Reflections on days art Toli Chowki Early 50s

Chicago Nrupatunga 66ers Meet

Chicago Nrupatunga 66ers Meet

A wonderful event happened between 22nd to 24th of May 2015, that was the CHICAGO NRUPATUNGA 66ers meet. This was our 49th year after schooling. Unexpectedly I participated in the same, due to single minded persuasion by NARASIMHA MURTHY and whole hearted invitation by NAND KUMAR as host, backed by Padmini and instant booking by Sriram. The agenda was well prepared by Murthy after due mail exchanges among the 9 of us who met, including 7 NRIs and two from India.

GURU RAJ REDDY (London) Spinal cord surgeon

HANUMATH RAO (New Jersey)  Doctor-pathologist 

KAMALAKAR RAMBHATLA (El Monte, California) Doctor - Pulmonologist 

NAND KUMAR (Chicago) CEO UCA group of companies 

NARASIMHA MURTHY  (Louisiana) Professor

VIJAYALAKSHMI MELKOTE (Indiana) Doctor

VITTAL SRIMUSHNAM (California) CEO Zoniac

RAVI LAJMI (Bangalore) Retd CEO Switz Group

DWARAKNATH (Hyderabad) Professor Retd.

The  NRIs, themselves met for the first time except two of them. I met Vijayalaksmi Melkote after 49 years, who was accompanied with her husband. Special guest was our drill teacher Augustine who migrated in 1974. I had met others at some point of time after 2012 at Hyderabad. Besides this 5 spouses attended.

Nandu hosted the three day event which included, receiving each from airport, lodging us at either his or Amar's house. NAND, Amar, Darshan (Nandu's son) were involved receiving and dropping 15 participants inclusive of spouses. Augustine, our physical education teacher and spouse Savitri, resident of Chicago, spent over 10 hours and he was treated as guest of honour. I was the only one whom he recognised after a gap of 49 years, besides host Nand.

The introduction program about themselves, what each had traversed in 49 years, their school days, how the came up to the present, took almost over 10 hours with a lunch and tea break. Most of them were more philosophical and spiritual in approach. The best part is a down to earth approach and interacting with the same warmth as in the class in 1966. Achievements, positions, status were far away from every ones mind. The host being CEO of a group of companies was involved from washing to cooking to hosting everyone without an iota of disparity. The Ram, Lakshmana & Sita analogy was invariably focused by many referring to host family, of course including Mrs. Prema Amar, and Nand's son. 

Murthy had chalked out a good entertainment program by way of songs, jokes etc. duets in kannada by sixtysixer couples, solo songs of Mukesh, Kishor, Rafi, Shainder were heard." Doni sagali" duet was the best.

We had 3 to 4 hr discussion over school affairs, functioning of trust. Lot of diverse views were accompanied  with in-depth discussion, difference also prevailed. NAAH activity was critically discussed. Consensus was to do something to School and keep the spirit of our mentor. 

The surprise gift was a postal greetings by Madam Sonu with a covering letter addressed jointly mentioning each of us at the Chicago meet. This was followed by a telephonic conversation in turns, with all of us, at 6.30 pm US time on 23rd. It was almost a class for most of us, picking us up for lack of proper responses.  Coming  to self she complemented for then and now collage which she said has kept as photo, questioned me of my presence having expressed inability. She put her mettle on all of us in a way. Hats off to our 81 year old Math teacher.

Murthy came well prepared with tea shirts embossed with emblem of the meet, names 9 couples for all of us. The last item was to discuss our 50th year, fixing of date, coming with logo, with venue at Hyderabad etc. in 2016. We expect for a good beginning. Our data base now includes 37 with 20, 9 and 8 at Hyderabad, Karnataka and NRIs respectively, hope to search for more and we get the needed the cooperation from all. All of us being 65+ we can't expect them to respond with the same spirit. Biological, mental and chronological ageing do not always tally.