The 1978 Batch of BITS Pilani, who had their 40th reunion this year, organized an event titled “Desert Storm”. The event was organized by JUJU Productions, Boston, in collaboration with students from BITS. Scheduled to start at 6:30 PM, the event kicked off an hour later. The posters in the hostels had 7:45 PM printed as the starting time, so the event opened to a half-filled auditorium that filled up gradually. The event was conducted by Kamlesh Bhadkamkar of Zee TV.
Anuradha Palakurthi was introduced as lead singer. A 1984 BITS Pilani entrant, she had been in the Music Club in her time on campus. Most of her accompanying team had worked with Bollywood music greats like Asha Bhosle and R.D. Burman. Her co-singer was Mithilesh Patankar, and particular mention was made of Shruti Bhave, violinist and member of all-female band Indiva. Prashant Palakurthi—entrepreneur, CEO of Reflexis, BITS Pilani alumnus, and husband of Anuradha Palakurthi—began by thanking the people involved in organizing and performing the event. He made mention of the artists, JUJU Productions, Yash Raj Films for handling lights and camera, and Rupam for handling lights. He thanked Aditya Patil, coordinator of Stage Controls, for being their point of contact for the past six months and working with him to organize the event. Yash Dayal, a recording artist in Bollywood, was in the Sounds booth and Sangeeta Kohli, daughter of acclaimed music director Madan Mohan, sat among the distinguished guests, faculty, and alumni.
The performance started with many popular hits. Anuradha recalled her experience of singing on campus for the first time, in T-Lawns while being ragged by seniors who asked her to sing. This was followed by songs that brought the reuniting alumni to the front, who began to dance. After they complied with Anuradha’s request to take their seats, she sang a spellbinding rendition of Lag Jaa Gale, followed by Padhaaro Maare Des, a song dedicated to Pilani. Songs such as Damadam Mast Kalandar brought the alumni to the front yet again, where they resumed dancing with renewed vigour.
Two songs later, Prashant walked up to the stage and stated that he had an announcement to make. He recounted that he has worked with over 1,200 BITSians in his career, and told the Director that he wanted a hundred more next year. Expressing his desire to give back to the Institute, he announced a massive personal donation of $1 million USD to BITS Pilani. This announcement was met with thunderous applause and a standing ovation. The Director thanked him on behalf of BITS, and promised to announce the projects for which the money would be utilized soon.
Next was a tribute to the 17 members of the 1978 Batch who have passed away. Anuradha presented a heart-wrenching rendition of Pink Floyd’s Wish You Were Here, the only English song in the night’s setlist. The audience rose as one when the tribute began, and remained standing for the duration of the song, while the LED ran a presentation introducing each alumnus individually.
The night continued with songs retro and recent, including Jaane Jaan Dhundhta Fir Raha, that Anuradha said was the “1978 Anthem”. By this point, most of the alumni were dancing in the front of the auditorium. Anuradha also sang Choli Ke Peechhe Kya Hai, along with Shruti Bhave, as a tribute to all women. The final performance was a mashup of Raat Baaki Baat Baaki and Aa Dekhe Zara, for which Prashant joined his wife onstage.
At the conclusion of the event, Prashant once again thanked the performers and the coordinators for lights and sounds. After a final round of thanks, the alumni exited the auditorium aglow with memories old and new.