30 Years Later, ISB Class of 1997 Reunites in Bahrain for a Day of Laughter and Memories

TDT | Manama

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They came from 15 countries — from Australia to the USA — for one reason: to relive their school days. On October 31st, the Indian School of Bahrain Class of 1997 reunited in Manama, turning a casual idea into an unforgettable celebration.

The plan, first discussed in November 2024, gathered momentum thanks to an energetic organising team of classmates including Anil Damodaran, Arun Mukundan, Bijoy Balakrishnan, Chandrasekharan, Deeann Lobo, Pradeep Vasudevan, Divya Das, Elezabeth Zachariah, Manoj Nayak, Mahesh Iyer, Mehnaz Hameed, Melvin John, Mitali Parekh, Radhika Gopinath, Sameera Mohammed, Shaheema Hameed, Sojo Alex, Sreeja Sreenivas, Tawfiq Kader, and Valentina Pires.

For many, it was their first visit to Bahrain in three decades. They retraced familiar roads to their former homes and marvelled at the island’s evolution since the days they lived here, an era that saw the building of the King Fahad Causeway and the first Gulf War, moments that defined their generation’s experience of Bahrain.

Laughter filled the day through antakshari sessions, dictionary game, and even a light-hearted short-film audition. “The organisers missed nothing,” said Seena Antony, while Sumeet Bhatia described it as “pure magic — laughter, nostalgia, and connection.”

Manoj Nayak played a pivotal role in tracking down classmates and keeping memories alive with his remarkable recall and enthusiasm.

As the day drew to a close, hugs, photos, and one shared promise filled the air — “Let’s not wait another 30 years.”