If you meet a childhood friend on the street after 30 years, will you recognise him? I did.  At Chennai airport- I recognized Emil even if he did not have the faintest idea who I was. But it is not because I have a good memory- the credit fully goes to Anil and all the others who have ensured that this forum is active, evolving and engaging. I had the unfair advantage of seeing Emil’s photo from the LOBA 78 website.  On my trip to India, I had planned to meet up with fellow Loyolites. But meeting Emil set the ball rolling- and how it rolled! The advancing years, the receding hairline or the occasional paunch- did not seem to have a significant impact.  Time that had passed by did not seem to matter. Unni’s wizardry with the photos reminds us that we haven’t changed much- however much we try to look and behave differently.  Who ever could, gathered at short notice. In Cochin- at the IMA- it was Emil, Sudhi, VV, M Narayanan and Sunil Mathai. We were also joined by our seniors Joseph Thomas (CA based in Cochin) and NandaKumar ( Doc-based in UK).

In Thiruvanathapuram, at the SMC- it was  Jacob, Cherry, Reny and Shaji Thelly. We were also joined by Geese our senior.Wit, warmth- and yes even a bit of wisdom reigned. The jokes kept rolling in – and we had to make a conscious effort not to choke on our food with uncontrolled laughter! Guys who were exceedingly busy, made time to meet an old class mate- who had the audacity to drop in from the cold. But the phone calls, from clients, patients and concerned wives, kept chasing some of them well into the evening. But that was part of the rhythm. Sudhi, Sunil Mathai and Reny- could continue with the same joke- soon after a call, without a hitch.The faithful custodian of the LOBA finances, Zach, had the last word for the day at SMC- ‘Eda- edikkada anjooru roopa!’ He made sure that I do not get away before paying my dues to the LOBA 78. We are in safe hands! I am sorry that I missed many of you. Joy phoned in from Delhi and did join part of the fun . Anil too phoned up as he had to travel on work. I also had the opportunity to speak to Tony, Manikanthan, Sunil Thoppil and Mathew Thomas. Dead weight Udaybahnu- I have taken your comments seriously. Yes I have overtaken Georgy in my physical size. Being a specialist in public health, I do not practice what I preach. I now have inspiration for my peers to reduce my weight. In fact I was pleasantly surprised to note that many of our guys are quite fit physically. They all claim that it is because of exercise, moderation and healthy living! (Or is it their propensity for partying?).  I leave that to your fertile imagination. The great surgeon Sudhi- gallivanting in his motorcycle- playing sqash, fit as a fiddle (refer photograph)  still has young female interns swooning over him. Sunil Mathai- the gastroenterologist- has not only fathered and nurtured a national shuttle champion- he even seems to provide leadership to sport for all Kerala (for the upcoming National Games in Cochin-2010)!  Shaji Thelly claims to start well before sun rise- with shuttle. Yes, he is cool. VV the NCC boss (the tough man who also sang songs)- continues to be healthy self. Reny and Jacob too seem to keep fit- probably their smoking has killed of much of their appetite. M. Narayananan the gentle paediatrician, Zach the conscientious communicator and Emil the entrepreneur with imagination- all passed my health assessment with distinction. I have duly impressed and strongly challenged to get fit myself! Let us not call it peer- pressure. I prefer ‘peer inspiration’.   Manoj