Hello everyone, to whoever is reading this from the present or future, this is Celestial V(CH) with yet another new experience to share with you all.
On 21st December 2024, I had the opportunity to attend and volunteer for Nostalgia, the annual alumni meet and the decennial graduation celebration for the 2014 batch of my college.
We were asked to wear color-themed attire, with white chosen for the reporting team. Somehow, I managed to find a white dress for myself—hehehe! Everyone looked amazing in their vibrant colors, and the decorations in the open-air auditorium were absolutely lit. A special shoutout to all the male members of SPECANCIENS for their efforts in making it look so beautiful.
My expectations for the event were high—I was looking forward to meeting many alumni, especially the 2014 graduates. I even had my questions ready for them. But, I suppose they had more pressing matters in their lives than attending a college reunion that happens only once a year. Nevertheless, those who attended the event exceeded my expectations. They wandered around the garden and playground, watching the students play in the winter chill. I could almost see them reminiscing about their own college days—thinking of their younger selves playing and laughing with friends, imagining how far they had come since those carefree times.
I wondered if they were reflecting on the journey that brought them back to college, their older selves now watching their younger versions hiding behind walls or shouting from the garden. A wave of nostalgia must have swept over them, bringing back cherished memories.
It made me think: When I return to my college someday, will I feel the same? Will I look back and see the girl who once struggled to get into college, dreaming of a better future? Will I stand there, proud of all my accomplishments, or even half of them? At the very least, I hope I will live life on my own terms. I can already hear the echoes of my younger self and others like me, and I can feel the emotions of alumni as they reconnect with their past.
Coming back to the evening, as always, I was ready with my pen and diary—not just for event reporting but for something more personal. These moments are for my blogs, for my future self to read and piece together memories to find her purpose in life.
I saw many faces at the event—some there to reunite with friends, others with loved ones to revisit the place that shaped their future. While they might have missed the old faculty and the original structures of the college, the foundation and spirit of the institution remain unchanged, always waiting for its students to grow and return to their roots.
The alumni shared their memories as they ate with old friends, danced, and clicked pictures. Some entered the event looking dull, but as the sun touched the horizon and their friends began to gather, their faces lit up with joy, adorned with smiles.
One of the most memorable moments was meeting an old faculty member. I greeted him, and he asked me questions about my branch and year of study. I learned that he was once an assistant professor of computer science and physics. Despite his age, he was brimming with energy and even sang continuously for 20 minutes! Out of respect, I offered to get him something from the stalls, and he graciously accepted.
We also set up a whiteboard for alumni to share their thoughts and a chart paper for them to leave handprints. However, the excitement was so high that most were busy laughing, gossiping, and wandering around.
We took many pictures, but two stood out for me. One was with my reporting team members, Neeraj and Surya Bhaiya, and the other was a group picture with all the SPECANCIENS members, their gleaming faces reflecting the successful execution of the event.
The event ended at 7 PM, and people began leaving. Some were in such a hurry that they forgot to collect their goodies! I had to run after one group to stop them just in time. One of their friends was thrilled when I reminded them, and she appreciated the event and our team’s coordination.
Overall, it was a truly precious experience for me, and I hope I get similar opportunities in the future. Writing about these moments for my future self feels like connecting the dots of my journey, one memory at a time.
Ending Note:
As I reflect on this event, I realize how important it is to cherish moments like these, which connect the past, present, and future. To my future self: I hope you’re proud of the path you’ve taken, and I hope you always remember these beautiful fragments of life that shaped who you are.
Celestial V(CH)
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