BVB Classics of 1984 Batch Celebrate 40th Year of Graduation

Bengaluru: The alma mater of the 1984th batch of BV Bhoomaraddi College of Engineering and Technology (BVBCET) took time to celebrate their 40th year of graduation at a private resort in Goa on 14th and 15th September. It was a well-attended reunion as 72 batchmates came from different places in the country. Sharad Limaye, settled in Australia made it for the first-ever time along with a handful of others also for the maiden time, apart from five guests.

14th September

Bonhomie pervades the entrance! As many batchmates started pouring into the resort it turned out to be bonhomie time. They started greeting one another, exchanging pleasantries and cracking jokes in light humour. As the numbers began to dwindle so did the decibels and it became difficult to grasp what the person next to you was saying unless told in a screaming manner. The skylight at the reception was more than 40 feet high, yet the rumbling appeared to have gone beyond it. However, the hotel staff didn't complain as all of them were their genuine customers. But they couldn't escape strange and perplexed glances from those checking in and checking out. Most of them were found chit-chatting in rustic, typical North Karnataka Kannada, Marathi, Hindi, Konkani and English.

Most of them hale and hearty: By and large most of them were hale and hearty and a very insignificant number were found to be lean. However, there was no dearth in a variety of bellies. Some were amazingly terrifically fit as a fiddle without giving any clue whether they possessed a stomach, while the remaining sported a variety of bellies. They kept varying from a pot belly to a tummy that reminded you of a three-month, six-month; eight-month-old; nine-month-old pregnant woman. A few of them also reminded one of the quote Ever Pregnant Never Delivery (EPND) type as well.

HSM surcharges the ambience: While this sort of activity was on for a while the huge group split into smaller groups of two, three and four-plus, old pals appeared to be enjoying the reminisces in their own way without bothering others. Suddenly the atmosphere looked like being surcharged by the entry of the flamboyant Prakash Shetty with sweeping remarks overcrowded with the typical North Karnataka slang, HSM! Some others were quick to appreciate the welcome gesture and also felt that now the mood was on the right pedestal!

GTG in Goa for a long: The 1984th batch of BVB has been organizing its annual GTG religiously in Goa for a long. According to Rajanikanth Bharamgoudar, President of the Alumni Association, but for once in Hubballi to start with and later in Mahabaleshwar-Maharashtra, Goa has become a favourite destination for these get-togethers. They do a good lot of homework well in advance, thanks to the eight batchmates who have served and settled in Goa. According to Mohan Halakatti, who couldn't make it to the GTG this time, a few of them come to Goa to finalise the venue. With the help of local classmates, they visit several places and decide.

An evening of singing, dancing and enjoying: The evening of the first day, just like the subsequent second and final day was jam-packed with singing, dancing and enjoying drinks. Please don't conclude that all those who had assembled were into the habit of drinking as there were more than 20 people who have never tasted any alcoholic beverage in their lives. Interestingly Rajasekhar Ghanti, a local resident and teetotaller was rightly entrusted with the responsibility of keeping an account of the liquor being drunk by others! Shivanand Ajari and Kanthi from Pune had come with the Bhakarwadi catering to the taste buds of all those who had assembled.

Rajan Anvekar felicitated: Rajan Anvekar, acclaimed as the group's star singer in all its annual GTGs, was felicitated at the main function in the morning.

A queue to sing in Karaoke: The Kolhapur dancers' troupe took some time to get ready for the day's show. But, the enthusiastic and regular singers weren't prepared to wait or waste time on such occasions. One by one they started singing lyrics on the Karaoke music. At times it looked like a queue between all those interested in singing and also justling to sing. The remaining onlookers enjoyed watching, listening and often dancing to the tunes of the music and the steps of the dancers. The Singers were, Rajan Anvekar, Sanjeev Kakati, M N Nadaf, Appasaib Kesthe, Kemparamaiah, Kurtkoti, Sogi etc. Venkat Kanardi played the mouth organ. Rajan Anvekar, acclaimed as the star singer of the group in all its annual GTGs' was felicitated in the main function in the morning.

Grandpas become young boys! The sight was colourful as all the Grandpas who had turned up for the show had also transformed into early 80s boys. Most of them mixed up with the dancers having fun in their own way possible. Some of the front-row occupants who looked like reluctant dancers to start with came out of such a mindset once the dancers started dragging them to dance. Some of those sitting behind didn't evince much interest in joining and they didn't mind enjoying the show the way it went on unfolding.

15th September

Early morning walk on the beach and Yoga: The Palolem Beach was merely 300 metres from the resort. What more luxury can you expect? Many early birds were found enjoying a stroll on the white sand. Palolem Beach happens to be a stretch of white sand known for its calm waters, nightlife and "silent discos" wherein merrymaking partygoers prefer to wear headphones! All along the beach, one can find commercial outlets, and shacks while the coconut and palm trees look like having lost their identity between them.

Yoga session by Sharad Limaye: Sharad Limaye had a session on Yoga and Pranayama on the 15th and 16th.  He had an elaborate class for almost an hour dwelling on the significance of Yoga to be practised regularly at this age and stage of life to avoid unnecessary health-related woes. He demonstrated many Asanas along with some Pranayamas to drive home the point on why they need to be practised by everyone.

Engineers Day celebrated: The 1984th batch of BVB has made it a practice to hold its regular meet on the second Saturday and Sunday of September. 15th of September also happens to be the birth anniversary of visionary Engineer Sir Mokshagundam Visveswaraya which is also observed as Engineers Day. In the beginning Rajanikanth Bharamgoudar, President of the Alumni Association made a obituary mention on the sad demise of some classmates, during the past year. The gathering stood in silence for a minute as a mark of respect to the departed souls.

Agadu Yendu, KailagaduYendu...: Sanjeev Kakti paid glorious tributes to Sir MV by reading out many interesting facets of the legendary Engineer. Mukund Raichur, who couldn't turn up due to his mother's indisposition entertained over a WhatsApp call by singing the popular Kannada song "Agadu Yendu, KailagaduYendu" in the film Bangarada Manushya, adoring the contributions of Sir M Visveswaraya.

Batchmates felicitated on Engineers Day: Dr Prakash Tewari, Sharad Limaye, Kashinath Asooti, Neelareddy and Appasaib Keshte were felicitated on the eve of Engineers Day celebrations. Dr Prakash Tewari has taken over as the new Vice Chancellor of the KLE Technological University Hubballi.

A special feeling: Dr Prakash Tewari, replying to the felicitations felt elated at the kind gesture of his batchmates and friends. He exclaimed that any number of people have feted him on becoming the VC, but being honoured by one's batchmates, classmates and friends is above all of them and a nice feeling to cherish. He was humble, modest and grounded as usual taking a dig at his old pals at the attentive silence being observed during the function. Had the same attitude been evinced during the college days, you would have accomplished much more, he chided.

Yoga courses in Australia: Sharad Limaye did M S IT in Australia after BE Mech from BVB Engineering College. Now he is working as an IT(Software) Engineer and residing in Melbourne. He has developed an interest in yoga obtaining certificate courses. He is conducting yoga sessions in Australia as a passion.

Contesting in Dharwad Lok Sabha Constituency: Vinod Asooti, son of Kashinath Asooti contested in the Dharwad Lok Sabha constituency elections 2024 bagging 6,18, 907 votes against Pralhad Joshi, Union Minister conceding defeat by a margin of 97, 324 votes.

Retired as Principal of Engineering College: Appasaib Keshte recently retired as Principal of MES Wadia College of Engineering, Pune.

From an Engineer to DGM, BEL: Nelareddy is an Electrical Engineer who joined Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), as an Engineer and rose up to the position of Deputy General Manager.

Hoping Golden Jubilee Celebrations: Rajinikanth Bharamgoudar, President of the Alumni Association, tracked the history of the annual get-together meets. He recalled the services of Raju Mahalingshetti, Ravi Hulkoti and Arvind Galagali who were primarily responsible for initially organizing these meets to start with and until 2005. It was only from 2006 onwards the mantle was entrusted to him and since then he has been on the threshold of running the show with active cooperation from all members. He also lamented that more than 20 classmate friends bidding adieu so far and expressed a fond hope of celebrating the golden jubilee celebrations.

Contributions hailed: He also thanked Rajashekhar Ghanti and Mohan Kamble from Goa for coordinating in enabling the success of the two-day event amicably. The services of Shrikant Innanje, Sanjeev Kakti, and Mahantesh Huddegaddi were also lauded for conducting the main function. Rajinikanth Bharamgoudar also expressed his gratitude to Karun Chennaveer Kanavi for having penned a poem describing the footprints of BVB Classics of the 1984 Batch. The poem was also displayed during the function. He also felt grateful to Shashi Kadapa for his promos and classics 84 messages.

Crime report: M N Nadaf's "Crime Report" enthralled the listeners sending them to peals of laughter every now and then throughout the rendering of the report. He also taunted the heads of friends turning semi, half and full-bald and being puzzled about where to start and stop washing their faces!

Russian Dancers extravaganza: The Russian dancers' program was the highlight of the evening and the audience playing, and dancing around added entertainment to the onlookers. It appeared from the facial looks that most of them who got an opportunity to dance to the tunes of the Russian dancers felt that things would have been altogether different, had they met them a few decades earlier!

-Manohar Yadavatti

Inputs and Photos Courtesy: Rajinikanth Bharamgoudar, President of the Alumni Association

From the President's Desk: BVB Classics of 84, also called C84, Alumni of the Batch of 1984 graduates of the BVB College of Engineering, Hubli. 

This batch is unique since the members are in close touch, and interact regularly even after 40 years past their graduation. 

Across the globe: Spread across Indian cities, the US, Australia, Canada, the Middle East, and South America, the group has about 300 members. C84 group also has 20 ladies, who have served in different fields in India and abroad. The group recently celebrated the 40th anniversary of their graduation.

The current president of the group is Rajanikanth Bharmgoudar, a civil contractor, an agriculturist by practice, and a social worker by passion. He is also a member and Vice President of the BVB Alumni Association, KLE Tech University, Hubli. 

Philanthropic activities: The group members arrange social outreach programs, help the underserved communities, and take up philanthropic activities. Perhaps the most outstanding program is the Annual Alumni Meet, held at Goa Resorts. 

Members from all over the world come together for two days of bonding, remembering their roots, and exchanging life stories. The group has conducted three family meets in Dandeli and Hubli.

Engineering, Education, Government Service, ISRO, and Literature: C84 has several members who have excelled in different areas such as engineering, education, government service, ISRO, and literature. 

VCs', Chief Engineers...:   Dr Prakash Tewri serves as the VC of KLE Technological University, Hubli. Vilas Karjinni worked as the VC for a Private University, Mysore. Five members served as Chief Engineers in Karnataka and Goa government offices. P.H. Chinni worked as the Secretary of the Karnataka Government and served as the MD for Krishna Bhagya Jalan Nigam. Rajashelhar Ghanti and Yargatti served as the Chief Engineers with the Goa Government. 

20 members served as Executive Engineers: Kemparamaiah served as the Engineering in Chief of the Bangalore Urban Water Supply and Drainage Board.  Nithyanad Kumar was the Chief of the Bangalore Urban Water Supply and Drainage Board. Arvind Galagali was the Chairman of the technical committee of major irrigation projects with the Govt of Karnataka. About 20 members served as Executive Engineers in the governments of Karnataka, Goa, and Maharashtra.

Principals of Engineering Colleges: Appasaib Keste, Nadgouda, and Benni have served as the Principals of Engineering Colleges. About a dozen of the members worked as Professors in Engineering Colleges. 

Project Managers in ISRO, RJ Builders owner: K.H. Navalgund and Mrs. Pramoda Hegde have worked as Project Managers with ISRO. Rathnakar Shetty, owner of R.J. Builders has completed many prestigious projects. Shashi Kadapa is an award-winning international author and manages a website of literature.

Funds contributed to families of deceased members: Many members have risen to senior levels such as CEO, DGM, AGM, and others. The batch has contributed to the Nurture Merit Programme of the BVB Alumni Association. Funds were contributed to families of our deceased members, to help the children in their education.