Looking for... MYSELF

Other’s behavior often baffles us… But it’s my own behavior of late that has left me baffled more than anything else! Has Left me very puzzled too…

While others (friends and family) have been complaining for a while, the reality has dawned upon me only now.

The ever so gregarious me has suddenly turned into a social recluse. No social life at all – neither virtual nor real…

The vagabond in me seems to have died an abrupt death!

The butterflies in the garden don’t bring a smile to my face anymore.

The once-upon-a-time lazy girl (and my Symbi roomie will testify and confirm) has become a workaholic!

My temper has begun to get the better of me… And more often than not…

I haven’t sung a song in ages now… I could croon the weirdest and most of unheard of songs in a single breath, but now, I struggle to sing even the ones I loved the most!

And the worst part is – I am still trying to figure out what has happened! And why! And when! When did I become the person I have? I can’t even relate to the person I have eventually become! Why can I not enjoy the small wonders around me anymore? What do I need to bring back to life the vivacious and carefree person inside of me?

Time to do some serious soul searching I guess!

And find myself again…

New Found Friendship...

Well, when I walked out the gates of my college, I thought that I wouldn't find friends anymore, only colleagues or acquaintances would be the order of the day now on... But but but... I couldn't have been more wrong... So let me introduce you to some of my new friends...

First is the guy at the cafeteria counter, whom we lovingly call "Ranaji" in office... Well given my love for food and the therefore frequent trips to the cafeteria counter, it didn't take me long to befriend him!! And now, my day at work seems all too incomplete without a casual 5 minute chit-chat with him some time during the day! I am sure if my employers were to read this, I could land myself in some trouble! :)

Another gentleman is a senior at my workplace. He's very very senior to me, and I am not even sure if he knows that I already count on him as a friend in Office. One-sided friendship, you could say! 

Ummm... Next is the guy at my guest house who serves me food... He gifted me laddoos this Diwali, by the way! And before you think that sweets were the sole criteria for me to say this, it isn't! :P

And of course, I got in touch with all my friends with whom I had been out of touch for a long time now, all thanks to Diwali!!

Well, Diwali sure was a happyone for me...

Happy Deepawali to everyone...

And here's hoping and wishing from the bottom of my heart, that may god bless every one with abounding happiness and joy forever!

Well, I just proofread what I wrote and find it weird... started with college and ended with Diwali!! 

But then there needn't be a method to madness always!! :)

Party at Crossroads!

All those who know me (a little or a lot!!), will be all too familiar with my love for singing - anytime, anywhere! And when I run out of songs, the composer in me comes alive! And thereafter my spontaneous and instantaneous creations! Wanted to share a sweet n funny incident where my love for singing obviously got the better of me!

I was waiting at a bus stop with one of my friends, waiting to catch the bus back to college! And of course, since we had arrived a little early at the stop, and had nothing much to do, I started singing to him! My friend was initially only a 'little' embarrassed, and after a while 'totally' embarrassed! But I was on a roll! And then, 2 little boys came along, and began tugging at my top, asking for food/money... anything! I pulled out a couple of dairy milk chocolates I had on me (purely by chance!). But before I handed over the chocolates to the kids, whose minds were already feasting on them, I told them that they would have to listen to a couple of my songs! They giggled! They looked at each other! And then mutually agreed, coz it didn't really seem like a bad deal! Meanwhile, my friend so wished that he could disappear into thin air! While I was overjoyed to have new audience! I sang to the little angels till one of them interrupted me and said to me - 'didi, can u sing 'it’s magic, it’s magic' from 'koi mil gaya'! I'd love to dance!' Well, I sang a bit and he danced a lil! Till, he suddenly turned shy! And then, both of them grabbed the chocolates and ran away, all smiles and laughter! They kept turning back as they walked away and continued waving to me till I could finally see them no more!

Well the bus arrived and I got in! And, yes, those of you who think I lost my friend for putting him through such extreme embarrassment, I didn’t! And I didn’t have to bribe him with chocolates!

Selfish 'ME' - that's one side of me too!

Ummm... have nothing special to write! Caught up with a lot of things in life! Trying to fulfil and live up to the expectations of so many people around! And then, realised, that somewhere, forgot to fulfil my own expectations! my expectations of myself! my dreams for myself! all quashed! Friends say, that we have to make sacrifices in life! I understand, have done so too! And am not the only one to do so! But find it a little strange - i drew a picture, and yet cannot choose the colours to fill it up with! And at the cost of sounding and branded as 'selfish', i say this - I want to live for myself, for once!

‘Those were the Best Days of My Life!’

Dedicated to everyone I met at Symbi! I owe Symbi soooo much… and more!!

Unfamiliar faces,

Mixed up names.

A few hunks,

And many a dame!

Though small and bundled,

The campus confounded.

The first few lectures,

Left me dumbfounded!

It wasn’t long,

Before the secret was out.

The nerds tirelessly took notes,

And some always had a ‘doubt’!

The backbenchers slept,

Sometimes played a game.

While the intelligentsia,

Wanted to make it to the hall of fame!

Group Meetings and submissions,

Never did they end.

But MBA taught us,

The rules, they bend!

From notepads to notebooks,

And strangers to friends.

From TOI to Economic Times,

To following the fashion trends!

Birthdays, summers and placements,

Were a reason to rejoice!

And even when there wasn’t any,

Eating and hanging out was still our choice!

From the mess to Tammy,

And Tammy to Lemon Tree

The idlis, the Chinese and pastries,

They meant a happier “we”!

Even though the McDs and the Dominos,

Were one of our favorites!

The tapris won hands down,

That’s where we most ate!

The garam chai with pakodas,

And the sugarcane juice!

The fruit plate and the rolls,

Tasted better than the chocolate mousse!

College in time was 10-30

And so was the out time!

And here I make,

No attempt to rhyme!

We went in and went out,

As and when we pleased!

Sometimes with our gang of friends,

And sometimes with guys with whom we were teased!

Sometimes… love blossomed,

At other times, the crushes crashed!

For some, it was a fairy tale of sorts,

For a few smitten blokes, their dreams were dashed!

Tests, submissions and exams,

All gave us sleepless nights!

So did broken hearts,

And the silly fights!

And as we gathered one last time,

To celebrate the joyous times spent together…

The party kicked off with smiles,

And closed with promises that screamed ‘Friends Forever’!

And if the fights were silly,

And the lectures so boring!

Why do I want it all back?

Why’s myself imploring?

I can’t find words that could better express,

The laughter, the tears, the jazz and the jive!

Thank you my friends,

Coz thy truly were “the Best days of my Life”!!

Welcome Aboard... Once more! :)

Hmmm...

Well this one happens to be a special post, because unlike all my previous posts, this one's 'impromptu'! 

When I started writing, I was never short of ideas and stories that I wanted to tell the world.And yet, when I actually started writing, the passion withered away rather soon! I pondered over it for a long time and realized that the passion was still present, in all its form! However, the self-inflicted pressure to ensure that, every story I wrote, every dream I shared, be perfect, was taking its toll! I wanted impeccable articulation, I wanted novelty, I wanted sense and logic, I wanted every post I wrote to strike a chord with every individual who read my blog! But most of all, and I dare to admit it today, I wanted to be praised for my work - no matter how insignificant! And i thought, novelty and seamless expression would fetch me the much desired pat on my back! I would write an article and review it several times before posting it! I guess the fear of failure, the fear of being judged, caught me unawares even here! When I started the blog, I wanted it to be a platform that allowed me to pen the silliest and most bizarre of my thoughts and experiences! However, as it turns out, eventually, it was a load that was weighing me down! Well, its not that I spent years mulling over every piece that I have written so far... more or less, they have been worked on at for not more than half an hour at the most! However, what none of the posts did reveal was the underlying fear and diffidence that plagued the author!

So, today, I have decided to let this truly be a place, that will see my thoughts flowing freely from my intellectual (or not-so-intellectual) seating arrangement within the brainpan!

So, I would like to welcome everyone, once again to my writing space where I intend to share a lot more! :)

And I draw inspiration from the one line (from the famous poem by Nobel laureate, R. Tagore), that I intend to live hereon :

"Where the mind is without fear..."

My Saviors!

I sat in a corner, my head hung low
Unacknowledged by all… Mary, Judy, even Joe!

No smiles or greetings ever flung my way
Even a fleeting glance would’ve made my day!

None to reprise of the joys or the tears
None to tell what gladdens the heart or what it fears…

The Pen and the Paper, they came to my rescue
Listened to all I had to say, never did they rue…

Never to leave me, that’s what they intend
The corner and the notebook – now my best friends!

I sit in the corner, with my friends in tow
Not bothered about anyone, Mary, Judy or even Joe…

What will it take?

A lot of wars have been waged in the past –mythological and real, and they all had one important lesson to impart to each one of us – “Wars do not determine who is right, only who is left!” And yet, the lesson has not been learnt!


I see people fight in the name of religion – religion, caste, creed – something that an individual is born with and has no control over! Isn’t religion a set of beliefs that directs an individual how he should lead his life. How does it matter if my set of beliefs differs from another’s? Doesn’t mean that I have to compel the other person to conform with my set of beliefs!

Fight over a piece of land? Land that I didn’t create and neither did the warring opponent! Land that might cease to exist tomorrow! Land that can breathe and support life! And yet, it has to be the land that bleeds and bears death and uncalled for destruction of life! And land that eventually consumes the dead!

Someone said that when you truly want something, the whole universe conspires to make that happen! And truly, with what we have wanted in the recent past, nature has been there in all its various forms, to aid and support us! How else would one explain the tsunami, the Haiti and Chilean earthquakes, the blizzards in US! And that is just to name a few!

The human race has ceased to exist! We exist today, only in physical form ,for humanity, which made us humans, is long gone!

Why has it become so difficult to love, to care, to share? If only, we could all submit unconditionally to love, we would start in the direction to making this world a better place!

But what will it take for all of us to realize this? What will move us enough to restore the planet we owe so much to some of its former glory? What will it take?

Status Update!!

Well... have been on a whirlwind tour of late… from Pune to Chennai -> then Tirupur -> Ooty -> Doddabetta (which btw is the highest peak in south India) -> back to Chennai. Pondicherry and Kerela are in the offing now… :)
Its been a wonderful experience so far... details only when I get back home in May! Till then I’ll keep updating my whereabouts! :)

Cochin -> Munnar -> trivandrum -> Mumbai -> Back to Pune -> and now back HOME!! :)

Emotional Atyachar! REALLY?? :)

Last few days, I've experienced a flurry of emotions - joy, happiness, anger, irritation, confusion, betrayal, mistrust, humiliation, trust...
I was 'happy' even though I was still 'confused'!
I was 'angry' because I was 'betrayed'.
I was 'sad' because I was 'mistrusted"
I was 'upset' because I was 'humiliated'
I was 'irritated' because I was 'misunderstood'
I was 'overjoyed' because of the trust and faith someone had reposed in me!
I was 'homesick'! and this needs no reason!
I was 'scared' because I was unprepared!
I was 'confused' because I didn't know where I was going! or whether whether where I was going was where I really wanted to go!
And, I was tired because all of this had me emotionally drained!
And yet... the emotional joyride was fun!! just like any other joyride, it had its share of ups and downs, but it was fun on the whole! :)

SYMBI OLYMPICS 2010 – ‘JO JEETA WOHI SIKANDAR” :)

Before I begin writing about Symbi Olympics this year, a bit of trivia that must be known. SIU campus at Hinjewadi is home to 3 premier B-schools in the country – SIIB, SCMHRD and SCIT. And though we belong to the same Symbi family, the sibling rivalry (if it can be so called), cannot be missed! You sense it the moment you set your foot on the campus – the competition and the arch rivalry is all pervasive. Symbi Olympics is an inter college sports fest at SIU where the 3 institutes fight it out for the championship!

Symbi Olympics 2010, like every year, had all the ingredients of a bollywood chak de or Jo Jeeta wahi Sikandar! There was lots of drama, the underdogs, the snooty past champions, the crazy audience, the cheer leaders, the ‘jeer’ leaders, the fights, tears, smiles, victory, defeat, smiles, hugs, the drums, the camera men and the self designated media team!

It was the cricket match that brought out the devils in us to the fore! The on-field drama – “be it HRD’s win”, or “Arjun’s love story ( a concocted one though)” or “IT’s loss”, “Rahul’s luckless over”, “Himanshu’s finger pointing”, “Saurabh’s power play”, “the drum beating supporters”, “the sledging”, “the fight between the warring teams that almost broke out!” – it was all there!

However, IB and IT were determined more than ever to avenge their loss in cricket (which to HRD’s dismay, this year was their sole victory!). SCIT won the volleyball match. The best from the rival team weren’t good enough for the Bhattars and the Rahuls from IT. IB won the basketball match comfortably! Vignesh, Sonal were stars overnight! Football stayed with IB too. And the Baichung Bhutias of SIIB – Rome, Sanjay and Okit were the ones who ensured this! Table Tennis was a clean sweep by IB – be it the singles, the doubles or the mixed doubles!

And of course, the much awaited girls’ throwball match belonged to IB too! The girls match made sure that all the guys on the campus played the Roadside Romeos to the hilt. The referee “Sanjay Sharma” had to be eventually dethroned for not watching the game closely and concentrating elsewhere! I am sure I needn’t explain where! Back to the game now. Nine points down and a single point lost meant game over for IB! But then the girls rose like a phoenix from the ashes and won 10 straight points and brought the cup home.

SIIB are the Symbi Olympics Champs 2010, something that the “others” will have to live with! Well, I couldn’t wind this one up without mentioning the “Key Attractions” @ Symbi Olympics 2010:

Arjun’s “inspirational” love story definitely tops the list!

Viggy’s “I know we’ll win anyway” attitude!

Sonal’s 3 pointers.

Mudit’s on field antics (no one can beat this! )

Pallav’s composed knock

Himanshu’s finger pointing!

Rome and Okit effortlessly demolishing their rivals!

Pallav’s dominance at TT

Sanjay’s heroics (on the field – Football, volleyball and the already mentioned girls throwball match! And off the field – love hua!! He he! Yeah Arjun, his love story deserves a mention too!)

And of course, maximum amount of cheering for the star player “Arjun” irrespective of whether he was on the field or off the field!

And last but not the least, the awesome (as awesome as Barney Stinson who has btw redefined the word awesome! ) SIIB supporters!

SIIB – you truly rocked guys! Coz you just didn’t win the championship, you won our hearts too! Love you guys! Am sure Symbi Olympics would never be the same without you!

Where have I been!!

Well, I’ve been away from the blogging circuit for quite some time! Don’t know whether I was missed!

Well the reason I was away might sound weird and strange to a few.. and yet a few may identify with it too!

College days are coming to an end! And life’s never going to be the same again! Thankfully, most of my friends are placed and hence, we decided that we’d spend every single minute that we possibly can – Together! – doing and bettering things we’ve done in the last one and a half years –

Idle strolls around the college,

Chai at tapri,

Finding out new places to eat out at (be it a new restaurant or the latest tapri to join the already existing clutter),

Finally executing all the trips we had meticulously planned out over the months and for some reason, they never happened…

Then of course, there was Symbi Olympics…

The new year's eve…

Lohri celebrations...

V-Day,

Holi…

And what not…

And when we didn’t have any reason to celebrate, we were looking for reasons to and that took quite sometime too!

And yet, when we still found no reason, that was a reason good enough too – running out of reasons!! 

The last few months I’ve seen how the groups have considerably dissolved (down with Groupism!!), how some of us are really eager to get back to the corporate world and yet how a lot of us are dreading that! Most people’s status messages read – “the best days of my life coming to an end!” or “I’ll miss u guys!!” and so on! People are uploading pics on various networking sites about “life @ Symbi” and the likes… Suddenly, no one wants to bunk classes because we aren’t sure when again in life will we experience the joy of sitting in a class – passing messages, kicking someone’s shoes around the class, kicking a friend’s chair while he/she pretends to be attentive, tickling someone, pulling someone’s hair, scribbling love notes (class notes are passé!!), looking at the clock every 5 minutes wondering when the lecture will get over, sleeping with our eyes open (the art we’ve so mastered!) or just stealing glances at our secret crush!

All this and soooo much more is what kept me busy the last few months! Hope, I’m excused for my inexcusable absence!

HOME, THAT OUR FEET MAY LEAVE, BUT NOT OUR HEARTS!!

(Note: The article was written sometime during my summer break at home this year. Have been too lazy to upload it! But I guess… better late than never!)

Well, the mornings have never been more pleasant and the evenings, more beautiful. The summers seem to be fun for a change. The heat, humidity or even the power cuts do not distress! The food’s never tasted better, the mangoes have never been sweeter, and the maverick dust storms, sometimes followed by a deluge are an absolute delight. Everything seems right this day. Coz I am finally “HOME”. :) The scuffles with my brother over what to watch on TV, my mother chasing me in circles eager to impart me cooking lessons, and my father’s indifference to all of this – it’s all back! Going on long drives, eating gol guppas from the shop round the corner, going on an ice cream date with parents late at night , playing cricket on the terrace, going shopping for vegetables, watering plants in the garden, and of course, lazing around, doing nothing – now that’s some routine! Watching 5 flicks simultaneously on television with endless cola supplies, cooking Maggi at 3 in the night, and then there’s the dog licking your feet at 6 in the morning telling you that it’s time to take it out on a walk… well the joy is unparalleled!

To some, the routine might sound all too familiar, to some, even a bore. But I look forward to this part of the year (the day when I go back home) each day with ineffable anticipation and excitement. 7 years away from home have taught me one of the greatest lessons in life – ‘Greatest happiness in life comes from small things! So, take time to enjoy the small things in life for one day they will be the big things you wish you could have back!’

Disclaimer: The article has been written with no mal intent. The writer is not to be blamed for stirring up any nostalgic feelings and consequent emotional intoxication!

Mum's the Word :)

I must have sent innumerable thank you cards and messages to countless people I’ve known, sometimes even to people I’ve barely and rarely known! Until, one of these days, it struck me, that there is someone to whom a “thank you” note has been long overdue! Someone whom I’ve always loved a lot (expressed so on many a occasions too), someone who has always put me before herself, someone who has been my support system all along and yet someone whom I’ve taken for granted a lot of times, someone who has had to bear the wrath of one of my terrible mood swings (for which she’s never been responsible!), someone I call Ma, Mom, Mummy – my bestest friend!! A thank you note to Mom?? I had to think of something better! Maybe a holiday in Goa! And that’s how Go Goa finally got going!

The whirlwind water sports, the beachside gupshup, the temple tour, the pristine churches were the order of the day. It was the beach and the sea that had us really excited! We spent the entire day at the beach - enjoyed parasailing, jet skiing, the “bumpy bumper” ride and then, just the sea waters… and yet at the end of the day, felt that we could come back to the shore each day for the rest of our lives! The rendezvous with the seemingly endless stretch of water was a treat! The surprise though was the innumerable temples our guide took us to, across Goa. Temples in Goa – not something I had the faintest idea about! And how can I forget the Dona Paula beach! Mummy had made it very clear at the start of the trip that she wouldn’t return without a visit to the beach where the famous “Ek Duje ke Liye” was shot. She even spotted the rock from which the actress jumped off to her death in the movie. Wo! She sure acted like a teenager that time. And I was all smiles! :)

And just like all good things come to an end, so did this. I had the time of my life, and I am hoping so did ma. Love you mom! Life wouldn’t have been what it is without you, and I wouldn’t have been what I am, without you!

The Sunset...

         The waves rushed excitedly towards her. They kissed her feet, tickled her. She smiled, then laughed. Then turned, and walked away. The waves followed her for some distance. But she didn’t care. The waves beat a lowly retreat. The sea pulled them back to where they belonged. She returned to the shore the next day. She set the pulse of the waves racing again. They returned to her. She smiled, then laughed. Then turned and walked away. The waves tried, in all desperation, to reach out to her. But she was colder than she seemed. She didn’t care. The vast sea drew in the waves and pushed them to a distant shore.

         She returned to the shore. The waves were conspicuous by their absence. The sea withdrew. She stood there cold and numb. A lonely tear rolled down her cheek. She smiled, forced a laugh. And then, she turned and walked away. None to follow her. None to reach out to her. She kept walking, oblivious of where the path led her. She returned to the shore, each day, thereafter. To undo what she did. She couldn’t. She stood there, long and cold. As the evening drew closer, she could see the sun setting down on her…

Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage...

I recently ran into Anand. I sure was delighted to see him after a long time. Well, he’s not really called Anand, just that the way he’s living his life reminds me of the spirited character portrayed by Rajesh Khanna in the movie by the same name. So, I choose to address him as Anand in this post.
Anand was a bright student and like all other kids his age, he liked ‘play’ more than ‘work’. But unlike many of us, whose aspirations have swung in different directions @ different stages of our lives, Anand, ever since he can remember (and I can), aspired to be the next “Missile Man”. Given the bright spark he was, I never saw any reason to believe why he wouldn’t achieve what he so desired.
But, I guess, it wasn’t meant to be (or so I thought, then!). I was in college and was shocked to the core when the news was delivered to me. Anand was diagnosed with brain tumor. I didn’t have the slightest inkling of the implications of an affliction like ‘Brain Tumor”. All I knew was that it takes away what each one of us values most – LIFE! Soon after my semester exams, I went home and the very day I reached Lucknow , I went to meet him. He wasn’t home. He was in Mumbai, undergoing chemotherapy sessions at the Tata Memorial Centre. If all went well, he was due to return home in September. I went back to college.
I returned home in November. I went to see Anand. He walked into the room, a mere shadow of his former self. Too frail to walk on his own, he took the support of the wall. He had developed a squint! He wore a cap, he had lost all his hair. I thought the cap was a masking piece. Tears welled up in my eyes, but more than that, there was an emotional storm that whirled within. My stomach began to churn. Words seemed to completely elude me. He likes chocolates, and like I always did, I had taken 2 bars of chocolates for him. Not knowing what to do, I grabbed my bag and was about to pull out the bars of chocolate, when he casually removed the cap he wore and placed it on the table. I pretended to ignore. He said, “Minti didi, bald is in! Right? I think the shine on my head, and inside too, can give even Raghu (of MTV Roadies fame) a run for his money!” I smiled and handed over the chocolates to him. He got the conversation rolling, but there was only one thought that constantly raced through my mind, “Why him?” Everything seemed to have changed dramatically! I was hearing what he kept saying all this while, never listening. And then he said, “You seemed to have changed quite a bit. You are so quiet today. Training for the ‘bride to be’ seems to be working after all”. And then he laughed. I joined. And we got talking. He had rejoined school after a year’s gap and the medication and the side effects of the treatment seemed to have taken a toll. He was finding it difficult to cope up with the academic curriculum. But he was more determined than ever to make up for lost time. I asked him to take it slow and give his health priority. But he said, “I have no time. Remember, I want to be the next Missile Man.” And then I realized – nothing had changed! The grit, the determination, the sparkle in his eyes, his dream – it was all there! How could I, in all my senses, be so blind?
We talked for hours together, and during the course of our conversation, he told me about his difficult journey during the last couple of years. And not once did he sound sad or overcome with grief! He looked at every challenge as just another battle that had to be won. As I was about to leave, he said, “Minti didi, so, you’re still crazy about Salman, huh? He’s still your hero!” I smiled at him. And said to myself, “No, he aint my hero any longer. You are… and for life.”

Numb!

Countless voices surround,
But I can’t hear a sound!
A thousand faces alit with glee,
But the eyes, they cannot see…
The faces smile, the hands…they touch,
But senses betray… feel nothing as such.
The mind wanders into a distant terrain,
The heart follows the head into the lonely lane.
Someone, please pull me out of this abyss…
And infuse life into me that’s gone amiss!

Then... and Now!

Some time ago, several news channels in the country flashed the so-called breaking news: “First case of Swine Flu confirmed in India”. The news went largely unnoticed as no one cared to attach much importance to it. However, this did not go down well with the H1N1 virus and it decided to stay put. It was determined to garner the attention it so deserved. And so, the news channels continued to flash the ever increasing numbers of the piteous victims.

At college, the director was flooded with calls from anxious parents. What was the college doing? Were the students safe? And it wasn’t long before the students caught the fever too (not literally though!). A meeting with the concerned college authority was convened and the students requested for the premises to be shut down. Of course, it was met with refusal. The students’ concern was genuine and even before we knew it, we were wearing “masks”. They seemed to be our sole saviors. No one dared to venture out into the city, lest they would unknowingly befriend and play eventual hosts to the dreaded enemy! The mavericks, who did dare to do the unthinkable, on their return to the campus, were looked at suspiciously. Even a gentle sneeze raised a storm! The fever was catching up! The state govt. decided to come to the rescue of the hapless students. College was declared closed for a week which was further extended by a week.

A month later, students have returned to the campus (sans all the paraphernalia – the masks, sanitisers etc). The news channels still continue to flash the ever increasing numbers of the ill fated. But surprisingly, the picture on the campus has changed remarkably! The sneezing and sick students do not as much as attract a second look. It’s time to write an obituary for our ‘once upon a time’ sole saviors – the masks! If you confine yourself to boundaries of the campus, you are a bore!

I wonder with amazement at the speed at which the picture has changed! From “Mujhe bhi hai kya?” to “Mujhe nahi hoga”. My only concern – ‘How will H1N1 react to this? Will it just walk away to capture another terrain or will it strike back with a lot more might?’

All's Not Lost Yet!

The last couple of days have been a complete nightmare. First I lose my favorite pair of jeans, only for a day though, as it mysteriously finds its way back into my room. But before I could really begin to celebrate, my cell phone goes missing! Well that was my fault though I guess. I went shopping for my Dad and when I found something really nice for him on one of the shelves, the excitement kind of led to a swap – the cell phone goes onto the rack and the kurta into my bag. Its only when I get home, I realize, I don’t have my cell phone. And though I did rush back to the shop, hoping for the impossible, the effort’s all but rewarding. So I come back to my room and start packing as I had to leave for home the next afternoon, only to realize that the worst is far from over. I couldn’t find my digi cam, my first buy from my first salary, and a gift to my mom. I searched in every possible corner but to no avail. Haven’t been able to sleep since then! It’s going to be almost 48 hours now! Wait, there’s more to come. On my way to the station, the cab breaks down. The driver tried to repair it but I somehow knew what was coming. Called for another cab, and reached the station just in time. For once, I was glad that the Indian Railways is more often than not, behind schedule! I am sure I’ll have a lot more to share very soon and continue this article! A lot more additions to what’s gone missing! Coz as they say “All’s not lost yet” and I still have many more things that can be taken care of!

Testing Times :)

Have been away for quite some time now...

Courtesy examinations!!

And like any other sane human being... I have no love lost for the examination system!!

I haven’t slept for days together... coz no matter how much you prepare well in advance, there is always something that remains!!How that happens is still a mystery though... And in my case it only gets worse coz I am not one of the "study well in advance" kind of students!! :)

Long never ending queues at the Xerox shop... notes being Xeroxed for the entire semester mind you, mad rush to the library to issue the relevant book at the last minute (and it’s not an easy task to locate one with only a few copies left... especially considering that these last minute shoppers haven’t the faintest idea of what the book looks like!),Night outs, hunger pangs in the middle of the night satisfied by Maggi (thank god they invented Maggi, else I really don’t know what would have happened to the entire student fraternity!!), coffee/tea (anything that can murder sleep ruthlessly)...

And this is only the preview...

The picture sets into motion only when the already sapped student steps into the examination hall... And believe you me... The fear and dread conveyed by his countenance is reminiscent of the look of horror etched on people's faces when they watch a truly shivery flick... But wait... that's not all... The examination paper is distributed... and well it turns out that the horror flick is a Bollywood make... coz it’s really a comedy of errors... But the real tragical comedy happens when the results are declared... well comedy because looks like some of the examiners were comical to the hilt (how would you explain a score of 80 in a paper that was a complete mess and a minimum passing score in another where I expected to come up with flying colors) and tragedy because the comedy intended and enacted by the examiners turns out to be a catastrophe for the hapless students!!

And I can’t believe that a large part of how my future is going to shape up depends on how successfully I scrape through all of this.

Well before I wind up, I just want everyone to know that this post was intended in good humor. And essentially, is not to be taken too seriously.