BITS 1966-1971 Batch Alumni Anmol Reunion at Pilani Rajasthan
For the Muslims its going to Mecca and for Christians its going to Vatican. For the Hindus its going to Benaras - Kasi - Rameshwaram - sabarimala etc while for Sikhs its going to Amritsar. For the Buddhists its going to Bodh Gaya.
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-- Members of every major religion undertake pilgrimages and for the alumni of BITS Pilani which is one among the top ranking universities in India visiting their alma mater years after their graduation, is indeed a pilgrimage.
The alumni movement of the Birla Institute of Technology and Science - BITS Pilani has already seen the golden jubilee years. BITS Alumni Association (BITSAA) organizes each year close to Gandhi Jayanthi, the silver jubilee reunion of BITSians who passed out 25 years ago. Lately Pearl and Coral Jubilee Reunions have been getting into the reckoning
With Passion Quotient for alma mater peaking, for each one of them, Pilani is just not a destination where one arrives but rather the spirit with which one undertakes and continues the journey. Visiting Pilani in the thirty eighth year of graduation is indeed an anmol (rare) one.
From the 66-71 batch (admissions 1966 - Graduation 1971), 53 BITSians from all over the country as well as abroad assembled at Pilani on November 19, 2009 evening for celebrating their half way from Silver to half way to Gold in a way rare aptly termed as Anmol Jubilee Reunion. The alumni gathering indeed looked like a stellar constellation of Professionals from all walks of life. By putting their best foot forward to march out boldly and seize the opportunities to face the challenges head on, each one of them undoubtedly was a dreamer, performer, achiever and a leader in applying the interdisciplinary education they had at BITS Pilani to improve lives across society.
On November 20, 2009, they went to nearby Surajgarh Fort to spend the day and returned in the evening after which there was a grand dinner get together at the VFAST Hostel Lawns of the Institute. Prof RK Mittal Deputy Director and President BITSAA welcomed the gathering. Prof LK Maheshwari gave an overview of BITS covering the happenings over the past 38 years and introduced various officers of the Institute to the alumni.
On November 21, 2009 they went around the campus to visit the Sharda Peeth Saraswati Temple, Birla Science Museum, Student Activities Centre (SAC), various hostels, laboratories, Central Library, Lecture Theatre Complex, etc. Same day evening, in the auditorium of the Institute, there was a grand music show organized to thank this batch of alumni for their gesture to replace the entire sound system of the auditorium with digital mixers and state of the art speakers.
Yash Gandhi BITSA Secretary welcomed the gathering after which the music club folks rendered a Hindi and Rock & Roll English song. Then the alumni took over the stage and had the audience spell bound. After Mrs Chayya and Mrs Agarwal's songs, Alok Goyal set the mood with his soulful rendering of Pukaarataa Chalaa Hoo mai. V V Ramanan picked the Beatles John Lennon song Across the Universe and elevated the mood. Mr Mukesh (disciple of Pandit Jasraj) who had accompanied the alumni took the audience straight to heaven with Raga Bhimpalasi for the shloka Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya. Madhu Goyal wife of Alk Goyal stole the thunder by dancing for the song Hothon Mein Aisi Baat from the Hindi Film Jewel Thief.
Mr BC Jain on behalf of the batch shared nostalgia of the yesteryear student days and said that it was his batch which gave birth to OASIS which stands today as a jewel in the crown of all college festivals. Mr Jain who was a topper of his batch at BITS Pilani as well as President Students Union during his days went to MIT Boston for his higher education. . MR Jain also announced details of the plan of his batch for installing a scholarship for a girl student to be awarded to a second year student, awards for best papers published in a year as well as awards for best exhibits in the Tech Fest APOGEE It's a matter of pride that Mr S K Roongta Chairman of Steel Major SAIL and Mr Yogesh Agarwal Chairman IDBI are from this batch of alumni of BITS Pilan.
Prof BR Natarajan Vice President BITSAA proposed the customary vote of thanks sprinkled with lyrics from Yaad Na Jaye Beete Dino Kee written by Proud to be BITSian Srinivas Kulkarni (74-79 Batch) poem for the Silver Jubilee Reunion of his batch. http://sandpaper.bitsaa.org/archives/links/SandpaperFall2004/Fall2004/pdf/Poetry.pdf
Irrespective of whatever degree they did at Pilani, wherever they came from and whatever their life journey had taken them to, there was one thing they all shared in common and that was passion for the alma mater. Each one of them agreed that their stay at Pilani had left an indelible mark on their lives. This batch like the other batches have indeed enhanced the reputation and raised the profile of BITS Pilani both nationally and internationally through their successes, contributions and support.
Notes to Editor
About BITS Pilani: The Birla Institute of Technology and Science - BITS Pilani is a Deemed to be University established vide Sec.3 of the UGC Act, 1956 under notification No. F.12-23/63.U-2 of June 18, 1964. NAAC - National Assessment and Accreditation Council reaccredited BITS with 3.71 CGPA out of 4 and awarded "A" grade "Very Good" status. It is indeed a matter of pride that for the year 2009, BITS Pilani has been ranked among the top ranking universities along with IITs in various Magazine surveys such as India Today, Outlook, LiveMint etc. BITS offers degrees in various disciplines presently at Pilani, Dubai, Goa and Hyderabad campuses. BITS Pilani has done pioneering work in industry university collaborations in terms of Practice School and Work Integrated Learning Programmes. Alumni of the Institute who are Proud to be BITSians and ambassadors for Brand BITS Pilani are spread across all continents from Australia to America.
