Afterword: Your word bytes
Here is a collection of quotes from all of you who shared your thoughts over whatsapp, in the days following the reunion.
25th Nov 2018
All, thank you for a wonderful reunion. It was you who make this place very special than the place itself. While I was there only for a day and half it was an emotion filled one. Meeting so many friends after such a long time reminded me what I have been missing for the past 25 years. Special thank you to Ram for making me get off my a%& and travel, organizing team for creating such wonderful memories, Subashini for taking us back 25 years, and everyone else for the warm welcome and bringing back memories. This will now make me travel to the future local, regional and pilani events and I am super glad that I have reconnected.
— Srini K (Murph)
Just reached home in Hyderabad with life time memories. It was a great event which took us back 25 years. Thanks to the controls and organising members to have planned such a big event which was meticulously planned with minute details and executed to perfection. All of us could connect instantly which shows time is not a barrier. Let us all make it to Ruby also. Special thanks all the friends who made it to the event especially those who came from other side of the world. Let us all stay connected.
— Sarala Rao
Back home after reliving four years on campus and creating memories which will be etched in mind and heart for years to come. Words cant express the warmth felt by simply hugging old friends and just hearing their stories. What made this trip so nostalgic were the shrieks and cries when you had a name to a face which was long forgotten, the giggles and laughter which followed after remembering an old campus incident, memories flashing by when one visited Meera bhawan, simply dancing and singing on all our old favourite songs, the peace we all felt at the Saraswati temple and many many more….. Missed the ones who could not come and thanks to all who put in the effort and came. God bless and safe travels to all those who have long flights <3 <3
— Bindu Bhinde
Landed home Riding in a Taxi and remembering all the details of the past 5 days. It has been one hell of an emotional journey and wouldn’t have missed it for the world Love you girls and hope to keep in touch.
— Meena Krishnan
Very well said Bindu and Meena.
Whatay 4 days. Walking all over campus, the Bougainvillea, temple, meera Bhavan, the sugary chai, hugging old friends and new ones, lachcha, dancing, getting ready with roomies for the events.
Old memories, and new ones now. ?. Thanks to the controls team. And all who made it possible. I am in constant replay mode. Love you all so so much.
— KShankar
So well put Bindu. It was truly amazing. I am sooo happy I came. I was on the fence initially. Did not know if anyone even remembered me or if I will even fit in the group there. Everyone was so warm and welcoming. Thanks to the organizing team for putting together this amazing experience for us. What memories.
— Ritu Minocha
What a wonderful time ! Happy to see those who made it . I am going to sleep well tonight. I am sure the amazing team that worked to make this happen will feel the void since all is done and dusted . My mind and bags are heavy with tons of gifts and loads of lovely memories. Let’s make an attempt to meet each other when we can. Take care all. Loads of hugs and tons of love
— Vidhya Raman
Just boarded my plane at Delhi. I had a long wait at Delhi airport since 3.30pm – but did not mind it at all – was chatting away with a dozen others 89ers at the airport. About sums up the feelings after the reunion – while I knew just a few people well when, now it feels like the circle has expanded to so many new friends. Feels like I am part of the gang now:)
— Pramad
Members of my bitsian family……..last 2 days together at pilani after 25 years will always be etched in our memories……we all instantly took off from where we left 25 years back……i felt 25 years younger……felt loved unconditionally….
We were and will remain Bitsian brothers and sisters and hope to be beside each other just on a shout.
Cheers and lets remain connected
— Pankaj Saraogi
Like Ritu said I was on the fence too about attending the reunion but I am so glad I did as it was just so amazing to reconnect with everyone and it just transported me back 25 years in time. Just entering the gates of Pilani made me so emotional. I enjoyed every bit of the 4 days and am taking a treasure of memories back home. Kudos to the organizers for ur relentless efforts and such a precision execution.. Finally a big thank you for making this possible for all who made it as the event would not have been a grand success without everyone’s participation and attendance. Love you all.
— Malathi Ashok
Bindu and Krithika said precisely what I felt. Thanks to the organizers for making this happen and taking us through this wonderful journey. The best part for me was spending time with you gals. Felt very emotional when Chinnu sang for us girls . Thank you for letting me be ‘dada’ one more time. Now back to Sudha mode and back to grind…
— Sudha Addepalli
26th Nov 2018
Echoing all the sentiments and emotions, a big thank you to all the families for letting us get away for a few days, and encouraging those who were on the fence. For two days, I almost forgot all my other roles, and became a carefree student again.
One suggestion — in a matter of days as we quickly dive deep into the grind, the intensity of these feelings will fade. A small suggestion is to archive these posts, so we can jog our memories when its time for the Ruby reunion and participate in a bigger group!
— Swapna Gokhale
Well said Bindu. For me it was a nostalgic and memorable event catching up with you all. I am so glad I was able to make it. I forgot the other responsibilities of mine and became 20 years and a carefree student again. Ruchi and Ra’s calling me Seemo made me feel so good as old times. Thanks to Vidya , Ra and controls team to make this event flawless and you have taken care of each and every details. Gals let us make the Vegas reunion when we are 50 that is in 2012. I leave in Cupertino, Bay Area. Please come to my home when you visit Bay Area. I have made lot of new contacts and let us meet whenever we can. Missing all of you. Will be with parents and brother for 1 week and will go back on dec 3rd back to my place. Will post album in Facebook. And any pics here. Love you all. Take care. -seemo
— Seema Nayak
Lovely Subhashini!
…am so so glad I could make it for the 2 days. Could not have asked for a better reunion. 25 years just fell away and we were back to giggling like teenagers! Love you all.
— Nidhi Gulati
Just loved meeting & connecting with everyone who made it…. events, singing, dancing, dressing up, exploring campus, C’not, nutan, the ha ha & ho ho, talking work & family & endless likes/dislikes & banters.. Group lachchas, one on one chats…
Oh.. my glass is overflowing…. Intoxication will remain…
Till we meet again pals.
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— Ruchi Tandon
Echo all the sentiments above – loved meeting everyone! It felt like the 25 years just melted away and we were all chatting away like the 20 year olds – lacha, laughing, and sharing all the stories from our years on campus. Let’s make Vegas happen as our next reunion! Till we meet again!
— Deepti Bhatnagar
It was fun dancing and singing together ❤❤
Gosh what a ride the last 5 days have been. Everyone is voicing what I feel and don’t know what to say but have a “fulfilled kinda feeling “ in my heart ?!
And can’t forget the nostalgia and emotion when the bus reached the campus and went through the gates…. Madhu “crying coming “ ??❤??
— Ruchika Gupta
2 months later…
When I think of our years in Pilani, when so many things remained the same – the samosa chaats, the jilaybees, the lousy lauki sabzi in the mess – it used to amaze how all the people changed over the course of the 4/5 years we were there. We entered as kids and left as kids – but we were morphed. Those changes didn’t happen in modphy class… but happened in quantum leaps. Our outlooks, our philosophy, our world view changed.
I witnessed a similar change at the reunion. During the first Karaoke night some one came up to me and KD and said “some of the girls are very uncomfortable with Babutta’s dancing – can you ask him to tone it down please”. And by music nite in Pilani on the 4th evening – all the girls were lining up to dance with Babutta. He was the rage. All the boys were like “I wanna be Babutta when I grow up!” The thing is – Babutta was the same before those 4 days, during those 4 days and judging by recent pictures, after the 4 days. The changes we perceive have much more to do with what we see than with what is seen. Maybe it always was that way….
— Ram Balasubramanian
