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Tranquil and spiritual beginning of second day
The second day of our reunion began with an early start. At 4:45 am, I woke up, got ready, and by 5:30 am, Shri Krishan and I were on our way to the Chandra Prabhu Jain Temple in Kukas, about 16.4 km from the resort. The peaceful drive in the early morning took around half an hour, and once we arrived, I had the chance to perform abhishek and puja. We returned to the resort by 8:30 am, refreshed and spiritually uplifted. I am truly grateful to Shri Krishan for accompanying me and sharing this memorable experience.
Class Unity in Style
By 8:30 am, we were all ready for a group breakfast, wearing matching T-shirts that proudly displayed “Class of 1994 Architecture MREC Jaipur.” The T-shirt design included a unique silhouette, with three red figures representing the three girls from our class—a thoughtful touch that added a special meaning. Before breakfast, we took a quick round of the resort, noting the progress on the new cottage block under construction. Walking through the beautiful surroundings together, it felt as though our bond had only grown stronger over the years.
The Journey Back to Campus
After breakfast, we all piled into a traveller bus RJ14TF4870 , eager to relive the memories of our old college tours. The bus ride to our alma mater, the Department of Architecture at MREC Jaipur, was 38.3 km and took about 1.25 hours. We played bollywood film songs, filling the bus with laughter and chatter as we shared stories from our college days. Each song brought back a memory, and every laugh echoed the friendship that time had only strengthened.
Dil Chahta Hai ...
A Slight Detour on the Way
During our bus ride to campus, we had a brief pause when Chandan started feeling queasy. We stopped the bus to give him a break and some water, which helped him feel a bit better. With everyone looking out for each other, we were soon back on our way, determined to make the most of our journey back to MREC Jaipur.
A Warm Welcome at Our Alma Mater
We finally reached the Department of Architecture at 10:40 am, where the Head of Department, professors, and other faculty members were waiting to greet us. Students welcomed us with beautiful tulips, setting a heartfelt tone for the visit. We spent some time interacting with the faculty, who shared their experiences and insights on the shifts in education and student perspectives over the years. Walking through the department evoked vivid memories from our college days, as we noticed the transformations the department had undergone in the past 25 years.
Reflections with Faculty
During our interaction, Ar. Ram Niwas Sharma shared some notable observations on how the field has evolved. He pointed out that the number of students has grown significantly, making it challenging for faculty to remember each name, a contrast to the close-knit environment we experienced. He mentioned that today’s students often avoid core architectural practice, lack patience to fully grasp on-site situations, and come already well-informed through digital channels—yet without hands-on understanding. He encouraged us to mentor young trainee architects in our offices, emphasizing the importance of practical experience.
Responding to this, Naveen shared how he approaches training recent graduates, emphasizing that his firm retains them for at least a year. While they’re given limited access to drawings initially, they’re frequently sent to sites to build a grounded understanding of real-world architecture. This exchange highlighted the challenges and responsibilities of fostering a new generation of architects in a rapidly changing industry.
Department Visit - Rediscovering Our Design Studios and Legacy
Our visit continued to the design studios, where current students had proudly displayed their work. We explored the detailed sheets and models, admiring the creativity and dedication that reminded us of our own college days. Moving on to the department library, we had a nostalgic surprise—our batch thesis reports, carefully preserved in a cabinet. Holding our old work in hand, we couldn’t resist capturing a group photo with our thesis reports, a snapshot of both memories and milestones.
A Warm Tea & Snacks Break
After our department tour, our alma mater treated us to tea and snacks—a gesture that made us feel right at home. Gathering around with our batchmates, faculty, and other staff, we enjoyed the break, exchanging laughter and sharing a few more cherished memories from our time at MREC.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Following our time in the studios and library, we gathered with students on the first floor for a lively interactive session. We shared the realities of architectural practice, highlighting the importance of patience and hands-on experience. As we explained, architecture often offers modest returns in the early years, requiring commitment and perseverance. But with 5 to 10 years of dedicated effort, the rewards—from knowledge to career growth—can surpass those in many other fields.
The students listened closely, eager to absorb the wisdom gained from our journeys. This interaction felt like a bridge connecting their academic insights with the world of practical, impactful architecture, and it was a privilege to inspire them as they prepare to embark on their own professional paths
Capturing the Moment: The Iconic Staircase Photo
After our interactive session, we gathered on the department’s iconic staircase—a spot that held countless memories from our college days. Standing together, just as we had so many times before, we posed for a group photo, capturing the joy, nostalgia, and camaraderie of our reunion. This staircase, once a daily part of our routine, now became a symbol of the journey we had all undertaken together, from students to seasoned architects. It was a photo we knew would hold a special place in each of our hearts.
Class -of -1994-1999 -Department -of -Architecture- MREC- Jaipur -25 -Year- Batch -Reunion -Let's -Connect - Again - Together
A Special Lunch Celebration at City Heights Bistro
After our time on campus, we boarded the traveler bus once more, heading to City Heights Bistro, just a short 3.3 km from the MREC campus, for a memorable lunch gathering. Faculty, staff, batchmates, and even some spouses joined us in the bistro’s banquet hall, creating a lively atmosphere that was filled with familiar faces and warm camaraderie.
As a tribute to our batch unity, all 17 of us stood in a row holding placards that read: “Class – of – 1994 – 1999 – Department – of – Architecture – MREC – Jaipur – 25 – Year – Batch – Reunion – Let’s – Connect – Again – Together.” This gesture brought a smile to everyone’s faces, symbolizing our collective pride in our alma mater and lasting connections.
In a heartfelt moment, we then invited each faculty member to join us, presenting them with mementos and a shawl as a token of our appreciation. The welcoming began with HOD Rajeev Shringi Sir, honored by Ravi Rai, followed by Kalpna Pandit Ma’am, welcomed by me, Rina Surana Ma’am by Naveen Hiramath, Tarus Chandra Sir by Naveen K, Meenu Varshney Ma’am by Sheetal Agarwal, and Ashok Pareek Sir by Pramod Gupta, continuing on to honor each esteemed faculty member who had guided us.
After the welcomes and speeches, we all shared a delicious meal, enjoying the chance to connect with each other and with our mentors in an atmosphere of shared respect and joy.
Exploring Jaipur Together
After lunch, we all boarded the bus again, setting out for a Jaipur city tour. Our stops included iconic sites like Hawa Mahal, Jal Mahal, and the majestic Amer Fort. Each location sparked memories of our college educational tours, and we couldn’t help but reminisce about those times, comparing them to our experiences today. At 6:00 pm, we stopped for tea at a local thadi near Amer Fort, where we relished the warmth of thadi ki chai and shared laughs, feeling like students all over again.
Jal Mahal
Amer Fort
Evening at the Resort: Ethnic Dress Night and Future Plans
We returned to the resort around 6:45 pm and, after a bit of relaxed gupshup in one room, we prepared for the evening’s highlight—our Ethnic Dress Night party in the cozy backyard of the cottage. Everyone arrived in beautifully vibrant attire, adding a traditional touch to the night’s ambiance.
As we gathered around the table, the conversation shifted to our future aspirations. A lively discussion emerged on creating a meaningful legacy: sponsoring a thesis scholarship under the name of our batch. The idea was met with enthusiasm, and the debate around logistics and funding led to some passionate exchanges. This thoughtful conversation set an inspiring tone for our reunion’s impact beyond just memories.
A Farewell Dinner at the Resort
Following the Ethnic Dress Night party and our inspiring round table discussion, we gathered one last time for dinner at the resort. The atmosphere was a mix of joy and nostalgia, as we shared final laughs, delicious food, and promises to stay connected. This closing dinner was the perfect end to a reunion filled with unforgettable memories, shared dreams, and the warmth of friendship that has stood the test of time.
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