This is a Students’ blog. It is a platform for us, the Students of School of Health Systems Studies (SHSS) to express our ideas; but please note the word “IDEA”. An idea, a product of human mind...there is no guarantee of it being right but that doesn’t mean that we cannot express it! The blog is not a peer-reviewed journal or a sponsored publication. That does mean something…it means that information here is the product of our brain which is under evolution at SHSS and it is UNPROOFED and UNREVISED.

The opinions expressed by the SHSS Student Bloggers and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not reflect the opinions of the School of Health Systems Studies or any employee thereof. School of Health Systems Studies and Tata Institute of Social Sciences is not responsible for the accuracy of any of the information supplied by the Student Bloggers.

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

They say that all good things must come to an end
And if it's the end of a great learning stint at TISS, it should be nothing short of amazing!
With this thought, we set about celebrating the exit of some special people from SHSS...
....who helped us feel at home and gave us confidence
....who took us under their wings and became our mentors.


It was time, for a grand 'Farewell' to the 2008-10
MHA/MPH batch from us juniors

Date: 13th January '10
Theme: 'Bollywood. 70's ishtyle'

Invitations were sent.
The stage was set.
And at 'Indian Standard Time', the guests arrived
Many came dressed in typical filmi attire
Once at the venue, the seniors were divided into various 'badmash' teams -
Gabbar, Langda Tyagi, Chhota Chhatree, Moganbo et al.

After a formal welcome, the teams assembled themselves on stage
We started off with - Chance pe Dance
In which, a member from each team to perform a Bollywood 'item number'
Loud cheer, whistles and thunderous applause was maintained throughout...
Winner: The evergreen Dr. Ayan, dancing away in his smart kurta
In fact, his inspiring performance set the tone for all the fun & frolic that followed
Ayaanji, aapke adaon ney toh humein...................................... Maar daala!
Show stopper: Dr. Vinit Samant, whom we all thought of as a serious fellow; leaving us spellbound with his jhatkaas, matkaas and killer expressions!

In the second game, the teams had to come up with a marketing pitch for a product.
Spoons, balloons and bowls were used as props.
Winner: Dr Sujay selling a bowl in Shah Rukh Khan voice. Hilarious!

A farewell party is incomplete without fondly recalling the quirks and qualities of the teachers
Our beloved faculty members were recreated on stage by some talented impressionists
All in good spirit and fun, mind you
Winner: The audience. For chanting - 'Please remember!!!'

Sweet aroma of the 'Farewell Cake' added flavour to an atmosphere already full of smiles and laughter
It was cut amidst much chaos and mirth, Dr. Sujay and Dr. Altaf doing the honours

And finally, the much awaited DJ!
Lights went out as everyone took the floor
Crazy disco lights, bollywood numbers, dance tracks, pop music and even a wacky vernacular song here and there created a heady mix....
It was hard not to join in and shake a leg
A tiring dance session was followed by a delectable dinner and desserts
Mementos were handed out to the senior batch, a token of remembrance from the grateful juniors

Thus ended a wonderful evening of merriment and conviviality
A smartly organized event with much attention to details
Everyone smiled throughout, laughed a lot, danced hard, ate with relish and enjoyed themselves
I can't help but think about our farewell, now less than a year away
It's going to be a year full of wonderful memories
And they'll bring a smile to our faces and moisten our eyes forever....