Aug 15th is always a day of activities in XLRI campus. The day began with a flag hoisting in front of the new academic block. This year the address was delivered by Dr. Deepak Kapur. He told " The Political Independence that India attained in 1947 ensured that no longer did such things as ‘a Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi being thrown out of the First Class bogie of a Train’ or ‘a Jamshedji Tata being denied access to a Five Star Hotel’- happen to Indians. "
As you can see we had quite a turn out, seen here listening to Chandrakanth (student's Gen Sec). After the programme was over, true to tradition, EVERYONE was invited to tea and snacks at the enright hall.
The evening was a splash of colour when the cultural events kicked off.
(ABOVE) Jitesh, Prof. ISF Raj's son had a "run away success" dancing to the song "run away".
(ABOVE) A bright rising star that shone that evening, was Mansi, Prof. Madhukar Shukla's daughter who performed several of her own compositions that evening... I do wish I could have uploaded the audio files... I guess you will just have to invite her for a gig to hear her.
While independence day had many traditional patriotic events, the children performed John Lennon "Imagine". Challenging us to imagine a world without boundaries and without "religion or country to die for"!
(ABOVE) There was even an impromptu song by some of the staff, faculty and wives. Prof. A.K. Pani stands behind Prof. Sanjay Patro on the left of the pic. Next is George Francis and in front of him the guy with the beard is perhaps the best known face of XLRI on the internet... Prof. Madhukar Shukla. The man standing behind Prof. Srinivas's wife, Jaya (in purple saree) is NOT Prof. Srinivas, but Prof. ISF Raj! Next to Jaya is Jayashree (in yellow saree), Prof. H.K. Pradhan's wife, behind her you can see Navita trying to hide. Navita, who has been featured on this blog before, is Dr. Sanjay Kumar's Wife. Next to her is Prof. ISF Raj's wife, Uma, keeping a safe distance from him. The lady in the blue saree at the right end (back row) is Prof. Patro's wife, Sasmita..as you can see they like to keep everyone else between them! At the right extreme, in front of Prof. Patro's wife is Prof. Padhi's wife, Preeti.
The Dinner was a nice homely affair with great food. The man behind the spread was a person whose fame goes far beyond XLRI. Affectionately known as "Rama Sir" by everyone in Loyola School, he is the better half (to use a politically correct, updated phrase) of Janaki Ramachandran who is perhaps the next most popular name in XLRI, having first handled MDP responsibilities and now handles the dean's office. Don't forget to check out Janaki's jewellery!
Speaking of jewellery, the evening had plenty of glitter and stardust.. check out this pendant worn by Uma. 
Sadness It is always a sad thing to see friends move away. I guess its selfishness. I am sure Dr. P.K.De will do well wherever he goes. As he moves to Mumbai to be closer to his son, sadness seems rather out of place. Yet Dr. De has shaped XLRI over the years that he has worked here both as my colleague and faculty member and as my boss, as the Dean. The campus club said the official farewells well in advance of his leaving so that we could hide our sadness, to not let him know that even though its a happy moment for him, it is a sad one for us.
Nanda too, will forever be a part of the campus she has given so much to.
All's well that ends well.. well almost..if you do not the cribs from my wife Jessy who is angry because I dont have any pictures of her to put up!! There...at least I mentioned her!
....JAI HIND
