FRIENDSHIP

DAMODAR APTE this name was in the lips of every member of our WhatsApp group as he got connected to our group after a very long break very recently.

We are bunch of class mates who graduated in 1982 and moved all over the world. Some chose to stay in the core function of food processing. Some chose to move to IT, some to automobiles, a few went and became entrepreneurs, a few chose to be close to the alma mater and do research etc. But the whole gang on account of the four years spent together remained close to each other. From the men folk the association became strong with spouses and then moving on to children.

There were daily exchange of messages, jokes, anecdotes and what not! Some jokes were mild vegetarian ones, some were hot non-vegetarian ones. Same was the case with videos too. But everything was enjoyable as we are group of people more or less fifty five plus with empty nests, these messages and exchanges gave some solace and relief that there is a group to exchange notes and keep a tab on all of us!

There were times we talked about old classes, tough professors, proxies given, copying carried out very clandestinely, times when we were caught without even realizing that after thirty five years of career a few have become CEO’s, some are Directors and Executive Directors now !

Despite our best efforts we could not trace and locate a few of the gang! Face book, Twitter etc. were of no help. We tried far and wide. One of the persons searched so thoroughly was DAMODAR APTE!

Damodar was from Akola District of Maharashtra! He was from a very underprivileged background. His parents were no more when he joined our class in 1978. He was supported by his eldest brother to carry out his graduation. He had to take personal tuitions for a few professors’ children in the evenings to support his course. The same would also give him some nice refreshments in the evening to avert unnecessary canteen expenses.

Damodar had a few close friends. He would socialize only with them as they all would be from Vegetarian mess and stingy guys who did not indulge in any extravagance in the entire four years.

Damodar was crazy after going abroad for work or further education. He was not very smart with his course work and his English was pathetic with typical rustic voice and pronunciations.

We all after the training and placement were totally ignorant of him and a few non-social guys. Thus lost touch with them totally. Our searches in Face book led to different Damodar and we did befriend them with a faint hope that the person may be the same.

But one fine morning after 35 years of guess work on Damodhar during which time it was assumed that he had married an Irish lady and set up base in Ireland, he had married a Dane and stayed back in Denmark etc. we found out that Damodhar was indeed in Ireland working for a company as well as he had his own business there. He did marry an Indian scholar with Doctorate and the have two daughters now.

It was a pleasant surprise to get a call from Damodahr one Friday! I was shocked by his same rustic tone vibrating with great excitement on hearing my voice. We talked about friends, family, jobs, investments, children’s marriage what not! After an hour or so Damodhar told that we must pay him a visit in Ireland etc. He was talking about investments of 40000 Euro for a condominium in Bangkok Thailand for vacation etc.

Then I slowly asked him what the opportunities were for someone like me to find a job or so. Damodhar was explaining that one must own or open fresh business and scope for subsidy etc. were high and all that. Then there were some background talks and Damodahar told me that he would call me the very next day!

Fifteen days have passed by! Now I neither see any message from Damodhar in our group nor I have heard anything from him after that!