Chennai:
It was a trip down memory lane for the fifteen hundred former students of the 176-year-old Madras Christian College who gathered for the college's global alumni reunion.
"It was a kind of fellowship. I had a great time teaching. I had a great time producing plays. It was nostalgic. Things change and that's only natural but the college still holds its traditions," Professor Rajani from the English Department said.
"The diversity in MCC constantly pushed us to challenge oneself and others," an alumnus from London said.
Some student, who lived on campus, got to spend the day in their rooms. "The Hall has made me a perfect man. A rural untrimmed person was tuned to good way of living," said 81-year-old Somasundaram from the 1951 batch, as he showed his wife the room he had occupied over half a century ago.
Also in attendance, were several distinguished alumni- the who's who of politics, bureaucracy, industry, entertainment and the media. Prakash Karat, CPM General Secretary; K M Mammen, Chairman of MRF; Leela K Ponnapa, Ambassador; and Vjay Kumar, Senior Security Advisor, Home Ministry were present.
"I would thank MCC for inculcating values in me which I still hold on in life," Mr Karat said. "The moment one says he is an old student of MCC the attitude changes, we talk a lot about old times and things just get done," Mr Mammen said. "I regard this honour as the biggest award I've ever received," actor Prathap Pothen, who inaugurated the meet, said.
Besides reconnecting with their professors and each other, some talented alumni also performed at the function.