Golden Jubilee Convergence-2017

Hindustan Group of Institutions established by Founder Chairman Late Dr. KCG Verghese is celebrating its Golden Jubilee Year with great pomp and festivity. To commemorate this historic occasion, Golden Convergence 2017 - HGI Golden Jubilee Alumni Reunion - A Mega Alumni Event was organized by HGI in association with their Alumni Associations on 2nd December 2017, at the University Campus, Padur.

It was a grand and memorable Reunion that witnessed the conglomeration of over 1000 Alumni of Hindustan Institute of Engineering Technology (HIET), Hindustan Institute of Technology & Science (HITS), KCG College of Technology, Hindustan College of Arts and Science (HCAS), and Orient Flight Schools (OFS), who travelled from various parts of the globe to participate in the Reunion along with their families.

Separate get-togethers were held at respective institutions in the morning session. Golden Convergence Event was celebrated post lunch and Dr. Elizabeth Verghese, Chairperson, HGI; Dr. Anand Jacob Verghese, Director & CEO, HGI; Dr. Ashok G. Verghese, Director, HGI; Dr. Aby Sam, Director, HGI; Dr. Susan Marthandan, Director, HCAS; Dr. Annie Jacob, Director, KCG College of Technology; Dr. S. Ramachandran, Vice-Chancellor, HITS; Principals of HGI Units, Faculty and staff graced the special occasion.

Mr. Chandra Saravana Muthu, Founder, Global Aviation Services, Malaysia, HIET 1978 batch Alumnus presented the welcome address and he shared the valuable experiences he had with Founder Chairman, in bringing the first airworthy Aircraft to India after persistent efforts for five long years. He stated that Dr. KCG Verghese was a man of ideas, ideals, values and principles - a magnanimous person - and these qualities should be emulated by all generations. He advised his fellow Alumni that on this momentous occasion, HGI Alumni should re-affirm their solidarity and commitment, and contribute generously to their Alma Mater and the Society. He donated 2 Lakh Rupees to HIET Alumni Association, in order to help students pursue research work.

Captain Asif Punathil, Senior Commander, SpiceJet, OFS 1995 batch Alumnus, paid tributes to the Founder Chairman stating that Dr. K. C. G. Verghese was an achiever himself and he inspired and motivated his students to become achievers too. Captain Asif said that he could become a pilot at the age of 32 and his dream of flying Boeing 747 could be fulfilled only due to the guidance and support he received from the Founder.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Anand Jacob Verghese, Director & CEO, HGI, praised the achievements of HGI Alumni who are excelling in all walks of life. He stated that five decades ago HETC started as a small institute and today the Group has 50000 Alumni, 15000 students and 2000 staff working in unison to achieve glory, and he attributed the success of the Group to all the stakeholders. He stated that it is a matter of great pride for HGI that it has high profile Alumni in almost all fields, and that it is a great privilege for the Group to honor some of the outstanding Alumni during the 50th year celebrations.

Dr. Elizabeth Verghese, Chairperson, Hindustan Group of Institutions heartily welcomed the Alumni. She recollected how the Founder Chairman encountered several hardships in starting the institution, but how determined he was to make engineering education accessible to all - his vision being ‘To Make Every Man a Success and No Man a Failure”. She stressed the need for close collaboration of Alumni with their Alma Mater in order to improve academic matters and employment opportunities for students. She stated that the primary focus of HGI is on the quality of education. She invited the Alumni to contribute to the Charitable Trust established in the name of the Founder Chairman and informed them that the funds are utilized for noble causes and to help the needy. She said she is looking forward to a Global Alumni Reunion in near future. She advised the Alumni to get a copy of “Wheels & Wings” - the awe-inspiring autobiography of Founder Chairman.

Distinguished Alumni Awards were presented to ten eminent Alumni of HGI.

Col. Dipak Bastola (HIET 1995), Chief Engineer-Quality Assurance, Nepalese Army Aviation;
Dr. Ramakant Singh (HIET 1986), Director, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Govt. of India;
Mr. Chandra Saravanamuthu (HIET 1978), Founder, Global Aviation Services, Malaysia;
Mr. K.T. Sadashivan (HIET 1978), Chief Operating Officer, GMR Aero Technic Ltd.;
Mr. Mugundan Natrajan (HIET 1972), Retd. Executive Director (Engg), Indian Airlines;
Dr. Ethirajan Bhaskaran (HCE 1990), Deputy Director, Dept. of Industries & Commerce, TN;
Dr. Annie Jacob (HCE 1999), Director, KCG College of Technology;
Capt. Asif Punathil (OFS 1995), Senior Commander, SpiceJet;
Mr. P. Jegatheeswaran (KCG College 2011), Deputy Collector, Theni, Govt. of Tamil Nadu;
Mr. Srikanth (HCAS 2000), South Indian Movie Celebrity

Awardees expressed their gratitude to the Management and their Alma Mater, for choosing them for the prestigious HGI Alumni Excellence Awards.
Colonel Dipak Prasad Bastola proudly stated that HIET is his mother institution - one of the best in the world - that provided him a one-mile runway, which enabled him to explore the whole world. He said it was the tremendous motivation given by the Founder Chairman that helped him perform one hundred percent and he dedicated his award to Dr. KCG Verghese. He said the vision of the Founder is one of the best in the world, which encouraged him to achieve Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Award of AeSi in 1994, and French Aeronatique and Spatial Award 2009 from GIFAS, France.

Dr. Ramakant Singh said that he still feels like the same young person who joined the institution in 1983. He fondly reminisced the conversations he had with Dr. KCG Verghese, which motivated him to perform to the best of his ability.

Mr. K.T. Sadashivan stated that HETC has given him sound foundation in Aviation and that he keeps viewing his HETC certificate and feels proud of it. He informed that he always remembers the Founder Chairman and family for enabling him to achieve success. He recollected his initial meeting with the Founder and how he was encouraged by him to pursue the AME course.

Mr. Mugundan Natrajan informed that he chose to study AME at HIET because of the valuable advice and support given by Founder Chairman. He announced with pride that HIET made him successful.

Dr. Ethirajan Bhaskaran informed that his Project on Robotics as a student, won the Best Project Award from Directorate of Technical Education, Govt. of Tamil Nadu and that he attributed his success to the institution and the Founder Chairman, who provided a platform to explore the possibilities of research. He said he is ready to support his Alma Mater in his areas of expertise and invited students and Alumni to approach the Govt. of Tamil Nadu for entrepreneurial ventures.

Dr. Annie Jacob stated that whatever she learnt and implemented in her profession was due to the opportunities given to her by Founder Chairman. She informed that he was the best mentor she had who taught her what she should not do, rather than what she should do. She attributed her success to her family. She recalled that she received the gold medal in MBA from Founder Chairman, and now she is overwhelmed and blessed to receive the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the Chairperson.

Mr. P. Jegatheeswaran who secured 78th Rank in IFS (Indian Forest Services) Exam and 6th Rank in TNPSC Group 1 Exam at the age of 26 said he owes his success to his Alma Mater, KCG College of Engineering. He stated that the motto given by the Founder has inspired him to victory.

Mr. Srikanth, South Indian Movie Star spoke with great passion regarding his association with HCAS. He recalled that he achieved his breakthrough while studying at HCAS and that he was awarded Mr. Madras title. He stated that by the time he completed his final year studies, he rose to fame and entered filmdom. He appreciated the freedom given to students at HGI and thanked the Management for supporting students in academics as well as extra-curricular activities. He noted that the culture at Hindustan is liberal and secular that emphasized not only on education but on holistic development of students.

Mr. Arav, Alumnus of HITS (Mech 2012), Winner of Big Boss Tamil Season I Title was also present during the event. He praised the Management and faculty for their encouragement which enabled him to taste success in life at a very young age.

Vote of thanks was proposed by Dr. S. Ramachandran, Vice-Chancellor, HITS. Cultural programmes included enthralling dance performances by Mr. Prabhu Dhanasekar (Mech 2000), Director of Spring Boots Academy and his Team, Stand-up Comedy and mimicry by Kovai Ashok, and band performance by Airtel Super Singers Team which made the day immensely enjoyable and entertaining.

Raffle Lucky Draw lots were picked by the dignitaries. 12 prizes worth 5.5 Lakhs sponsored by HGI institutions, ranging from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 1.5 Lakh, were given away to lucky winners. The prizes included 16 grams gold coin, Mobile phones, Laptop, Holiday packages to Goa, Air Ticket to Thailand, Sofa set and Laser Printer. The Bumper Prize was Royal Enfield Bullet Bike worth 1.5 Lakhs sponsored by HITS and was won by Mr. Daniel, HIET Alumnus. The Bike keys were handed over to him by Dr. Mrs. Elizabeth Verghese, Chairperson, HGI. The winners and the audience as well, were quite excited during the Raffle Draw proceedings.

The program ended on a graceful note with colorful fireworks.