GUWAHATI, Oct 16 � Age is just a number and not a factor to determine life-proving that retiring from job does not mean retiring from life, around 90 senior citizens who passed matric in 1960 under Gauhati University got together here on Sunday and rekindled old ties.
These senior citizens accompanied by their spouses participated in a day-long programme organised by the 1960 Gauhati University Matriculates� Association to celebrate completion of 50 years of passing of the examination. The other significant factor of this 1960 batch is that this was the last batch under the Gauhati University.
Amongst the 1960 examinees present at the programme was noted actor Nipon Goswami. Goswami said that this was an important moment in his life as he has met many friends after fifty years. �This programme provided an opportunity to me to take a trip down memory lane. I cannot express my happiness in words,� said Goswami.
It needs to be mentioned here that the programme started with smriti tarpan followed by release of a souvenir titled Smritir Papori, and cultural performance by members.
�We are very happy that our batch mates have come to this programme from all over Assam,� said Rana Pratap Bezboruah, treasurer of the association adding that this occasion has given the 1960 batch to re-live their youth and forget the problems of the present.
�Though many of our batch mates have passed away from this world, others are going fine and in good health,� said Bezboruah informing that everyone was keen to meet annually and use the occasion for getting rejuvenated.
A participant Rajiv Lochan Hazarika sharing his feelings said he was on cloud nine to meet old friends. �I feel younger and all the events of the past are coming back to me now and I know this day will continue to inspire me to go on with my life,� he said mentioning that he was equally happy to get introduced to new people.
RD Sarmah, Ratneswar Nath and others said that today�s programme has acted as energy booster and that they feel strong enough to face every challenge in life.
It was re-union time for Mufija Ali of Jorhat and Prof (retd) Lohori Das of Guwahati. These friends met each other again after 50 years.
When the batch mates said goodbye to each other and promised to meet again, they knew some might not be able to keep the promise, but they never showed their apprehension as camaraderie strengthened their determination to enjoy life to the fullest.
