Rock band North East Breeze performs during Nostalgia-13 on Saturday night

Jan. 20: The Don Bosco School playground at Panbazar witnessed an emotional gathering last night, as scores of former Bosconians caught up with old friends and memories at Nostalgia-13.

The ambience at the alma mater was just right as former alumni embraced each other with moist eyes and danced gaily on stage.

The reunion, which is in its seventh edition, was organised first in 1999, with the last one held in 2009.

The evening started with the singing of the school anthem — Ami surjya mukhi prabhator— followed by lighting of the ceremonial lamp by dignitaries including V.M. Thomas, chairman of the Guwahati chapter of Don Bosco Society, Joseph Thelekkatt, former principal, Antony Thekkel, present rector and principal, Justices Arup Goswami and Ujjal Bhuyan, both former alumni and currently serving as judges of Gauhati High Court, Rajnish Kumar, SBI chief general manager and Pradyut Kr Bhuyan, president of the Guwahati unit of Don Bosco Alumni.

Members of team Nostalgia later felicitated the dignitaries with phoolam gamochas. This was followed by the felicitation of a few retired teachers in recognition of their decades of dedicated service.

The felicitation ceremony was followed by the release of the Nostalgia souvenir by chief guest Thomas, Bhuyan and souvenir editor-in-chief Saikh Md Sabah Al-Ahmed, an alumnus of the 1991 batch.

A children’s fashion show organised by Zest Events, a city-based event management group, where tiny tots walked the ramp and another show choreographed by Sandeep Cherian and Northeast designer Dhiraj Deka grabbed eyeballs. The second show was organised jointly by Zest Events and the International Institute of Fashion Technology (IIFT).

A foot-tapping Bihu performance by Ranjit Gogoi and his troupe, who had performed at the opening ceremony of the London Olympics, also entertained the alumni, followed by Murchana Barkakati, who regaled the audience with her melodious voice. A performance by the band North East Breeze was also much appreciated by the Bosconian crowd.

“Bosconians, both young and old, matched steps to the tunes of the rock band, along with former principal, who at almost 70 years was shaking legs with his former pupils, epitomising the Bosconian camaraderie,” an alumnus said.

In between, there were speeches by Thomas, Bhuyan, event convener and co-convener, Thekkel and the immediate past principal. In his speech, Thomas lauded the efforts of the alumni in bringing together all the former Bosconians. “This is the unique bond that characterises the Bosconian bonhomie. As former pupils of this great institution, we need to contribute meaningfully to society,” Bhuyan said.

“To meet old friends after decades, that too at the same verandah and even catching up with one or two of your old teachers, is truly nostalgic,” said principal Thekkel. He praised the alumni team for organising various meets from time to time.

The show ended with a lucky draw where the first and second prize-winners bagged a free return ticket to Bangkok and a washing machine respectively. The show was anchored by former Bosconian Swapnil Bharali.