Revisiting Memories: A Heartwarming Journey Back to Honnavar and SDM College

My visit to Honnavar on 26 December 2023, holds a special place in my heart; it's where I secured a permanent position at SDM College, experienced the warmth of its community, and received heartfelt invitations from the locals. The college's management was exceptional, making any opportunity to return there one I would eagerly embrace.

A month back, Sudha, a former student from my 1987 batch at Honnavar's SDM College, reached out. She invited me to a reception at Shri Jnaneshwari Sabha Bhavan on December 26th. Many of her classmates planned to attend, and I was delighted to accept her invitation.

On the 26th, I began my journey to Honnavar. After receiving a refund for my research chair at Madagaon Express that morning, I only paid Rs. 60 for my ticket from Udupi Railway Station to Honnavar. While waiting at the station, I had an engaging conversation with Sri Lakshminarayana Hegde, a businessman from Sirisi now residing in Udupi, about topics like the Konkan Railway and pharmaceutical distribution challenges.

My train, number 06602, was delayed, departing Udupi at 8:30 am instead of 7:32 am due to various reasons, including the trial run of the Vande Bharath train. It made numerous stops before finally reaching Honnavar at 11:30 am. I arrived at the function hall near Daivajna Temple by noon, surprised to find only a few people there. The stage was beautifully adorned with flowers, and the names of the bride and groom were elegantly displayed. 

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Sudha and her husband, busy with the event, warmly welcomed me. She introduced me to her relatives and quickly called our former students who were at Rajeev's house. Soon after, my old students - Rajeev, Kaleel, Muketesar, Shukoor, Arundhathi, Panduranga Sanu, Lalitha, and her husband - arrived, evoking fond memories of 1987 at SDM College.

We reminisced about various events, memorable days, and tours. I also had the opportunity to take photos with the newlyweds. Expressing a desire to revisit SDM College, I accompanied them there, met with the Principal, Alware, other faculty members, and enjoyed a tea session.

Later, Shukurr kindly dropped me off at Bhatkal Bus Stand, from where I returned home by bus. That day rejuvenated me, surrounded by my former students. It reminded me of Chitra Padiyar's words, a former student at MGM, "A teacher never grows old in the memory of a student."