UAE: SDMCET Alumni Holds Global Meet in Dubai

UAE: The evening was pleasant, the atmosphere was surreal, the air was thin, the energy was high, the venue was world class, the arrangements were “fun”tastic – this was the evening which has set a precedence in the history of Sri Dharmasthala College of Engineering and Technology’s Global Meet held on Friday, 6 November, 2015 at RIXOS, The Palm Dubai.

Months of preparation and tons of team work by the committed alumni fellow members from Middle East, culminated in the unfolding of a successful SDMCET alumni meet, held for the first time outside India. Around 300 participants from nearly 10 countries took part in the event which made it a truly international event and an eventful night to remember. This was a family event, packed with fun filled activities for each and every member to take part in. The highlight of the event was also the presence of around 30 faculty members of SDMCET Dharwad, who specially flew down all the way from India to attend this meet.

The event was graced by chief guest Dr Veerendra Heggade along with the guest of honour Dr Shrikanth B Vanakudre, the principal of SDMCET. The event was also brightened by the presence of Surendra Kumar, Dr Yashovarma, Shreyas Kumar and Shobakar Ballalwho. Suresh Raddar, ex-professor of SDMCET and currently working in UAE, was also present on the dais as a special guest of the day.

The excitement of SDM alumni was apparent as they started arriving at the location much earlier than the beginning of the registration process. The registration and the souvenir teams handled the crowd successfully by providing them with badges and a souvenir kit.

The event began at 4 pm with the national anthems of UAE and India. There was a traditional lighting of the lamp by the dignitaries along with the alumni from SDMCET first batch (1979). The presence of various dignitaries such as Dr B R Shetty, Pravin Shetty, Gunasheel Shetty, Premnath Shetty and Lawrence Mendonca added extra colors to the event.

Reshma Alva, alumnus of 1996 batch, provided an apt welcome speech. Each of the faculty members were recognized and honored by the committee members for their efforts in nurturing the SDMCET alumni. The SDM Global meet souvenir magazine was officially released during this event by Dr B R Shetty. The souvenir team accompanied the VIPs during the book releasing ceremony.

The event witnessed speeches from Prof Vanakudre, Prof Suresh Raddar and Prof Vasudhev Parvate, who raised to the occasion and whole heartedly supported the mega event. Dr B R Shetty also spoke a few words and wished success to the event and the future of SDM alumni.

Dr Veerendra Heggade delivered an excellent speech and provided his immense support and blessings for the Global Alumni meet.

As the proceedings unfurled, the videos of SDMCET and the Meeting moments – official video of the meeting preparations – were released to the alumni.

The showstopper came in the form of Pravin Godkhindi, who performed an hour of non-stop extravagant fusion of a flute recital. The whole atmosphere was electrified and the audience were left spell bound by the sheer magic of his entire team.

A final vote of thanks by Satish Kumar Bantwal, which was followed with loads of performances by Russian performers, equally left the audience wanting for more. The icing of cake came in the form of the dance floor which was thrown open to the audience, and alumni from 1979-2015 participated with sheer enthusiasm and spirit, bring back the memories of college days.

A sumptuous dinner and the bar added extra spice to the event. The whole event finally culminated around 11:30 pm with the departure of the MC. During the course of the event, it was announced that the next Global SDMCET alumni meet would be held in India/Mangaluru in the year 2016 for which all alumni are eagerly waiting.