An Amazing Congregation

Next time when we hear the date "Dec01 2012", our minds would directly goto few Memory locations which would have marked non volatile. Yes, I meant the day I mentioned would remain in our minds for ever. Not because we achieved something on that day but for an amazing and special gathering of our batch on that day.

On Saturday Dec 01 2012, sky was all clear and sun was fuming but the place behind Sai ashrama, Pavagada was so pristine with beautiful flowers blossoming around. It was PU batchmates of year 2004 who were are all scattered on the scene which gave the special look to the location.

It was indeed an exceptional gathering which most of us thought would be an ordinary one. Just few weeks back, around mid of November Praveen (federal bank) sent us an sms saying we will have an get together during December 1st/2nd weekend. But we considered this as an usual sms and was of low hope on the gathering.

As my usual fate, I was busy travelling in last few weeks (Dandeli, Anantapur, etc) and on a Sunday night when I was returning back from Dandeli got call from Praveen on the schedule of this meet. Though I was pre-occupied on that weekend, just assured him of my presence. But again I totally forgot this meet till Friday evening and a call from Praveen and Rakesh reminded me of the plan.

With a tight packed Friday evening, got up early morning on Saturday to catch bus to Pmy hometown at 6 15am. And was in Pavagada at around 10 30 am, was just in hurry to finish bath and breakfast. Here when I got call from Praveen/Raki to meet and continue towards the meeting venue.

It was a 15mins drive to reach the spot and we could easily makeout that we were the last bunch of guys to get added to existing congregation of our batchmates. And from here the story begins (let me put them in points)

There were many "long time no seen faces" and we got catched up with our close ones(indeed everyone)

As usual we splitted up into patches of groups and with one deserted girls group.

It looked like a blend of generations with few Aunties and Uncles around (as few of them got married)

Situation much aptly suited to our college days, when we used to wait for our tuitions in similar fashion

For some people, some others looked new(few to mention Kirthi, Meghana, Vajresh, Madhu's Car Driver) as it was a cocktail of students from different institutions (Junior college, VSHS, Jnanabhodini*)

Was around 12* by when we already finished an hours time in chatting, there were cries to get people into the classroom to start some programme/activities

Its combined effort of Praveen(Cement), Sagar(no clues req), Nagashree, Srinidhi and other girls/aunties to get each of us into the classroom

The Begining:

It was school and a classroom in it, was our venue. At the Entry there was an "Welcome" board and at the door, there stood Ladies with Red Roses in their hands to welcome us.

Beware any wrong conclusions or imaginations were barred as Roses were with Thorns to warn us!! But we still thank them for those RedRoses!!
 

Once inside the classroom, it was just chaotic as people were clueless about the happenings. It just resembled our Lecturer less class rooms. Few crazy people became Shutter Monks and started clicking all possible corners of the room, infact covering people aswell. It was Chethan's (Dabba) SLR which just enraged people and everyone started to gang up for poses.

It was right at thismoment, entry and sight of Her just pacified us. It was for these thirsty bachelors, Her presence was much needed one. She was none other than Bindu - A Jeera drink who just drenched our dried out throat!!

Once Sips of Bindu and poses for pics were done, people again scattered out of room. Right at this time few of us raised an concern/issue that some of us don't know most of us, so an intro session would be needed. 

As usual women came forward to chalk out intro session with few men arranging the venue for this. As usual most of us preferred last few benches and others were busy settling down at their convenience. 

And as expected organizers passed Anchoring/coordinating baton to Anusha. It was decided that each of us will give brief intro on ourselves and an happy/striking moment of our school/college days. 

Session Highlights:

Intro started with self declared Male co-ordinator Rizwan and in usual manner satires and comments poured in. 

Madhu(VK) and others kept requesting people to calm down on comments. 

A sudden interruption from Sagar but for a genuine reason of condoling Divakar and  Sushma's untimely demise

This sincere act of Condolence stated with funny confusion on number of minutes to condole but finally declared that 3mins condolence and every one went silent

**It was just past a minute since we stood in silence, Srinivas(Roppa) told "saalandro manam poyemadriga unnam(telugu)" people (atleast last bench guys) laughed for this like anything

Intro continued with fun and its the funny/light moments shared by people made the room a laughing club.

Again there was an serious art expose from Bhanu with a short play on Social issue which was his own brain child. But these ideas are un patentable and guess what? some one already copied it 

http://shortfilmsin.com/video/4890/street-light-indian-short-film-most-touching-video-that-all-government-servants-must-watch#

All in all, we were made to get introduced to 40-45 people and equal number of Funny instances as well

Few people made announcements of their Marriages and issued a public invitation. Few explained their activities on social commitment and invited us to join. Few denied to share funny moments,when most prefered to target Sagar in their sweet memories.

This fun filled intros came to an end in order to accommodate lunch break. But before this we had an speech from the school management, who offered us the place. They had few impressive points about the gathering and there were few matured inputs on how to make this kind of gathering a worthy. This followed a lunch which included decent combination of delicacies and all thanks to co-ordinators.

Guys again gathered under a tree outside the hall and most of them feeling sleepy. Few went out to satisfy their habits itch and others just strolled around. Then again it was call from few (girls in lead and boys) to again gather inside the hall for some games. Being seated on our desks, class again started off with Madhu making a serious initiative to form a Trust and work for society. So discussions happened with much silence and finally name "Helping hands" being assigned to the yet to be formed Trust. All were requested to give their email ids for further correspondence on the topic.

Then people asked for inputs on games and as usual most of the guys rejected Anthyakshari but decided on DumbCharades. With around 25 ppl for the game, a virtual line was considered to split the U shaped sitting arrangement, to form 2 groups, one majorily included Females and other dominated by we Males. And guess what, Guys(ours) dominated team won with support from women in the team that too with an overwhelming margin. This Dumb charades finally made people to mingle(atleast a few) and was assisted by our towns crazy comibation "bajji with bhel".  With opposite team losing their nerve, we finally called it a closure and it was indeed the end to our ceremonious gathering. 

Then we scrambled around the area in patches with one last group photo and when it was time to packup and return, few people remembered us about visit to Ashrama. 

It was an annoying sight to see plight of those destitute old people. They helped their children not to become orphans but what, they made them orphans at the time when others help is required utmost!!

And here when we disperesed with no idea of further congregation.....

All in all it was and un expected yet unmatchingly great gathering. And the all time best batch of Pavagada, just rocked again.