We are at BITS Pilani, Goa. For those of us who have spent our formative years in Pilani and have been proudly telling our friends and family for years now, how It’s Pilani. And it’s different, this was an opportunity knocking. To experience Pilani again. This time though far away. In Goa. 

The Excitement

Our preparations started more than six months in advance. With BITSians across batches, also planning out their own batch get together. The occasion, BITSAA Global Meet 2020. As the d day arrived, more than thousand BITSians like me from across the globe waited eagerly at different airports to board their flights. Our destination, Goa.

My flight was delayed a little but when we landed it was still early afternoon. The airport was full with BITSians arriving from different destinations, including many of my batch mates. After our hi and hugs, we were off to our hotels looking forward to catching up later in the evening. The Global Meet was starting the next day on January 17th.

This trip of mine was for seven days and being a travel blogger, had the privilege of being hosted by three different resorts during this period. My stay for the next three days was in this lovely boutique resort, Athi Resorts just a kilometer away from Bogmalo beach. More later about this nice and peaceful place to stay, amidst nature.

After checking in, freshening up and a coffee later, it was time to catch up and be with my batch mates who were all putting up in a resort on Bogmalo beach. The batch of BITS 77. So here we go for some fun together.

Fun time with batchmates

BITS Pilani, Goa Campus

The pick up bus arrived early the next morning and soon we were off to the BITS Pilani, Goa campus all excited to have a feel and anticipating the fun time we were in for the next three days of BITSAA Global Meet 2020. The arrangements turned out to be near perfect and the entire credit goes to the BGM Core Team & BITS Pilani Goa student volunteers for the wonderful time we all had. Also wish to thank the BITS Goa Photography Club for all the memories that they have gifted us.

BITS Pilani, Goa – The BITSian Global Meet

It was now time for the BGM to start and so all participants went inside the Audi for the program to start. Let me now take you through some of the highlights of BGM 2020.

It was a wonderful start as the students of Goa campus came together to sketch individually and then unveiled the portrait of our very own former President Dr. A.P.J.Abdul Kalam like a jigsaw puzzle.

This was followed by the Inaugural Keynote address by none other than Sonam Wangchu. An Engineer, Innovator, Eco-Warrior and Educational Reformist it was a pleasure hearing him speak about his enrolling in school at the age of 9, his differences with his father over the choice of Engineering stream as he wished to become a Mechanical Engineer and then his going on to fund his own education by starting his own coaching class for failed students in Ladakh during his holidays.

The founding Director of the ‘Students Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh’ (SECMOL), he is also known for designing the SECMOL campus that runs on solar energy and uses no fossil fuels for cooking, lighting or heating. He also invented the ‘Ice Stupa’ technique that creates artificial glaciers, used for storing winter water in form of conical shaped ice heap. Hear the first few moments of his speech where he talks about his fondness for BITS, Pilani and have a look at how he has made a difference with his innovations.

The First Evening

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The Second Day

On the second day, the first Keynote address was by our very own alumnus, Revathi Advaithi, CEO of Flex and who also happens to be Fortune’s Most Powerful Women of 2019. She talked about the importance of balancing professional and personal life among other aspects of how to lead large corporations. She kept the audience mesmerized.

This was followed by the next Keynote address by Anil Kumble. What a pleasure it was hearing him talk. His down to earth presence and the sweet smile of this ‘Champion Cricketer’ won the heart of the audience even before he spoke. Then we all roared in laughter when he said this after his first few opening sentences. “Me & Sachin Tendulkar made our debut at the same time, although he was much younger than me. There were a lot of expectations from him and for me it was mostly talk about how I got selected first thing, being a spinner who could not spin the ball. We had different challenges. For Sachin, it was to prove everyone right. And for me, it was to prove everyone wrong”. Although he claimed he is more comfortable with a chat than addressing an audience, he was just awesome.

The Music Nite

The Music Nite on the second night despite some hiccups though had some good performances also, with our BINDASS BITSIAN, Atul Mishra hogging the limelight.

Now it’s time for me to to take you around a bit of the campus. Be here to explore more.

And now a look at the D Dome, the main institute building from different angles, with a part of the campus on the left as you enter the main gate.

BITS Pilani, Goa. An extension of our dream destination, Pilani.

And for all of you who are studying here. Wish you the best guys. Go live your dream.

Visit when you are in Goa. PIN it !!