Last Dance in Darjeeling

2001 Reunion happened despite the nay-sayers.

“Darj is not the same”. “You’ll be hugely disappointed”. “It’s become another progress-afflicted disaster’ . These were some comments that gave pause till someone pointed out: “It’s the company, more than the venue and how prescient those words were! The wild roses-lined khuds from the plains to the hills were no more; rampant over development; a crowded street hawker-infested Mall road; quite a few dilapidated iconic buildings & the Queen WAS showing her warts. But who cared?!? 1st Breakfast at Keventers. Welcome Dinner at The venerable Planter’s Club. Nimmi & Diamond’s dinner at Elgin. The Mohindar’s-hosted karaoke party at Glenary’s new (good thing it wasn’t there during our time pub. The Kalimpong gang’s Picnic by the Teesta. The Farewell Bash at Glenary’s. The visit to the Alma Mater & Xavier Hostel (even if the Bunker’s drainpipe sadly, cemented up!) Toy train ride & sunrise from Tiger Hill. The sheer joy of catching up & exchanging notes with old friends. The haalat of Darj. was the last thing on anyone’s mind.  NPers can party anywhere!!!  (“The band was still playing when the Titanic went down’ . They left out :. … “and some NP ‘ers were still tearing up the dance floor”).  “College Class of 1968 + 2 up & 2 down + friends” meant a lot of familiar faces were meeting after 40-odd ears and that was total bliss!  Old stories & jokes, “remember whens…… “, & endless roasting. “Memories are made of this’