Manipal University alumni 1966 batch meet

Mangalore Today News Network

Manipal, Dec 22, 2015: Third weekend of December every year is when the university holds a formal reunion function. About 500-odd old students relived their past in what they said was a “completely transformed Manipal”. Memories came flooding back to their minds as they stepped on the campus of Manipal University for a reunion.

A media release issued by Manipal University stated that the formal reunion function held here was an occasion for all of them to come together. Individually, the institutions chalked out programmes for their alumni — trips to beaches, dinners, parties, sight-seeing and visiting favourite spots – just as they did three, four or more decades ago. It was a nostalgic and memorable week-end in Manipal for all of them.

A number of the 1966 batch of engineering students were here and one among them, M.G. George Muthoot, now chairman of The Muthoot Group, was honoured with the ‘Distinguished Alumnus Award 2015’.

 M.G. George Muthoot, was a mechanical engineering student in Manipal Institute Technology and attended various executive management courses at Harvard Business School later.  He joined the family business at a young age and became its managing director in 1979. He took over as the chairman of the group in 1993.   Muthoot recalled the “good old days” in a speech lasting well over half an hour.

He spoke of the good times he had with friends from different parts of the country, how he picked up 11 languages in those four years, except Konkani, and credited Manipal University for what he is today. “This has greatly helped me in my family business, because when we spread our business pan India, I could speak to people in their language,” Muthoot said.

“I spent the most budding years of my youth here in Manipal. I cherish those years and the learning that immensely benefited me at every stage of my professional life. I had no choice for caste, creed or religion and different customs, traditions and practices. I enjoyed everything,” he said.

“All those who have gone from Manipal have become outstanding people in their chosen fields.” He mentioned Microsoft’s Satya Nadella and Nokia’s Rajeev Suri who are alumni of this great institution. “When I read that they too are from the same engineering institute where I studied, I was truly happy”.

K. Ramnarayan, vice-president (Faculty Development and Alumni Relations), and Prasanna Kailaje, Director, Alumni Relations, were present.