About NOSTARCH 33

Dear Archies,

It may be a "few decades" for some or "just a few years" for the others, since the time we set foot inside the hallowed campus called 'RECT' (now NIT-Trichy) and nestled inside the mysterious but comfy space called 'DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE'. I am sure all of us will vividly recall, being addressed 'hey Archie'. In a sea of engineering students, sorely did we stand out with our 'T-scales and paper scrolls'. Little did we know that the soreness was soon to disappear in whirl of "whimsical initiation process" by the so called "seniors". Touch wood, many of us will accept that the classes from our seniors preceded the actual classes by our professors. Not that we regretted. And oh boy, the sourness to comfy sweetness had one more dark reason. Boys to girl's ratio were the highest amount all departments. I am sure all of you can still remember the stares from your other batch mates. Know is the fact that as a minority department and non-engineering department we never did enjoy or get to be treated at par with the other engineering buffs. But tell us, who cares, this treatment actually made us stand apart more predominantly and more so ended up in actually binding us in to a cohesive gang. So much so that the whole department seemed like a single bunch, with all batches merged into one. If we can also recollect that amongst all departments ours was one with the best rapport with both the seniors and juniors.

An added icing for us was the low student intake strength per year. Seriously did we ever dream that the initial batches for nearly ten years would have an intake of just fifteen unruly teens? The class rooms were only half full with full attendance and quarter full with half attendance. Not to mention fully empty while mass bunking.

We all began with a first year full of introduction classes, principles of Architecture, history of architecture, ET all. Frankly we are sure that most of us would never have understood head or tails of those subjects had in not been for the wonderful after class special coaching classes from our SAPPHIRE, OPAL and LAPIS enlightened ones.

Thus started our eventful journey into the wonderful world of architecture. BC plates, models, Art classes, literature survey, data collection, site visits, surveying, model making, design classes followed. The three hour design classes were the most challenging in testing us. And rightly so, by testing, not our design ability but our sheer physical ability to stay awake after a sumptuous meal in the mess. After a whirlwind of three years in the cocoon of our department we left for a short stint of profession training. Then back again to the grinds of the syllabus. Design reviews that made us cry and thesis that tested our mettle. The outdoor sketching sessions, temple study trips in our rickety college bus are unforgettable & memorable.

And of course the non-syllabus activities like NASA, Festember, Fresher's & Farewell Party and ET all. NASA trips take the cakes amongst all, as this is the trip that taught us to get used to real time Indian train travel. How else can you understand the fact that a bunch of 35 guys & girls board a train to Calcutta with only 30 tickets and by the mid of the journey, your still manage to find some births free. Blame the Cupid? And 'OH' those culverts - better less said, but thanks to the CPWD guys for planning and installing them. Those were the place where many of the Archie Romeos met their Juliet's had their evening classes. Hail 'CULVERT CLUB' and the "Culvert Gangs"!

Not to forget the lovely SC, post office, juice center, STD booth, snacketeria, murugan stores, the fun in COFAA, Interaction Club, the barn, the A2 hall, movies shows, CSG, temple in the first street. The 'Spirited' sessions in A2, in THE BARN with the night owls, at the top of the OHT behind the chemical department, inside the clock tower sitting along with all the mechanisms, (lets blame ourselves if it is still not running- but we dint start the fire) and the wonderful barbecue's behind sapphire. The zipping on our cycles across the various places, and do remember all the short cuts we had to take, because the cows were occupying the real roads (and they still do). Waiting for the post man to delivery our "highly & eagerly expected' month money orders was a ritual

If REC (now NITT) was the jewel in thuvakudi, it is only fair that we should also remember the other wonderful small gems around REC, which we frequented. The 'Dhandaks', Banana Leaf, Sea Kings, 'Nagas', 'Sam fox', 'Anna valaivu', 'BHEL theatre', 'thuvaks talkies', 'dabba' and many more.

Now let's get down to some mundane and important business.

For many or most of us, since the time we left REC (now NITT), much water has flown under the bridges. We have found our footings in the fields of interest that suited us best. We have pursued higher studies, set up our own firms, joined firms, diversified into allied and non-allied fields, done research and yet all. On that note it would be of immense pleasure and importance if we can meet and share the wonderful knowledge that we have gained, as knowledge without sharing is of no purpose. Meet old friends and make new ones, if at all for nothing else. Get into active events of our beloved department and play a proactive role that will help to nurture the future generations of architecture.

Since the time of inception of the department, 33 batches have passed out and If you may recall, no such event spanning the entire batches has been planned or done thus far. Hence it will be a great and successful event, not to mention, a memorable one, if all of us can take time to attend and participate.

Signing off
The organising team