BMHS 1976 Batch mates rejoice like in-laws’ of Edwin D'Souza

Come February, many classmates of the BMHS 1976 batch keep waiting eagerly for the annual reunion get-together. Even this year, it was no different and just like every year, in spite of the date being announced well in advance only 14 could make it. But, that was no excuse for all those who assembled to rejoice to the fullest extent possible.

The farm becomes party venue: This year around Edwin D’Souza’s sprawling farm on Goa road was the venue to avoid repeated pressure on Sanjeev’s Tech Farm and to heed to a voluntary offer of Edwin in organizing the same. Thanks to the team of Edwin, Jagadish, Gajanan, Ravi and Narayan interacting from Bengaluru, the event was memorable in multiple ways. The organizing team ensured that there was no shortage of anything, in whatever way you looked at it.

Road closed for Railway track repair: We were told by Gajanan to come up to Kelageri and proceed on the same road and take a left before a private resort. Nagesh picked me up on his scooter and by the time we reached Kelageri, found a board indicating diversion due to repair works on the Railways. Although Edwin and Ravi had returned from the farm only the previous evening, they were not aware of the fact that the main road will be closed for the whole day, the next day. We had no other choice other than taking a mud road parallel to the railway track and doing a merry-go-round after crossing the same. It was the same story with Sunil Nadkarni, who came all the way from Ankaleshwar of Bharuch district in Gujarat.

A pandal in the woods: Nagesh and myself were not sure, whether we were on the right path as we went on going and got confused all along until we noticed a pandal in a farm before forest cover. It turned out that we were the first ones to reach even before the hosts could make it! Basu, Edwin’s support staff made us comfortable by offering water and things like that. Meanwhile, Sunil joined us in the same zigzag way.

Pals treated like in-laws’: Soon after, Edwin reached with Narayan, Ashok and Gajanan. As they came in a car taking a longer route some of them felt it was a tiring journey and thought of chilling in between. So, their party began en route. Sanjeev picked up Dinesh, who came from Goa while Srikanth and Hanumanth from Belagavi, came together, and so came Ravi and Jagadish. Ananth came alone.

Dinesh taunted with Urrak party: Perhaps Dinesh was in his best of moods but not left to be annoyed by Gajanan over the Urrak party in Goa. Dinesh tried to reason by explaining that it can be had only in April, but Gajanan was not prepared to yield until Dinesh agreed. Dinesh recollected an incident during school days when Jagadish while playing with friends suddenly turned unconscious. All got scared not knowing what to do. In the meantime, someone conveyed the information to Jagadish’s father, who rushed on his bicycle. Jagadish was immediately rushed to the civil hospital, wherein he remained unconscious until the next day. Dinesh exclaimed that he still remembered not only the incident but even the way Jagadish was looking on that day.

Drink Fenny and get caught in the toilet: Dinesh, recalled his experiences of drinking Fenny and being caught red-handed by the family members, thanks to the stinking smell of the toilet. He felt it is not just the sweat, clothes or body which turns foul but even gallons of water isn’t enough to get rid of the bad odour engulfing the washrooms. Dinesh tried his best to reveal what he underwent by having the Cashew drink, but Gajanan was not interested in listening but for being persistent in cajoling him to host a Urrak party in Goa.

Anant agrees to host a party: Edwin, as Gajanan keeps taunting is like a typical (Church) Father in his behaviour, thoughts and speech. However, for a change, it looked like he was keen on ensuring an assurance of party from Anant. Sanjeev was not perturbed when he was nagged for Anant being his co-brother. He suddenly became serious and diplomatic at the same time and quizzed-“Yes, I do agree that Anant is my co-brother”. When everyone else tried to beat behind the bush for a party from Anant, Edwin became vocal enough and saw to it that Anant himself declared of hosting a party.

Edwin’s farm evolves into a party destination: Edwin recalled the number of parties; he has been having these days on his farm. He disclosed how a get-together of Forest officers became a turning point in the farm becoming a sought-after destination for subsequent parties later. About 35 officers had turned up for one of these parties. You can imagine the efforts of Edwin in organizing the same. Even our get-together was organized so meticulously that there was no dearth of anything to ask for. Perhaps, Edwin has transformed himself into a systematic, professional host in due course.

Sunil offers to host in Ankleshwar: Kevadia, the venue of the statue of unity being two and a half hours drive from Ankleshwar, Sunil offered to host the next reunion in Ankleshwar. Although many of them appeared curious about the proposal, no date was fixed or thought of. Since it was for the first time that Sunil made it to the senior batch get-together, there were some interesting moments. Gajanan was wondering whether Sunil knew Konkani while Edwin confided, if one were to peep into his DNA, then it would be of a GSB!

Hosts foot the bill: Edwin, Jagadish, and Ravi apart from being the key people behind the successful event also exhibited the largesse of even footing the overall expenditure on their own. As usual, Narayan brought two bottles, and Ashok and Dinesh brought one with them. It looked, like Jhaffer the catering vendor was Jagadish’s connect. Usually, chefs’ are not known for relishing their own recipes, but it was not the case with Jhaffer. He was found enjoying spicy food, mainly non-vegetarian stuff.

Flashback of good old memories: As usual Sanjeev’s misadventures with Pai Mastara, Srikanth missing the Cricket selection, Hanumanth’s tryst with Shot-put, Narayan getting Edwin readmitted to BMHS, Gajanan’s nostalgic episodes with the fairer sex and any number of such instances did a replay in this get-together as well.

-Manohar Yadavatti