The hallways of King George's Medical University (KGMU) in Lucknow echoed with laughter and heartfelt embraces this past weekend. The occasion was a special silver jubilee reunion for the MBBS batch of 2000, marking a quarter-century of shared journeys in medicine and lifelong friendship.
A Nostalgic Homecoming After 25 Years
For three days, the formalities of speeches took a backseat to pure nostalgia. On the second day, the alumni embarked on a sentimental walk through the university corridors they once rushed through as eager students. The group, dressed in coordinated colours—men in sharp black suits with magenta ties and women in elegant magenta sarees—appeared as one large family reunited after decades. The effort to attend was significant, with some members travelling thousands of kilometres from across the globe to be part of this homecoming.
The gathering saw an impressive turnout, with 132 of the original 180 students attending in person and two more joining the celebrations online. The event, held at Brown Hall, was the result of meticulous planning spanning over seven months. Dr. Rakesh Dixit, a faculty member in Pharmacology and a former teacher to the batch, remarked that the enduring bond made the reunion feel like a true homecoming.
Global Alumni Share Cherished Memories
Stories from student days flowed freely, connecting past and present. Dr. Pawan Kapoor, now an anaesthesiologist based in Manchester, attended with his wife, Dr. Parul Kapoor—a paediatric neuro-developmental clinician and his batchmate. Dr. Parul fondly recalled the "Love Lane," an area now housing the Dean's Office, and the memory of administering her first vaccination.
Professors also joined in reminiscing. Prof. Shailendra Singh from the Orthopaedics department remembered how students, particularly girls, would often faint during anatomy dissections. "The sight and smell of the cadaver were overwhelming," he said. His colleague, anatomy teacher Dr. P.K. Sharma, added that it was common for students to lose their appetite for days because of that distinctive smell.
For Dr. Rajesh Sharma, now a neurosurgeon in Canada, the memories were of rigorous training, evening classes, and the strong bonds between seniors and juniors. He mentioned that the Administrative Block, once a quiet corner for personal reflection, remains his favourite spot on the entire campus.
Celebrating Lifelong Bonds and Looking Ahead
The reunion was not just about academic memories; it also celebrated relationships forged within the university's walls. Thirteen couples from the batch, who found love during their student years, attended the event together. Dr. Payal Saxena was among those who shared the joy of meeting her life partner at KGMU.
The batch also took time to honour the teachers who shaped their careers. Senior urologist Prof. Divakar Dalela was honoured as the 'most loved teacher' of the 2000 batch. As the event drew to a close, Dr. Sandeep Singh, now an ACMO in Lucknow, voiced the collective sentiment of looking forward to their golden jubilee reunion in the years to come, a testament to the unbreakable bond formed at this premier Lucknow institution.
