Get Together ISM-1971 Batch at India Habitat Center, Lodhi Road!!

Hosted by Avichal Malik

 Avichal Malik (Host) at India Habitat Centre - Delhi 'O' Delhi Restaurant – 15th Oct’ 2011:

We had just completed, get together at M S Sandhu’s place on 09^th Oct’ 2011, followed by at my place on 10^th Oct’ 2011 when Shashi Kapoor & Ashok Syal could only make it as others were all tied up for one reason or the other.

      On 14^th Oct’ 2011 - Out of blue, I got a present surprise, when I received Avichal Malik’s call, while writing my last email to my batch mates, I had remembered him along with Nav Kumar (whom I later met him at ISMAA Delhi Chapter get together - 06th November’ 2011 at Bawal, about 60 Km from Delhi.) I have also attached his photo for all to see he is wearing blue shirt and has hardly changed.  

Nav Kumar in blue shirt at Delhi Chapter Get together with our seniors

Isn't it very great to feel that some of our fellow classmates have same feelings as if we were still at school? He recalled my Dad’s business of motor spare parts in Karol Bagh / New Delhi and was wondering what the hell I was doing instead of joining business, which I explained him what my Dad wanted me to see, so decided to remain in mining career. Also that I have no regrets not so ever as I made my Dad happy. Also when I look retro respect back wards he had better vision for me and my family. We chatted for almost an hour, wherein we exchanged lot of old memories which were locked in each other’s mind.

Interestingly during our chat being when he (Avichal Malik) gladly accepted to host the get together at his venue of choice, INDIA HABITAT CENTER, LODHI ROAD, NEAR LODHI GARDENS at 1.00pm to accommodate all of us at central place, especially  P Gopalkrishnan (71' Pet.  Engg) who had to catch up his flight from Indira Gandhi Airport at 5.00 pm same evening.

I later confirmed him in the night and confirmed with email the following attendance ( as seen in photo) for the get -together; ladies could not join as they were having fasting Indian Hindu Festival (Karva Choth):

L to R- Malik, Talwar, Syal, Sibal & Gopalkrishnan

Virender Sawhney, O P Arora, Ramesh Mahajhan & Tejinder Singh could not join due there other engagements. I did write few emails to Tejinder Singh, but sorry mate we could not meet you may be next time. P S Grewal kept on calling for latest updates, it was always a pleasure to hear - he could not make it, neither could I re reroute my journey via Calcutta as my flight goes direct from New Delhi – Honkong – Auckland.

Thanks to Avichal Malik who hosted afternoon lunch:

Ashok Syal & Avichal Mailk

It was with great pleasure, that moment came, when we all met at India Habitat Centre- Delhi 'O' Delhi Restaurant, when Avichal Malik hosted a get - together, and some of the great memories of yesteryear's with great fun and great enthusiasm we all rejoiced.

As the story goes - well as clock started clicking (15th Oct' 2011, 13.00 Hrs), I was first to arrive at the center, when I called Malik, who was 10 minutes away. Followed by P Gopalakrishanan and S J Sibal both came from Noida, followed by Ashok Syal and last was our host who was tied up with so many calls, that he almost had to stop on his way to complete and then stopping his mobile so as to reach venue where we all were eagerly awaiting his arrival.

Happy Moments - Malik, Talwar, Syal & Sibal

History marks this occasion, of our love, association, and our urge to meet and greet our fellow mates get - together. The greatest fun, we had with a incident how funny it was with adult theme, was story / joke narrated by Ashok Syal for our dear mates ( M S Sandhu & T Singh / linked in back ground of Sunil Jain). You can believe, time passes but school time events / jokes / tit bits always remain in one’s mind.

The joke with fullest, and minute to minute details was completed by S J Sibal who remembered it as he is one of the great stalwarts with cool memory to recall from his encyclopedia. I have not placed those words here, due to the fact, all our mails / blogs are shared with our better half & I did not wanted to be rude with world as whole who read our story on the net, but any one would love to hear it, please call me or S J Sibal or all who attended this get-together.

Interestingly I shared that story / joke of that time with P S Grewal, who enjoyed it with me over phone and has sent me mail that night.

We hoped for Deepak Gupta followed by P S Grewal, but sorry mates we missed you both from bottom of our hearts, we would love to see you next visit, God willingly. P S Grewal had been very kind to request me to visit Calcutta, from where I have more than a dozen requests, from my colleagues of Mosaboni, ISM mates both classmates & our seniors etc. I shared with him my inability to fulfill in this visit, but next time when I will come to India with my wife, we will love to meet as many when we will have Bharat Darshan.

So once again, many thanks goes to A Malik for hosting such a great get together, with drinks and sumptuous lunch with our people's choice as we were to order food from menu and every one had to there own taste. Some of the snaps which we took, as our golden memories are here:

Drinks session with fun & laughter:

Gopalkrishnan being helped for his Mobile Phone

 Gopalakrishnan, Syal & Malik

Gopalkrishnan, Reading Msg -Syal, & Sibal

Gopalakrishnan, Syal & Mailk hearing joke from Sibal

We laughed and laughed!

Mailk & Sibal enjoying drinks

Luncheon in Progress:

Time to leave:

Gopalakrishnan confirming his wife his departure

At Reception

Malik, Syal & Sibal

Final shot - Get together Group Photo

Group Photo - Mile' the', mile ge' phir'

Bidding bye to Mailk & Syal

India Habitat Centre will be remembered for our meet after 40 YRS, with our mates!

Cheers, my mates you all made my day and hope we all enjoyed as I did, we had fun, lunch, photos shoot to remember this occasion. I believe those who missed this occasion, please take few moments, with us on our next visit (when it’s a?), no one will ever regret it later.

Arun Talwar ('71 Mining) - Jan’ 2012

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H V Sharma (’72 Mining) wrote on 17th Oct' 2011:

Dear Arun
Nice to note that you are in Delhi, Wish we could meet, I am at present at project site in Arunachal Pradesh and may come back only on 25^th Oct’/ Nov’ 2011.

Will try to catch up if you are still there

Regards

Harsh V Sharma/ Executive Director / JKM Infra Projects Ltd.

With many best wishes to our batch, to have healthy & long life so that we all could see & enjoy Golden Jubilee coming up in 10 yrs from now.

Arun Talwar ('71 Mining) Jan' 2012


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Get Together ISM-1971 at My Home!

Get Together ISM-1971 Batch at my Home:

Shashi Kapoor and Ashok Syal - 10th Oct' 2011

In continuation of my earlier blogs of 24^th Feb’ 2011 (Memory Down the Lane) followed by another one of 17^th March’ 2011 (wherein photos sent by Shashi Kapoor of college days were placed), that my visit to New Delhi / India medical check up got also utilized to meet some of our class mates. One such person was Shashi Kapoor as I had undaunted urge to meet and hence - I wrote to him – my greetings for Dushera / Puja / Diwali while and that I have already landed up in India.

My mail to him followed by quick calls, resulted him in making his plan, which suited both of us and to catch up face to face after 40 years. Sooner he received my mail, call came back, and that he is traveling by train to Jammu for attending marriage function. I requested him, if he could accommodate, he happily agreed to change his travel to New Delhi by Spice Jet Flight SG – 116, reaching Indira Gandhi International Airport on 10^th Oct’ 2011 at 08:45 am. He wanted my address, and I confirmed him and his wife that, it will be my pleasure to pick him from the airport, so he need not worry, and also to maximize our time of meeting & be together. I promised him he can have breakfast / lunch at our home & later I will drop him at Old Delhi railway Station wherein lots of our old memories are also locked in.

Shashi coming out from Air port, smiling, he has not seen me!

On the day i.e. 10^th Oct’ 2011, I was very much there, as I booked a car for whole day. The plane was half hour late, but it was just that immense pleasure to see him coming out of the airport at arrival area with smile on his face and thinking next as picked up by my camera that shot, before he saw me. We came home had breakfast together, he even brought packed one duly packed by Bhabhi which we had together along with fruits and tea etc.

L to R - Shashi Kapoor, Arun Talwar & Ashok Syal

L to R - Talwar, Kapoor & Syal having lunch cooked by us

Later at lunch time, Shashi Kapoor joined with me & my brother to cook our lunch – Menu - Chicken Curry & Rice with Salad, had few glasses of wines - which we all enjoyed together. Ashok Syal took time off from his office in South Extension and we all enjoyed sumptuous lunch cooked by us and ate together at my home, with my younger brother. 

Kapoor & Syal enjoying meal

 

Syal made me laugh with his jokes

I kept Shashi updated with all the events, till that day as we had come lovely get together at M S Sandhu  home on 09^th Oct’ 2011, never to say I had great opportunity to meet him at airport and then at my home, so many memories flashed by, and that he recalled visiting our home hay days at School. His daughter Anchal was very kind as she did inquire about my health and helping to understand my health issues etc. being Doctor herself.

View from Main Road in front of Delhi Railway Station

After our lunch Ashok Syal left for his office, and me and Shashi for Old Delhi Railway station a distance of not more than 20 Kms, but it took us around 2.5 HRS, that’s the traffic of our country where every one is in rush – ‘Ye Desh  Hindustan Hamra’. 

LOT OF OUR MEMORIES ARE TIED UP HERE- WHEN WE TRAVELED TO ISM BY TRAIN

I was all the time getting panicky for his train, but when I dropped him at station he had to run to catch up train – which he managed and sent me TXT message that all is well for him to go to Jammu his next destination. We enjoyed to our brim, what little time we had at our disposal, that’s the spirit we all should have. 

On my return to Auckland, with jet lag did manage to call him other day, and reminded him of our photos, and few of our last snaps captured on his camera, which he sent has been added here.

 

Shashi Kapoor wrote on 25^th Dec’ 2011:

Dear Talwar - Delhi Photos sent by me have come out to be excellent & will remind me of our meeting after 4 decades. Though we all look oldies but young at heart. Photos taken with my camera are very large and need editing which I explained him and his daughter Anchal did manage to send me & also inquired about my health.

I pray for your speedy recovery. May 2012 bring good health for you & Bhabhi ji. 

Sincerely Yours, Shashi Kapoor

Cheers, 

ARUN TALWAR (’71 Mining) Jan' 2012

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Mrs. & Mr. Pradeep K Sharma - 01st Nov' 2011 visit to my Home:

Mrs. & Mr. Pradeep K Sharma

I had been in touch with PK in short over phone from New Zealand, early part of last year and later when I reached New Delhi in Sept’ 2011. I had been coaxing him, and not only him but almost every one from our batch, who were in and around my home town or have plans to cross over Delhi metro, lets meet.

Pradeep call comes in and that he showed possibilities are that he will visit N Delhi to attend Formula 1 car race in Greater Noida India, car racing, sponsored by his company etc along with his office work. It was great to know when he finally made it, no less than encouragement he got from his wife who said why he should not meet, when I am not too well & also when they both were not very far from my home. 

Mrs. Sharma enjoyed her short stay together

My dear PK, your visit made an extra flare, and you and Bhabhi made it cool. We all enjoyed Diwali Sweets along with Dry Fruit etc, and Bhabhi brought with her ready to eat hot Samosa with tea together.

PK giving sweet to Bhabhi

Bhabhi giving sweet to PK, Great!

P K Sharma & A Talwar

Some of the photos, which we took at my place, will always remind our meeting after 40 YRS of passing out from school. You really made my day and many thanks to Bhabhi who made the evening more rejoice full against all odds.

Cheers, 

ARUN TALWAR (’71 Mining) Jan' 2012

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Get Together ISM-1971 Batch at M S Sandhu's Home!

09th Oct' 2011 New Delhi / India at M S Sandhu’s Home:

The day I arrived New Delhi from Auckland on 26^th Sept’ 2011, I had several emails /  telephonic conversations, with M S Sandhu and my other mates of our class namely – Virendar Sawhney, Ashok Syal, Shashi Kapoor (Hyderabad), S J Sibal, P. Gopalakrishnan (Kerala), Avichal Malik, Deepak Gupta (Goa), P S Grewal (Calcutta) , Tejinder Singh, Subash Jain (Houston, USA), O P Arora & Ramesh Mahajhan.

I also chatted or got responses from 1972 batch ( P S Gyani, Harsh Vardhan Sharma, Deepak Vidyarthi,) and from senior batches Mr. R P Prashara (’58 Mining / Chandigarh), Mr. Ajoy K Chaterjee (’60 Mining / Goa), Mr. R Y Kutumbe ('60 Mining), Mr. Pallab Banerjee ('60 Mining), Mr. Pradeep Gangopadhyay (’70 Pet Engg / USA), Mr. Suresh Mehta (’62 Mining) & Mr. N N Gautam (’62 Mining) to name a few out of memory.

I did not had every one’s telephone numbers, which we got it soon after ringing few whose numbers I had and after knowing everyone's welfare, my first task was to see if we could all meet and our first planned get together was held at M S Sandhu ‘s home on 09^th Oct’ 2011, who was very pleased to host the get together with drinks followed by lunch. 

L to R, M S Sandhu, S J Sibal, A Talwar & V Sawhney

L to R, Mrs. & Mr. Syal, Mrs.& Mr Sawhney, Mrs.&Mr. Sibal & Mrs. & Mr Sandhu

Sibal, Sandhu, Sawhney & Syal

L to R, Mrs./ Syal / Sawhney / Sandhu / Sibal

It gives me great pleasure write the whole story of our meeting at his home on Sunday afternoon. It’s very difficult to express my personal happiness in meeting our class mates and equally M S Sandhu & his wife and others who expressed there joining us for a wonderful get to get together at his home. I cannot find appropriate words of my pleasure, that you and our fellow mates had same desire and love for their fellow mates to meet who once parted in different directions, to make there own destinies in the mining field. 

Syal, Sibal, Sandhu & Sawhney

Sibal & Sawhney enjoying food

Finally on Sunday the 09th Oct' 2011, between 11.30 am to 12.00 noon, we all (Sawhney, Syal,  Sibal with there wife’s and me alone) gathered at  M S Sandhu's home, and believe me what a great thrill, smile, laughter and happiness was prevailing on each other minds that all of us had, words cannot express that inner feelings, but for those who missed may rejoice our meeting with photos of that occasion which I took that day and sent for wider audience over email, few weeks ago.

Virender Sawhney

Sawhney had even brought few snaps of School days from his treasure trove of old albums reminding all of us our great association then 1966 – 1971. One such photo was on Rickshaw ( Sawhney, Syal and Mahjhan are present, with me) in front of New Hostel. This meet will go on records as we all met and greeted each other after we all passed out in 1971, a historic occasion after 40 yrs. All youth days faces have changed to oldies now, but I believe there was not too much difficulty in recognizing each other once we were face to face, but the old matured glitter was very much there in all faces. More thrilled were ladies

S J Sibal

who have joined there hubbies to make this occasion a greater success, as without there presence it would not been complete in all respects. Me and my wife had met Mrs. Sandhu, Mrs Sibal few decades ago, so even my wife took an opportunity to call from Auckland to catch up with them. 

Only person I missed personally was O P Arora who used to always meet me during my trips to N Delhi from other metros & later when I used to come from Zambia, due to his involvement and preparations of his daughter's forthcoming  wedding in Nov' 2011, I requested him in numerable times to make it and more so I was not very well, but that inner urge to meet unfortunately never kindled in him so we all dearly missed him. I hope that wedding must have gone well; the news later was given to me by M S Sandhu who did attend the function. 

Few more mates missed Deepak Gupta (Goa), Tejinder Singh & Ramesh Mahajan, as they could not make it due to there pre occupations with some other urgent work in there family. And till my departure from N Delhi we could not meet.

During our meet at Sandhu’s house, I also informed all that Shashi Kapoor is coming on Monday 10th Oct'2011, by air from Hyderabad, I will be picking him from airport and to add extra flavor to his visit, please keep your Monday free, working executives, if they could spare just 2 to 2.5HRs at my home, between 11.30am to 2.00pm, as Shashi was to leave by 4.30 pm train from N Delhi same afternoon. This meeting I had with Shashi Kapoor was another wonderful one, which was joined by Ashok Syal as others could not make it. He had lot of wonderful memories and even reminded me that he had visited my home when we were at school.
 

Manjit Singh Sandhu

M S Sandhu was very kind to confirm and write to all on 08^th Oct’ 2011 - It's great that we all are meeting at my home - Tower 7, Flat No.703. PARSVNATH PRESTIGE II. SECTOR 93A NOIDA-201304, Sunday 09^th Oct’ 2011 between 11.30 to 12'O clock. It will be my pleasure to welcome you all.

My special thanks to Talwar for his initiative and vision for us to meet after 40 years.

 M S Sandhu also sent us directions to his home - Take NOIDA - GREATER NOIDA express highway from NOIDA and take the first exit to drive on the service lane along the same direction. You will find a cluster of high rise after around 500 meters. PARSVNATH is next to ATS GREEN and the prestige II can be approached from the back road which runs parallel to main express way. You may contact me for further clarification. But actually when we were going to his house, on Sawhney car, my mobile was on and Sandhu guided us to his home.

All our communication was going on email and we kept updating to our mates settled in India, Australia and USA, if any one could join us. Few were kind to give us a call and one such name comes for Mr. Pradeep Gangopadhayay who called me from Florida his home town and enquired my health status.

Thanks to M S Sandhu who hosted this afternoon:

Our mates with there better halves.

 It gives me great pleasure to send my heartiest thanks, on behalf of me and my wife and behalf of whole 1971 batch for hosting such a lovely get together followed by sumptuous lunch. We had lot of memories revived, of school days.

Virender Sawhney brought lovely photos of school days, which reminded us our great association we had together when we were still at school. He has agreed to get it scanned, and send it to every one. 

Ashok Syal ever Cheerful.

 Ashok Syal has promised to send us school days photos, especially Parsanath Trip we had with our class. S J Sibal made us laugh and laugh with lovely joke, which brought us lot of humor and smiles, even ladies did rejoiced it.

My wife Anjali did not wanted to miss, the occasion, so she called from NZ and greeted Mrs. Sibal, Mrs Sandhu, Mrs Sawheny and Mrs Syal and spoke to them over phone.

Sandhu being looked after, after he took care of every one

 M S Sandhu and his wife took lot of pains, to get this sumptuous lunch cooked at her home for all of us to enjoy, so believe in me, I enjoyed to my fullest so did our mates who joined us, great was the love and believe in me, it was very great satisfaction when we parted later.

Although after our passing out, we met, what a great feeling I had, so did our fellow mates who hugged every one with same closeness as when we parted from school.

I have also posted few our snaps along with this blog to record our meeting for wider known to our friends around the globe who are computer novice and would like to read our get together and rejoice our photos taken then.

Syal & Sibal enjoying his fill

Mr. Pradeep Gangopadhyay ('1970 Pet. Engg) USA:

Lastly, I also got a call from Mr. Pradeep Gangopadhyay ('1970 Pet. Engg) from USA, inquiring about my health and showing concerns as fellow mate from school. This is what makes us feel we are part of that Alma Mater whose history, traditions and love are deep rooted in every one hearts, how far and wide we all are settled. Thank you my friend I had a lovely chat with you for around 30 minutes, which I will cherish.

He has conveyed me to get well soon, get checked and was wondering why all our mates have to travel back home for getting proper treatment compared to where we are living in western world. To what I told him, how they treat you as if they are experimenting on you. He was telling he can place S J Sibal, else faint memories are there for others. I have promised him to send him latest photos, to what all we rejoiced our meeting yesterday. He will be traveling to India in Dec' 2011, if some of our mates, would love to meet him.

Subash Jain (’71 Mining) wrote from Houston, USA:

Dear Arun,

Its when you are meeting with old-timers lovely friends and enjoying your golden days of ISM, you need not to take any medicine. Laughing is the best medicine for all cures. I love and miss you all. Have sweet dreams, SUBASH.

Mr. Ajoy Chaterjee (’60 Mining), wrote from Goa:

Dear Arun,

I am glad to know that you and your 1971 classmates had an enjoyable get-together at Noida on the 10th of October, 2011. 

I wish you speedy recovery from your ailments. 

Best wishes,  AJOY CHATTERJEE (‘60 Mining). 

So once again, we all thank you for hosting such a great meet, treat & greet at your home in Noida giving us a individual care.

Cheers, Arun Talwar (’71 Mining)