It was a beautiful summer day - the 9th of May 2009 - as a small group of Nobilians in America had a memorable reunion on the waterfront of Baltimore Harbor, the place where the Star Spangled Banner was written.

Father Hess, Father Peacock and Father Sebastian were the Guests of Honor, as Nobilians gathered together to build new friendships and cement old ones. The reunion luncheon at the Cheesecake Factory in Baltimore was a small but memorable event, one which Father Hess and Father Peacock enjoyed tremendously. Despite the vast distances in America, Nobilian Deven Verma with his two beautiful daughters, Anika and Shrita, Nobilian Sharad Mohan with his wonderful wife Jyothi, Nobilian Abhijit Nimgaonkar of the legendary 1975 Senior Cambridge class and myself made the journey to Baltimore's Inner Harbor, next to where the USS Constellation floating museum is now moored.

While Deven Verma did the honors of bringing Father Hess and Father Peacock with him from the Jesuit residences in Baltimore, Abhijit brought Father Sebastian with him from Princeton, New Jersey.

The Maryland Province of Jesuits is the place from where Father McFarland, Father Hess, Father Hunt, Father Peacock and many other Jesuits had started their journey that took them thousands of miles across the planet to the Jamshedpur Province. They undertook this journey soon after India's Independence, at a time when there were no cell phones, no internet, no Skype and the only telephones that were there worked once in a blue moon. Their sacrifice and dedication is what made De Nobili such a special and wonderful school.

Nobilians raised a toast to Father Hess, Father Peacock and Father Sebastian and to "De Nobili - the Best School in the World". Delicious meals were washed down with Cuban Mojitos and complemented by reminiscences of the good old days at De Nobili School. The Nobilians had the opportunity to see the 22 carat Derozio gold medal that was presented to Father Hess for his outstanding contribution towards education in India and for his pioneering role as one of the Founders of the Council for Indian School Certificate Examinations. He also told us several stories about De Nobili School, Loyola, Jamshedpur and life in India during those days.

It is indeed heartening to see the many strides that Nobilians have made in science, technology and business in the United States. Abhijit, my senior by 5 years, who I remembered from my days as a Class VI student in the Main School belongs to the legendary Senior Cambridge Class of 1975 that inspired youngsters to work harder and aspire to the high standards they had set. It was a pleasure to see him, Deven and Sharad.

After five hours of mirth, laughter and nostalgia of the wonderful bygone days, it was time to get together for photographs amidst the backdrop of the Baltimore harbor. Enclosed are some photographs for everyone to enjoy. As the wind picked up on Baltimore Harbor and long shadows heralded the arrival of sunset, it was finally time to say adieu to each other and leave with fond memories of a wonderful reunion.

To the Nobilians who were able to make it to the reunion, a big Thank You. To those who were unable to come, you were very much missed and we hope to see all of you whenever the next reunion takes place.