47 Years Later: A Swimmers' Reunion That Touched Hearts

When Time Stood Still at the National Institute of Sports

There are moments in life that defy the relentless march of time, moments when the past and present collide in the most beautiful way possible. In November 2025, the sprawling campus of the National Institute of Sports, Patiala, witnessed one such extraordinary moment. Seven friends from the 1977-78 Swimming Diploma batch returned to the place where their dreams once took shape, where they learned not just the art and science of swimming but also the meaning of lifelong friendship.

The Seeds of a Beautiful Dream

The year was 1977. Thirteen young, ambitious individuals walked through the gates of the National Institute of Sports to pursue their Swimming Diploma. They came from different corners of India, each carrying their own dreams, their own stories. For an entire year, they lived together, trained together, laughed together, and forged bonds that would prove stronger than steel. Among these thirteen were Mr. Amar Jeet Singh Sandhu, Mr. D.R. Yaduvanshi, Mr. M.S. Rana, Dr. V.K. Dabas, Mr. Major Singh Gill, Mr. P.T. Thomas, and Mr. T.J. Thomas - names that would later become synonymous with excellence in Indian swimming.

When 1978 arrived and the course concluded, these young men went their separate ways, dispersing across the nation and eventually across continents. Yet, something remarkable happened. Even in an era without smartphones, without social media, without the instant connectivity we take for granted today, they stayed in touch. Letters were written, phone calls were made, and friendships were nurtured across distances that would have defeated lesser bonds.

The Magic of Modern Technology

As decades rolled by and technology evolved, those who had drifted apart gradually found their way back to each other. Facebook reconnected some; WhatsApp groups brought others back into the fold. The thirteen had scattered, some had moved abroad, some had built careers in different cities, and some had settled into quiet retired lives. But the thread that connected them never truly broke.

Then, in August 2025, someone floated an idea in their group chat, an idea so simple yet so profound that it set hearts racing across continents. What if they could all meet again? Not just anywhere, but at the very place where it all began—the National Institute of Sports Patiala campus. What if they could walk the same paths they had walked as young men, now as 75-year-olds with silver hair and a lifetime of stories?

The Initiative That Made Dreams Come True

Geography played its part in turning this dream into reality. Mr. Amar Jeet Singh Sandhu, living closest to the NIS campus, took the mantle of making this reunion happen. He reached out to the Sr. Executive Director, Mr. Vineet, and requested an appointment. When they met, Mr. Sandhu shared the story of the 1977-78 batch and their desire to return home after 47 years.

Mr. Vineet's response was immediate and heartwarming. He was genuinely delighted to welcome back these proud alumni who had represented the institute with distinction throughout their careers. He assured Mr. Sandhu that all necessary arrangements would be made to host them. The institute that had shaped them into professionals would now open its arms to welcome them back as honored guests.

As word spread among the batchmates, excitement began to build. Preparations began on both sides - the institute readied its guest house, while the friends coordinated their travel plans from different parts of India and even from overseas. But there was someone else working behind the scenes to add a special touch to this reunion.

Mr. Sandhu's son, Mubarak Singh Sandhu, determined to make this reunion even more memorable, designed customized coffee mugs for each attendee. These weren't ordinary mugs—each bore the name of a batchmate, along with the picture and logo of NIS and their batch year, 1977-78. It was a small gesture, but one filled with love and recognition of the significance of this gathering.

November 3rd: The Day the Past Came Alive

The morning of November 3rd, 2025, dawned with an air of anticipation at the NIS Guest House. This was the day when time would fold upon itself, when men in their mid-seventies would become young students once again, at least in spirit.

Around 11 AM, Mr. Amar Jeet Singh Sandhu arrived at the guest house. Shortly after, Mr. D.R. Yaduvanshi from Bhopal walked in. And then, something beautiful and bittersweet unfolded—a moment that perfectly encapsulated the weight of 47 years.

The two friends stood face to face. They looked at each other. And they couldn't recognize one another.

Forty-seven years is not a small gap. At 75, the young men they once knew had transformed. The athletic bodies had aged, the full heads of hair had greyed or thinned, the smooth faces now carried the lines of decades of laughter, worry, triumph, and loss. For a few moments, they were strangers.

And then, recognition dawned. The eyes, perhaps, or the way they stood, or some indefinable essence that time couldn't touch - something sparked memory. In an instant, Mr. Sandhu and Mr. Yaduvanshi realized who they were looking at. They embraced, and their laughter filled the guest house - loud, uninhibited, joyous laughter that came from somewhere deep within, from that place where their 25-year-old selves still lived.

The reunion had begun.

Friends from Far and Wide

By 11:15 AM, Mr. M.S. Rana arrived, having flown all the way from the United States for this reunion. Think about that for a moment—a 75-year-old man, comfortably settled in America, choosing to undertake an international journey because being with his old friends in their old campus mattered more than convenience or comfort. That's the measure of what they shared.

Half an hour later, Dr. V.K. Dabas reached from Gwalior. Then came Mr. Major Singh Gill, Mr. P.T. Thomas and Mr. T.J. Thomas. Seven of the original thirteen were now together again, standing on the same ground where they had once been young and full of dreams.

The plan was to stay for two nights. Two nights that would prove to be a lifetime's worth of memories compressed into 48 hours.

Living the Memories

That first day was spent simply being together. There were no grand plans, no elaborate activities - just seven old friends sitting together, talking, reminiscing, filling in the gaps of 47 years. They shared stories of their careers, their families, their triumphs and struggles. They talked about the friends who couldn't make it, wondering about the paths their lives had taken.

As evening approached, drinks were shared by some - a toast to friendship, to the past, to the present, to the miracle of being together again. Dinner was a lively affair, filled with laughter and friendly arguments about who remembered what correctly from their student days. Eventually, as age demanded, they retired to their respective rooms in the NIS Guest House, but the joy of reunion accompanied each of them into their dreams.

Walking Through Time

The next day brought perhaps the most emotional part of the reunion - a walk through the campus. For these seven men, it wasn't just a walk; it was a journey through their own history, a chance to touch the places that had shaped them.

They started at the main gate of NIS, where decades ago they had first entered as nervous young students. The first checkpoint, which once had heavy iron chains, was still there, now modernized but still recognizable. They moved to the administrative offices in the main building, where they had once waited anxiously for results and announcements.

Then came the Swimming Pool Complex, the heart of their memories. How many hours had they spent in those waters? How many laps had they swum, how many techniques had they mastered, how many dreams had they nurtured while staring at the rippling surface? They stood there, 75-year-old legends of Indian swimming, and for a moment, they could almost hear the echoes of their younger selves, the splashing water, the coach's instructions, the competitive spirit.

They walked past the four huge lawns in front, with the architectural canals running through the middle, still beautiful, still pristine. The Volleyball Courts where they had played during their free time, the Athletic Tracks and Basketball Courts where they had maintained their fitness, the Hockey Fields, Football Fields and Velodrome where they had watched other athletes train, every corner had a story.

The Boxing Hall brought back memories of the other sports disciplines they had witnessed during their stay. They walked through the Residential Areas and finally to the Hostel Area where they had actually lived during their course days. Those rooms, those corridors, they had been young men there, away from home, building independence, forming friendships that would last a lifetime.

As they walked, they talked. They pointed at buildings and said, "Remember when...?" They laughed at old pranks and mishaps. They grew quiet at times, overwhelmed by the flood of memories. At 75, on this campus, they weren't just reminiscing about their youth; they were briefly living it again.

The Word Spread

News of this remarkable reunion didn't stay contained within the guest house walls. Word spread through the NIS community that these legends of Indian swimming, members of the historic 1977-78 batch, were visiting after nearly half a century.

Ex-colleagues who had worked with Mr. Amar Jeet Singh Sandhu and Mr. M.S. Rana at NIS began arriving to meet them. Mr. J.G. Sharma spent considerable time with the reuniting alumni both the days, sharing in their joy and adding his own memories to the collective nostalgia. Mr. Ashok, Mr. Bachittar Singh, Mr. Gupta and many other friends came to meet them. These weren't just formal meetings; they were warm gatherings of people connected by the common thread of NIS and their dedication to sports.

Meanwhile, Mr. Sandhu's son had been working on another surprise. He reached out to his friend, Mr. Jupinderjit Singh, to inquire whether The Tribune would be interested in covering this reunion. The response was immediate and enthusiastic. This was exactly the kind of positive, motivational story that needed to be told - a story about friendship, dedication, and the enduring bonds formed through sports.

A Morning Surprise

The morning of November 5th brought unexpected joy. When the friends opened The Tribune newspaper, there they were, their group photograph prominently featured. Their reunion, their story, was now part of the public record, preserved in history. It was official recognition of something they already knew: what they shared was special, rare, and worth celebrating.

Mr. Naveen Sharma, having read about the reunion in The Tribune, made it a point to visit and meet these legendary alumni. The coverage had touched people, reminding them of the power of enduring friendships and the special place that NIS holds in the hearts of its alumni.

The Pillars of Support

Throughout their stay, the current administration of NIS went above and beyond to make the alumni feel welcome and honored. The Deputy Director, Mr. Rajbir Gill, personally ensured that everything ran smoothly during their visit. Every need was attended to, every comfort provided, not as a matter of protocol, but with genuine warmth and respect for what these men represented.

On November 4th, the Sr. Executive Director Mr. Vineet met with Mr. Amar Jeet Singh Sandhu, Dr. Dabas, and Mr. Rana. He spent quality time with them, listening to their stories, appreciating their journey, and commending them highly for their effort in organizing this reunion. His interaction wasn't merely official; it was a conversation between someone who understood the value of institutional legacy and those who had contributed to building it.

Mr. J.S. Bhullar also met all seven friends at the Swimming Pool and captured a group photograph with them, another precious memento from these two magical days.

The Bittersweet Goodbye

November 5th also marked the end of this beautiful interlude. By 11 AM, checkout time had arrived, though hearts were reluctant to acknowledge it.

When Mr. Sandhu's son reached the NIS Guest House to pick up his father, the reality of parting was already setting in. Mr. P.T. Thomas and Mr. T.J. Thomas had already left. Dr. Dabas was outside, cleaning his car, perhaps taking his time because leaving was difficult. Mr. M.S. Gill, unfortunately, was unwell, lying in bed and ruefully cursing his joints for the pain and discomfort - a reminder that at 75, even the strongest bodies have their limitations. His wife and daughter had come from Bathinda to pick him up, ready to take him home for rest.

Mr. J.G. Sharma was there on the morning of November 5th to see them off, his presence a comforting constant through both days of the reunion. Goodbyes were said with heavy hearts. These weren't just farewells; they were echoes of that day in 1978 when thirteen young men had completed their course and dispersed, not knowing when they would all be together again.

More Than a Reunion

As each friend departed, heading back to their respective lives in different cities and countries, they carried with them more than just photographs and coffee mugs. They carried renewed friendships, refreshed memories, and the profound satisfaction of having closed a 47-year circle.

For two days, they had defied age, distance, and time itself. They had proved that true friendship doesn't fade with years or miles. They had shown that the bonds formed in youth, when strengthened by mutual respect and genuine affection, can last a lifetime and beyond.

This wasn't just a reunion of seven old men visiting their former campus. It was a celebration of human connection, a testament to the enduring power of shared experiences, and a reminder that some institutions like the National Institute of Sports don't just train athletes; they create families.

As they said goodbye to each other, promising to plan another reunion soon, perhaps they all understood what this gathering had really been about. It wasn't about reliving the past; it was about honoring it. It wasn't about being young again; it was about celebrating the journey from youth to wisdom. It wasn't about the place or the sport; it was about the people - the thirteen who started together in 1977, the seven who made it back in 2025, and the bonds that neither time nor distance could break.

The Swimming Diploma batch of 1977-78 at the National Institute of Sports had created more than just successful careers in swimming. They had created a legacy of friendship, one that 47 years later, proved as strong and vital as the day it began. And that, perhaps, is the greatest achievement of all.