Alumni of the prestigious Bal Bhawan School gathered at a city hotel to celebrate the 50th anniversary of one of the most reputed schools in the state capital. Students from across the globe participated in the festivities via video conferencing.

Nestled in the scenic Shyamla Hills, one of the three royal enclaves from the princely era of the city, the school is a recipient of several awards for excellence in academics and sports.

Nostalgia and hope surrounded the alumni meet that reunited former students with their mentors through shared memories and deep gratitude for those who shaped their paths.

The morning session unfolded in traditional classrooms, where alumni from decades past shared fond recollections and life experiences with present-day students and faculty.Several students who now live abroad joined in via video conferencing; they included Neeraj Saxena from Africa, Pankaj Manoria, Sumbul Khan from Sharjah, and Haya Arif, who now lives in London.

The presence of the former students and teachers helped bridge generations and enriched the day’s reflections on learning and growth.

School director Umar Farooq Ali said that the school foundation day will be celebrated on November 3 every year. The nostalgia-filled classroom session was followed by a series of sports competitions that saw enthusiastic participation from the former students.

The day-long festivities culminated in a cultural gala held at a city hotel, where proceedings began with Ali retracing the school's journey in his moving address.Ali spoke of the rich heritage of the school and its innumerable achievements along the way.

A book by renowned city chronicler Sikandar Malik was also released on the occasion. Malik, an alumnus of the school, pays tribute to his alma mater in his latest work.