"People do not remember days; they remember moments."
- Cesare Pavese"Sansmaran" translates into cherishing the past with passion, but at NITIE we trespass the verbal description and commemorate
this as a festival. It brings our proud alumni close to their roots and enlightens the fond memories of their salad days of life, spent and molded here in the heaven like courtyard of NITIE. It dives into the trenches of oblivion
of alumni to revive the nostalgia and memories of each and every nook of NITIE so that the cascading effect of time and age cannot blur the golden moments savored during their stint at this premier institute.
Sansmaran 2006, held on 27th December 2006, was marked by the silver jubilee felicitation of the 9th
batch of Post Graduate Diploma in Industrial Engineering (PGDIE), who have vehemently shouldered the motto of NITIE – "Udyog Pragati", while climbing the ladder of success in their professional life.
The moment they landed
at the vestibule of NITIE, flanked by the Vihar and Powai Lakes and fended against the pollution and cacophony of the most populous city in India by the greenery which surrounds it, the behemoths of today's Indian industry, the
yesteryear students of NITIE – the alumni of PGDIE-9, instantly grew 25 years younger.
Two and a half decades of separation couldn't decrepit the mansion of memories. As they cuddled with each other on the eve of their
silver jubilee celebration, the golden memories of time bygone suddenly became verdant and made all of them jubilant. The tired eyes turned glittery, the traces of burgeoning wrinkles over the weary visages disappeared and smile on
the lips returned as they retreated away from the mundane monotony of life into the cocoon – NITIE.
The day began with the Annual General Meeting of NITIE Alumni Association (NAA). Prof. A.K. Pundir spelt the start of the
meeting, reviewing the progress of the plans made last year. Then Dr. S.D. Awale, Director NITIE and President NAA uncovered the future goals and plans of the institute. These included the new infrastructural facilities in the form
of a new academic block and hostel, issues related to the branding and marketing of the institute, raising funds from the Alumni as well as the applications of these funds and other plans in the direction of betterment of the
institute. There was a consensus among the members that NITIE can exploit the technology management space as it admits the best of engineers from various disciplines and institutes across the country. It is institutes like NITIE
which can make a difference and hence the onus is on the new batches to carry forth the torch now held by them. Dr. S.D. Awale also communicated the alumni about the laurels and accolades acquired by NITIE in the last year, which
were awarded on the criteria of consultancy, infrastructure, faculty, students etc. These awards serve as evidence that NITIE is living up to its recognition as a "Center of Excellence".
The AGM this year also deliberated
the future requirements of the institute which is trying to steer the Indian Industries to new empyreal heights by constantly grooming versatile managers, trained enough to carry forth the renowned legacy of NITIE. Alumni observed
that apart from stressing on the infrastructure, a commitment should be made to raise a corpus fund under the watchful eyes of the NAA Chairman, Mr. Ganesh Natarajan. They acknowledged the importance of alumni meets and the role
played by alumni members in the progress of the institute and therefore, a commitment was made to organize a Grand Alumni Meet next year, consisting of at least 500 members.
The AGM was followed by the felicitation of IE 9
Alumni. Prof. Ashok K. Pundir delivered the welcome address, extending his wishes to the IE 9 silver jubilee batch, along with their family and children. He emphasized the need of present generation to learn from the icons of the
industry. His long cherished desire of meeting his immediate senior batch IE 9 was finally realized.
Mr. Ganesh Natarajan, CEO, Zensar Technologies Ltd. acknowledged the effectiveness of PGDIE course in understanding the
industrial complex systems and reminded us that the core concept that we learn here will become a part and parcel of our professional competencies. He tried to create the aura of excellence by quoting the name of his batch mates
who have become the best with the passage of time and are serving our nation and industry in true spirits. His views were complemented by his batch mates, who shared their experiences during their stay at NITIE, which is
undoubtedly the best period of their life. It was a perfect blend of learning and fun, making the days unforgettable and driving them to ecstasy as well as tears to what they really miss.
The felicitation was followed by
some sublime performances in music and dance by the students of current batches. The mood was electric, the environs festive and the ambience celebratory. A large number of alumni attended the event with their families and
children. The jam-packed auditorium reverberated with prolonged applauds when students riveted the audience with their electrifying performances, which included soothing songs, spectacular dances on foot-tapping bollywood numbers
and traditional Bhangra dance. The impact of the performances was evident when Dr. S.D. Awale, Director NITIE concluded the cultural extravaganza by singing a melodious song, thus invigorating the mood of the grand evening.
Everybody then made their way to the cynosure of most outsiders' attention - the lush green NITIE lawns, where the arrangements for dinner were made. To add a little more flavor to the delicious food, there were fun games and
prizes, which made the evening even more memorable. There were smiles on all the faces and laughter ringing all over the place, as the present doyens of the industries and mates of yore relished the time bygone.
Finally the
moment to pay adieu came. It was a feeling of Déjà vu that IE 9 alumni bid farewell to NITIE that evening, after enamored with yet flourishing flora and warm felicitation organized and dedicated to them. In cooling apparition of
NITIE lawns, budding managers interacted with CEOs, the very persons they wish to emulate. NITIE spins the wave of golden strings that binds every member so affectionately that it is always rapturous to remain shackled with that
throughout the life. They are returning back, but not before the bond with NITIE being strengthened and indelible impression being revived up and tinged with rainbow colors.
IEtimes
PGDIE batch 08,
NITIE, Mumbai.
E-mail:
ietimes@indiatimes.com
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