ESSAYES

  89 Class Artificers and the ‘Get-Together Saga’ - Part 4 - Growing Memories 31 Aug – 2 nd Day! Woke up early, thanks to Sanjay Prasad Gairola’s relentless calls. With a slight drizzle, it was a perfect time for a morning walk and explore the countryside of Arakku neighborhood. After a roadside morning coffee, we, along with PB Sushildas, walked across the railway line  to the paddy fields, soaked in the morning freshness and breathed some pure air. The day was going to be filled with hectic activities as per the plans. After the typically relishing Andhra breakfast with idli, sambhar, chutney vada and pongal everyone started gathering in the dining and reception area, wearing the newly designed personalized T shirts and 89 shorts. Everyone was busy taking photos with each other, chatting with long lost friends and getting updates about their respective families, children and their studies and jobs etc. Arakku PInery Later we all boarded the bus to another location, Arakku PInery, wh

  89 Class Artificers and the ‘Get-Together Saga’ - Part 3. On 30 th Aug, by noon time, the 'supposedly' air-conditioned bus reached the accommodation to transport us to Araku Valley. It will pass through the Airport to pick up the last group. Journey to Araku Valley is incredibly picturesque, offering stunning views along the way- if only, someone has peeped through the windows!   The road is filled with numerous hairpin bends   which add a sense of adventure to the trip. The weather was wonderfully pleasant and ‘sexy’. Occasional fog and the light drizzles frequently occurred should have added a refreshing touch to the atmosphere—  As the 'charging' continued on the bus, too, everyone was engaged! The driver made sure that no one slept, by sudden breaks and frequent bumps and jumps! Nothing could pour water on to the fun on the run! – even the leaking roof of the bus!    Fun on the Run! The lunch break at the enroute restaurant along the hill side was slightly dela

  89 Class Artificers and the ‘Get-Together Saga’ 2024 -Araku Get-Together  Araku Valley, around 100 km away from Visakhapatnam was identified as the unanimous choice for the get-together location. Most 89er has personal connections with this port city of Vizag, which is also the Head Quarters of the Eastern Naval Command, Indian Navy. The city also hosts the Indian Navy’s Shipwright School through which the 89 SWAs have completed their ‘rigorous’ Apprenticeship training.  Everyone will initially check in at Vizag by the Aug 30th morning, and then travel to Araku, together on a bus! As the get-together week approaches, more updates start pouring in from all over. Programme itineraries are chalked out; Dates and times are fixed after consulting with everyone; if there are differences of opinions, majority decision is democratically chosen through polling. Decisions are made and instruction are delivered. Strict standing orders are passed around about the number of drinking sessions, pre