The 2-day Ruby Year (40th) meet of an Engineering batch of ‘younger’ men and women,

who graduated in 1984.

If they were ‘young’ then, they are ‘younger’ now,

certainly mentally.

Travelling from far and near for the meet,

wonder what were the feelings in each of them – excitement? anxiety? joy? trepidation? thrilled? apprehension?

given that some were in regular contact, some not so often and some not at all after they graduated.

The feminist side of me peeping out? Perhaps,

It was moments of pride to see women who completed their engineering,

moved on to make a career for themselves almost 4 decades back,

a rarity definitely!!

Taking a bow to each of them!!

Almost a year of planning for this meet to happen,

Organising committee – check; database of the batch – check; whats app group formation – check; venue – check; itinerary – check; number of people attending – check; finance – check.. etc etc etc.

An alumni meet is generally for those who graduated from that batch,

the meet of this batch has always been different – spouse and family are included.

If some in the batch haven’t met each other for some years or all these years,

what to say of their spouses?

no points for getting this right – they also haven’t met ЁЯЩВ

Did that make a difference at all?

it certainly didn’t appear to, seeing the enthusiasm and energy in the environment.

If the batchmates were having fun on one side of space,

the spouses were having their own fun on the other side.

A well curated meet,

a solid iterinary that was timed beautifully,

One would think that on meets like this, people are lackadasical about time,

Oh, no no, things went as though in clockwork.. seamless!!!

Events that brought out a laughter riot,

moments where the ‘younger’ people went down the memory lane,

an itinerary that focused on both the physical and mental well-being,

and also activities that were total fun – Zumba, Aerobics, Dance and the works.

The icing on the cake were a couple of professors invited for the event,

who graced the meet.

They would have seen many a student passing out,

including this ‘younger’ batch.

Believe me when I say that these two professors,

were definitely the ‘youngest’ among the lot.

Octagenarians!!!

They went up and down the steps of the stage,

with no external support and with such agility.

The clarity in their thought and speech,

was indeed admirable.

Whoa!!!

They were so happy to be invited,

and a pearl of a wisdom from them was to have such meets once in a couple of years.

To enjoy being in the presence and camaraderie of one another,

a sure fire means of self-care.

If we don’t care for ourselves, who will?

A fellow spouse put it beautifully,

“A gathering of family members maybe riddled with much politics,

but here I am having so much of fun and I can just be me.”

This Ruby ’84 batch may have just nailed and aced this one!!

creating a plethora of memories in so many ‘younger’ minds,

and carry it with them, till they are the ‘youngest’!!

I went to the meet not quite sure of how it will be,

given that there were barely a handful I knew and with some or little┬а prior interaction,

But oh boy, did I have fun!!!

Being a person who loves to be around nature, observe others and myself,

it was a memorable couple of days making conversations with people,

and sealing a friendship with one.

Frienships are to be celebrated,

and what better way to celebrate than to meet, greet and just be oneself!!

If you happen to be one of the spouses like me, who know barely a handful,

the best way to celebrate is to make friends with yourself.

If you can’t be your best friend, who else will?