A yearly alumni reunion is an occasion for renewal of camaraderie for all learners -fresh or former - with an alma mater serving as their common fountainhead. Even teachers at the institution or department concerned are likely to be products of that particularly educational facility. So, for once the fraternity, irrespective of genders, marks its high point of bonding on the basis of a large family where the institution stands behind like a mother does to her children. Fresh graduate students are yet to appreciate the nostalgia that haunts the old batches of students who passed out years ago. The older they are, the greater the yearning for the days that will never return. After all, man has one life to live and it is impossible to go back to the days of the school, college or university days except for making a journey down the memory lane.
From afar now an alumnus or alumna can look back to discover how precious and joyous life was then and this is despite some bitter and painful memories, if any. Not all schools and colleges can arrange such reunions but usually the departments of universities are particular about such events. The English Department of the country's premier varsity, the University of Dhaka has long been in the fore front of making the assembly an occasion to remember. This year was no exception to the rule. Yet it must be admitted that this year the celebration of the get-together did not quite live up to expectations. Compared to last year, this year's was definitely on a low key and a bit lack-lustre.
Yet the fact is that the alumni attend the occasion not to enjoy any cultural function but to see old friends. Surprises await them from the most unlikely corner when a few faces appear completely unfamiliar at first sight and then the haze gradually clears out to bring into focus the long lost features into recognisable ones. The ecstasy of discovery is vociferous and boundless. One has to struggle hard to overcome the layers of forgetfulness over decades in order to adjust and readjust the changes gone through during the long out-of-sight-out-of-mind period. The joy and fulfilment of the yearning hearts are no less than discovering a treasure island.
What a moment! Alumni ask more questions than can be answered. But about one thing they become particular -this is to collect contact numbers from each other. Their fingers are busy pressing the key pad or touching the screen of their cell or smart phones with the promise of keeping in touch. Sure enough, not all such initiatives lead to regular maintenance of correspondence but some indeed do.
Then suddenly the cell phones start buzzing one day, relaying the sad news that someone in the friend circle is hospitalised in critical condition or simply no more.
The more the alumni are at an advanced age the keener their sense of the call from the other world. It is this unavoidable reality that should cement the bond among, at least, the batch mates. They can thus organise themselves to undertake social works for others. To live for oneself is useless; to live for others is what gives meaning to human life.
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