My affair with MAMCOANA

We had just moved to Pittsburgh from Michigan. That year MAMCOANA was meeting at Seven Springs, about an hour's drive from Pittsburgh.

Oh well! we thought let's all meet at MAMCOANA this year for our yearly reunion.

We are a group of very close friends from the batch of 88. My only motivation at that time had been to see my friends again. MAMCOANA had always seemed to be an "older generation thing", and i was just going to "check it out". What i had failed to realize was that MAMCOANA brought together people from all parts of the United States who shared a common cord in their hearts... A common sense of belonging... A common pride of being a Maulanian.

It was really not about any generation. IT was all about being a Maulanian.

I saw many familiar faces. I met strangers,who for some reason did not seem strangers. By the end of the four days of talent shows, ghazal nights,dance parties, I was wondering why i never took the time to do this before.

The following year a group of us were at the Chicago meeting. This time I saw a different side of MAMCOANA. I saw an eagerness in all its members to give back to their alma-mater; I saw a purpose; I saw a commitment towards their beloved Maulana Azad Medical college. It was an honor to be a part of it.

You may have guessed already,but i shall surely be in San Antonio,Texas in Aug of 2008. I am hooked... For life!

Hope to see you there!

- Mona Anand