A reunion is a splendid opportunity for any fellowship to reignite the warmth they once shared. A get-together brings back the pleasant memories of the past along with smiles regardless of what the current state of lives is. It refreshes the mind and rejuvenates the soul. The graduates of Coimbatore Law College’s first batch- The Class of 1982 returned to their college after 37 years. Coimbatore Law College is one of the very oldest Law colleges in the State and had its inception in the year 1979. The Principal during that period was Prof. Adiseshan. 96 students graduated with flying colors in the year 1982 and they being the first batch, by becoming the stalwarts of Law and serving the society as successful advocates, judges and judicial officers had inspired many generations to love Law and learn it. The members stepped inside their college and found everything to be the same, from the color of the walls to the wooden steps. The Covai Mail spoke with some of them to about their experiences during their days at Coimbatore Law College.
Sundaravadivelu
We learned through Advocate Sundaravadivelu that, this get-together has come after nearly 25 years. The batch-mates had met once previously in 1993 but it was attended by just a few. Now after a long gap, 52 members of the first batch had a memorable reunion. “I should really thank Mr.Sivakumar of Globus Construction who now owns the college building which was once the property of Tea Estates India Limited.”
Sundaravadivelu said that when they approached Sivakumar for hosting the reunion, he immediately agreed to it and he even re-painted the building in the exact color as it was. “Through prior communication we gathered at the campus and it rejuvenated us” said Sundaravadivelu. Telling about his experience, he said he chose to do his studies in Coimbatore although he got chances to do Law at Chennai. He recollected the fond memories of his college days; telling us how butterflies of myriad colors would grace the college campus back then. “We had no crowded population, air pollution or traffic in our time. Everything was blissful and Coimbatore was a Paradise on Earth, indeed” he recounted.
He said “We would frequent Royal Theatre, Carnatic, Murugan Theatre and the now defunct Srinivasan Theatre to watch all the old movies” Though Sundaravadivelu and his friends were just 21 at that time, they loved the classics. When it comes to studies, the first batch had memories worth sharing. The batch mates themselves would set up mock court-trails and would make their classroom the place to sharpen their skills. They would play the roles of lawyers and engage in healthy arguments which gave good results. Sundaravadivelu credits his teachers as the craftsmen who shaped them into the esteemed idols they are today. He wishes the young generation to not forget the place where they learn values. He wants them to maintain that solemn fellowship with each other. “Without the wise old experiences, there cannot be new innovations” he highlighted and wanted them all to remember from who and where they built themselves anew.
M.Sanjaiyan
It was a very nice feeling to have come back after 37 long years. “We didn’t think we are old because we all are more than 60 years yet on that day we all felt we are between the age group of 20-24. We are very pleased and exchanged pleasantries and biographies with everybody said, M.Sanjaiyan, Senior Advocate, Coimbatore. He also mentioned that all have reached great heights and have their own families. Our people have and are holding important positions. He (Sanjayan) proudly mentions that one of the member continues to be the President of the Coimbatore Bar Association and apart from that there is one District judge (retired), Sub-judge (retired), High court judge, two MLA’s from our batch. The temporary law college building at Race Course is now a private property but the owner was very gracious to have allowed us to conduct a re-union. We were a total of 90 students in the first batch out of which only 52 could make it for the re-union”.
Barbara Lydia
Senior Advocate Barbara Lydia who practices in the family court at Erode speaking on the re-union said, “There are no words to explain the joy we felt. We reached a place where we had started our journey and the occasion was a very jovial one. The building was renovated in the same pattern as it was in 1982. It was in its original place. We just entered the college and sat in our respective places recalling those precious moments. I chose law as a profession because of sheer passion. Right from the beginning; I never wanted to be isolated. I always wanted to be people and that’s the reason probably why I preferred this job. During my college days, I took part in various activities like singing, badminton and likewise since it was the first set and there was very little scope.
We had our own entertainment. My professional journey is nice and comfortable, since I am practicing under civil side, it requires a lot of time to prepare. It gives us lots of scope to learn so many things. We learn every day and are not confined to just one particular area since I also deal with property cases, family law cases and our mind is always afresh”.
L.R.Jayaprakash
Second Generation lawyer & Senior Advocate L.R.Jayaprakash mentions, that those days cannot be forgotten and will always remain as a cherished memory in his life. “During those days, when other colleges gave no admission especially in Engineering, students opted for law colleges as a last resort viz., 75 percentage of students who joined law college wanted to become lawyers while the rest 25 percentage joined because it was the last available option. When asked about his professional journey, he said, the journey as a student, as a relationship with others friends and lawyer has been excellent.
During college times there was difference of opinions but after coming out of college there has been no difference of opinions. Each one of them is doing great in their respective areas and earning good name & money. Members from our set are successfully serving in districts like Tiruppur, Erode, Madras, Salem, Coimbatore and Tirunelveli as judges, justice, lectures and Ex-MLA’s are all there. Jayaprakash is working from Coimbatore and deals with civil services. His favorite lecturer during college days was Adishesan who post retirement from the college is practicing as an advocate at Chennai. He said he is very much indebted to all his lecturers, senior lawyers, parents and god because of whom he is successful today”.
Suryakumari
While asking Advocate Suryakumari about the reunion, she said the biggest surprise to her during the get-together was the preservation of their campus. Although Coimbatore has changed much in terms of infrastructure, their college and their classrooms have remained the same. The Covai Mail learned that through WhatsApp, the batch-mates have remained connected. In fact they have been using the messaging app for the last 5 years. They have shared their thoughts and joyous moments by meeting in person too. She narrated to us the colorful college memories that remain preserved in her mind. She said their professors poured their heart and soul when they taught them, and the bond they share with them is a special one.
She also said the trees and pleasant shades found in the Race Course Road are sight to sore eyes. From her we learned that they all had keen interest in taking part in inter-collegiate cultural and sports meet held at Government Arts and Science College and C.I.T when the opportunity comes. “Keep yourself updated, because law is not static. Every year something new is added to the law and so on” she suggested the young aspiring lawyers.
K.R. Sankaran
K.R. Sankaran practicing as a Criminal Lawyer in Coimbatore said, “It was a walk down the memory lane to visit the venue where we studied for three long years. Being the first batch, we brought back our old pleasant memories and we arranged the furniture in such way where we more or less occupied the same seats. The only difference we felt was the hall which seemed to have grown small and it was very surprising.
There are lots of good memories to recall. We went to the backyard where we played games, compound, the library upstairs, verandah where we used to gather and bunk classes. My best memory from college days was my lecture class of Contract Tax by our Principal Prof.Adiseshan. Talking about sports activity, I was table tennis champion at college playing in the backyard of the building. There was another senior professor R.Subramanium whose classes I throughouly enjoyed. He ended the conversation saying, he would be happy if the building continues to be maintained in Victorian style”.
