February 1985 we sailed into PMCH . The sailboat, of a young heart, throbbing and beaming with enthusiasm and a feeling of accomplishment well writ on our faces....A premier institution and an alumnus of formidable repute...Feb 25 th 1925 Sir Henry Wheeler ,Governor of Bihar & Orissa innaugurated the College ,to commemorate the visit of then Prince of Wales Edward .
Yesterday , we celebrated the Centenary . & those young hearts with dream laced eyes met again , having reached their milestone, of a whale of a career, that of the Medical doctor ...!!!
24 the Centenary eve : the 1984 batch met , of which I was a proud stakeholder....
The batch met at Kautilya hall of the famous Maurya Hotel for a Luncheon : Reunion
As I was onboard , AI 0673, with Archana airdashing to reach on time from Mumbai to Patna , a cascade of thoughts deluged me : the entry into the haloed Institution & Exit upon Pass out ...the time slipped out thru our fingers , the memories stronger than before ....as if it was yesterday ....
The flt delved deeper after a momentuous height, the thought process shattered by the announcement for securing ourselves…the Cup of Tea delayed now & the wait to land agonising ....
Did I inform them that I was coming with Archana in tow ? ...Yes I did inform my Boarding status
Did I tell them to wait for me ? .....the intervening 33yrs an impediment ....Yes I did inform ...thn why I am so anxious , a slight shudder engulfed me momentarily ....The slumber of Rip Van winkle is finally over , lots of water have flown thru the Ganges , the Ganges receding further from our Alma Mater , What if I am unrecognizable ?...Wht If I cant recognize a few of us ? ...Wht if I am not Endeared by all ?
The thoughts shattered again as the Landing Gear hit the tarmac as I am back again in the Chosen Land !!!
The Baggage belt was a gem of a Tortoise and my regular glance at the wrist watch & Archana's countenance aggravated matters further ....then Gunjan Called , Arun Singh called & the cab driver with my name board flashing was right in front....A sense of belonging to this good old city of mine seeped in quickly into my veins , a city where I spent two decades of youthful Life....the Islander in me , so used to remoteness & now loneliness ,missed a beat or two ....a sense of gratitude engulfed me as I am not forsaken or forgotten ...
The Patna traffic put a spanner near Maurya as we scampered post Checkin into Chanakya whr we were lodged and a brisk usher into Kautilya hall of the fabled Maurya Hotel with fine strains of music emanating wherein the batchmates had congregated....I thought , paused , pushed the door gently as for a moment which appeared like ages I was transfixed as a pure Foreign entity , but only fleeting seconds I guess , & as the Holy river merges into the Sea ,I immersed myself in the camaraderie of Long lost frnds : the Rejuvenation was so rapid & fast , as I met everyone with equal zeal & fervour .....the Lunch was just a prop : the attention rivetted: as Rip Van Winkle brushes his dusty coat , donning the shinning armour of the infectious smile .....gliding seamlessly onto the vortex of time , striking the right cords and notes ....
Amazed at the seamless interactions as if nothing had changed , the quick acqueisance to the music corner where Shyam had so nicely arranged occupying effortlessly the position & the voice flowed in abandon....tht sealed the uncertainty to a Certain Confidence of being amongst your own frnds whose round of applause definitely is the Elixir of Life.....!!!!
As we shifted to nxt level of a River Cruise in the Ganges with High Tea & Snacks : it appeared to be the icing on the Cake ....the gentle breeze , the lazing around in the river , music & dance , a grand finale to the Reunion where we promised to meet again ....!!!
