Chennai: The Alumni Club - Anna University celebrates its silver jubilee on Saturday. It was formed as a club for engineers passing out of the four star colleges of AU - College of Engineering in Guindy, AC Tech, MIT and School of Architecture and Planning - in a hurry as certain elements had an eye on the prime property in the Boat Club area. It was almost overnight that the club was born as the then Vice-Chancellor, Dr M. Anandakrishnan and professor Dr Hedge were keen that the huge area in sylvan surroundings that was the varsity's boat yard from about 1969 should not be lost to 'property' collectors or even senior bureaucrats looking for a housing colony.
"Twenty-five years is a long journey and we have progressed well in terms of amenities to the members", says Mr D. Ranganathan, president. He will be helming the jubilee function at which old office-bearers who made the club what it is today will be honoured, so too representatives of the university who gave the land for a social and recreational club. The area is so peaceful in this loud city. You can't hear a car horn blow or match the fresh air of the mornings when sportsmen descend on the club premises. With a membership base in excess of 1,700 the club hosts a large number of sporting and cultural activities besides entertainment days for members and their families.
As a prime mover of the idea to make the land over for a common purpose while defeating the plans of rich landlords, Dr Anandakrishnan will be presiding over the jubilee function. Besides plaques for those who have served the club, there will be thoughtful mementoes for all the members, besides a music programme and other entertainment. The top prize in a lucky draw for members will be a TVS Victor motorcycle gifted by Venu Srinivasan, an alumnus of Guindy Engineering who is CMD of the company, besides a host of other prizes.
