I woke up to the soft buzz of a message: “Hey guys, now that the AGM is behind us, we need to prepare for the installation. Let’s meet this weekend to discuss.” Half-awake, it felt like I was still dreaming. The whole journey—from applying for the Executive Committee to being appointed—had felt almost unreal, like floating through moments I hadn’t quite grasped yet.
But then my eyes caught the saree draped by my cupboard, its fabric glowing in that perfectly chosen shade of “mauve pink” we’d all so carefully coordinated. And that’s when reality clicked into place. Installation day had finally arrived.
Eminentium 24/25, the 13th Installation Ceremony of the Gavel Club of University of Sri Jayewardenepura, was upon us. As I stepped into the hall, the energy in the air was a blend of excitement, nostalgia, and nervousness. It was the kind of feeling you get when you know something important is about to happen, something that would shape our journeys for the coming year.
This was the night we officially became the new Executive Board, and let’s be honest, it felt huge. All those meetings, the planning, the late-night texts, and nervous jokes—it was finally here.
Was I ready? Were we ready? Time would tell, but one thing was for sure—we’d worked hard for this, and tonight, it was all going to pay off.
The ceremony began with the formalities, but beneath the surface, it felt deeply personal. As our lokkas were called up to receive their certificates of appreciation, I found myself reflecting on the incredible work they had done. Some of us had worked closely with them, watching them steer the club through all the ups and downs that came our way. Now it was our turn to carry on their legacy.
When Dr. R.B. Marasinghe rose to officially appoint us—the Executive Board of 2024/25—it felt as though the weight of responsibility settled on our shoulders all at once. But it wasn’t a heavy weight. It was something we had been preparing for, something we were ready to carry. As the applause filled the room, I felt a surge of pride. We were here not just to take up titles or roles but to build on the legacy left behind, to make this term our own.
“Gv. Asma Rameez, will you perform these duties to the best of your ability?”
As I responded, “Yes, I will,” the words seemed to linger for a moment. It wasn’t just a reply; it was a promise, one that settled quietly but powerfully in the room. I could feel it in the stillness that followed—each of us absorbing the moment, knowing these words would guide us through the year ahead.
One of my favorite memories from the preparation was working on our Exco video. A huge shout-out to Gv. Zinneerah, who made it her mission to capture the funniest bloopers possible. We even toured the university to get just the right shots, and watching it all come together on the big screen, hearing the laughter ripple through the audience, made it all worthwhile.
The brightest part of the evening was the induction of our poddas as official members of the Gavel Club . As they delivered the oath, I felt a surge of protectiveness. I remembered being in their shoes not so long ago, unsure of what lay ahead but hungry to learn. It was our responsibility now to guide them, to be their mentors and their supporters, just as our lokkas had been for us. It wasn’t just about taking up leadership roles; it was about nurturing these new Gaveliers, helping them grow into the confident, articulate leaders we knew they could become.
As the ceremony came to a close, a wave of accomplishment washed over me. This wasn’t just a club, it was a family. A family bound by shared experiences, respect, love and countless memories. Eminentium 24/25 was more than just a ceremony; it marked the beginning of a new chapter, a new adventure. And in that moment, I knew with all my heart that we were ready to face it—together.