Old Friends, New Meetings

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Group of middle-aged men at a reunion, smiling together in an indoor setting, reflecting friendship and camaraderie.
A gathering of old school friends where time fades and bonds quietly return

This one is a little different from the usual pieces—but it has all the elements of a story, especially for those who were part of it.

It was a get-together of school friends.

The curious part was that, although I was meeting some of them for the first time—with no real recollection from our school days—not for a moment did I feel that I did not know them. There was an instant bond, an easy closeness. These were people one could relate to without effort, as if the years in between had quietly dissolved.

The sense of camaraderie was special. In very few groups can you have such uninhibited fun—pull each other’s leg freely, and yet be held together by genuine affection.

What also struck me was the delightful mix of people we were, coming from such diverse fields. And yet, none of that seemed to matter. We met at a common level where professions, achievements, and positions had no role to play. That, perhaps, is what set this apart from many other gatherings where a subtle one-upmanship often creeps in.

As someone who writes, I tend to observe people and carry away first impressions. I found myself doing the same here, and I take the liberty of sharing them—with a small disclaimer. I may be wrong, or may have missed something you would rather be known for. If so, do forgive me and take this in the same friendly spirit in which it is offered.

  • Ameet — Sage and gracious

  • Percy — Intellectual, with a breezy humour

  • Hormazd — A Parsi through and through, with irreverent wit

  • Himanshu — Gentle, kind, and considerate

  • Sunil — Engaging, articulate, and perceptive

  • Nitin — Positive, thoughtful, well-meaning

  • Samir Naik — Knowledgeable and wonderful company

  • Sameer Shah — Precise and to the point

  • Robby — Warm, thoughtful, and an excellent host

  • Edmund — Smart and ebullient

  • Amjad — Mature, gracious, and retaining a boyish charm

  • Alex — Tall, stately, a commanding presence

  • Uday — Carries the aura of a star

  • Deepak — Calm and composed

  • Mahesh — Involved, with a ready wit

  • Mario — Gentle, with a strong social conscience

  • Nozer — Pleasant and easy to talk to

  • Christopher — Focused and sharp

  • Keki — Quiet, but with depth in that silence

  • Charles — Aware and well-grounded

  • Shiv — Warm, engaging, and great company

  • Manoj — Intelligent and knowledgeable

  • Rajesh — Unusual sense of humour, very enjoyable

  • Dev — Bubbly and full of life

We missed those who could not make it, but there will surely be more such occasions.

No story feels complete without a closing thought.

If there is one here, it is this—such gatherings are quietly therapeutic. They bring you back to yourself, to a simpler and more unguarded version of who you are.

If you wish, you may explore the Rodevra website

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