Dear ones,

Are you ready for breath-holding Part 9 of Heart Beats of SPCE?

Warning: Students are advised not to attempt such hilarious adventure rather misadventure.

The Great Prank of 1980!

 

Heart Beats of SPCE: Part 9

The Great Prank of 1980!

As a young student, I found immense joy in the magic of classical songs from Hindi cinema. One of my favourite songs was:

‘April Phool Banaya 

To Unko Gussa Aaya…’. 

This beautiful, romantic song from the 1964 movie, ‘April Fool’ was filmed on the lovely duo Vishvajit and Saira Banu, and sung by legendary Mohammed Rafi in his magical voice. Its lively tune and playfull lyrics, perfectly captured the mischief and fun of the occasion, April Fool. During my diploma days, I often drew inspiration from the light hearted vibe of this song and played pranks on my class fellows. 

But in 1980, I decided to do something extraordinary on the eve of April Fool occasion. My roommate Rajan Bunge was having Rampuri Knife with him, in his suitcase. I decided to use it as a central object in my prank.

On that unforgettable night, just at midnight, I put my plan into action. Secretly, I took Rajan's knife from his suitcase, making sure no one noticed. Armed with a bottle of red ink that I had cleverly procured earlier, I slipped into the toilet block. Under the dim lights, I spread the red ink generously across the floor, creating what looked like a pool of blood. I placed the Rampuri knife near my "body," switched off the lights, and lay down on the floor, pretending to be the victim of a gruesome murder.

I had only myself and my breath for company as I waited in complete darkness. Minutes ticked by, and finally, I heard someone enter the toilet block. Later, I learned he was Bava, final year Mechanical student. In the eerie silence, I felt his footsteps getting closer. He was murmuring a song, unaware of the chilling scene ahead. Suddenly, he stumbled upon the knife and noticed the "blood" and the motionless body.

I could feel his panic even before he tried to shout-but he couldn't! Frozen in fear, he quickly ran away out of the toilet block, letting out a blood-curdling cry:

"Murder! Murder!!" His desperate scream pierced the night, waking up the entire wing.

Within moments, students from all corners of the hostel gathered outside the toilet block, torches in hand, whispering in confusion. Some were still half-asleep, while others, who were working on their termwork submission, were wide awake. A few courageous students ventured inside. As their torchlight fell on me, lying lifeless on the floor, the whispers turned into gasps.

"That's Ingale from Diploma!" one of them exclaimed, recognizing me from my clothes and build. The scene escalated quickly-rumors and speculations flew through the crowd.

Some remembered my adventurous antics during Holi, while others debated if I had enemies within the hostel or outside. My roommates, Rajan Bunge and Suresh Mahajan, were bombarded with questions, though they had no idea what was going on.

 …And Rector, Prof. Bhavani Prasad arrived at the scene. There was a pin drop silence! Bava briefed him. Grasping the situation, he instructed Shri Balkrishna, the hostel clerk, to inform the D.N. Nagar police station in Andheri. As these words hit my ears, a surge of panic coursed through me. Things had gone farther than I had planned.

Just as Balkrishna running to make the call, I decided it was time to end the drama.

Springing up from the floor, I walked to the door and shouted at the top of my lungs, “April Fool!  Enjoy!!” 

For a moment, there was dead silence! 

And then, chaos erupted again-but this time, it was shock and disbelief.

Students screamed and ran in all directions, their faces a mix of relief and anger. To prove my point, I am well, I went back inside, retrieved the empty red ink bottle from under the wash basin, and showed it to them. 

Slowly, the truth dawned on everyone. It was all just an elaborate prank- April Fool!

Prof. Bhavani Prasad, however, was far from amused. His face turned red with fury, but he managed to stay silent for a while. Then, in a calm yet stern voice, he said, "Mr. Ingale, see me tomorrow in my chamber!" With that, he walked away, leaving the crowd to disperse.

Dr. Mahendra Ingale, Former Principal @ Pune, March, 2025

P. S. :

1.This story was published in College Magazine ‘Sarjanika’ of 1980-81.

2.Warning:Students are advised not to attempt such hilarious adventure, rather misadventure.

Life as a Hostel General Secretary!

Heart Beats of SPCE: Part 8

Life as a Hostel General Secretary!

Being elected as the Hostel General Secretary was both an honor and a responsibility that came with high expectations. 

Our hostel was a vibrant hub of cultural exchange and camaraderie. It also accommodated students from African countries, Mauritius and other such countries who shared their unique perspectives, enriching our experiences. Alongside them were students from prestigious institutions like the J.J. School of Art and Printing Technology. Faculty members, including Prof. Bhavani Prasad (Rector) and Prof. R.M. Joshi (Warden), were part of our community, along with professors like Prof. Natu, Prof. Pannikar, and Prof. Desai from the SP Jain Management Institute. Even though it was predominantly a boys' hostel, two girls resided in separate accommodation, making the hostel even more dynamic. Office staff such as Mr. Balkrishna, Mr. Natarajan, Mr. Desai, Mr. Pandu, and Mr. Palekar, along with the watchmen and other supporting staff, further added to the sense of togetherness.

A dedicated hostel committee worked with me to ensure smooth operations. Cultural secretaries Sanjay Deo and Vikram Suchadeva organized memorable events like Ganapati Festival, Holi celebrations and others, while mess secretaries Suresh Mahajan and Pramod Morankar strived to improve the quality of food in the mess run by contractor Bachchubhai. Pramod Sant, the magazine secretary, chronicled hostel life, and gymkhana secretaries Kaushik Mehta and Ramaswami ensured a vibrant recreational environment. Our committee meetings became a platform to address issues such as repairs and maintenance, trespassers, and inclusivity of day scholars and students from Bhavan's hostel.

Life in the hostel was lively and full of activities. However, one day, an unpleasant incident occurred that tested my guts.

A foreign student, Snehwardhan (name changed), the son of a police chief, had a quarrel with his Indian roommate. The altercation escalated when Snehwardhan physically assaulted and verbally abused his roommate in front of others. As soon as I was informed, I went to the room with friends to investigate the matter. Snehwardhan was not present, so l instructed the others to notify me upon his return and advised the victimized student to move to another room temporarily for his safety.

News of the incident spread quickly among the hostel residents, sparking outrage. Some students, in their anger, entered Snehwardhan's room and threw his belongings, including his mattress, outside. The next evening, Rector Prof. Bhavani Prasad summoned us to his residence. Normally calm and considerate, Prof. Prasad was visibly tense as he addressed the situation.

"Mr. Ingale," he began sternly, "do you realize the seriousness of this incident? I want the names of the students responsible for throwing out Snehwardhan's belongings. Strict action will be taken against them."

I was taken aback by his tone. There was an unbearable silence in the room as we absorbed the weight of his words. Finally, I mustered the courage to speak.

"Sir, may I request you to share the full details of what has happened? There seems to be more to this situation," I said cautiously.

Prof. Prasad sighed, his usual composure giving way to visible tension. "Snehwardhan has informed his country's embassy through a close aide," he revealed. "He's planning to escalate the matter. If he reaches the embassy, all of us will be in serious trouble."

I listened calmly and then replied, "If this is the case, Sir, allow me to take the matter to the Deputy Prime Minister of India, Mr. Y.B. Chavan."

Prof. Prasad looked at me in surprise. "You know the Deputy Prime Minister? How will you reach him?"

I explained, "Sir, my father has close acquaintances with former Chief Minister Sharad Pawar, who has ties to Mr. Chavan. Through them, I can escalate this matter if needed. But for now, I suggest we call Snehwardhan and ask him to leave the hostel immediately. The victimized student and we all will submit a written complaint against him. If he refuses, we can take the matter to the college authorities and further".

Prof. Prasad considered my suggestion and finally nodded. "All right. Let's call Snehwardhan and inform him of the consequences."

Snehwardhan was summoned and made aware of the gravity of the situation.

Understanding that the hostel community and authorities were united against his actions, he agreed to leave. The next day, he returned with a taxi, packed his belongings, and quietly left the hostel.

The incident, though challenging, taught me valuable lessons about conflict resolution, diplomacy, and standing up for what is right!

Dr. Mahendra Ingale, Former Principal @Pune, March 28, 2025

My Experience with Film Shootings in Film City, Goregaon

Heart Beats of SPCE: Part 7

Experiences with Film Shootings !

During my stay at SPCE Hostel, I had a remarkable opportunity to witness the magical world of filmmaking up close. One day, news spread among us hostelers that few students who had flair of acting were required for acting in the movie Zamane Ko Dikhana Hai.  The connection came through Danny Denzongpa's niece, who was also staying at our hostel. Filled with excitement, four or five of went to Film City at Goregaon. Film's director and producer, Nazir Hussain interviewed us for small roles in the movie, and to my surprise, I was selected! 

‘Zamaane Ko Dikhana Hai’ is a 1981 Hindi romantic film directed by Nasir Hussain. Rishi Kapoor and Padmini Kolhapure were in lead roles.

One of the standout moments of the movie is the ever-melodious song ‘Dil Lena Khel Hai Dildar Ka’. It was composed by the R.D. Burman,  penned by Majrooh Sultanpuri, and sung by Asha Bhosle and Mohammed Rafi.

Film City is a beautiful place surrounded by forest, trees and greeneries. Very often we used to visit  it for pleasure trips and viewing the film shoot.

Film city is a venture of Government of Maharashtra. It has been renamed as Dadasaheb Phalke Nagari. It is spread over 500 acres. Temples, jails, village, artificial lakes and falls have been constructed there for shooting purposes. It is surrounded by Arey Colony and Sanjay Gandhi National Park.

One of our friends was a paying guest of Bha La Patil, a great Marathi writer, near the SPCE hostel. He used to tell us about the struggles of Rajendra Prasad, and other captivating stories from the film industry.

At Film City, the assistant director briefed us the role we had to perform. Then he showed us the place in audience to sit. We all sat in audience for the film song to be shoot in the movie. We had been directed to come in a particular dress code, grey pant and light colour shirt. Then we had rehearsal of our role in the song. On that day actual shooting did not happen. 

Next day, the shooting of the song started; Rishi Kapoor singing the song on stage, Padmini Kolhapure sitting in audience around the table and we all behind her on chairs, enthusiastically shouting "I love Kanchan!" as part of the audience scene while the song, ‘Dil Lena Khel Hai Dildar Ka’, was sung.

We were again called next day for reshoot of the song, if required. We were informed, after long waiting,  that it was not required. There was no shoot on that day. And my role was over.

As the examinations was approaching, I didn’t go for another side role there.

When I watched the movie later, eager to spot myself, I couldn't find myself in the crowd-a true case of cinematic hide-and-seek! Nevertheless, being part of the experience is a memory l'll always treasure.

I was there for three days for shooting. During this period I got chance to explore other sets in Film City. The most fascinating one was the set of movie ’Kranti’, where legendary actors like Dilip Kumar, Hema Malini, and Manoj Kumar were shooting. It was a surreal experience to see these superstars up close and observe their craft.

Beyond the glamour, I gained invaluable insights into the filmmaking process. I learned how sets were constructed, how the crew worked tirelessly to bring a scene to life, and the immense collaboration involved in creating a movie.

At Film City, I learned about Jitendra and Nanda from co-actors who had worked with them. Jitendra lived in a Girgaon Chawl in Mumbai during his struggling years. He has not forgotten his old friends and helps them. He is very family-loving person who respected his heroines greatly. Nanda, the daughter of Master Vinayak, was a highly respected actress in the industry. She was a cooperative and kind-hearted woman who helped and supported her colleagues in the industry. 

Another delightful aspect was meeting and talking to side-role actors like C.S. Dubey and Mac Mohan, who would often visit Bachubhai's Mess, where we dined. Sharing stories and experiences with them added a unique flavor to my time at Film City.

Though my stint in acting was short-lived, the memories and lessons from Film City remain etched in my heart. It was more than just a film shoot. It was an adventure that opened my eyes to the magic of cinema !

Dr. Mahendra Ingale, Former Principal @Pune, March 27, 2025

मानव तस्करी विरुद्ध लढणाऱ्या सुनीता…

 

मानव तस्करी विरुद्ध लढणाऱ्या सुनीता…

आज ‘पुणे इंटरनेशनल सेंटर’ येथे ‘Meet A Real Life Hero’ या कार्यक्रमात उपस्थित होतो. सिंबायोसिस, MIT, आणि इतर कॉलेजचे विद्यार्थी, सामाजिक संघटनांचे कार्यकर्ते, फिल्म डॉक्युमेंट्री निर्माते, सोशल मीडिया इन्फ्लुएन्सर, परदेशी नागरिक यांच्या उपस्थितीने सभागृह पूर्णतः भरलेले होते. श्री. सुशील बोर्डे हे कार्यक्रमाचे निमंत्रक होते. 

वयाच्या १५ व्या वर्षी सामुहिक  बलत्काराच्या शिकार झालेल्या, त्यानंतरचा आयुष्याचा प्रत्येक क्षण अशा अत्याचारांना बळी पडलेल्या मुलींच्या पुनर्वसनाकरिता उपयोगात आणेल असा दृढ निर्धार केलेल्या, श्रीमती सुनिता कृष्णन, आपल्या ३७ वर्षाच्या संघर्षमय प्रवासाचा पट मांडत होत्या, तेंव्हा संपर्ण प्रेक्षागृह दिग्मूढ होऊन ऐकत होते! 

१५० मिलियन डॉलरची उलाढाल असलेल्या, ह्यूमन ट्रॅफिकिंगच्या व्यवसायात अडसर ठरू पाहणाऱ्या, सुनिता यांचेवर १७ जीवघेणे हल्ले झाले, त्यात त्यांचा उजवा कान निकामी झाला, शरीराची अनेक हाडे मोडली, बॉडी पोश्चर बदलले पण, त्या हरल्या नाहीत. अधिक निर्धाराने त्यांनी आपला संघर्ष सुरू ठेवला आहे. 

आधुनिक तंत्र ज्ञानाचा उपयोग करून, समर्प्रीत भावनेने काम करणाऱ्या आपल्या २०० सहकाऱ्यांच्या मदतीने त्यांनी आपले ‘Strategic War against human traffiking’ चे हे युद्ध सुरू ठेवले आहे. 

श्रीमती सुनीता यांनी हैदराबाद येथे ‘प्रज्वला’ फाउंडेशनची स्थापना केली. तेलंगणा राज्यातील महेश्वरम मंडल येथे पुनर्वसन केंद्राची निर्मिती केली. ३०,००० पेक्षा अधिक पिडीत मुलींची सुटका करून त्यांचे पुनर्वसन केले.

त्यांच्या कार्याची दखल घेवून त्यांना पद्मश्री पुरस्काराने गौरविण्यात आले.

I Am What I Am: A Memoir या पुस्तकातून त्यांच्या संघर्षमय जीवनाचा परिचय होतो. 

श्री सुशील बोर्डे यांना, आपले आजोबा स्वातंत्र सैनिक मा. रामराव बोर्डे यांचेकडून देशसेवेचा आणि वडिल मा. प्रतापराव बोर्डे यांचेकडून सामाज सेवेचा वारसा लाभलेला आहे. या ज्वलंत विषया संबंधी जनजागृती करण्यात महत्त्वाचे कार्य त्यांनी केले आहे, त्याबद्दल त्यांचे हार्दिक अभिनंदन!

पद्मश्री सुनीता कृष्णन यांच्या कार्यास मनःपूर्वक शुभेच्छा!

प्रा. डॉ. महेंद्र इंगळे  @ पुणे, मार्च २६, २०२५

A Journey Inspired by a Mentor

Heart Beats of SPCE: Part 6

A Journey Inspired by a Mentor !

Prof. S N Nagraju was our Soil Mechanics teacher in SPCE. With smile on his face, he was always friendly with the students. 

Whenever we visited his cabin or laboratory we saw him busy with drawings spread on the table, and doing calculations on his calculator. 

Later on we came to know that he provided consultancy to the project, construction and expansion of Bombay Airport’s Airstrip. He was expert in Geotechnical Engineering, especially in designing and constructing stone columns. This technique was used under coastal soils conditions to enhance load bearing capacity and provide stability to airstrip. 

He had presented papers on stone column design and construction at prestigious international conferences, including those held in Stockholm, Sweden, and Tokyo, Japan.

He was good teacher and always doing the things at ease. He was the teacher who never took attendance in the classroom, but hardly any student would miss his lecture. He encouraged us to perform experiments in soil mechanics laboratory at our pace. 

Prof. Nagaraju often shared his experiences from the projects with us during classroom and laboratory sessions. His approachable personality and willingness to involve students in real-world applications left a profound impression on me.

Prof. Nagraju was very considerate of my circumstances. When I participated in cultural programs and sports activities, he kindly granted me an exemption from attendance requirements in laboratory work for that.

Inspired by his mentorship, I chose Geotechnical Engineering as my elective subject in the final year. 

I immersed myself in books by renowned authors like Terzaghi and Peck on that subject. Karl Terzaghi, often referred to as the "Father of Soil Mechanics," was a pioneering civil engineer and geologist who revolutionized the field of geotechnical engineering. His innovative research and practical applications transformed geotechnical engineering from a field reliant on experience to one grounded in scientific principles. 

Terzaghi's works, along with Prof. Nagaraju's guidance, fueled my passion for Geotechnical Engineering. 

At that time, under Bombay University, there were three engineering colleges: VJTI, SPCE and College of Engineering at Panaji, Goa.

In my final year, I secured the highest marks in the university in my elective subject, Geotechnical Engineering. Hearing that, Prof. Nagaraju invited me to his cabin, congratulated on my achievement, and encouraged me to pursue post graduate studies at IIT.

At the end of the final semester, I applied for admission to IIT Bombay, cleared its written test, interview and got selected.  At the time, admission to IIT required separate applications for each institute, as the GATE exam for M.Tech admissions had not yet started—it was introduced in 1982. 

While I was selected for the M.Tech program in Geotech at IIT-B, I decided not to pursue it. Instead, I joined the Public Works Department as an Assistant Engineer at Omerga subdivision in Osmanabad district. 

However, after a year, I realized that my true calling was teaching. An aspiration to become professor in engineering college! Hence, I left the PWD and joined SSBTS College of Engineering and Technology, Jalgaon on its very first day. That was the day, August 8, 1983! 

A new chapter in my journey began!

Dr. Mahendra Ingale, Former Principal @Pune, March 26, 2025

Hon. Margaret Thatcher inaugurates SPJIMR

Heart Beats of SPCE: Part 5

Hon. Margaret Thatcher inaugurates SPJIMR  

As the next academic year began, some pressing issues in the hostel demanded immediate attention. At the request of hostel students, I took on the responsibility of Hostel General Secretary to address these challenges.

During this time, I developed cordial relations with Bhavans College students and their representatives. Our discussions often took place in the canteen, under the banyan tree in the campus, after lectures, and sometimes in their hostel late at night.

Established in 1938 by Hon. K.M. Munshi who served as a member of the Constituent Assembly and thereafter Minister for Agriculture and Food, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, has a rich legacy. Bhavan’s is located in Andheri West, Mumbai on a sprawling 45-acre campus  in the heart of the city. Initially, Andheri campus housed Sardar Patel College of Engineering and Bhavans Arts and Commerce College on it. In 1981, the prestigious S.P. Jain Institute of Management and Research (SPJIMR) was inaugurated, marking a significant milestone in the Bhavan’s history. At that time, Hon. Dharamsy Khatao served as the president, and Advocate Nani Palkhivala held the position of executive chairman of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan.

Hon. Khatao was a prominent figure in India’s industrial history, and was part of the Khatao Group, oldest Indian Business conglomerate.

Ad. Nani Palkhivala was a towering personality, renowned internationally for his contributions to law and economics. His association with Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan added immense prestige to the institution, as he was not only a legal luminary but also a passionate advocate for education and cultural values. He played a pivotal role in landmark cases such as the Kesavananda Bharati case, which established the Basic Structure Doctrine of the Indian Constitution.

The leadership of Hon. Khatao, Ad.  Nani Palakhivala, along with others played pivotal role in shaping the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan’s initiatives and fostering its growth.

The inauguration of the S.P. Jain Institute was graced by the presence of Hon. Margaret Thatcher, then Prime Minister of Great Britain. Known as the "Iron Lady," she was celebrated for her transformative leadership and unwavering determination.

The trustees and administrators of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, esteemed academicians and business leaders from Mumbai and beyond graced the occasion. 

The dignitaries, in their speeches, reflected a vision of academic excellence and global leadership. They also shared insights into the importance of education in fostering innovation and collaboration.

The cultural performances added a touch of Indian heritage to the prestigious gathering.

Witnessing such prominent dignitaries up close was a proud moment for all of us, and as a student representative, I had the privilege of volunteering at this historic event.

This experience brought me into contact with Members of Bhavan’s Management Committee, whose guidance and support proved invaluable during my tenure as Hostel General Secretary. 

Reflecting on these moments, I feel a deep sense of gratitude for the opportunities to learn, contribute, and grow alongside such inspiring individuals and institutions.

Dr. Mahendra Ingale, Former Principal @ Pune, March 25, 2025