Belgaum: A heartwarming and emotional “Guru Vandana and Alumni Meet” organised by the 1987–1993 batch of Government Marathi Boys and Girls School No. 19, Alwan Galli, Shahapur, was recently held with great enthusiasm. After nearly 33 years, former classmates reunited to relive their school memories and express gratitude towards their beloved teachers.
The atmosphere turned nostalgic as old friends met after decades and recalled memorable moments from their school days. The event began with a grand floral welcome for the teachers by former students, followed by a welcome song. Tribute was also paid to departed teachers and alumni members.
The programme formally commenced with lamp lighting and Saraswati Poojan at the hands of the teachers. All the teachers present were felicitated with shawls, bouquets, mementoes and gifts. Several teachers became emotional while receiving respect and affection from their former students after many years.
Presiding over the event, Jyoti Jivannavar Teacher highlighted the importance of education in one’s mother tongue. She stated that students educated in Marathi medium develop a stronger connection with their culture and language and often become more grounded and successful in life.
Expressing concern over the increasing preference for English-medium education, she said Marathi schools are witnessing a decline in student strength, which threatens their very existence. “Students educated in Marathi medium share a unique emotional bond with their teachers. Even at the age of fifty, they come together to honour their teachers — this itself is the true strength of education,” she emotionally remarked.
Teachers including Mandakini M. Subhedar, Surekhatai Sadashivrao Kulkarni, Sunita Jinappa Patil (Kadolkar), Mandakini Manohar Desai, Kusum K. Rane, Savita Chandrakant Chandgadkar (Nikam) and Manisha Mahadev Khannukar (Pawar) also shared their memories and guided the students.
During the event, special felicitation was held for students who excelled in this year’s SSLC examinations, including Vedant Vijay Shikhare, Ameer Imran Pathan, Preeti Krishna Shelar, Swayam Rajesh Diwakar and Poonam Manohar Patukale. Grandchildren of teachers — Arya Narasinh Jivannavar, Vedant Vivek Patil and Shreyas Vikas Desai — were also honoured.
Former students Vinayak Gawade, Vrunda Vesane, Chandrashekhar Chavan and Suhas Huddar expressed their gratitude towards their teachers and shared emotional memories from their school life. All alumni introduced themselves to their teachers, making the reunion even more special.
The programme was compered by Vinayak Gawade, while Archana Killedar proposed the vote of thanks. The event concluded with the National Anthem. Along with alumni members, several prominent citizens from the Alwan Galli area attended the reunion in large numbers.
