My humble Salutations!
The Somaiya All Alumni Meet (SAAM) organized yesterday with the zealous ambiance, rightfully reverberated the quintessentially vibrant spirit of our campus. As our revered Alums thronged excitedly to the venue, with a glint of youthful ecstasy, it was a nostalgic instantaneous SVV community -connect, that became a common bonding factor.
As we managed with the ‘registration desk’, there were umpteen heart touching warm incidents we encountered. One such moving instance was a group of ‘youthful Somaiyites’ in their late 70s—who jumped flamboyantly as they teared up reminiscing the golden days spent at the campus. Likewise, a group of septuagenarian all-girl gang had decked up to the hilt as they discussed the lost connections, oblivious to the world. Overall, the Alums were in awe & wonder at the progressive pace at which Somaiya Vidvyavihar has developed as a supremely holistic campus, in a mammoth manner.
As the eve unfolded, signature style of eloquence added a fresh vision to the ambience. It offered a new hope, a new vision to be at par & to surpass the globally elite institutions in the near future. On a personal note, as a proud Alum of SVV, I grew up with the very familiar presence of Shri Samir Somaiya revered paternal aunts who used to attend the ‘Divine Geeta’ classes since what we remember typically in the tents that used to be erected in place of what stands today –a state of the art athletic track. The serene & eternally youthful presence of your 3 nonagenarian aunts who continue to bless, guide and add insurmountable life lessons has been an integral driving force in the campus. Today, as I successfully completed the Tata Mumbai Marathon chasing 42 kms, your most moving words in your presidential address yesterday—Thakna Mana Hai; --to eliminate the word ‘exhaustion’, echoed in my mind several times & motivated me to give my best timing.
It is apt to quote Maya Angelou, who once said 'I come as one, but I stand as ten thousand.’ Under your aegis, SVU too epitomizes the cumulative legacy— ‘we are standing here today, holding the baton for our Alums, & predecessors, & our ancestors that came before me. They are with me.’
With deepest gratitude
Vrushali Deole is an alumnus, a Professor of Basic Science & Humanities and Alumni Coordinator of K J Somaiya Institute of Technology.