PEC 2020 – how awesome to meet so many friends after 50 years! Last week we had our Global Alumni meet in City Beautiful – Chandigarh, India
Fat, thin, bald, grey …,Some of us were recognisable – and others not π But there was such bonhomie, love and laughter πππ
What is it that draws people from hundreds, nay thousands of miles to meet old friends and connect with their Alma Mater, in our case Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh?
Friends, the most important pillar of long, happy and healthy lives πππ and Gratitude
Amidst us were : Army and Air Force generals and marshals , heads of institutes, business tycoons, philanthropists. One felt proud and at the same time humbled.
And so good to connect with their spouses too ππ»πππ»
I wrote a couple of days back : One good book is better than hundred friends, and one good friend is a library. And here we were amidst hundreds of books and hundreds of friends π π π¬π«
Punjab Engineering College welcomed with open arms, Mr. Bikram Singh Garewal, the collegeβs oldest alumnus. Having graduated in 1943, this imminent personality is a mighty 97-year-old humble man who achieved great feats in life. He served as the Chief Engineer of Patiala from 1971 till his retirement in 1981. Originating from Lahore, he was more than happy to celebrate his birthday today amongst his juniors of various generations in the college where he studied as a young boy.
This college was established in 1921 in Lahore, now Pakistan and next year it would be its centenary. I was so happy when the Director of the institute, in his address said that next year we should attempt to have a truly global meet, where alumni from Pakistan can join too, maybe in a neutral country. Shall look forward to that.
Chandigarh has a very special place in my heart. Not only I grew up here, I got married here too ππ I still have two older sisters living here. So it was a Home Coming for me in more ways than one!
Talking of alma maters there is no way I can ever forget DAV School Chandigarh and principal Hari Ram. I did my high school here from 1962-65. There were so many dedicated teachers under the stewardship of principal Hari Ram. Their breed is rarely heard off in these times; dedicated and selfless. Principal Hari Ram : An educationist par excellence π
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Above Mr. Bikram Singh Garewal flanked by PEC Director and Dean
Director, Dean and the students – Organisers
Night filled with fun and food…..
The distinguished Alumni
A few pics on display by our talented batchmates.
Our batch heroes with the director
Copyright Β© Ashok Wahi
Always a pleasure π
Aww, Thank you so much for your kind words. π
Thank you so much Tanya. We should learn to make the best of where ever we are in life.
Am sure you have a great life ahead for you.
Loved this article.
You are so very lucky to experience this. I’m only graduated last year, I have long way to go. Hope the best.
Thanks for sharing! π
True!!
Thank you so much Shalini. Family and Friends are so vital ππ€
It’s really a wonderful feeling uniting with friends..it took me back to my school daysπ
Thank you so much Nadine π
Amazing… and so beautiful, the people and the smiles!! πππ»
Good to know you my friend. Thanks
Dear I have nominated you for the Sun shine award. I lived in Chandifgrh,panchkula for about 10 yrs
You are welcome
Thank you so much my friend. Yes, it was so special
Unforgettable moments give us a special joy. A meeting to share and fraternize with colleagues of so many years. The photos translate that it was a meeting, super special for you.
Thank you so much and thank God for all His grace
Ashok, thanks for sharing. You are blessed with some wonderful memories.
Thank you so much Florence ππ
What a pleasant reunion! I’m all smiles going through the pictures. That’s a great and joyful momentπ
Yes, thank God nothing lasts.
Thank God nothing lasts
Thank you for the response and understand how life makes us busy at times. Things are not so fine at this time.
Thank you so much James. I am very busy till the first week of March and hopefully, shall respond later.
Hope all is well with you my friend
Thank you so much Vinod for always being so appreciative
Hello Ashok I have Nominated you for the Mystery Blogging Award. This is on my page my friend. You deserve this Ashok !!
vkkapoor56@gmail.com
Yes π thank you so much
Thank you so much Subbashini. Have a lovely day π
Looks a wonderful occasion!!
Lovely to see, beauty of life
Impressive!
Thank you so much Pallavi
Beautifully written and captured β€οΈ
You’re welcome!
Thank you so much Miriam. Hope all is well with you
It is wonderful that you share this joyful event with us. So many friends, so many
common bonds. I love the photos you have included and the beautiful colours of the ladies
dresses.
Miriam
Welcome ππππ Ashok πππ
Happy and joyous birthday Raj ππ
Yes Kamal, we need to stay connected with our friends more and more. Nothing like school and college friends. Thank you so much for your kind words
Thank you so much Lynette. One day we too shall be old friends ππ
Yes my dear friend π
Thank you for your awesome and marvelous share, Ashok. It is so nice to see the photographs of all your friends and yes a great homecoming and nostalgic moments you must have had. Even I have my school friends and we too meet very often and have such a wonderful time away from our busy lives and it is such a beautiful feeling. Friends and being happy and joyous is what life is all about. Great post.
π
As time marches on I realise more and more how valuable old friends are.
Great photos. π
We had a memorable moment to recollect past, enjoyed the various events organised by our friends M.Basal, Jasveer, MK Gupta, Teekam and many more incuding directors. The experience shared by successful persons of different batches is encouraging, our pride is to witness oldest person of1943 batch. We feel pride of PEC for producind ,any gems of my country. I wish to see our collage gaining the fame as the best university of world
Todayβs generation would be equally happy to meet after 5 decades π
Thank you so much Sohanpreet ππΉ
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Thank you so much Radhika π
Very beautiful picsπ..There is a sense of satisfaction on the faces of all people out there..difficult to find in today’s generation. Indeed it would have been very nostalgic experience for you.
Wonderful π·π
I could feel your happiness through your words and pics Ashokji. Truly golden nostalgia to relive those good old days. Very well written coming straight from the heart π
Oh yes it is such fun to meet old friends. Thank you so much Perth Girl π
Yes Liz it is so good to meet old friends. Thank you so much π
Yes Medhaji. Thank you so much π
Lovely pictures of smiling faces….The bonhomie is evident! When you meet old school or college friends, the gap of decades just melts away!
Looks had you had a lovely time. There is definitely something special to be able to catch up with old friends. The fun and stories to share and remember is definitely something to remember.
Thank you for sharing your homecoming experience with us! It’s so wonderful to reunite with old friends.
Thank you so much Sunil. Very well said. Life was so simple in 60s and 70s π
And yes we need to live the day : fully, mindfully π
A very thought provoking & expressive piece evoking bonding & ever lasting memories to cherish.
They say time is in elastic and clock cannot be unwound , but in this case it did rewind back 50 golden years!!
If wishes were horses wud luv to get back to the60-70 s eraof simplicity & only exam pressure to bother aboutπ,but nevertheless the wheel of life must move on and each day to be lived and cherished as if this is is ur last day on π.
Three cheers for the Organisers and our wonderful batch mates & their spouses,π