In this hour of despondency, my heart goes out to the brave martyrs of academics. To call ourselves the scape-goats of a beat-all evaluation system would be a disgrace. I would rather liken us to the martyrs of a struggle. We fight, so we are!
Be it the eternal slumber that engulfs the class rooms, be it the eternal rains that screws our plans for sports, be it the profs with vendettas, be it the unconditional, un-imagined quizzes we encounter, be it the despicable delicacies of the ‘food place’ or be the un-fair names of fraxers we are labelled with, all we do is Struggle !
Struggle according to our beloved Mr.Wiki is
“A strenuous effort or the act of making a strenuous or laboured effort.”
True to every word, this is the story of me and you and all of us here.
Douglous McGregor was actually right when he coined the famous Theory X, although he never preferred it himself. For the sane people not addicted to theories and management jargons, Theory X is nothing but an assumption that there is a natural tendency in people to shy away from their responsibilities; they are always looking for ways to not work.
How Insightful!
I am actually quoting excerpts from my management lessons is not something I endorse as natural. It’s a direct consequence of my academic overdose I had on the behest of preparing for mid-terms. In 24 hours flat I came face to face with theories framed and reframed for 300 years! Not my fault... I was inducted into the learning system just one month back. So it doesn’t seem to have given me a big advantage had I started off with regular studies. Still I would have to comprehend centuries of theories and explanations given by some of the most indiscreet men in World History.
Every debacle, troubling moment or tragedy comes with a silver lining..... You feel relieved that it’s finally over! This feeling is unbelievable! You actually have to go through the cattle excretion ( for the innocent minds!) to come to enjoy the mild titillations of this very feeling of completion.
And what on earth does this feeling make it so worthwhile? Applying management theories of least loss & most profit, I confess that this feeling is perfectly compliant. How? Imagine 65 people getting tortured by a common academic enemy. Applying knowledge of basic mathematics, the pain faced by each victim is 1/65. Don’t blame me for not curbing my academic inclinations as I am trying my hardest to let go this forced liking. But week after week, the burgeoning schedule of mid-terms and quizzes keeps getting me back to Square One!
Alice In Wonderland is one that comes to my mind when I put my position in perspective. She had to run faster to stay in the same place – A notion I never comprehended earlier, but now I am living that feeling. To snap at any point would be detrimental to my survival in this heaven!
Oh Holy Golly! I just remembered, had to get back to my chosen set of tortures.....
In the meantime, ‘Pray’ for us and watch this space!
July 31, 2008
July 28, 2008
I Do Give A Damn
Ever felt liberated ? Ever felt like nothing really matters ? Well, I can say I have been disillusioned, albeit for a moment. I have let go, I am now me, albeit temporarily. My poor performance hurts me, but it also thrills me to limits. I am now close to being that person I always wondered about, one who dwells at the bottom and aspires not to move up, one who seems forever lost, but has in reality found himself.
I have one life and I aspire to do a lot of useless things with it. Maybe get wasted on Monday to begin with, spend Tuesday thinking, make someone smile on Wednesday, lose Thursday to a far away dream, lead a revolution on Friday, spend Saturday with friends, let Sunday be a new start and then break the cycle altogether. Hell ! life can be so much pointless and yet worth its while. And yet here I am trying to set my life in order when all i want is chaos, I feel bad about a poor performance when I don't really want to. I am so close to being what I want to; I could not care and become my own aspiration, and yet I end up caring and thus end up losing.
It isn't my performance that causes me to lose face in front of the mirror, but the fact that I give a damn about it.
I have one life and I aspire to do a lot of useless things with it. Maybe get wasted on Monday to begin with, spend Tuesday thinking, make someone smile on Wednesday, lose Thursday to a far away dream, lead a revolution on Friday, spend Saturday with friends, let Sunday be a new start and then break the cycle altogether. Hell ! life can be so much pointless and yet worth its while. And yet here I am trying to set my life in order when all i want is chaos, I feel bad about a poor performance when I don't really want to. I am so close to being what I want to; I could not care and become my own aspiration, and yet I end up caring and thus end up losing.
It isn't my performance that causes me to lose face in front of the mirror, but the fact that I give a damn about it.
Eco Hazard
It was about an hour ago that I was hit by something………
I still don’t know what………
Now I know how a meek human feels when he is hit by zappo gun by an alien and the only way he can save his existence on the planet in all his unity is by solving a Lagrangian equation of 5th degree.
Now I know why Einstein couldn’t clear his mathematics question papers……ever.
Now I know why all economist loose their hair at a pretty early age and also their ability to comprehend something as simple as a human emotion called empathy (In this case empathy towards your own harmless students)
But my greatest achievement today is the pride of knowing that when you have all the time in the world and all the reasons in the universe to study, there still remain some brave souls who manage to maximize their utility function by watching close to 4 movies back to back, interspersed with regular sleep sessions and visits to Daddu’s. This clan, though barely alive, still lives on by the efforts of a few.
This post is dedicated to them who bring in the spice in any Relative marking system, who form the lower end of the spectrum so that the upper end breathes free, who are the martyrs of Hard work or the deficiency of It.
We, who celebrate the brotherhood and invite others to join the clan, we who observe and truly believe that – “there is always place at the bottom, you just need to know the way” .
I still don’t know what………
Now I know how a meek human feels when he is hit by zappo gun by an alien and the only way he can save his existence on the planet in all his unity is by solving a Lagrangian equation of 5th degree.
Now I know why Einstein couldn’t clear his mathematics question papers……ever.
Now I know why all economist loose their hair at a pretty early age and also their ability to comprehend something as simple as a human emotion called empathy (In this case empathy towards your own harmless students)
But my greatest achievement today is the pride of knowing that when you have all the time in the world and all the reasons in the universe to study, there still remain some brave souls who manage to maximize their utility function by watching close to 4 movies back to back, interspersed with regular sleep sessions and visits to Daddu’s. This clan, though barely alive, still lives on by the efforts of a few.
This post is dedicated to them who bring in the spice in any Relative marking system, who form the lower end of the spectrum so that the upper end breathes free, who are the martyrs of Hard work or the deficiency of It.
We, who celebrate the brotherhood and invite others to join the clan, we who observe and truly believe that – “there is always place at the bottom, you just need to know the way” .
July 27, 2008
The Chicken Roll at The Cafeteria
“Chicken Roll milega?”, I enquired, uninterested, convinced I wouldn’t get it, as always.
The café-walah’s nod came quite as a shock. So I occupied a chair in one corner, and sat there, staring at the motionless fan. And it reminded me of life, as it had been over the weekend. I got up and switched the fan on, hopeful that it would give life a start as well. But all that could move was a bunch of papers from the heap I was carrying. After a while, I could see stillness in the motion of the fan too. “That’s what life does to you”, I mused.
I looked around, at the couple (or was it one?) who was busy talking about God-knows-what-all, and the geek who might have missed his lunch because of his higher needs of finishing Chapter-6 of OB first. And once again Maslow was proved wrong.
I reconsidered my decision to have food just because I was getting bored, and decided to change the direction in which I was looking.
And thus came my chicken roll, steaming hot, with a newspaper-like sheet wrapped around it. I almost impulsively looked inside, and could see the not-so-round balls of chicken, drenched in sauce. Pure temptation, lust to say the least.
First big bite, and I was home, having red hot chilly manchurian, on the bed with my family. Another of those Saturday evenings, when Chinese would be the predecided cuisine, as if by a rule. We would order it from the nearest food joint, and enjoy it with some good music on television. And then would follow some useful discussion about how my girlfriend is not good-looking, or some not-so-useful ones about how I need to push my brother to study. I almost gulped it down, and could still feel the warmth running down my spine. And a tear came looking for its way across my cheek. Thankfully there was none, I hadn’t shaved for a couple of days I realized.
I tore the wrapping a little, and got ready for my second bite, when I could hear someone crying. “It has to be the hen”, I thought, but she sounded vaguely familiar. Unperturbed, I went for my bite, this time a bigger one. And some filling fell apart, on the table, in pieces. I could almost see all my friends from college, pointing fingers at me, asking me why I did not keep in touch. The sarcastic gtalk offliners about how I had forgotten them all, the orkut scraps asking me to call them, the numerous missed calls on my cellphone everytime I came out of the class, it all came to me as if in a moment. It felt I could not chew more, the warmth of the food made me all the more guilty. But I continued, shamelessly avoiding the accusations, convincing myself I was busy.
In a moment, it was a little too spicy for me, and I had to run for water. The transparent glasses, all similar to each other, each reflecting an altogether different image of me, gave me a creepy shiver. I felt as if I was face to face with myself. And without thinking more, I chose the one I could identify with the most. The cold water got me back to my senses, and in a moment, all the accusations were gone. Had I really become that cold? Was my being busy really an excuse?
I unwrapped a big part of the roll, unfolding life layer by layer. And I could see myself in person, unprotected, bare. I looked around again, just to make sure there were people around, loneliness scared me, and I had had enough of it this weekend. The couple was still busy, but their conversation started seeming useful to me, I now yearned for such a dialogue. She had called me that day, fought with me over my not having time for her anymore, and I had been ready with my usual set of excuses. I had hated her for not giving me the hug I longed for, and at the same time, loved her for caring, for fighting with me, for making me feel full of life again. Gosh, it was just a call, and this time the tears could not stop, determined to find their way, as they had when we had talked.
I was too scared to have the last bite, too scared to know what lay beneath, deep down inside me, too scared to know my true feelings on coming to this place far far away from home, from friends, from my girlfriend, and from the cozy life I seemed to have been living.
I left it right there, paid for it, and came back to my room, reassuring myself “I am absolutely loving it here in XLRI”.
The café-walah’s nod came quite as a shock. So I occupied a chair in one corner, and sat there, staring at the motionless fan. And it reminded me of life, as it had been over the weekend. I got up and switched the fan on, hopeful that it would give life a start as well. But all that could move was a bunch of papers from the heap I was carrying. After a while, I could see stillness in the motion of the fan too. “That’s what life does to you”, I mused.
I looked around, at the couple (or was it one?) who was busy talking about God-knows-what-all, and the geek who might have missed his lunch because of his higher needs of finishing Chapter-6 of OB first. And once again Maslow was proved wrong.
I reconsidered my decision to have food just because I was getting bored, and decided to change the direction in which I was looking.
And thus came my chicken roll, steaming hot, with a newspaper-like sheet wrapped around it. I almost impulsively looked inside, and could see the not-so-round balls of chicken, drenched in sauce. Pure temptation, lust to say the least.
First big bite, and I was home, having red hot chilly manchurian, on the bed with my family. Another of those Saturday evenings, when Chinese would be the predecided cuisine, as if by a rule. We would order it from the nearest food joint, and enjoy it with some good music on television. And then would follow some useful discussion about how my girlfriend is not good-looking, or some not-so-useful ones about how I need to push my brother to study. I almost gulped it down, and could still feel the warmth running down my spine. And a tear came looking for its way across my cheek. Thankfully there was none, I hadn’t shaved for a couple of days I realized.
I tore the wrapping a little, and got ready for my second bite, when I could hear someone crying. “It has to be the hen”, I thought, but she sounded vaguely familiar. Unperturbed, I went for my bite, this time a bigger one. And some filling fell apart, on the table, in pieces. I could almost see all my friends from college, pointing fingers at me, asking me why I did not keep in touch. The sarcastic gtalk offliners about how I had forgotten them all, the orkut scraps asking me to call them, the numerous missed calls on my cellphone everytime I came out of the class, it all came to me as if in a moment. It felt I could not chew more, the warmth of the food made me all the more guilty. But I continued, shamelessly avoiding the accusations, convincing myself I was busy.
In a moment, it was a little too spicy for me, and I had to run for water. The transparent glasses, all similar to each other, each reflecting an altogether different image of me, gave me a creepy shiver. I felt as if I was face to face with myself. And without thinking more, I chose the one I could identify with the most. The cold water got me back to my senses, and in a moment, all the accusations were gone. Had I really become that cold? Was my being busy really an excuse?
I unwrapped a big part of the roll, unfolding life layer by layer. And I could see myself in person, unprotected, bare. I looked around again, just to make sure there were people around, loneliness scared me, and I had had enough of it this weekend. The couple was still busy, but their conversation started seeming useful to me, I now yearned for such a dialogue. She had called me that day, fought with me over my not having time for her anymore, and I had been ready with my usual set of excuses. I had hated her for not giving me the hug I longed for, and at the same time, loved her for caring, for fighting with me, for making me feel full of life again. Gosh, it was just a call, and this time the tears could not stop, determined to find their way, as they had when we had talked.
I was too scared to have the last bite, too scared to know what lay beneath, deep down inside me, too scared to know my true feelings on coming to this place far far away from home, from friends, from my girlfriend, and from the cozy life I seemed to have been living.
I left it right there, paid for it, and came back to my room, reassuring myself “I am absolutely loving it here in XLRI”.
July 26, 2008
Lumberings of a Slumber
When the going gets tough,
And quizzes are on your head,
A bummer goes to library,
AND, IR SLEEPS,
with books in bed.
Its about time I should be sleeping, Again.
As it is, I have been doing the same for past 2 days On and Off.
In spite of the fact that I had promised myself that I will study – come what may.
And then they came
The mess food came…….
Bala’s dosa came,
Bishu’s maggi came,
And along came my couch ………
And I slept again, and again, and yet again………..
While people all around, ran all around with dog eared hand outs proclaiming “What is OB”
I really don’t remember what the hell this OB is……….
Wasn’t it a dirty dog…….
Or was it some random combination of letters at Viggi’s blog (he can do a lot of random things, once he is 17 drinks down)………
OB may also be Hammy’s state of mind when he did some thing to improve his already awesome looks…………
Or was it some thing an old, very likable guy with white hair was talking of……. A few eons back.
Wait…….
I have been here before……..
I was lying in the same position……….
With a smug look of having woken up from a deep slumber…….
Posed with the same question……..
The same question for the 17th time in past 58 hours……..
And the answer is………
Does it really matter???
What matters is that I get my 18 hour sleep regularly, and for matters of such national importance, who loses sleep over such trivialities as “What is OB????”
Shhhh……….. Lenin is around.
And quizzes are on your head,
A bummer goes to library,
AND, IR SLEEPS,
with books in bed.
Its about time I should be sleeping, Again.
As it is, I have been doing the same for past 2 days On and Off.
In spite of the fact that I had promised myself that I will study – come what may.
And then they came
The mess food came…….
Bala’s dosa came,
Bishu’s maggi came,
And along came my couch ………
And I slept again, and again, and yet again………..
While people all around, ran all around with dog eared hand outs proclaiming “What is OB”
I really don’t remember what the hell this OB is……….
Wasn’t it a dirty dog…….
Or was it some random combination of letters at Viggi’s blog (he can do a lot of random things, once he is 17 drinks down)………
OB may also be Hammy’s state of mind when he did some thing to improve his already awesome looks…………
Or was it some thing an old, very likable guy with white hair was talking of……. A few eons back.
Wait…….
I have been here before……..
I was lying in the same position……….
With a smug look of having woken up from a deep slumber…….
Posed with the same question……..
The same question for the 17th time in past 58 hours……..
And the answer is………
Does it really matter???
What matters is that I get my 18 hour sleep regularly, and for matters of such national importance, who loses sleep over such trivialities as “What is OB????”
Shhhh……….. Lenin is around.
Terrorism
I am surprised, sad and dissapointed at what is happening in our country .
Blasts at
Caught this piece from rediff:
"Minutes before the Ahmedabad serial blasts, an email was sent to the
This is nothing but public display of boldness "yeah we'll blast
Where is the government?? I thought we were living in a democracy!!
What is Congress doing? Fighting over petty issues, is it??
Its well and truly known that most of the blasts have been done by islamic terrorist organisations than why no action?
Just two words of consolement , little aid and life moves on !!Is this the way a country of 1 billion citizen is supposed to run?Are we all fools ?
Why the policy of appeasement being followed for the last 60 odd years;
just to get some petty votes?
My friend terrorism has no religion; terrorists are just a bunch of egomaniacal dumbheads trying to destroy our country just because they are getting foolish support from our politicians (read congress, SP, Left) because of their policy of appeasement.
I feel we don't need a judicial system for this terrorists; catch them and kill them.
Nothing much to say, I am very unhappy with the state of affairs and this is too important even if written in d XL blog!!!
9 shots of baldness
1 Shot - Kid drinker (Wastes time)
2 Shots - Novice drinker
3 Shots - "Trying to get included" drinker
4 Shots - Social Drinker
5 Shots - Socially experienced Drinker
6 Shots - Experienced Drinker (Booze Lobby )
7 Shots - Professional Drinker (Omaxi)
8 Shots - Overambitious Drinker(Puker )
9 Shots -"Bald" Drinker
My dear Friend HAMMY , u reached salvation !!! :):):)
2 Shots - Novice drinker
3 Shots - "Trying to get included" drinker
4 Shots - Social Drinker
5 Shots - Socially experienced Drinker
6 Shots - Experienced Drinker (Booze Lobby )
7 Shots - Professional Drinker (Omaxi)
8 Shots - Overambitious Drinker(Puker )
9 Shots -"Bald" Drinker
My dear Friend HAMMY , u reached salvation !!! :):):)
Birdwatching
Today, we went out birdwatching, and contrary to my expectations, it was quite fun. (No, you crooked mind, we went out to watch some real birds.) Of course, I made my displeasure at not being able to see my favourite bird (tandoori chicken) rather apparent, much to the consternation of my companions.
The trip was organized by some seniors from XLANC (XLRI Adventure and Nature Club) and those folks were pretty knowledgeable about the birds. We managed to spot around 15 varieties of birds, a snail or two, some tee some rather large earthworms (ugh!!!) and lots of greenery.
I've been lucky enough to live in two of the most planned cities in India - Jamshedpur and Chandigarh, and simply love both of them. Even though they have somewhat contrasting cultures and lifestyles, the greenery and cleanliness is just awesome. Given a choice, I'd pick Chandigarh any day, for it's climate and nightlife (yeah, right), but the idea isn't really to make comparisons at all.
Now that I've wasted away the last two days, sleeping and roaming around, I'm trying to console myself by saying that sleep and relaxation are vital, and one can't really study with a burdened, exhausted mind. I'm right, ain't I? :D
The trip was organized by some seniors from XLANC (XLRI Adventure and Nature Club) and those folks were pretty knowledgeable about the birds. We managed to spot around 15 varieties of birds, a snail or two, some tee some rather large earthworms (ugh!!!) and lots of greenery.
I've been lucky enough to live in two of the most planned cities in India - Jamshedpur and Chandigarh, and simply love both of them. Even though they have somewhat contrasting cultures and lifestyles, the greenery and cleanliness is just awesome. Given a choice, I'd pick Chandigarh any day, for it's climate and nightlife (yeah, right), but the idea isn't really to make comparisons at all.
Now that I've wasted away the last two days, sleeping and roaming around, I'm trying to console myself by saying that sleep and relaxation are vital, and one can't really study with a burdened, exhausted mind. I'm right, ain't I? :D
Batsmen ?...uh?...
Well to say that I came across this post by a senior would be an understatement, because it was right in my face, in all its glorious crassness. Its length seriously made me think about the schedule these people keep, and its content made me doubt their maturity. I agree that the intention was to be funny and to sound cool, but by god did it sound juvenile and adolescent in its self-congratulatory content and self-appreciative style.
Let me take this opportune moment to declare to quite a few of the people who ‘made it to the list’, that they often get their names attached to words like ‘despo’ ‘pervert’ et all in the sentences of the supposedly scored – FYI. Some of them actually have steady girlfriends and yet they are seen desperately looking for company during wet nights.
IMHO As far as teams go, the senior girl’s team would kick their men’s team’s asses quite coolly and eloquently. They don’t make too much of an effort and yet the guys queue up.In stark contrast is the men’s line up with oldies and coldies in their ranks, begging and pleading for attention.
Batsmen?..uh?..Grow up guys…
July 24, 2008
il commincio
On the 25th of March 2008, a small, bespectacled, nerdy girl from Chennai, South India cracked the interview to what is now officially India's fifth best B-School.
And Then There Was Pandemonium.
The very next morning, next door aunty throttled in at high speed and attempted to dislocate my cheekbones. "I always knew you would make it. Such a studious child! Where to, IIM Ahemddaaabad?"
Vaguely wondering how my mother had managed to trumpet the news by the unholy hour of six-thirty in the morning, I massaged my cheeks, convinced I would have to go in for cosmetic surgery.
"Er, no- XLRI."
"Oh." A pause. Then, brightening, "That thing in Jam-shed-poor?"
"Yes, aunty."
"Exs-sellent place", she pronounced. "Our Sandhya's husband went there. Such an intelligent boy... You don't go visiting the men's hostels, you hear? The boys will come from North India"- a shudder- "one never knows what they may do."
Evening, seven-fifteen or so. By this time, around seven million calls had come in, with callers alternately congratulating me, wanting to know if it was "the XLRI in Nungambakkam, Chennai" and expressing severe disappointment at the disclosure of Jamshedpur as my destination, warning me against cultivating 'bad habits', advising me to eat only the purest of vegetarian food, and expressing disappointment that I had not made it to the nearest local college offering an MBA.
"Very good college, SIET", my uncle mourned. "Cheap, too. Very close by. I can drop you in the morning and pick you up also."
"Uncle, it is a residential programme..."
"So what? Reside at home and complete it, no? Why should you travel all the way to Bihar"-
"Jharkhand.", I interposed meekly.
He glared -"Jharkhand and study? God knows how the climate will be! And you have to stay all alone. Who will take care of you? By the way, it is an all-girls college, no?"
And then, in the middle of all the hullabaloo, there was the task of Packing. Packing was mother's domain. A tentative list was made:
1. Soap, shampoo, comb, talcum powder and other personal care items.
2. Meera Shikakai and Parachute coconut Oil- for traditional haircare.
3. Lots of clothes.
4. Priya Pickle bottles.
5. Wristwatch, mp3 player, a few books and the mobile phone.
6. One thousand seventy three other items, with about twenty-six being added every day.
My mother packed and re-packed, and re-re-packed, ably assisted by my sister who made lists and ticked off items and fetched and carried, while my father got the loan documents together and I supervised. My role consisting of chewing masala papad and saying "Yes, I need that" or "No, I don't". All in all, a fair and just distribution of work, you could say.
As the D Day grew close, the entire family rallied together- formidble aunts and harried-looking uncles. It was the first 'big thing' in ages since the marriage of a distant cousin three years ago, and besides, it was 'Ex-Yel-AAr-Ai'. Even if most of them were a little hazy as to where exactly it was and what I was going to study, it didn't matter. It was supposed to be "top" and anything "top" associated with the family was a matter of pride. A parade of faces inspected me and pronounced that they had "known all along that I would go Somewhere."
Where exactly, I wondered. Besides, atleast 70% of them had never clapped eyes on me before.
Finally the Packing drew to a close, mainly because there was no more space for an extra suitcase, handbag or backpack. On the night of the 11th of June, I boarded the Alleppey-dhanbad Express, accompanied by Sesha who advised me to Meditate. It adds peace to life. Never mind about studying, he said, with an airy wave of his hand.
One day and two nights later, I got down, groggy, filthy, and badly in need of a hair-bath at the Tatanagar Station. And some thirty minutes later, reached the gates of XLRI, Jamshedpur.
It's been about forty-one days since I got here. My hair is now washed (at regular intervals). I haven't cultivated anything that I suppose one could call a bad habit.
And, So far, the 'North Indian' boys haven't done anything yet.
One can only hope.
:D
And Then There Was Pandemonium.
The very next morning, next door aunty throttled in at high speed and attempted to dislocate my cheekbones. "I always knew you would make it. Such a studious child! Where to, IIM Ahemddaaabad?"
Vaguely wondering how my mother had managed to trumpet the news by the unholy hour of six-thirty in the morning, I massaged my cheeks, convinced I would have to go in for cosmetic surgery.
"Er, no- XLRI."
"Oh." A pause. Then, brightening, "That thing in Jam-shed-poor?"
"Yes, aunty."
"Exs-sellent place", she pronounced. "Our Sandhya's husband went there. Such an intelligent boy... You don't go visiting the men's hostels, you hear? The boys will come from North India"- a shudder- "one never knows what they may do."
Evening, seven-fifteen or so. By this time, around seven million calls had come in, with callers alternately congratulating me, wanting to know if it was "the XLRI in Nungambakkam, Chennai" and expressing severe disappointment at the disclosure of Jamshedpur as my destination, warning me against cultivating 'bad habits', advising me to eat only the purest of vegetarian food, and expressing disappointment that I had not made it to the nearest local college offering an MBA.
"Very good college, SIET", my uncle mourned. "Cheap, too. Very close by. I can drop you in the morning and pick you up also."
"Uncle, it is a residential programme..."
"So what? Reside at home and complete it, no? Why should you travel all the way to Bihar"-
"Jharkhand.", I interposed meekly.
He glared -"Jharkhand and study? God knows how the climate will be! And you have to stay all alone. Who will take care of you? By the way, it is an all-girls college, no?"
And then, in the middle of all the hullabaloo, there was the task of Packing. Packing was mother's domain. A tentative list was made:
1. Soap, shampoo, comb, talcum powder and other personal care items.
2. Meera Shikakai and Parachute coconut Oil- for traditional haircare.
3. Lots of clothes.
4. Priya Pickle bottles.
5. Wristwatch, mp3 player, a few books and the mobile phone.
6. One thousand seventy three other items, with about twenty-six being added every day.
My mother packed and re-packed, and re-re-packed, ably assisted by my sister who made lists and ticked off items and fetched and carried, while my father got the loan documents together and I supervised. My role consisting of chewing masala papad and saying "Yes, I need that" or "No, I don't". All in all, a fair and just distribution of work, you could say.
As the D Day grew close, the entire family rallied together- formidble aunts and harried-looking uncles. It was the first 'big thing' in ages since the marriage of a distant cousin three years ago, and besides, it was 'Ex-Yel-AAr-Ai'. Even if most of them were a little hazy as to where exactly it was and what I was going to study, it didn't matter. It was supposed to be "top" and anything "top" associated with the family was a matter of pride. A parade of faces inspected me and pronounced that they had "known all along that I would go Somewhere."
Where exactly, I wondered. Besides, atleast 70% of them had never clapped eyes on me before.
Finally the Packing drew to a close, mainly because there was no more space for an extra suitcase, handbag or backpack. On the night of the 11th of June, I boarded the Alleppey-dhanbad Express, accompanied by Sesha who advised me to Meditate. It adds peace to life. Never mind about studying, he said, with an airy wave of his hand.
One day and two nights later, I got down, groggy, filthy, and badly in need of a hair-bath at the Tatanagar Station. And some thirty minutes later, reached the gates of XLRI, Jamshedpur.
It's been about forty-one days since I got here. My hair is now washed (at regular intervals). I haven't cultivated anything that I suppose one could call a bad habit.
And, So far, the 'North Indian' boys haven't done anything yet.
One can only hope.
:D
July 17, 2008
nonsense
Thought to scribble some random words on the blog wen i suddenly encountered "spreading fires".
The catchy title invited me to read it only to leave me in a feeling of being unsatiated .I am still scratching my head trying to figure out wat tush wanted to convey . Not because it contained hardcore vocabulary (I in nycase suck in my vocab) , but becoz it lead me to the truth my comprehension skills!!!! - i suck in tht too !!!!
Nyways ,the "CRUX" -(this is sm gud wrd ,tush wud surely agree) of the matter is why I m writing this rubbish in XLRI blog?
Firstly becoz the name of this article is Nonsense :)
Secondly I m on a high (no alcohol only sleep ; rather, the lack of it )!!!
nyways witout uttering more crap i hereby declare myself permanent member of Xl meri jaan and will cm up wid sm "useful" writeups in the times to come....
cheers!!!!!
The catchy title invited me to read it only to leave me in a feeling of being unsatiated .I am still scratching my head trying to figure out wat tush wanted to convey . Not because it contained hardcore vocabulary (I in nycase suck in my vocab) , but becoz it lead me to the truth my comprehension skills!!!! - i suck in tht too !!!!
Nyways ,the "CRUX" -(this is sm gud wrd ,tush wud surely agree) of the matter is why I m writing this rubbish in XLRI blog?
Firstly becoz the name of this article is Nonsense :)
Secondly I m on a high (no alcohol only sleep ; rather, the lack of it )!!!
nyways witout uttering more crap i hereby declare myself permanent member of Xl meri jaan and will cm up wid sm "useful" writeups in the times to come....
cheers!!!!!
July 15, 2008
Spreading fires...
Its bewildering to realise how time stagnates for months with absolutely nothing much to talk about and next instant the world around me wears a changed face, a face of an excited child at the prospect of discovering the kaleidoscope of colours in the reflections of Sun. Its not the best of feelings to go through when such a thing happens in your life. The control no longer rests with you and you alone. It seems like I am drifting through emotions like a fish through water. One moment I feel like I am the lonely traveller sifting through faceless crowds on a busy highway. The next moment I am in the midst of a fairy-tale with the best of people and best of moments waiting to unfold. It is a feeling of excitement laced with curiosity for I seek to understand the events unfurling before me.
The more I think about it, the more complicated the feeling becomes for me to express. I am going through a commotion of sorts. The clarity that often is evident in my thoughts and actions has gone on a long unannounced vacation. Destination: Unknown. I am left with interpretation of moments that I am living by, some correct and some not-so-correct. It doesn’t matter if I am getting them wrong because I wonder if there is anyone out here who actually can make out the right from the wrong. I think the best thing for me to do right now is to sit back and watch the wonderful imagery coming up on the canvas called life!
Parting ways from reality is something I have always resisted. It doesn’t change anything; just creates a phony of sorts to create illusions that make you feel complete, that make you feel special. Little do we realise that below all these layers of cosmetics, there lies a me or a you as similar to each other as can be!
For now, the only verifiable truth I can comprehend and endorse is that Things are on a roll!!! Just watch this space for lots of excitement!!!
The more I think about it, the more complicated the feeling becomes for me to express. I am going through a commotion of sorts. The clarity that often is evident in my thoughts and actions has gone on a long unannounced vacation. Destination: Unknown. I am left with interpretation of moments that I am living by, some correct and some not-so-correct. It doesn’t matter if I am getting them wrong because I wonder if there is anyone out here who actually can make out the right from the wrong. I think the best thing for me to do right now is to sit back and watch the wonderful imagery coming up on the canvas called life!
Parting ways from reality is something I have always resisted. It doesn’t change anything; just creates a phony of sorts to create illusions that make you feel complete, that make you feel special. Little do we realise that below all these layers of cosmetics, there lies a me or a you as similar to each other as can be!
For now, the only verifiable truth I can comprehend and endorse is that Things are on a roll!!! Just watch this space for lots of excitement!!!
July 14, 2008
Of Happiness ...
I’m not a special person, I don’t speak 71 languages, I can’t play the guitar with my feet, I can’t quote abstract business terminology and get away with it, nor can bring myself to truthfully answer the question, ‘What do I want to do with my life?’ But then, that’s not what is required to get into a business school.
To be a part of an entity that has, for all practical purposes, always been, is truly wonderful. People come up to me and tell me that XLRI was the best thing that’s happened to me. That part I wholly agree with. But why, most people won’t know and will never be able to understand. Tradition cannot be talked about; in fact it would be demeaning to tradition to explain it in mere words, it is to be experienced. And at XL, we believe in doing things right, and by God we mean it. To spend two years in the company of friends, surprise quizzes, a non-existent sleep cycle, the bottle, the parties and such, is a feeling that cannot be explained.
I’ve never been at such a loss for words before.
When I came to XLRI for the first time on the 13th of June, ’08, it still hadn’t hit me that I was going to be a part of India’s most respected business schools. As a thumb rule, most of what people tell you will be wrong. People are so clouded by their opinions and prejudices that they for the most part fail to look beyond. I came here with a constant fear gnawing at my stomach that I had to do assignments all day, and turn into a report-writing machine. I do agree that the workload is gruelling, but that isn’t all to life at XL. Life at XL is about doing things that you wouldn’t normally do, it’s about being what you are rather than being what others want you to be; it’s about adventure and fun more than term papers and presentations. And by fun I don’t mean the hello-hello-ha-ha types, it’s about fun that is completely unbridled, utterly awesome and mind-numbingly amazing.
As someone said, ‘But what is happiness except the simple harmony between a man and the life he leads?’
To be a part of an entity that has, for all practical purposes, always been, is truly wonderful. People come up to me and tell me that XLRI was the best thing that’s happened to me. That part I wholly agree with. But why, most people won’t know and will never be able to understand. Tradition cannot be talked about; in fact it would be demeaning to tradition to explain it in mere words, it is to be experienced. And at XL, we believe in doing things right, and by God we mean it. To spend two years in the company of friends, surprise quizzes, a non-existent sleep cycle, the bottle, the parties and such, is a feeling that cannot be explained.
I’ve never been at such a loss for words before.
When I came to XLRI for the first time on the 13th of June, ’08, it still hadn’t hit me that I was going to be a part of India’s most respected business schools. As a thumb rule, most of what people tell you will be wrong. People are so clouded by their opinions and prejudices that they for the most part fail to look beyond. I came here with a constant fear gnawing at my stomach that I had to do assignments all day, and turn into a report-writing machine. I do agree that the workload is gruelling, but that isn’t all to life at XL. Life at XL is about doing things that you wouldn’t normally do, it’s about being what you are rather than being what others want you to be; it’s about adventure and fun more than term papers and presentations. And by fun I don’t mean the hello-hello-ha-ha types, it’s about fun that is completely unbridled, utterly awesome and mind-numbingly amazing.
As someone said, ‘But what is happiness except the simple harmony between a man and the life he leads?’
July 13, 2008
UnRe(a)d Musings
In goes the free-kick and the shot comes in...and it's IN!!! MILAN HAVE SCORED!! A goal in 50 seconds for Milan....... and it's all gone wrong in the first minute...a wretched wretched start for Liverpool....1-0
...
Liverpool could be stretched again....as Crespo from close range has doubled Milan's lead...Liverpool nil...AC Milan 2...and this final is over!!
....
It could be 3-0 and it IS 3-0. Things going from bad to worse for Liverpool!! Milan are playing football that's out of this world. No one can live with this!!!!
A time for despondency, a time for despair. A time to mourn, a time to shed a tear. But also, a time to gird up one's loins, and put up a fight. A time to prove that the blood that flows in my veins is REALLY RED!! A time to wipe those tears dry, and proclaim to the world, that the fight has just begun.I had thought that the day I lost the Students' Council elections by a solitary vote was a low point. I was dejected, disheartened, disillusioned, disgruntled, and any other conceivable adjectives that one can find in a reasonably good thesaurus. What hurt even more was people coming up to me and asking, "How could you lose?"It was tough maintaining a plastic smile, and saying, "Ah, such things happen."And today, not making it to SAPPHIRE, (the HR Association) feels worse than ever. I really like the work this society does, and I so desperately wanted to be a part of it. But apparently, they didn't think I'd add much value, and so I got the boot. There are another couple of committees I'd applied to, but I don't think I have the courage to face another rejection.I was sitting on the terrace, despondent and close to tears, when Shubham dropped by. After listening to my tale he said, "So what!! You are a RED!! And I thought you guys never give up!"That's true man!! RED is the colour that flows through me. And I won't give up. Like a true RED, I'll fight it out, and make sure that I win this! Losing small battles won't matter, once one wins the war.
...towards Gerrard!! Captain's goal! Still trying maybe, for the impossible to happen...
...
25 yards out....and IT'S IN!! IT'S IN!!! OOOOOO my word!!! Vladimir Smicer!!!! Miracles are possible... and do we have a game now!!
...
Step up Xabi Alonso, to equalise, yes EQUALISE for Liverpool! Misses, but takes the rebound...and MISSION IMPOSSIBLE is accomplished!!!"Once a European Champion, always a European Champion!!"
Absolutely! As a real red, I don't have the right to give up. I'll live and get up, to fight another day. Perhaps, as Dickens said, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times."
...
Liverpool could be stretched again....as Crespo from close range has doubled Milan's lead...Liverpool nil...AC Milan 2...and this final is over!!
....
It could be 3-0 and it IS 3-0. Things going from bad to worse for Liverpool!! Milan are playing football that's out of this world. No one can live with this!!!!
A time for despondency, a time for despair. A time to mourn, a time to shed a tear. But also, a time to gird up one's loins, and put up a fight. A time to prove that the blood that flows in my veins is REALLY RED!! A time to wipe those tears dry, and proclaim to the world, that the fight has just begun.I had thought that the day I lost the Students' Council elections by a solitary vote was a low point. I was dejected, disheartened, disillusioned, disgruntled, and any other conceivable adjectives that one can find in a reasonably good thesaurus. What hurt even more was people coming up to me and asking, "How could you lose?"It was tough maintaining a plastic smile, and saying, "Ah, such things happen."And today, not making it to SAPPHIRE, (the HR Association) feels worse than ever. I really like the work this society does, and I so desperately wanted to be a part of it. But apparently, they didn't think I'd add much value, and so I got the boot. There are another couple of committees I'd applied to, but I don't think I have the courage to face another rejection.I was sitting on the terrace, despondent and close to tears, when Shubham dropped by. After listening to my tale he said, "So what!! You are a RED!! And I thought you guys never give up!"That's true man!! RED is the colour that flows through me. And I won't give up. Like a true RED, I'll fight it out, and make sure that I win this! Losing small battles won't matter, once one wins the war.
...towards Gerrard!! Captain's goal! Still trying maybe, for the impossible to happen...
...
25 yards out....and IT'S IN!! IT'S IN!!! OOOOOO my word!!! Vladimir Smicer!!!! Miracles are possible... and do we have a game now!!
...
Step up Xabi Alonso, to equalise, yes EQUALISE for Liverpool! Misses, but takes the rebound...and MISSION IMPOSSIBLE is accomplished!!!"Once a European Champion, always a European Champion!!"
Absolutely! As a real red, I don't have the right to give up. I'll live and get up, to fight another day. Perhaps, as Dickens said, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times."
Times that Change...
It’s amazingly weird for me to sit lonely and not do a thing since coming home to XL. The pace, the activities and the story of XL runs at such a scorching pace that you seldom have time to sit back and reflect on the moments flown by. There are times when you feel lonely amidst a crowd and there are times when you don’t find a soul in sight and still feel so complete. That’s my how my story runs at XLRI – a Legend and a life-time experience.
Rains, Sunshine, gloomy sky-scapes and rains again... This cycle of weather at XL is an index of the feelings one goes through at this temple. Tribulations, triumphs, happiness and sorrow just keep trickling like drops of monsoon rain through cracked roofs. Loneliness trickles at times as joy pours. Every single ‘organism’ (Read as ‘or-gun-ism’) here is oblivious to the lives of people outside the black gate that demarcates our part of this world from theirs. This is our world!
Joy de Vivre. The phrase couldn’t be more apt to the every day in our lives here at XL. Be it the ‘YASHIMBous’ speed to cover the distance between the bed and the class seat or be it the ‘MOJOic’ orientation of hostélites at GH1, or the ‘KANTASUMic’ solutions our batch of bewildered boys come up with or so to speak the ‘JITTARous ’ moods people get into when in deep trouble (Read as ‘S#!T’), one just can’t think of anything other than having the best times we are ever going to have in this lifetime.
God, the ‘best’est gift that you have bestowed on me ever...... XL Meri Jaan!!!!
Rains, Sunshine, gloomy sky-scapes and rains again... This cycle of weather at XL is an index of the feelings one goes through at this temple. Tribulations, triumphs, happiness and sorrow just keep trickling like drops of monsoon rain through cracked roofs. Loneliness trickles at times as joy pours. Every single ‘organism’ (Read as ‘or-gun-ism’) here is oblivious to the lives of people outside the black gate that demarcates our part of this world from theirs. This is our world!
Joy de Vivre. The phrase couldn’t be more apt to the every day in our lives here at XL. Be it the ‘YASHIMBous’ speed to cover the distance between the bed and the class seat or be it the ‘MOJOic’ orientation of hostélites at GH1, or the ‘KANTASUMic’ solutions our batch of bewildered boys come up with or so to speak the ‘JITTARous ’ moods people get into when in deep trouble (Read as ‘S#!T’), one just can’t think of anything other than having the best times we are ever going to have in this lifetime.
God, the ‘best’est gift that you have bestowed on me ever...... XL Meri Jaan!!!!
July 8, 2008
In XL, In Awe
Behind the dark green leaves,
through the three open windows,
among the thin gentle winds,
two soul's dream and pillows,
divided by time and region,
or perceptions! may be the gesture,
but sharing the same space,
in xl, the culture.
the old whitish wall,
the dusty greenish floor,
holds memories tall,
some gossips, folklore.
the creamish seat of chair,
withheld many pressure,
yet ready to serve,
in xl, with purpose.
the creaky brownish desk,
complimenting the dirty fan,
remescient of sixties,
when xl came on.
it move along with grace,
with switches of forty eight,
and still hold together,
in xl, sound and straight.
will the flickering souls,
can match these old,
or flowing with the wind,
will lost in cold,
but one thing is certain,
thus i say, sure
the lions of XAT,
in xl , will roar
through the three open windows,
among the thin gentle winds,
two soul's dream and pillows,
divided by time and region,
or perceptions! may be the gesture,
but sharing the same space,
in xl, the culture.
the old whitish wall,
the dusty greenish floor,
holds memories tall,
some gossips, folklore.
the creamish seat of chair,
withheld many pressure,
yet ready to serve,
in xl, with purpose.
the creaky brownish desk,
complimenting the dirty fan,
remescient of sixties,
when xl came on.
it move along with grace,
with switches of forty eight,
and still hold together,
in xl, sound and straight.
will the flickering souls,
can match these old,
or flowing with the wind,
will lost in cold,
but one thing is certain,
thus i say, sure
the lions of XAT,
in xl , will roar
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