Celebrate Notre Dame Weekend 2025: A Joyous Reunion in Mumbai
This July, the Notre Dame community in India came together once again for our annual tradition: Celebrate Notre Dame Weekend. What began in 2015 as a simple alumni gathering has now grown into a multi-day event that brings together students, families, alumni, and friends from across India and the world to celebrate what it means to be part of the Notre Dame family. Held in Mumbai from July 4 to 6, this year’s weekend brought together over 45 attendees, including current students, incoming first-year students, alumni from across India, parents, and other members of the broader Notre Dame community.
The current extended format of hosting a whole weekend of events, rather than just a single evening, was introduced by Dhiraj Mehra ’96, director of Notre Dame Mumbai, during Dolly Duffy’s visit to India in 2023. Duffy, a 1984 graduate and executive director of the Notre Dame Alumni Association, had encouraged the idea of deepening engagement with the ND community in India. Inspired by this, Mehra designed a celebration that would bring people together over several days, making it a worthwhile trip for those traveling into Mumbai. In his words, Celebrate ND Weekend has grown into “a tradition that reflects the strength and heart of Notre Dame in India.” He shared, “Each year, we see new faces, hear new stories, and witness this community come alive across generations. It’s a reminder that wherever we are in the world, we carry Notre Dame with us—in our values, our friendships, and our shared purpose.”
in Colaba, Mumbai
What made this 10th anniversary year feel even more special was the large number of students currently in India for the summer, thanks in large part to Notre Dame Mumbai’s growing presence in the region. As the team continues to expand study abroad, research, and internship opportunities for Notre Dame students, we’ve seen more undergraduates spending meaningful time in India. Many of them joined us for the weekend, including students studying abroad, interning, conducting research, or participating in service activities. Several of our Global Professional Experience students, ND Bridge students, and Institute for Social Concerns Fellows traveled from cities across India to participate in the celebration.
Hosted by Mehra and Hayden Mascarenhas ’23 from the ND Mumbai team, the weekend kicked off on Friday morning with our annual Pre-Departure Orientation. Incoming students and their families met one another, asked questions, and gained a sense of the Notre Dame community experience before heading to campus this fall. For many, it was a first real glimpse into the strength of the Notre Dame community—and a reassuring reminder that they’re not embarking on this journey alone.
a Bollywood dance workshop
On Friday evening, we held the Notre Dame Lecture, where Mehra spoke on “The Mid-Day Meal Program in India: Lessons in Policy, Education, and Public Health.” He shared reflections on his time at Notre Dame and connected them to India’s efforts to fight poverty and protect the dignity of each person. His message encouraged students to lead lives of impact, wherever they are.
Saturday was all about celebration. We kicked off the afternoon with an engaging Bollywood dance session, where everyone jumped in to learn a routine to Shah Rukh Khan’s Om Shanti Om, which essentially translates to “Peace be with you.” It was the perfect song, as the message felt right at home with the values we hold at Notre Dame.
Later that evening, we gathered at the Banquet Hall of the Cricket Club of India for the Celebrate ND Dinner. Bharti Khatri, a Mendoza MBA alumna, emceed the event, which honored the newest members of the Class of 2029. One of the highlights of the night came when the students surprised everyone with a flash mob performance of the Bollywood number, adding an extra touch of celebration to an already memorable evening. The evening was full of shared stories, new connections, and heartfelt conversations across generations of the ND family.
Sunday brought a peaceful close to the weekend. We began the day with Mass at Holy Name Cathedral in Colaba, followed by a relaxed farewell lunch at Woodside Inn. We were joined by Fr. Mark Poorman, CSC, associate professor of theology, and Ty Harrington, a rising senior majoring in theology. Both had just landed in Mumbai that morning to begin their research in India, and over lunch, they shared their plans and what they were most looking forward to during their time in Mumbai.
As the farewell lunch came to a close and the weekend wrapped up, no one was in a rush to leave. Conversations lingered, and goodbyes stretched a little longer. It was clear this was not just another event. It was a gathering of people who genuinely care about one another and about what Notre Dame stands for.
For incoming first-year student Inesh Dutt Nagaria, who traveled all the way from Bhilai, Chhattisgarh, the weekend turned out to be much more than just an introduction. “Ever since my first call with Hayden and Dhiraj after being admitted, they made the weekend sound so exciting—and let me just say, it did not disappoint. Meeting current study abroad students, upperclassmen, fellow incoming first-year students, and alums had a much bigger impact on me than I expected. It really cemented the feeling that Notre Dame is where I belong,” he shared.
Celebrate ND Weekend 2025 reminded us of something simple but powerful: Notre Dame isn’t just a place. It’s a community. Whether you’re in South Bend or Mumbai, the spirit of Notre Dame is carried in the people you meet, the relationships you build, and the values you share.
To stay up to date on future Notre Dame events in India, hosted by Notre Dame Mumbai and the Notre Dame Club of India, visit mumbai.nd.edu or follow us on Instagram at @undmumbai.
Originally published by at mumbai.nd.edu on August 05, 2025.