89 Class Artificers and the ‘Get-Together Saga’ - Part 2 (2024 - Organising and Arrival Funs)

 

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, preferred brands and how much each can drink etc.- Minimum two bottles to be mandatorily packed in the baggage, by all individuals is a rule which can’t be breached!

Our accounts officer- the ‘Adhikari’ as his original name suggests, is on his laptop, backing up the Super Admin with all things money-related. He’s the one sending out ‘polite’ reminders, pinning the spreadsheets with the names highlighted on the list to those who still owe – naming and shaming funda- and meticulously keeping the account book as clean as any Chartered Accountant!  

89's Chartered Accountant -Vinod Adhikari

Meanwhile, the hosting local team -the political and business heavy weights of Waltair City - are busy visiting the resorts, hotels, transportation guys, Navy and Forest Department Offices, etc for discussions and negotiations. Once settled, they will send thumbs-up emojis (👍💪✌👍) with reassuring messages with a make belief approach that ALL IS WELL- trying to convince everyone that everything is going exactly as planned—even if that may not be the case - because they know they can fix any last minute hitches! 😍

  

Lovely Rao Gaaru, Satya Gaaru and Murthy Gaaru

Jokes apart, Manapalli Satya Narayana, the man with the golden fingers, ably supported by Yeginati Srinivas Rao—Good Touch, Bad Touch Man—and Pilli Satya Narayana Murthy, the ‘89’s one and only Bond-008, have all come together to pull off a great success. Much like their impressively long names, they also have long connections and networking skills, which they have used for our advantages, to collaborate with a multitude of private and government agencies. 

These folks have not left any stone unturned to ensure all the guests to their hometown will be treated like royalty and experience zero hiccups. 

They have even arranged a special Room #601 unallotted to anyone else, but just to keep it stand-by to meet any ‘arousing’ situations with a white car (Regn No AP31-3266) for any urgent stand-alone requests.  The rumors swirling around the enigmatic “Room #601 and the white car” could provide the perfect storyline for a gripping Netflix series filled with all the dramatic twists and turns, desires and desperation, climax and anti-climaxes you could imagine.    

(Having said that, the entire episode of Room #601 is nothing more than a beautifully orchestrated troll/prank by the guys, to make some interesting stories and laughter around. This is bound to happen when the old classmates who stayed together in their adolescence meet at a later stage. They once again revert to being boys in the late teens and play naughty. (I am sure Jai Prakash will agree?! , While Tikkam Singh Rana may not!)

Pack the bags and travel

Aug 27, 28 and 29 - Its time to take the bags and start moving to the respective railway stations and airports. Updates start receiving on the group about travel itineraries. Some like Dinesh Mehta, Dinesh Mishra etc. coming from the far-off places have to commence their journeys earlier than others, literally making their total time spent out of home for this get- together more than a week! Isn't that amazing commitment and devotion to the 89's own existence?! 

Early birds have started checking into the arranged accommodation. Hulla gulla begins.. ! The place is slowing being taken over… Cheering, hugging, screaming with the joy of friends meeting after many years - some even after decades-!  There is no travel fatigue or jet lag……..! Meeting the friends charge up the batteries. As the drinking sessions begin, language in the room will slowly shift its nature and characteristics. Queens English and heartland Hindi has been packed up for time being..! .... it becomes very raw, very intimate, very personal and - very much street friendly! – Technically anatomical!!  

Euphoria begins

No one can keep their mouths shut!!  

When we are together, even the onlookers aren’t safe! We’ll rope them into our antics, and they won’t be able to resist. They’ll join the party, snap photos with us, and even get involved in the hilarious moments. 

By the way, this trophy in the photo has absolutely nothing to do with 89. But guess what?! The actual holders of this trophy were just passing by, and they couldn’t resist handing it us!.

The guys holding it were once 89's legendary leg spinner and the fearless Captain of the famous RBCC—Rubber Ball Cricket Club! 

 

Some of the 89 are so dedicated that they will defer any other personal program, to attend these get togethers- as a matter of pride!  There are quite a lot of them, naming each will be a bit difficult.  Some of these ones have to dearly miss this year's get together due to unavoidable reasons - They were either overseas or some right in the middle of the seas! Some others had to stay back home-biting their nails- due to other family and work commitments - that's quite understandable! What's heart warming is that each year we have some new joiners! 

One of the highlights of the Vizag get-together was also the first timers, Salil Gupta, Manmohan  Singh Gussain, Balu and Ashok Kumar Lamba.  I thought they have enjoyed every moment and will take home sweet memories!  I believe that they will never miss the fun, in future!

Once Super Star Rajni Kanth said “late aayi vanthalum, latest aayi vanthen” which translates to “What if I come late, I come as the latest”. This line emphasizes Thalaivar Rajni's unique style and charisma, suggesting that his arrival, no matter how delayed, is always impactful. This super-duper  Tamil dialogue signifies Salil Gupta’s late entry into this Get-Together arena! Salil stole the entire show with his charismatic and characteristic googlies, which he was famous for during the naval days.  That's coming up in the next episodes!

Yours lovingly

SAS with Essayes!

Please join me with Part 3 very soon...!