Mangaluru 29th Jan 2026 to 2nd Feb 2026 and Coorg – 2nd Feb 2026 to 05th Feb 2026
Our latest reunion was also plotted, planned and managed by our redoubtable Capt. Shashi Shantagiri, who has deftly managed a number of previous reunions since we began holding them in 2008. In the years gone by since then we have also opened our doors to ex-cadets from other batches as well as non-sailor friends who have taken the plunge and joined us on more than one occasion. I am sure that all those who have participated in this recurring adventure have no regrets about their having done so.
The venue selected by Shashi was the result of an extensive survey done by him in the region lying along the sea coast from Udupi to Ullal [Mangaluru District]
I agree whole heartedly with Shashi’s choice of venue because we had a trouble free experience at a reasonable price. Each couple or sub-group had a separate suite in single storey cottages placed in a huge palm grove with a separate common meeting and dining place which also housed the administrative section of the resort. The resort was well separated from the coastal main road that connected the township of Ullal with the city of Mangaluru. There was a beautiful large lagoon which formed the estuary of the Netravati River that we had to cross on our forays into the city. We had a very nice beach front right on the sea shore, which had a very enjoyable onshore breeze during the evening. Evenings were dry and cool, making it very pleasant event if we were out in the open. Some keen sunset watchers endeavoured catch the elusive sunset. The heavy haze often defusing the setting sun.
Shashi and Shaila were the first to reach the venue on the evening of the 27th, followed by Shashi’s close friend Shekhar accompanied by his wife Vanaja. Shabnum and I had also taken the same flight as theirs from Delhi, with the intention of avoiding an odd hour journey. We got together later in the evening after sorting out our bivouacs and spliced the main brace in good spirits and surroundings with cool winds coming off the sea directly into the dining hall verandah. Wonderful start to what would eventually turn out to be a very pleasant unforgettable reunion.
Other members of the final group arrived as scheduled by the available flights from the various starting point of their sojourn to Mangaluru. Shashi took the initiative of collating the arrivals so transport could be organised at the schedule arrival. The car hire company took the initiative to send the details of the vehicles and driver contacts, making coordination between driver and passenger easy.
On day-1 we had planned our remembrance to ‘dearly departed colleagues’; but as a few were delayed in their arrival the ‘Remembrance Service’ was delayed to day-2.
Day-2 Somesh Batra made a brief talk, highlighting that in 2025 we had a larger than normal passing of our dear colleagues, in particular our regular attendee Satish Sood remembered, also our long supportive Ramu and distant batchmate Corea. The ladies lead the lighting of a ‘Remembrance candle’ for each of the dearly departed colleagues, followed by the men in attendance. A ‘ minute’s silence ‘followed the lighting of the last candle.
Earlier in the day a group tried to visit the local zoo but ended up in paying the entry, but got no further as the buggies for travelling the 4km path were booked by a group of school kids earlier.
Day-3 Groups divided themselves into groups depending on the similarity of priority of sites to visit. Three cars were allocated for the groups based on the location of places of interest. One group went to various churches and old temples between. One church had a mass in progress that gave an insight into the catholic worship. A temple was an introduction to the monitory cost to the schedule for the special forms of puja offerings. A third group wanted to go to the special temples of Udipi; however, they learnt the temple schedule did not fit with the timing of the groups visit.
Evenings were the time for a bit of imbibing of spiritual refreshments of the liquid form. This was also an occasion for fellows and family members to demonstrate their hidden talents of dancing and singing.
Soman on most of the nights did a performance of various Indian styles of dancing some with his own interpretations of ‘life on the Dufferin’, Speedy(Paul) Gonsalves and Cathy sang many common favourite English songs which most were able join in with, Nain after a few glasses of his favourite brew also gave us the occasional song, Sahi’s grandson “SAHEJ” with his charming talent sang a few songs adding to the entertainment, As the new speaker provided by Shashi was introduced most got up to dance livening up the atmosphere.
Three groups went on tour of local attractions one group visited some of the old and ornate churches, and the odd temple, another group tried going to Udipi to visit the temples, another group did a tour of local temples and places of local tourist attractions.
During our five days there, we made an almost daily visit to eat out at the top eating places in the city, the most scenic of them being the “River Roost” about 20 km distance from our resort, on the South Bank of the Gurupura River which flows into the lagoon forming the estuary of the Netravati River. A truly memorable visit with excellent sea food, which included a fantastic crab dish with an unforgettable flavour. Other places that we enjoyed a variety of cuisines. Food at the Summer Sands resort was also very good beginning with a hearty breakfast that suited everyone’s palate.
A list of the participating members has already been put on record, the first prize for the largest contingent goes to the Sahi Clan which won the top honours with 7 participants, closely followed for second place by the Nain Clan with six participants, all adults.
| NAME | SPOUSE | ||||||
| 1 | SOMESH BATRA | UMA | |||||
| 2 | SIRISH SINHA | PILAR | |||||
| 3 | U V GOKHALE | SHABNUM | |||||
| 4 | AMAR RAJ NAIN | BRINDA | |||||
| 5 | BINWANT SINGH NAIN | MANPREET NAIN | AMAR RAJ’S SON & DAUGHER IN LAW | ||||
| 6 | RAMINDER SINGH GILL | NIMRIT GILL | AMAR RAJ’S DAUGHTER AND SON IN LAW | ||||
| 7 | SATNAM SAHI | INDERJEET | |||||
| 8 | SUMEET | ARMAN/ANSH | SATNAM SAHI’S DAUGHTER AND SONS | ||||
| 9 | SANJAM | SAHEJ | SATNAM SAHI’S DAUGHTER AND SON | ||||
| 10 | SHASHI.K.SHANTAGIRI | SHAILA | |||||
| 11 | SHEKHAR | VANAJA | SHANTAGIRI’S FRIEND & SPOUSE | ||||
| 12 | RAVI DEWAN | SHOBHA | SENIORS BATCH | ||||
| 13 | SANAT BHATE | JUNIORS BATCH | |||||
| 14 | SUDHIR SUBHEDAR | CHITRALEKHA | JUNIORS BATCH | ||||
| 15 | SOMAN MANI | BENITA | SOMAN’S NIECE | ||||
| 16 | CARL ALEXANDER | SHANTHA | |||||
| 17 | PAUL GONSALVES | CATHERINE | |||||
| CHILDREN WHO ATTENDED | |||||||
| ARMAN | 3 YRS | SUMEET’S SON | |||||
| ANSH | 3 YRS | SUMEET’S SON | |||||
| SAHEJ | 18 YRS | SANJAM’ SON | |||||
That was only the first part of this reunion, which ended on the 2nd of February, since Shabnum and Thoma were unable to find the time for the second part to be held at Coorg as they had engagements in their old town, Kanpur which they could not miss. Thoma and Shabnum were signed off on 2nd and left by the afternoon flight back to Delhi.
The two part reunion idea was first mooted at our Munnar reunion a couple of years ago and some members went for it at that time. There were quite a few takers this time too. That part of the reunion will be reported by one of its participants.
No sooner than the second part ended very recently, Shashi has already started aiming his guns at a mid-term reunion in September or thereabouts. The last one two years ago was a success, so I am sure that Shashi is going to give it his best shot again. Good luck to him and to Shaila.
Coorg
Coorg – 2nd Feb 2026 to 05th Feb 2026
We went to Sterling Brookstone Resort Madikeri Coorg in Thalatane Village, Katakeri, staying either upstairs or downstairs at the two storey chalets.
Travel 3 cars & Shantagiri personal car–
Participants – Shashi and Shaila Shantagiri, Ravi and Shoba Dewan, Soman Mani and niece Benita Victor, Carl & Shantha Alexander, Paul and Catherine Gonsalves, Sirish and Pilar Sinha,
Day1 – the usual late lunch time evening beer gathering followed by meals.
Day -2 All asked to do their own thing.
Some of the group did an impromptu photo session after lunch.
In the evening was the usual beer gathering – pre-dinner drinks and masala peanuts for snacks.
Day 3 two groups headed out
One group did a tour in a 6-seater Inova. The tour covered
1/. Abbi falls,
2/. Gadigi tombs of the Raja who lived during Tippu Sultan era.
3/. The Omkareshwara temple which was rather stringent about being bare foot and being made to walk on the rather spicky surface to get to the temple – which was more of a penance than inspiration
4/. The Raja seat which was being refurbished so we drove through the courtyard
5/. Gen. Thimmaiah home and now museum was full of photos and his life history and family details
6/. The gardens and few gardens we drove past, as it was getting on in time and mundane.
Above photos of Abbi falls
One group stayed back to enjoy the lunch drink session and relaxation.
Day -3 evening 3 Soman Mani with Benita Victor, along with Carl with Shantha Alexander played caroms – points game with Soman winning
Drinks session at Shantagiri’s usual masala peanuts and a special of roasted papads a special addition popular resulting in the additional plate of masala peanuts left over for Soman’s snack bag.
Day 4 all headed to home routes
Soman with Benita and Sirish with Pillar headed for Cochin
Paul and Cathy returned to Mangaluru airport to return to Mumbai
Rave and Shoba headed catch-up with relos and friend in Bengaluru
Carl and Shantha headed for Bengaluru airport with the transport by the company Cab Bazaar. We had a hair raising trip due to rash driving and blackmailing by cab owners. Thanks to Ravi and Shashi we were able catch our flight to Bengaluru.
Shashi and Shaila drove back to Bengaluru.
Thanks to Shashi and Shaila the reunion was an enjoyable occasion with a lot of fellowship and a successful reunion of batchmates and friends – a great success story .
