It was in the air for many weeks; I wrote about it in October 2011. The momentum gathered fast when the HINDU met 5 at Vadapalani and published the meet with a large photo. [read]
The day was Sunday, the 4th Dec 2011. Vijaya got up by 4-30 AM and left house by 5-45. Arun dropped her at TNagar bus terminus. Boarded the bus at 0610 for Kanchipuram and she reached there by 8-15. Arrived in Sri Kamakshi Amman Koil and waited.
Everyone started sharing info on their lives, chattered and talked about their granddaughters and grandsons etc etc. Shared their addresses, phone numbers and updated their profile. There was one great-grandmother in the assembly to the surprise of all.
The school hall was kept opened for this Meet with the School Principal, Mrs BHAMA, and Correspondent, Mr CK RAMAN attending. Mrs CLARA who taught this class in 1965 had been specially invited; she attended it alongwith a couple of present teachers.
The programme started with the Gita Chanting by Mrs Devasundari, Mrs Anuradha, Mrs Chandrika, and Mrs Vijaya Narayanan. It was followed by a Prayer song by Mrs Mahalakshmi and she also welcomed the gathering.
A huge cake was cut by Mrs Clara. Felicitations followed. Their old teacher Clara was presented with a silk sari and the Principal, the Correspondent, and the present teachers were presented with shawls.
Mrs Devasundari had written a kavithai for this special occasion and it was read out. Mrs Vijaya addressed the gathering. Two sang bhakti paadalgal. The correspondent then spoke words of praise for this effort. SSKV school management gave momentos [Sri Kamakshi Amman portrait] to all the assembled old-students.
Momentos [small brass lamps] were given to all, from their own contribution. Money was collected as donation to the school Fund. Group-photo was taken.
Lunch was from Sangeetha Hotels. After tea, snacks in the evening at Mrs Geetha's house, the assembly dispersed. Vijaya returned home by 8-30PM.
It was an amazing get-together, amazing because of the huge time lapse -- 46 years, from their school days. Without email IDs, Facebook or Twitter accounts - most of these ladies are not computer-savvy, how could they organise such a huge meet, that too within a short time? Quite remarkable.
rajappa
09:30 AM
8 Dec 2011
*** Lalitha, Indira, Akila, Jyotsna also went to Kanchipuram.
The day was Sunday, the 4th Dec 2011. Vijaya got up by 4-30 AM and left house by 5-45. Arun dropped her at TNagar bus terminus. Boarded the bus at 0610 for Kanchipuram and she reached there by 8-15. Arrived in Sri Kamakshi Amman Koil and waited.
Ladies of the 1965-class of Somasundara Kanya Vidyalaya (SSKV) Kanchipuram started arriving, and the next 30 minutes saw over 40 assembling. A few had seen the HINDU article and joined the group. After darshan of the Amman, and an archanai later, they ambled to their old alma mater nearby.
It was an emotional meet, seeing one another after 46 years, not able to recognise anyone at the first sight. Time had transformed everyone, from bubbly, bouncing and beautiful young lasses of 16 and 17 years, to matured, grown-up and withered grandmothers of 62 and 63 years. Indeed, there was a passenger in the bus sitting opposite to Vijaya during her trip to Kanchipuram earlier this morning - and it turned out later in the Koil that the stranger, Mrs Nagalakshmi, was one of Vijaya's closest friends in class XI in 1965! They couldn't recognise each other in the bus!! [We went to Mrs Nagalakshmi's house at Mylapore on 6th Dec, details here]
Everyone started sharing info on their lives, chattered and talked about their granddaughters and grandsons etc etc. Shared their addresses, phone numbers and updated their profile. There was one great-grandmother in the assembly to the surprise of all.
The school hall was kept opened for this Meet with the School Principal, Mrs BHAMA, and Correspondent, Mr CK RAMAN attending. Mrs CLARA who taught this class in 1965 had been specially invited; she attended it alongwith a couple of present teachers.
The programme started with the Gita Chanting by Mrs Devasundari, Mrs Anuradha, Mrs Chandrika, and Mrs Vijaya Narayanan. It was followed by a Prayer song by Mrs Mahalakshmi and she also welcomed the gathering.
Momentos [small brass lamps] were given to all, from their own contribution. Money was collected as donation to the school Fund. Group-photo was taken.
Lunch was from Sangeetha Hotels. After tea, snacks in the evening at Mrs Geetha's house, the assembly dispersed. Vijaya returned home by 8-30PM.
It was an amazing get-together, amazing because of the huge time lapse -- 46 years, from their school days. Without email IDs, Facebook or Twitter accounts - most of these ladies are not computer-savvy, how could they organise such a huge meet, that too within a short time? Quite remarkable.
rajappa
09:30 AM
8 Dec 2011
*** Lalitha, Indira, Akila, Jyotsna also went to Kanchipuram.
Comments
Iam michaelraj.from sawyerpuram.our relative clara teacher attend the programme. Pls give her contact no.l like speak them