Updates and Information on upcoming events from the alumni association.
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SOLSTICE 2012
Last month, amid placements, classes and assignments, the ISB campus was abuzz with alums, students, staff, faculty and their families. Their primary motive was to relax and rejuvenate, although quite a few students - as could be expected - were making most of the opportunity to paint the campus red! It was the ISB’s most awaited event - Solstice 2012! The atrium was a beautiful sight, with its red, black and white adornments, while the ring road was decorated with chequered flags and tree lights, giving the whole campus a festive look.
Friday, December 21, witnessed a busy registration desk with alums pouring in every minute and being treated royally, with Labonel brownies and almond milk on offer. These rich goodies gave alums a much needed energy boost for the activity-packed day ahead. The AC6 lawns were alive with adventure sports like sumo fighting, trampoline, shooting and archery, while the SV4 common room had spa services for tired souls and feet. At the AC4 lawns, a Hyderabad style “Nizam bazaar” beckoned alums with food, bangles, handicrafts and jewellery stalls, and renowned sommelier Magandeep Singh conducted an interactive wine tasting session for connoisseurs. The entertainment continued well into the evening, with alums packing the auditorium for the amchi Mumbai play “Utter Cupidity.” Since the Mayan calendar had predicted that December 21, 2012 would mark the end of the world, the Solstice team decided to do it in style and picked a fitting theme - an end of the world party! When the clock struck 12, and December 22nd rolled around, all the guests sported a band that said “I survived the end of the world.”
Saturday, December 22, was the big, much-anticipated day. “Walk on Water” at the swimming pool saw people trying to swim wrapped in a ball; alums attended the ISB Angels & Entrepreneurs initiative for help on startups; and the rhythmic beats of a drumming session with “Drumberries” reverberated in the atrium, and though most of the participants were playing the drums for the first time, they tapped away in impressive synchrony. This was followed by one of the biggest flash mobs ever seen at the ISB.
The Dean's dinner that evening was a sumptuous feast, and alums thoroughly enjoyed the huge spread and great networking opportunity. ISB's Music Club got the music concert going with a beautiful opening set, and then it was time for Kailash Kher and his band Kailasa to rock the show. And rock they did, with popular numbers like “Tu jaane na”, “Allah ke bande,” “Teri deewani” and “Duniya ut-patanga,” to name just a few. The crowd sang along in harmony and a few pretty ladies even went on stage to dance with Kailash. Just when everyone thought it was over, Kailash spun a surprise with a catchy, foot-tapping number that got the whole crowd dancing to his tune! Immediately after the concert, Babar Khan (of MTV stunt mania fame) performed a breathtaking bike stunt which had every member of the audience rooted to the spot. After all the excitement of the day, the Victory Lap party was just the thing alums needed to unwind, and '08 was alive like never before - everyone was in great spirits, ready to enjoy their drinks and shake a leg. True to form, the party went on till dawn!
The event also marked the celebration of the 10th year anniversary of the Class of 2003 and the 5th year anniversary of the Class of 2008. Solstice 2012 was a tremendous hit, praised by all as one of the best reunions hosted at the ISB and applauded for giving our alums the opportunity to reconnect with their alma mater in grand style. The Class of 2013 was the proud host of the event, and its organizers were the brilliant Team Solstice, led by Kanav Mittal.
TESTIMONIALS
First, a few of my classmates decided to stay over at my house. I could not find any beddings, etc in the city, but the organizing team was kind enough to make all the necessary arrangements at the last minute. I was even repeatedly assured and then informed that everything was ready for my friends. Exceptional customer service!
Second, my former student (and dear friend) got extremely sick (code for wasted) after the Kailash Kher concert. I had no idea what to do about the situation which had gotten out of hand. Then a couple of alums from Class of 2008 helped me out. They contacted the organizing committee who arranged for an ambulance and necessary help at the Wellness center. Without this help, I would not have been able to manage the situation.
I would also like to specially thank Prasanna for being there on both occasions.
I am cc-ing Nidhi and Kanav on this email because I want them to know how grateful I have been for all the help that the entire committee gave me those two days. Thank you!
-Abhijeet K Vadera, Class of 2008
It was very well done. Even the college (Class of 2013) rock band was awesome. Kudos to
Solstice team 2012!
- Simranjit Kohli, Class of 2003
It's not easy staying in touch after you graduate. Solstice offered us exactly that chance - to mingle with old friends, to hustle about lost memories underneath the open sky next to the dam, to reminisce in our daily struggles and to express our joy in our ongoing success. Old memories aside, forming new ones whilst seeing dramatic changes in relationships, size and character is illuminating. Solstice offered us exactly all this - whilst giving us a chance to make new friends of this class. So thank you for a well organised, uniquely thought out Solstice experience. I hope your class receives the same from the next.
- Aditya Bhaisora, Class of 2012
- Rangarajan Krishnan, Class of 2008
Solstice 2012 provided a great opportunity to spend a weekend on campus with classmates. It was a great feeling to reminiscence times spent on campus once again after graduation. The Kailash Kher concert led into a beautiful Saturday evening followed by the 08 party. The Sunday brunch was a great spread and food was superb throughout. This solstice will be extra special for the Class of 2012...thanks to the Co2013 for being great hosts and a job well done by the Solstice 2012 team.
- Sanketh Garimella, Class of 2012
Real good fun! Excellently organized! Very good events!
- Abhinav Jain, Class of 2008
Lovely time catching up with classmates. Scale of event and organization was quite impressive!
- Arjun Reddy, Class of 2008
It always feels great to visit ISB. In addition to spending quality time with classmates, I also made new friends from other classes. Thanks to Solstice 2012!
- Sasi Kumar Sambandan, Class of 2008
Felt so good to relive the memories, if only for 3 days vs the one year that we had...Thanks to the team for the awesome organization and fun events. I had a great time!
- Dhruv Vatsal, Class of 2012
This Solstice was very special in every way possible. From seeing Kailash Kher live, driving the Go-Karts on campus to participating in the wine-tasting and enjoying the food – credit goes to Team Solstice. It was all organized very well and was a pleasure to come back on campus and reconnect with my alma-mater.
- Sahil Mathur, Class of 2007
I would want to congratulate the Team on a successful Solstice. It was a job truly well done.
I know from experience how difficult it is to pull off an event of this magnitude with minimal flaws but you and your team pulled it off superbly. I could see how well activities had been delegated to respective leads leading to a more accountable structure. Coordinating and keeping a tab across all teams must have been a great challenge in addition to handling the huge number of alums on campus but then you did this brilliantly too.
I would also like to thank you and your team for being wonderful hosts to the Mohali folks and
keeping us involved in Solstice.
-Anand Chhabra, Director Alumni Affairs Council, Class of 2013
My first solstice as an alum was great fun. Reuniting with my entire class back where it all began, where we spent the best year of our lives. Returning to 08 was particularly special to me, with new music, new people but still great fun. Well organized, well hosted and very hospitable, thank you co2013 :)
- Jagriti Kumar, Class of 2012