Reunion at Hyderabad

Dufferin 1961-1963

February 2020

At our last reunion in Goa in 2019, it was decided to hold the 2020 get-together in Hyderabad.

Nand and Shashi did another marvelous job in arranging this. Right from choosing a place to stay to the busy agenda for 4 days the meeting was a resounding success in every aspect of the stay.

The attendees are enumerated below: –

  1. Shashi Shantagiri and Shaila
  2. Nand Hirandani
  3. Amar Raj Singh Nain and Brinda
  4. Parmindar Aulakh And Gogi
  5. Somesh Batra and Uma
  6. Paul Gonsalves and Cathy
  7. Carl Alexander and Shantha
  8. John Paisley and Audrey
  9. Suresh Kanwar and Shalini
  10. Ramu Ramachandran and Usha
  11. Harash Channa and Purnima
  12. Udyan Gokhale and Shabnam
  13. Satish Sud
  14. Soman Mani
  15. Sam Billimoria
  16. And last of all but not least our honorary batchmate Sanat Bhate and Shama
  17. Subhash Bhate cancelled out at the last minute due to family reasons.

The location of accommodation was the Secundrabad Club, a private institution about an hour drive from the Airport.

20th February 2020

Arrival at the Airport at Hyderabad of the alumni; at different times during the day. For those who arrived before 1400 there was beer and lunch arranged at the club itself. Shantagiri had prepared a temporary agenda and copies of this were given to those present. Registering was a seamless affair, and everyone installed comfortably on arrival. The accommodation was spacious and air-conditioned and despite a little bit of adjustment in some specific rooms everyone was relatively happy with the set-up.

The dining area was situated about 75 meters from the rooms and after lunch everyone retired to their rooms to prepare for the evening. A few of the ladies went shopping for pearls, for which Hyderabad is famous for.

Fall-in was at 1900 in a private dining room reserved for us. There was much rejoicing on meeting everyone and lots of banter as each one updated his/her life story. Missing on the first day was Nand who was delayed for a day due to other commitments.

Soman Mani, our “man of the match” presented Satish Sud with an award as the “Poet Laureate” and a scarf to honour him. Satish in response gave his token of thanks.

One major change in the agenda this year was the decision to leave the sight seeing options open to the participants. Taxis were arranged for a nominal 6-hour period and individuals could decide their itinerary for the day. This worked out well because it catered to personal tastes.

21st February 2020

This was the first official day of our reunion. Breakfast for all days was arranged at the “Stables”, a nice area behind the apartments. Standard staple was a buffet of Idli, Vada, Sambhar, and a western breakfast if one wanted one. Fruit, tea, coffee and milk was all on the menu.

At around 1000 the adventurous amongst gathered near the taxis and ventured out into the city. 2 taxis went to Ikea. One taxi to Charminar and one to Falaknuma Palace. The last group was disappointed because when they reached there, they were told that they could enter only if they had lunch at the Taj Hotel, which controls the premises. This would have cost Rs.6500. In any case lunch had been arranged at the Secundrabad Sailing club. So that group went off to buy pearls where the ladies had a ball.

Between 1300 and 1400 everyone congregated there and started off with beer and soft drinks.  As usual there was plenty of banter and a buffet lunch was provided. It must be said here that the food was very good and plentiful at this club and everyone enjoyed themselves. Mutton and Chicken Biryani were the hot favorites.

Back to our apartments to rest up for the evening. The fitness freaks used the time between 1700 to 1800 for their constitutional walk. At 1900 everyone met at the Club dining room (which had been reserved for us).

The first item on the agenda was to honour our batchmates who have “Gone Before Us”. Nand gave a short speech and there was a period of silence. One by one their names were announced, and candles lit in remembrance.

The names of our batch who have passed are listed below.

  1. H ABHYAKAR
  2. P.ADVANI
  3. A.ASADULLA
  4. S.BASU
  5. M.CHAKRAVARTHY
  6. K.GHOSH
  7. S.GILL
  8. D.JAMNERKAR
  9. K.KURIAKOSE
  10. MALLIK
  11. K MEHTA
  12. W.PERIERA
  13. E.PERIERA
  14. PINTO
  15. K.PREMKUMAR
  16. SIKKA
  17. S.THIND
  18. N.PERIERA
  19. R.KUMARASINGHE
  20. B.GODFREY
  21. DATTA
  22. S.SANDHU
  23. P.MOKASHI
  24. K SENGUPTA
  25. GANJU

MAY THEY REST IN PEACE.

After a moment of reflection on our own mortality the group started partying.

The drinks had to be purchased locally from the club, but this did not deter us from drinking fine alcohol. There was the usual singing and camaraderie during the evening. Soman Mani regaled us with his memories of his first day on the Dufferin and thereafter his “patriotic” fall overboard into Bombay Harbour. Then he went off on a tangent about the joys of wearing his underwear. He had us in splits with his episode in the Dufferin Hospital with Dr. Wilkinson and Cadet Vaz. His account of sleeping at attention was hilarious. Of course, everyone joined with their own experiences. It was great fun and I think that Soman missed his true calling as a stand-up comedian. Especially being a teetotaler himself. Satish Sud and Amar Raj Nain competed for the best singer prize. None was awarded though. Sam Billimoria impressed all with his uncanny memory. He can recall each batchmate Dufferin number from the name thrown at him.

Dinner was served around 2100 and as usual was excellent. Around 2200 people started drifting off to their rooms to prepare for the next day.

22nd February 2020

Breakfast as usual and then the one and only joint outing of our stay. We went to see the Salar Jung Museum. This contains some exquisite sculptures and paintings. It also depicts the history of Hyderabad with old weaponry and coins. There is a room full of walking sticks and another of old historic coins. The sculpture of note is the marble depiction of the “Veiled Rebecca”.

At 1300 everybody gathered at the “Paradise Hotel”. There we had a sumptuous feast with a variety of snacks followed by Mutton and Chicken Biryani. A place worth visiting. No Alcohol though (which was just as well, considering our old livers). Tired, everyone returned to their rooms to rest.

In the evening we got together at the local club for the evening dinner. Nothing exciting to report.  I think everyone was tired and wanted to have an early night. Did not prevent some hard cases like A.S.Nain, John Paisley, Sud and Self from extending the evening till closing time.

23rd February 2020

Final day! Twelve of us decided to go visit the Golconda Fort. Early start at 0900. Another car went to Ikea. We reached the Fort at 1000 and took a guide to walk through the premises. The fort was worth seeing and it was made more interesting with the remarks of the guide. For example, “This is the king’s room—K-I-N-G” He was spelling out the word in every second sentence. “Look at the lotus design-L-O-T-U-S”. it was funny. All of us enjoyed it and kudos to all the Senior Citizens who climbed the 400 steps to the top. Coming down was slightly more telling on the knees. We walked close to 4 km that morning.

After the Visit we all moved to the Sailing Club for beer and lunch. Some visited the Sweet Specialty shop to buy sweets to take to their hometowns.

The final evening was great fun. A crooner had been arranged along with his karaoke laptop and big speakers. He was good and very accommodating. Also present was a photographer who first took pictures of each couple and then of the single batchmates. Lastly of the group of ex-cadets and then of their wives and then of the whole group together.

After a little wetting of the throat we had our own special singers. Amar raj rocked with “Be Bop A Lula” ; John was in his element with Nat King Cole; Speedy sang an amazing “ I did it my way”; Harash with his signature “Gori Gori Oh Ban ki Chori”. I do not recall what Satish sang but it was surely an enthusiastic rendition along with graceful dance moves.

In between the dancers came on the floor and danced without many inhibitions. First prize to Shabnum who I always enjoy dancing with. Prize for the most reluctant dancer to Suresh Kanwar. Prize for the wall flower to Sanat Bhate who refused to pick up Shama (who by the way is classical Kathak Guru, famous in India). But congratulations to him to have driven up with Shama for the reunion with us, after a long break.

An award given to Cathy for her great friendship with the local taxi drivers and her art of conversation. Audrey was looking much fitter and that was a pleasure to see. Shalini and Gogi were a couple (just joking). Brinda danced gracefully with a rather happy spouse. Somesh (our resident ambassador) and Uma were graceful on the floor and so were Carl and Shanta, and Shashi and Shaila. Harash was busy dancing away with Purnima trying hard to keep up. Udyan came on the floor for a short while. Full marks to Usha for the care she takes of Ramu, who seemed to be in a better shape than the last time. We missed Sam (a renowned ballroom dancer) because he had left that morning to return home.

How can one forget our special Soman? He sang “Hey Jude” without the music (from his little pocketbook) and then made everyone sing the chorus exactly 10 times as the song ended. Great fun.

Even though the evening was supposed to finish at 2200 we continued until nearly 2330. Thanks to the co operation of the staff at the club and the patience of the taxi drivers.

24th February 2020

Like they say, all good things must come to an end. After an early breakfast “goodbyes” were said all around. We have not yet decided on the next reunion and all batchmates are requested for their input. Contact Shashi or Nand.

Photographs taken by the official photographer will be posted on the Website shortly. In the meantime, pictures and videos taken by individuals should be forwarded to Shashi so he may include this on our site. If possible, a short caption should be written.

click here to view photos in the gallery