Thrissur Memories of SBTians
Worked in SBT, Thrissur?
Participated in the get together on 25.10.25?
(“No”. Then You missed a page of the glorious history of SBT)
A "Get together of SBT Officers Thrissur on 25.10.25 " whatsapp group was opened by Shri Prasad on 23rd July 2025. More than 700 eligibles joined the group within 45 days (the group strength now is 726). 326 members confirmed participation and 300 plus happily joined the celebrations on the "D Day" at Casino Hotel Thrissur. Unbelievable, but made possible by the team led by Prasad and the ever willing SBTHRISSURians of yesteryears.
Travancore Bank with the 'elephant' logo and SBT with 'long tradition of trust' emblem welcomed us. The function started with the famous SBT Song. A formal inauguration of "lighting the lamp" by the old 'elite' added colours to the event. The ever dependable Harishankar (I am his batchmate😊) wore different hats on that day. Shri Sunil performed the role of master of ceremony. But for the formal 'lighting of the lamp', the dais was entirely dedicated to the singers and dancers. The sixty plus (in age) graceful ladies led by Mrs. Santhakumari performed the "thiruvathirakali dance" so energetically and beautifully, as if their "sweet sixteen" days are back again. Shri Sathish, Gopakumar, Viswanathan (not me!), Xavier were among the star singers of the day. (other singers, please pardon me as I do not recollect your names immediately). The Kerala brand "Narukkeduppu" was at hourly intervals and Shri Damodar Menon was among the lucky ones to get a prize. We were not tested for talents to get a prize. If your name starts first or end last in the alphabetical order, you were in for a gift. If your name sounds similar atleast partly with two others, you were selected for a gift and the prize for the person with the longest name went to KTP Unnikrishnan Namboidiri (20 plus letters with initials).
The speakers, who touched our emotions, included SBT veterans Shri JPN Thambi Sir, Shri Srinivasan, our leaders Sivan, Sreeraj, Jayakrishnan and SBT Nightingale Mrs.Saliamma. (Rajkumar recused himself, as he belonged to the 'Naadan' category on that day). Shri Swamyraj speech on "Thank you Thrissur Three times" was as impressive as his long list of books displayed on that day. Shri Sasi Sir, who also took to legal counselling after taking VRS in 2001 honoured SBTians by his presence. So too was Shri JC Menon. Malayalam, english, tamil books by our colleagues along with gift items from 'waste' and 'day to day use' matters attracted the attendees. 'Yeh banega crorepati' participant Shri Har Govind Menon (again my batch mate) shared his experiences. Not to be missed is Shri A. Satheesh, the famous cartoonist and our SBTian, who drew caricature images of a few of us, within a few minutes (I take pride in including my image here).
I could see and interact with many of my old friends, including those from Chalakudy (we have a whatsapp group of 208 members christened SBT ex- Chalakudy).
Hot puffs and hot biscuits with Kerala Chai was served at 11 am and 3.30 pm. Lunch with the "Palada pradaman" as dessert filled the stomach adequately. No dull moment was there and the programme continued without a break even during lunch. A lovely hand bag was given to every participant as a memoir.
SBT Thrissurians, who planned and executed the event demonstrated that the contents, which get converted into cherished memories, need not be given in a 'package offer' (usually associated with such events).
Many of us might not have got the chance to even open our heart to pour our feelings. There is a famous saying “after a long wait, words do not matter and a glimpse/glance with the dear ones is sufficient to generate cherished memories and fill our eyes/ heart with happiness".
It was true on 25th October 2025.
Thank you the organisers and all participants. I wish we meet again.
RegardsV. Viswanathan(served in Koorkancherry and Chalakudy branches)27th October 2025
A "Get together of SBT Officers Thrissur on 25.10.25 " whatsapp group was opened by Shri Prasad on 23rd July 2025. More than 700 eligibles joined the group within 45 days (the group strength now is 726). 326 members confirmed participation and 300 plus happily joined the celebrations on the "D Day" at Casino Hotel Thrissur. Unbelievable, but made possible by the team led by Prasad and the ever willing SBTHRISSURians of yesteryears.
Travancore Bank with the 'elephant' logo and SBT with 'long tradition of trust' emblem welcomed us. The function started with the famous SBT Song. A formal inauguration of "lighting the lamp" by the old 'elite' added colours to the event. The ever dependable Harishankar (I am his batchmate😊) wore different hats on that day. Shri Sunil performed the role of master of ceremony. But for the formal 'lighting of the lamp', the dais was entirely dedicated to the singers and dancers. The sixty plus (in age) graceful ladies led by Mrs. Santhakumari performed the "thiruvathirakali dance" so energetically and beautifully, as if their "sweet sixteen" days are back again. Shri Sathish, Gopakumar, Viswanathan (not me!), Xavier were among the star singers of the day. (other singers, please pardon me as I do not recollect your names immediately). The Kerala brand "Narukkeduppu" was at hourly intervals and Shri Damodar Menon was among the lucky ones to get a prize. We were not tested for talents to get a prize. If your name starts first or end last in the alphabetical order, you were in for a gift. If your name sounds similar atleast partly with two others, you were selected for a gift and the prize for the person with the longest name went to KTP Unnikrishnan Namboidiri (20 plus letters with initials).
The speakers, who touched our emotions, included SBT veterans Shri JPN Thambi Sir, Shri Srinivasan, our leaders Sivan, Sreeraj, Jayakrishnan and SBT Nightingale Mrs.Saliamma. (Rajkumar recused himself, as he belonged to the 'Naadan' category on that day). Shri Swamyraj speech on "Thank you Thrissur Three times" was as impressive as his long list of books displayed on that day. Shri Sasi Sir, who also took to legal counselling after taking VRS in 2001 honoured SBTians by his presence. So too was Shri JC Menon. Malayalam, english, tamil books by our colleagues along with gift items from 'waste' and 'day to day use' matters attracted the attendees. 'Yeh banega crorepati' participant Shri Har Govind Menon (again my batch mate) shared his experiences. Not to be missed is Shri A. Satheesh, the famous cartoonist and our SBTian, who drew caricature images of a few of us, within a few minutes (I take pride in including my image here).
I could see and interact with many of my old friends, including those from Chalakudy (we have a whatsapp group of 208 members christened SBT ex- Chalakudy).
Hot puffs and hot biscuits with Kerala Chai was served at 11 am and 3.30 pm. Lunch with the "Palada pradaman" as dessert filled the stomach adequately. No dull moment was there and the programme continued without a break even during lunch. A lovely hand bag was given to every participant as a memoir.
SBT Thrissurians, who planned and executed the event demonstrated that the contents, which get converted into cherished memories, need not be given in a 'package offer' (usually associated with such events).
Many of us might not have got the chance to even open our heart to pour our feelings. There is a famous saying
“after a long wait, words do not matter and a glimpse/glance with the dear ones is sufficient to generate cherished memories and fill our eyes/ heart with happiness".
It was true on 25th October 2025.
Thank you the organisers and all participants. I wish we meet again.
Regards
V. Viswanathan
(served in Koorkancherry and Chalakudy branches)
27th October 2025
Beautifully written, Sir! Reading your blog truly brought back so many wonderful memories of our days at SBT Chalakudy. The way you captured the spirit of our team and the togetherness we shared was heartwarming.
ReplyDeleteThough I couldn’t attend the get-together in person, I watched the YouTube live with great excitement — and I must say, it was wonderful to see so many familiar faces your words and the live moments made me feel very much a part of it. Kudos to everyone who made the event so memorable! 🌸💙
Warm regards,
Stenny Antony
Thank you Stenny
DeleteThank you Sir for your crisp and wonderful narration of the event. Even though I was one of the earliest to confirm participation in the event, I could not attend because of some domestic exigency.
ReplyDeleteI worked as CM (GB) of Region II for three years in Thrissur which was unforgettable and probably the best of my tenure in the Bank spanning about 38 years as an officer. I learnt a lot , enjoyed the warmth of all my colleagues at RBO and branches and also could contribute and share my skills in supporting an efficient and forward looking Region under the dynamic leadership of Shri Devi Prasad Sir and Shri Krishnadas Sir. Special mention about the love and affection shown by Shri Ramachandran (of Thrissur Main) and Shri Rappai (both of them Senior office bearers of the Staff Union). I enjoyed a special relationship with all the staff and officers in the Region and many of them came and blessed us at my Son's marriage , long time after I left Thrissur.
Sweet memories remain.
May God bless all of them bountifully.
I could see a lot of familiar faces in the photos posted in the group and my heart was filled with joy........How wonderful it would have been to be present at Thrissur on that day !
"For oft, when on my couch I lie,
In vacant or pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude,
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.....
Kudos to Shri Prasad and the organizers.
Thanks to our dear Viswanathan Sir for the excellent write up as a live show. (I missed the you tube coverage also on that day).
Amalanand g e