With bated breath we waited for the first of the alumnus to show up for the event that was exclusively hosted for the Batch of 1990 – REMINISCENCE. Slowly but surely they came. Our aim was for them to relive their days in the university and hence the point of gathering was chosen as the University Canteen. The enthusiasm on meeting each other was there for all to witness. They greeted each other with hugs and names that, only, they knew the significance of. Breakfast for a typical student here is the famous vada pav or poha and that is exactly what they feasted on. This was followed by a walk through the winding paths of the University all the way to the campus of PUMBA.
Once in the campus they were welcomed in an extremely traditional fashion by way of being showered with petals accompanied with a tilak ceremony. They were then taken through a presentation on PUMBA, where they rediscovered their Alma Mater and its achievements. They were then introduced to all the seven Cells of PUMBA where they interacted with the students. The highlight of this little tour was the inauguration of the newly minted Alumni Cell by the hands of those for whom the cell exists!!
Then, came the session in the Auditorium. It began with the traditional lighting of the lamp and small addresses by the HOD, Dr. B.V. Sangvikar, Dean, Faculty of Management, University of Pune, Dr. (Capt.) C.M. Chitale and their faculty member Dr. Bhave. Dr. Bhave then felicitated all the alumni present there with a token of our appreciation. Our star achievers for the academic year 2009-2010 were also awarded a letter of appreciation and our Alumni very kindly did the honors.
It was now the turn of our Alumni to share their personal experiences while they were students, 20 years back. They regaled us with little personal anecdotes from their time but all were unanimous in stating that we were indeed lucky to be studying in this prestigious Institution and that we should take full advantage of the time spent here. Next, came the ceremony that is a tradition followed here at REMINISCENCE. It is done to make our Alumni feel special. It is a coronation of sorts, as we place upon them Turbans and Tiaras. They are back in their Kingdom- PUMBA! And our very own in-house priest, Pritam Agawne, did complete justice to the ceremony.
After a sumptuous lunch we led the alumni to yet another very special event of the day. We all know that it is absolutely essential to conserve our environment. Keeping this in mind, this year the Alumni Cell has started with another very special tradition.... that of planting a sapling in the grounds of PUMBA. Hence we had the Batch Of 1990 plant a sapling with every one of them putting in a shovel full of mud signifying the completion of their bit towards a better planet. This plant shall flourish and this corner shall remain theirs for as long as PUMBA stands.
Thus the curtains came down on yet another event and it was thoroughly our pleasure to host it. We thank all those who could make it to REMINISCENCE and missed all those who could not.