Raj Dutta

BRILLIANCE OF KIRAN

Friends are the siblings God never gave us. Friendship is the golden thread that ties the heart of all the world.

I believe every human Life is an epic awaiting to be unfold. One such Life story is that of Dr Kiran Pandya, Provost Vice-Chancellor of Sarvajanik University of Surat, not only managing the 8 affiliated colleges, but guiding and mentoring their Professors and Students.

Kiran was an unassuming student, like most of us, pursuing his BA(Eco) from MSU in mid 70s, where both of us were Hostel mates of the Military Boys Hostel. The hostel was a solitary building on the Chhani outskirts of Baroda. It comprised of two dormitories on the first floor and housed about 30 bubbly unruly fauji brats studying in the various Faculties of Maharaja Sayajirao University (MSU). The Office and Dining hall was at the ground floor. The Hostel Warden, was retired Subedar Nair, employed by Zila Sainik Board.

All inmates have charted their life’s courses with flair. AVM Mohan Menon has settled down in Bangalore after an eventful career in IAF. Satish Sharma, Vinod Gangotra and Paramjit Multani worked as HR Heads in various Govt organisations after their MSW. Kailash Dhondiyal joined ONGC after a degree in Geology and retired as the Regional Director. Narinder Chawla started his career in Crompton and is an established business Tycoon. Suresh Gangotra became a Scientist and joined BARC. Ravi Asari joined the Indian Forest Service and retired as Conservator of Forests. Dhruv Mistri is a World renowned Artist and Sculptor after his stint as Dean of Fine Arts, MSU. Vinod Kharsikar joined the IAF and we both were in IAF Dundigul for our flying training after our graduation. Shashankan Pillay, who could make any face smile, found a career in Event Management. My good friend Harjit Singh Notay joined Army as an EME Officer (SSC).

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I was elated as a Lark on 13 Dec, When I got an invite from my long lost friend Kiran Pandya, to come and interact with a troop of NCC Cadets (6 Girls Bn) of his Sarvajanik Univ of Surat. 20 Dec was mutually agreed and finalised. Meena and I planned to drive down from Borivali in our new XL-6. I requested Cdr Vijay Vadhera, President NFMC for the NFMC memento and Cdr Ashok Shinde’s book to be presented to the Vice Chancellor, which the former willingly consented.

On the D Day, we wheeled out of Borivali home on the hour at 9 and soon hit NH-48. The drive till Palghar was uneventful and smooth. Beyond Vapi we hit a road jam, due to renewal of highway sections. Despite diversions, the snails pace affected 10 Kms in 2 hrs and we reached Surat at 5 pm (3 hrs beyond the ETA). Enroute I kept Kiran updated on our progress.

The first three-storied twin Bungalow set on the Kunj Society lane belongs to Pandya brothers, Kiran & Jyotindra. His bother was in state IAS, whom he lost recently due to Cancer. We parked our Car on the Main Road parking and were guided by his driver Jitu bhai to Kiran’s House. Raj-Kiran met with a tight hug like 46 yrs long lost brothers of Kumbh Mela. And instantaneously recalled the events of MBH, one after the other. After settling down with our belongings in the first floor, we came down for the meet and greet session over a cup of Tea. Meena and Archana hit off well, like all like minded ladies do and soon went on a shopping errand to Bombay market. Kiran took me to his media-friends Vihaang and Vivek Dubey. The former owns a studio close by. Soon the Podcast was set up for my interview for the You-tube. It was great to meet Vihaang and Vivek. On our return we were greeted by Dhruv Pandya, Kiran’s nephew who is a Scientist preparing for IFS. The youngster is well informed and sure to crack IFS/IAS in his first go.

The dinner was an exquisite delectable variety spread by Lady of the home, Archana. She is one of the finest host. I relished Gujarati food after a long time, reminded of my days in Baroda. Next morning after a sumptuous Breakfast including a variety of Fruits, all four of us left for the University, for the Red carpet Welcome by the 6-Girls Bn NCC troop trained by Capt (NCC) Dr Pratibha Dave. We were escorted by Senior Under-Officer Manvi Arora and NCC guides to Vice-Chancellors Office, where the Deans of Colleges were present. It was a pleasure to interact with Registrar Shri Ashish Desai, Dean of Science Dr. Chaulami Desai, Dean of Commerce Dr. Hemina Adhvaryu, Dean of Arts Dr. Shikha Samaiya. Soon the President of Sarvajanik Trust and University, Shri Bharat Shah arrived. It was a pleasure to interact with a very humble philanthropist and a gentleman. We all were escorted to the Hall, where students and NCC Cadets were seated for the function. The SUO Manvi Arora welcomed all present to the felicitation function. After the welcome pleasantries, She invited Dr Kiran Pandya for the opening Address, followed by Shri Bharat Shah. Dr Kiran welcomed the dignitaries and introduced Cdr Rajinder Dutta. Shri Bharat Shah congratulated the Deans and staff of the Univ for the educational excellence of the colleges, for which the Sarvajanik trust was proud. Cadet Manvi then went through the short introductory Biodata of the Guest Speaker before inviting him on stage. Cdr Dutta spoke about the days in Baroda hostel with Dr Kiran, before joining Indian Navy. His career in the Navy, the challenges in the Armed forces and how the cadets could join the Defence Service. He also mentioned about the contribution of Veterans to our society and the organisation of NFMC. The interactive Qs-Ans session was reflective of the awareness of the Cadets in Defence forces.

The talk was followed by Cdr Dutta presenting the NFMC memento of the Golden Sail-boat to the Vice-Chancellor, Dr Kiran Pandya. He then requested Meena to present Cdr Ashok Shinde’s book, “How to light 100 candles” to Mrs Archana Pandya. He then felicitated Capt Pratibha and a few NCC Cadets who had distinguished themselves in NCC. This was followed by high Tea and Group Photo session in the Portico.

The afternoon was dedicated to a visit to Shri Govindbhai Dholakia’s World renowned Diamond Factory of Surat, the SRK (Shree RamKrishna). Two of Kiran’s former students Mr Kayomerg and Mr Nirav Mandir (HR Head) made arrangements for the visit. The former escorted four of us to the various departments of the Factory and explained in detail all the processes involved in turning a Raw Diamond to a finely cut crystal by laser, that requires exacting expertise. We were also offered delectable Lunch in their huge Dinning hall that could cater for about 1500 diners at a time. What touched my heart was the fact that Top executives and skilled craftsmen sit together and have the same meal. We were also presented by Govindbhai Dholakia’s Autobiography by Mr Nirav on completion of our educative tour of the Diamond Factory.

Dr Shikkha had invited us for a visit to her Faculty of Arts. From SRK we drove to this Faculty where Dance and Music classes were in progress. After a short interaction in Deans office we visited the classes and from there to the Karaoke class room. We sang and danced, lead by Dr Shikha and Mr Vimal Joshi. Dr Ashish Dubey and Raj also excercised their vocal chords. The apt culmination was with Raj’s Chalte-chalte number, which everyone performed as a group song. Music soothens tired nerves, and rightly so even after a power packed day, after the karaoke session we were as fresh as the morning dew.

No sooner than our return to Kirans home, a dynamic couple Capt (EME) Maya Dave and Siddharth Dave, came for a family visit from Dumas. They are the famous Duo who had undertaken an educational drive from Surat to Kargil, to commemorate Silver Jubilee of Kargil Battle. It was a great fauji interaction with Maya and Siddharth.

Next day Kiran arranged for a Video conference with our hostel mates Multani, Vinod Gangotra and his friend Yogesh. We all exuberantly recalled our old times. After Breakfast the two ladies decided to visit the famous Parvati Sari centre. So I had to accompany them, while Kiran proceeded for his Univ conference. When we came back from shopping, Kiran had returned and we had late Lunch and prepared for our drive back.

We thanked Archana for looking after us so well, After japhiyan-pappiyan, we commenced our drive at 6pm. Kirans brief about city exit route came in handy, as we cautiously zoomed from Palsana to Borivali during the night hours to reach Borivali just past midnight.

(PS- A Super trip etched in our inner recesses, made memorable by the awesome Kiran Bhai and Archana Bhabhi and captured by Meena to glance back in foot-prints of Time.)