Convocation and Valedictory Ceremony- Part I

FROM THE DIARY OF XAVIER'S

(The following is the first part of an extract from the diary, maintained pretty regularly, by St. Xavier's College, taken with this esteemed institution's exclusive permission. For all those who think buildings can't write for themselves... well you can just take this with a truck-load of salt.)

The 29th of January, 2012 was a bit of a sad day for me. I was witness to the 5th Convocation and Valedictory Ceremony organized in my grounds, where I bid a tearful adieu to some of my dear students. It was a very emotional affair, as it has been over the years, one that still manages to bring a tear or two to my eyes when I recall it.

I awoke to a hubbub that morning and, as my senses slowly, tentatively tried to penetrate the thick blanket of slumber, the cause for the hustle and bustle suddenly dawned upon me- it was time for the goodbyes to be said for one final time through the lump in the throat and the misty eyes... it was time for the great 'passing out ceremony', and the person who was to bear witness to the great ritual was none other than the charismatic lady who had made, and in the process rewritten, history, who had given hope anew to the disenchanted masses of her state, the first woman Chief Minister of West Bengal, Miss Mamata Banerjee.

The security cordon within (and without) me was pretty strong- so strong that I heard they even had a fly taken into custody for flying too close to the dais without prior permission. Take that!

Soon, one by one, they started pouring in - invitees, parents, the toppers from each year, journalists, security people and the true VIPs of the day ... the degree awardees. They came in with a smile on their lips, a glad heart full of happy memories of the days they spent in my hallowed portals, looking quite smart in their best formals and the 'uttariyas' around their