And so, with a grateful smile, I slipped back into slumber, letting the tune echo softly in my mind, like a cherished friend whispering stories from a beautiful, bygone time.
Sunday 27 October 2024
A True "Mid-Autumn Night's Dream"
And so, with a grateful smile, I slipped back into slumber, letting the tune echo softly in my mind, like a cherished friend whispering stories from a beautiful, bygone time.
Friday 30 August 2024
Timeless Bonds Reunited: A Shillong Gathering to Remember
Surprise Guest of National Fame Elevates the Reunion!
Sanchita Closeup |
Before diving into the details, let's take a moment to reflect on how this Reunion came to be.
The momentum grew when Pranta Das, based in San Francisco, came to India for a three-
Emily, Pranta, Kausar |
Fast forward to July 2024: On Saturday, July 6, 2024, Michael shared some vibrant photos and video clips from a picnic he attended at Bronte Park, Burlington, near Toronto, Canada. The picnic was a gathering of folks with Shillong connections, many of whom live in the Toronto suburbs. Michael and George Joseph, who flew in from New York and Alabama, respectively, made the trip to join in the fun.
Michael and George |
The photos and videos from this event, shared by Michael,
created a buzz among the Shillong Rotaract WhatsApp group members. The finesse and fun of the picnic left everyone thrilled, with comments and emoticons pouring in like rain. Nostalgia for Shillong days was palpable, and Michael floated the idea of having similar fun in Shillong. He mentioned that he might visit Shillong in the second week of August if others were up for it. The response was swift and enthusiastic, with members giving a thumbs-up. Michael then suggested holding the event on Saturday, August 10, at the heritage venue—The Shillong Club.
In her meticulous way, Wansalan Passah, affectionately known as Wancy, took charge of organising the attendees. She created an Excel sheet listing the names of confirmed past members and shared it in the WhatsApp group, allowing everyone to update their final statuses. Just as everything seemed to be falling into place, the mood was suddenly dampened by unsettling news. A prominent Shillong pressure group allegedly assaulted non-tribal labourers, stirring tensions in the state capital. This incident, along with a US advisory warning its citizens against visiting Shillong and Northeast India, made headlines, painting a grim picture of the region.
Concern spread among the group, with many questioning whether it was wise to proceed with their plans. But Jaideep Majumdar, a senior journalist with a national media outlet, stepped in to calm the waters. He reassured everyone that the advisory was just that—an advisory, not a travel ban. He pointed out that such incidents happen in other cities too, and in fact, many US cities are far more dangerous by comparison. Citing a few news sources, he confidently declared Shillong safe for travel, rekindling the group's enthusiasm. His reassurance was echoed by Dora, Niloufer, Eva, Alarisha, Wancy, and many others, who were determined not to let this setback derail their plans.
Initially, the Excel sheet showed that nearly thirty members had confirmed their attendance for the reunion. But as the date drew closer, a few had to drop out due to work commitments, health issues, or other last-minute hurdles, promising they would definitely make it to the next event. Emily, who had been eagerly anticipating the gathering, was forced to cancel after fracturing her femur just a week before the reunion, requiring a major operation.
The Champs |
And let's not forget Akash Deep Jain, who generously sponsored the evening's "spirits"—Scotch, whiskey, and more—raising everyone's glasses in a toast to the reunion. To set the mood, I created a special 30-minute nonstop audio file titled "ShillongRotaractGrooves," featuring a mix of deep house, trance, and remixes from the '80s to early 2000s, complete with special audio effects that kept the energy high.
Nazina, Imo, Siddiq |
True to its nature, Shillong's weather decided to put on a show, cycling through all four seasons—summer, winter, autumn, and spring—in just 24 hours. Meanwhile, down in Guwahati, a torrential downpour on the 8th of August flooded the city, raising concerns. Members flying in from distant cities, who had safely landed at the airport, were anxious about whether they could brave the flooded roads to make the journey to Shillong. But as if in answer to their prayers, the weather gods relented, clearing the skies just in time for a safe passage along the NH-40 Guwahati-Shillong Road, paving the way for a grand reunion.
On Saturday, August 10th, starting from 5:00 pm, members began streaming into the beautifully arranged hall of The Shillong Club. Anikadora Thankhiew and her husband, Rev.J. S. Muskiar, were among the first to arrive, bringing along a large, beautifully decorated cake with a special message icing, marking the occasion. Meanwhile, George Chacko, driving in from Guwahati, sent a quick WhatsApp update—he was stuck in a traffic jam near Polo Grounds and advised others heading in from Guwahati to avoid that route once they reached Shillong. Rahul Sharma and Ashish Sabhrewal had already made it to the venue, while Kausar messaged that he might be delayed due to heavy traffic on the NH40.
The moment Ms. Senior India 2024 first runner-up, Sanchita, made her entrance, all eyes—and
Ladies Circle |
I have recorded a short video from Instagram on the Ms. Senior Pageant India 2024 and uploaded it to YouTube to provide wider accessibility and appreciation. Please note, the video is not my original content. You can find the link to it towards the end of this blog post.
Star Moment |
After a short break for coffee, tea, and snacks, Rotaracters moved on to a circle discussion where each member introduced themselves, sharing their stories and experiences. This was followed by a lively game of Bingo, which saw everyone brainstorming and competing for a unique prize—a wrinkle remover cream, generously sponsored by George and won by Akash.
Game On |
Sanjay Kshatriya from California expressed his joy, saying, “Damn!! Wonderful reunion. So glad to see everyone in one place. Thanks for the videos and pictures. Time has been really
Bingo Fun |
Standing Together |
The heartfelt messages from attendees captured the essence of the evening. Sanchita Nagaraj
Focussed Discussion |
Eva, Dora Rynjah, Siddiq, Alarisa, Imochaoba, Rajiv, Naz, and George all shared their appreciation for the event, celebrating the connections rekindled and the memories made. Even those who couldn’t attend, like Sapu, shared their regrets and anticipation for next year’s gathering.
Wancy summed it up beautifully, “A big thank you to all of you. Celebrating memories and making new ones last evening was truly special. I’m sincerely grateful to each one of you. Take care, and remember, the future belongs to those who never give up. God bless us all.”
Michael & Yasmeen: A Burlington moment with Shillong's own |
Old Friends, New Stories: Bankit Buron Rani and George Joseph catch up |
Kwai Time: Betel nut, the true taste of Shillong |
Tradition Meets Friendship: George Joseph with a Khasi lady in jainsem |
Reunion Moments: Capturing the heart of our gathering
Grace & Elegance: A glimpse of Ms. Senior India 2024
Roundtable Reflections: Members sharing introductions |
Friendly Exchange: Sanchita with Michael |
Strike a Pose: Sanchita with the Rotaract crew |
A Trio of Bonds: Michael with Rahul and Bikash |
Engaging Moments: Members immersed in a lively bingo game |
Ladies at Play: Brainstorming the Bingo game |
Names & Faces: A group photo with all members named |
Shillong's Songbird: Niloufer in centre with fellow members Eva, Ela, Liza (Left)/ Alarisha, and Wancy (Right)
United in Memories: Group photo with Sanchita at the center |
Candid Catch-Up: Jaideep, Param, Kausar, and Eva with George |
A Regal Moment: Sanchita, Ms. Senior India 2024, with the ladies |
Soaring High: Michael with hot air balloon pilot Imochaoba, capturing the surreal experience of flying over India’s landscape |
Sky-High Moment: Michael captures a selfie while floating on a hot air balloon |
December 6, 2023: A memorable mini gathering in Shillong during Pranta's visit |
Cheers to Friendship: Pranta, Jonathan, Michael, Jaideep, and a few others share a moment of laughter and drinks sometime in 1983 |
Colloquium '86: Jonathan and other members pose on a station wagon jeep at a hillock during a winter picnic at Barapani (Umiam Lake) |
Relaxing and reminiscing: Michael, Eva, and friends at the 3rd Rotaract South Asian Conference, Aurangabad, 1994 |
Mid-90s Group Gathering: A group photo of Rotaract members along with a Rotarian guest, capturing the spirit of the mid-1990s |