My batchmates

Some of my Batch mates ….as I saw them .

Thirty years ago,…’Jab we Met’..most of us were strangers. On our first day of the college we were marched into a bare looking dissection hall filled with pungent smell of formalin. Those of us who were familiar to each other tried to huddle together to get some comfort in this somewhat alien atmosphere –because you don’t get ‘Dead bodies’ as your table mates daily –however this was to be a routine affair here in after and those who lived on this earth not so long ago were to become our buddies for another year and a half. As we learned later, they were there to reveal the secrets about the beauty, which lay underneath the skin.

As we trudged along our path to shape our future, we made new friends. Harkanwal, Jaspreet, Rupinder, and Ajay Bagga were known earlier being fellow city and college mates. Kamaljit Rana, Parveen, Vipan, Jasbir, Malkiat, Manjit came together in hostel, Joshi came later. Each one of classmate was a gem in his/her own right. I don’t remember all – age has dimmed my memory to some extent. . Kamaljit Rana –a very dear and close friend –was a picture of indecisiveness; never able to take a decision, and never letting others know about what went on in his mind, because he himself never knew. He is still the same … letting others decide for him, nevertheless, a lovable guy, he loved to play guitar –however in room only- and had few romantic flings too! Vipan Goal…. a great friend to have. Intelligent, studious, practical, competitive, and of course a great athlete, having a no- nonsense approach to life, loved challenges and had the guts to fulfil those –and believe me, he too had a romantic heart. Kirti will vouch for it.!… Samir Rai. His presence was all pervading..like ‘samir’ –the light breeze. A great mate – intelligent , well read- his room was well stocked with books (how many he really read and how many were to impress only I don’t know). Mostly a smile played across his face-at times mischievous one- but when angry his maroon face looked rather interesting , though a very rare occurrence – at least I don’t recall many .Samir in spite of his girth played tennis perfectly well and his mighty presence on court was enough to force opponent into submission-he threw his full weight(literally) behind every shot and oh boy ! how the ball rocketed past the net .About his classroom comments –the girls will know better because those were ‘well directed ’and mostly out of our earshot!

Gurmohan Sandhu – lovingly called ‘Goma,’tall and lanky and on the sports day he jumped higher and higher, defying gravity -and a new hero in high jumping was discovered. A shy and conservative person, took on the challenge of organising the re- union this time and I am sure will jump to a new high in hospitality. Another great athlete –Sudeep Singh, a tough man – superb sportsperson –the ‘wall’ of our cricket team, very competitive, great fighter and above all a great person. Damodar Chaterjee- simple and humble ,the marvellous percussionist from Tripura, , those unforgettable beats still reverbate somewhere deep in my heart-how his fingers danced on the Tabla creating a spell bounding synchronisation with the rhythm of life - a really mesmerising music…I hope he still plays Tabla..Kiranjot Sodhi- the flutist –and great soothing singer. Then there was our diminutive fellow –BS Duggal- the master of the wit- had a great sense of raw and earthy humour , always ready with sharp ,crispy ,spicy and hot… ..I mean HOT.. jabs. Great friend , I miss him .This brings me to another of great mates – Harkanwal –popularly called ‘Chinna’ and “………’’ now whatever that meant .. ( I hope he will excuse me for this!) He was as energetic, witty and naughty, as he is today, a likeable prankster with great sense of humour and ever ready with suggestions and help.. and he played guitar too ! in early years , but later he stopped it – I don’t know why? this non ageing wonder from Hoshiarpur was and is a great source of moral support along with Jaspreet Dhami -the Jat from Hoshiarpur –a careless, and easy going fellow , with devil may care attitude, another one who refuses to age .

Jasbir Jaswal – nick named ‘Boss’-- unfortunately had to fight a serious battle with a dreaded disease and underwent major surgery- due to which he fell behind us by one prof. – son of Army Major ,he was perfect to the ‘T’ in manners and etiquette. Bali, -again diminutive fellow but very intelligent , and great friend , Ravi Dutt – called ‘master ji’ as he taught many ,was exceptional in studies ,defied all the odds ,a fitness freak , very determined and came up in life the hard way –now a very successful paediatrician in Amritsar. Another Ravi -yes- Mahajan , introvert, sensitive ,hard worker and great human being. Rakesh Handa- well built , and stocky man-nick named ‘Doderlein bacilli… why so . ..Is another story? will tell some other time. Alok Joshi – joined us in 2^nd year - a dear pal - perhaps the first among our group to have an affair –a long lasting one and it is still going on stronger than ever …he married his sweet heart –Smriti. , I am happy that we contributed a bit in maturing the relationship. Parveen Dhingra – lovingly called ‘Doctor Sahib’ – simple and humble, a down to earth personality, very, very hard worker – a great source of inspiration –sometime used to get very formal – a great actor too – his acting prowess surprised many and he won a prize for that! A very fine human being – I love him . Anupam Sachdeva- a multi faceted personality, a key man in many scheme of things –the fund raiser for the most non academic events, endowed with brilliant mind, an asset for any batch and a go-getter –a party man –and the pivot of the forthcoming re union. Atul Arora- my doubles badminton partner –however we never progressed beyond first round – a unique personality, with springy gait, honest, with clear conscious, and butt of the many jokes but a great sport and a lovable guy. Ajay Gupta- dashing, handsome- a perfect bollywood material, I am surprised that he chose politics while another Ajay. Ajay Bagga, son of Hoshiarpur MLA –OP Bagga – did have great fascination for politics and is still very active socially& politically. Kamal Kishore- true Ambarsaria.. hailed from the walled city a great friend .Sukesh Bhatia – the topper , hard worker ,intelligent and a role model for those aspiring to reach the very top.

One very special person –who was always in hurry- living dangerously-wanted to finish off things as quickly as possible and sadly I never knew that he will finish off his worldly journey too so quickly –yes ,I am talking of Preeti … the man who left us at such a young age .Whenever he met me a his face supported a broad grin – my prayers go out for him May God grant solace to his soul. This reminds of Avneesh , Rakesh Khanna and Manjit who also left us in prime of their youth – all very simple and humble guys- May God rest their souls in peace.

Then there was the other side of the fence –the world of glamour, a great divide existed between them and us. Few amongst us had the privilege to move across freely ,others like me were subject to selective osmosis –may be with rural back ground and being from conservative families we ourselves were a little hesitant and by the time things started falling into place –it was time to disperse. Anyway I do have some memories –albeit, dim ones ,so ladies ,oops!! Girls , excuse me if I am not so precise or even absolutely wrong. First to my mind comes –Kulveen , graceful, charming, carried an aura around her, and of course the nightingale of the class –she sang haunting melodies which still haunt many and Roohi- simple looking, thinly built, a slightly swaying gait, yet elegant, and mostly confined to herself, seemed studious type, and a type of a person who preferred to go along with the group. Stark contrast- Bharti, -a livewire of the class vivacious, bubbly, chirpy, full of energy and to the fore front always-a leader in her own right. While ,Deepti Chaddha – grace personified ,having beautiful ocean like eyes which seemed to be looking into distance ,perhaps searching something ,her sharp featured face , at times with slightly parted lips ,was an enigma in itself. –Overall simply beautiful. My city and pre medical college mate –Rupinder with her stern and headmistress like looks commanded respect, but down to earth personality with warm and compassionate heart and liked to enjoy life. Sadhna- sensous, sweet, and……., –the ultimate beauty who had many in trance. Evoked many aahs!! And oohs!! when passed by - a real head turner.

Anuradha, the dusky beauty, all-attentive in class, her head nodding briskly when in conversation , simple yet beautiful. I am sorry ,memory fails me about Navjot ..in spite of persistent scratching of my rapidly balding head ,I can’t place her.. My sincere apologies to her. I wonder how she managed to slip out of my fading memories, must be a slippery customer! Kusum. Energetic, dynamic. had special interest in epidemiological study of ..’malaria’ …and its vector!!! Sita Sharma graceful, had a next-door girl image with studious looks, further enhanced by the big sqaurish glasses she wore. Anupama and Virinder – important to mention them both together as perhaps they are the only one amongst us who finally made it--- ‘ to the perfect union’… many others remained like the banks of a river coming close at times. but never meeting ..dreams shattered ..hearts aching ,egos bruised…or there were none, may be I am just imagining.

That was the type of my batch- a curious mix of multitude of personalities in all sizes and shapes-intelligent, mischievious, romantic fools, beautiful and handsome. It was a complete batch – with celebrities, commoners, and the in between ones. My heart swells with pride, when I find that I was a member of this great batch—Batch 78-82 GMC Amritsar.

Enough! Folks I think I have bored you to the hilt with my musings, list is not complete though. Again I will say these are my perceptions, written with malice towards none, please take these sportingly.