With inputs from Sundeep Kumar, Gita Nagarajan, Mohua Bhattacharya, Ajay Joshi
and Arun Wakhlu
Picture Credits: Sundeep Kumar, Gopalan, Mallika Raghavan, Viresh Dayal
and Vinod Reddy
Caption: Group photo of participants of PGP 80 reunion in Kashmir–a record attendance.
The decision to have our reunion in Kashmir was taken when we all met on campus for our Ruby Reunion in Dec 2021 over the Christmas weekend. It turned out to be an inspired choice given that Kashmir was on most peoples’ bucket list, and most had not been there before. It attracted nearly 40 batchmates, mostly with their wives – a record turnout.
The Reunion, from October 28 to November 5, 2023, kicked off with three nights in Pahalgam, followed by two in Srinagar and two in Gulmarg. The latter two were electives so to speak, but most chose to go the whole nine yards.
Caption: Photographing the photographer
Sundeep Kumar (our more or less permanent organiser), Sartaj Singh (a Kashmir lover and great motivator) and Arun Wakhlu (the passionate local) formed the organising team. It must be said that Sundeep, besides being an outstanding travel photographer (having done assignments for National Geographic and Conde Nast) is highly creative and also a great reunion planner (please read his interview in this issue in the Alumni Write section).
Caption: Still climbing the corporate ladder (Betaab Valley)
Reunion Snippets
Here are some of our favourite moments: The joy of meeting old friends– some after four decades or more, boundless bonhomie, countless CP and ginormous gyaan! The recalling of memories and creation of new ones. The thoughtfully provided pink, green and blue luggage ribbons. Everyone with a phone or a camera, capturing wonderful moments for posterity. Picnicking on a grassy knoll as the Lidder River danced by. Following in the footsteps of Sunny Deol in Betaab Valley. The wonderful trout preparations on the lawns of Radisson in Pahalgam. Plucking apples from a tree. Worshipping the Sun at Martand. The burnished leaves of the Chinar as autumn approached. The unique charm of saffron flowers in bloom.
A shikara ride with loved ones, waiting for the karva-chauth moon to rise. The dinner on beautiful Dal Lake with singing and dancing. Hookah and laughter. The boat, or doonga in local parlance, really rocked. Trekking up the Shankaracharya Hill with its stunning views, culminating in the magic of Srinath’s soulful chanting in the cave where Shankracharya himself meditated. Overindulging on Kashmiri wazwan at the famed Ahdoos restaurant in Srinagar. And watching pashmina shawls being washed in the Jhelum River quite indecorously.
Caption: Shikara ride by moonlight
The gondola ride skirting the treetops to Apharwat Peak. Making snow fairies at 4390 m above sea-level. Anxious about the altitude. Heart stopping horse rides to Khilanmarg by some of the braver hearts. Impromptu antakshari in the ‘ladies special’ bus enroute to the Sufi night at Nedous in Gulmarg. Arun wearing a gorgeous sherwani, swaying as if in a trance accompanied by many of the wives. The Sufi Singer, Shafi Sopory’s, captivating and energetic renditions, particularly his extended version of damadam mast kalandar. A poignant pause in the proceedings as the husband wife duo Bhaskar and Mohua got a birthday to remember for all time.Shopping for rare Kashmiri produce and exquisite handicrafts like kids in a candy store with no concern for airline baggage allowances.
Amir Khusro got it right when he said about Kashmir: Agar firdaus bar roo-e zameen ast, Hameen ast-o hameen ast-o hameen ast (“If there is a paradise on earth, It is this, it is this, it is this”)
Caption: Making snow fairies
Caption:Swaying to the strains of Sufi music in Gulmarg
Caption: The ATV brigade in Gulmarg
