in Dhanbad) to see a movie and have some ice-cream whenever I could afford it (did not have much money). Some of my classmates knew about it and all had a lot of fun off course at my cost. The ISM school bus always stopped at my in-law’s house on the main road whenever we were going out on mining excursions or other wise. I had to go in and say hello to my folks; it did not matter if Meera was there or was at her school. Prabal Dutta was the biggest trouble-maker. Too bad he is not coming to our Goldie reunion. I wish his wife gets better and they can travel.

Me and My Wife

Meera is my love of life - a true co-traveler on the journey of life. The attached picture shows us at our 50^th anniversary. We raised two good kids. Life is good on most days. We still fight for trivial things but on the whole we all know how many wedded couple who  would have never fought and that's how love blossoms.

Let me pen down here, as I have unlocked my great school memories, which I am sharing with my mates, by quoting Shakespeare:

"I count myself in nothing else as happy as in a soul remembering my good friends. (Richard, II)"

NOW - PK Thakur

It is hard to even think in my wildest dreams of forgetting our good old school day’s friends, and it’s with that great excitement I have in mind to meet all, yet at Goldie’s reunion of our batch when hopefully we all will share our destinies and our days spent together at school.

God bless ISM! 

Pramod K Thakur (61’ Mining)

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

Golden Jubilee 1961 Batch Reunion – A Report Feb' 2011 (By J P Goekna - '61 Mining)

Panoramic View of Get Together

It was a casual chat between Mr. J. P. Goekna & Mr. V. K. Arora in early months of 2010 that the seed of 1961 batch reunion was sowed. The plant did blossom on 5^th February 2011. You will all agree it was a Herculean task to locate all the 150 batch mates which had settled all around the globe in the past 50 years. It can be said due to electronic / fast communication world of today, coupled with great enthusiasm and zeal shown by our batch mates, it was finally possible. ‘Mission Impossible’ was made into nostalgia of tomorrow. Those who attended made a history, but those who could not attend have sent there very good wishes & excellent job done in making this memorable reunion possible.

The following batch mates made their presence in Dhanbad.

Baijnath Pd Gupta	Geology
Ram Chandra Singh	Geology
Zoeb Moad Mogri	Geology
Bipin Kishore Prasad	Mining
Himatlall Velji Solanki	Mining
Indrajit Khosla	Mining
Jagannath Prasad Panda	Mining
Jagdish Prasad Goenka	Mining
Jogeshwar Sharma	Mining
Kamala PD. Singh	Mining
Lalit Kumar Srivastava	Mining
Lalta Prasad Upadhyaya	Mining
Murlidhar Prasad	Mining
N.P.Srivastava	Mining
Nem Chand Jain	Mining
Rajendra Dayal Tawakley	Mining
Rajendra Kumar Khosla	Mining
Rajendra Paul Gupta	Mining
Ram Lall Arora	Mining
Ramji Srivastava	Mining
Shivanand Prasad	Mining
Shri Niwas Sharma	Mining
Vinay Mahajan	Mining
Virendra Kumar Arora	Mining
Chitaranjan Kr. Singhal	Petroleum
Deoki Nandan Sarraff	Petroleum
M.S.Agarwal	Petroleum
Ram Gopal Aggarwal	Petroleum
Deb Sankar Sinha	GeoPhysics
Pramod Chandra Thakur	Mining
Brajendra Kumar Sinha	Petroleum

Our hearts goes to overseas alumni who came all the way from USA to make this a nostalgic get together.

1. Indarjeet Khosla
2. Pramod Chandra Thakur along with his wife Mira
3. Zoeb Mogri along with his wife Shera.

Every body heart was beating when that moment came and that all who attended exchanged there memories, with there fellow mates some after 2, 3, 4 or 5 decades.

Great Event missed by few:

Hriday Narayan Khanna missed his train because of wrong information available on net. Every one was sorry as his absence was dearly missed.

Extra Effort for some who made it even against all odds:

Dhanbad Railway Station

Kamala Prasad Singh was due to arrive at Dhanbad Railway Station by Purva Express on 5^th morning at 11.30 a.m. This train - Purva Express from Delhi was running 12 hours late and touched Dhanbad Railway Station past midnight (12.30 AM) on 6^th February. Even at that odd hour he was well received by Sitanshu Pandey (President, ISM Students Union) with his friends at the Dhanbad, Railway Station and at EDC by J P Goekna’s daughter Deepali & son-in law Vikash and grandson Madhur. Every one will agree what a zeal was shown by all those who were involved to make Goldies Reunion a memorable event of there life time.

Vinay Mahajan was also to come by this Purva Express but because of late running of train he flew from Delhi to Kolkata and took a taxi from Kolkata to Dhanbad, not to miss the event.

High Lights of the Programme:

Brief outline of the program enjoyed by 1960 alumni along with friends:  

Welcome Kit, Mementos & Photos:

1. A welcome kit was presented to all the participants with dry fruits, a hat and a name badge.
2. Memento and Blazers were distributed at EDC. Instant photographs duly framed were presented to each recipient of memento. Professor S.P. Banerjee attended the function and enjoyed the company of his friends-cum-students.

Food & Play:

1. After lunch on 5^th February at EDC the ladies played cards. Rummy coaching classes were conducted by Mrs. Khosla and Mrs. Singhal and in the process the teachers were richer by a few hundred rupees and that allowed all those who did not know how to play.
2. Housie was conducted by Vikash Jain, Deepali, and Madhur. Everyone enjoyed the game.  Inderjeet Khosla swept the floor of betting.

Poem recited was instant hit:

Mr. J P Goekna Extreme Right

A poem – ‘Mujhe Kabool Kar Lo’ was recited by J.P. Goenka which was well received by the audience.

Miscellaneous Activities:

1. A group photo session, which has now become a historic get together for 1961 mates.
2. At Koyla Bhavan Community Hall all enjoyed Usha Uthup’s singing program.
3. Later Mr. T.K. Lahiry and Mr. P.S. Mishra took us to exclusive enclosure for 1961 batch get-to-gather.

Other Activities:

The 1961 reunion golf tournament which was played in Delhi on 9^th December 2010, its winners were given away prizes, trophies by Mrs. T.K. Lahiry –

2^nd runners up – R.K. Khosla / 1^st runners up – S.N. Sharma / Winner – J.P. Goenka

Memento’s were also presented to Prof. T. Kumar – Patron ISM Alumni Association, Mr. T.K. Lahiry CMD - BCCL, Mr. P. S. Mishra, Mr. U Kumar (1957 Mining) and Sri G. C. Mirig (1957 Mining) who all graced the function.

Basant Sports enjoyed by Goldie’s:

On 6^th February after having breakfast at EDC all Goldies joined the Basant sports event.

Even age did matter, not to break bones or stretch muscles etc. but some of mates did try to play badminton. 

Memory down the lane when you enter your own hostel room:

Old Hostel Room

Few of Goldie’s went to hostel rooms in which they had put up fifty years ago as students. It was yet another trip down the memory lane visit which hopefully all will cherish. And lovely remarks, as rightly said by J P Goekna that they felt fifty years younger. People can rejoice, or recollect the locking arrangement we had, with two round clamps + tower bolt, to tie up two different locks, so that when seniors used to stay with us, each could have access to room.

In the evening Alumni Association parent body meeting was held. Some took a round of ISM campus. The whole face of campus has changed with the addition of new buildings. Prof. T. Kumar informed that an amount of Rs. 500 Crores will be spent in the near future on new buildings / infrastructure in addition to having an exclusive wing for ISM alumni & comfort.

As night fall, the whole of ISM campus was very well illuminated for the National Sports to be later held on 11^th and 12^th February’ 2011.

ISM Beautiful Decked Princess

What a nostalgia words used for our great institution? – ‘ISM was looking beautifully decked princess.’ by Mr J.P Goekna.

Acknowledgements:

1961 Goldie’s acknowledge with thanks:

1.   Prof. T. Kumar and his colleagues for giving all the support.

2.   Mr. T. K. Lahiry and P. S. Mishra for all the arrangements made by them.

3.   Dilip of CIMFR and Sitanshu Pandey, President Students Union, and his friends for arranging the transport and receiving the visitors even at odd hours.

4.  Mr. P. C. Thakur, Inderjeet Khosla, Amrit Sagar Chopra, V. K. Arora for their contributions.

5.  Mr. R. K. Khosla, S. N. Sharma, S. K. Chawla, L. K. Srivastava, Pradip Gangopadhyay and Delhi 1961 batch for arranging souvenir publication and making our reunion enjoyable.

6.  Mr. Vikash Jain, Deepali Jain, Master Madhur Goenka for their enthusiastic participation and taking care of the alumni.

7.  To one and all whose name has been unintentionally / inadvertently left / missed, but, have contributed in making this reunion a successful & rewarding event.

Historical Photo:

1961 Goldie’s group photo as rightly pointed by Mr. Pradip Gangopdhaya - 1970, P.Tech, has now become a historical photo for all generations to come, and also inspirations to all those Goldie's day for coming batches - yet to be celebrated.  

Let us take fondly lessons / help / ideas from this batch to make next event more memorable. 

It’s now turn for 1962 passing out batch who’s Golden Jubilee Reunion will be next year. They should start there preparations right now.

Cheers to one and all that made this great event a mission possible.

 J.P. GOENKA

1961 – GOLDEN JUBILEE RE UNION TEAM

NOTE: CD of high resolution photographs prepared by Vikash Jain and will be couriered shortly.

PS: Edited to give more of a nostalgic feelings. Hats off to all who made it!