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Everyone, who has, in one way or the other, been attached to KV-1 Jalahalli, would know about KG Halli. Many students are from KG Halli – and they are usually the ones who have no interest in studies and flunk in exams. So the “KG Halli Culture” is something despised by many….
Will They Ever Change???
So other day, when I was at school, I found myself with Mrs.Sherin John and Mrs.Meena Thomas (both English TGTs, with whom I’ve had very good student-teacher relationships over the years) in the staff room. And somehow, we ended up discussing KG Halli.
So, as expected, it was all about old students sitting on KG Halli roads, smoking and doing all sorts of indecorous activities - conduct unbecoming of a student of KVJ. Sherin ma’am had a personal experience to share – about one such guy, who after seeing her staring at him, ran for his life. Meena ma’am quips in,”At least he had that much shame left in him!” So all in all, in Sherin ma’am’s words,”It’s an insult to us teachers to find our students sitting on the roads!”
A Blessing in Disguise???
Then we ended up on the topic of the proposed abolishment of class X board exams by the Indian government. I, personally, have no wish to write on this topic about which hundreds might’ve have already written about. But Meena ma’am made a comment, which really caught me unawares. When Sherin ma’am that all the class X teachers would be free most of the time and they will be at the school canteen sipping tea or coffee, Meena ma’am said,”Then in place of the Swati bakery, there would be a Coffee Day or an Expresso in KG Halli!”
I was like,”Would it really turn out that way?” Either Meena ma’am has a futuristic vision, or maybe she is a bit too optimistic.
Keeping My Fingers Crossed!!!
But it was an “exquisite” vision – a Coffee Day in KG Halli! I believe it would do a hell lot of good to the crowd there – perhaps a first step of the long walk to innovation? As more and more teachers become regular visitors to KG Halli (and I mean teachers like Sherin ma’am – with a stern stare and a sharp tongue), perhaps the alumni of KVJ would be back on track en route to finding success in life.
I’ll be keeping my fingers and legs crossed so that even if the class X board exams are abolished (which I really hope doesn’t happen), we’ll have a vicissitude to look forward to.
Looking at the brighter side of everything…..
Will They Ever Change???
So other day, when I was at school, I found myself with Mrs.Sherin John and Mrs.Meena Thomas (both English TGTs, with whom I’ve had very good student-teacher relationships over the years) in the staff room. And somehow, we ended up discussing KG Halli.
So, as expected, it was all about old students sitting on KG Halli roads, smoking and doing all sorts of indecorous activities - conduct unbecoming of a student of KVJ. Sherin ma’am had a personal experience to share – about one such guy, who after seeing her staring at him, ran for his life. Meena ma’am quips in,”At least he had that much shame left in him!” So all in all, in Sherin ma’am’s words,”It’s an insult to us teachers to find our students sitting on the roads!”
A Blessing in Disguise???
Then we ended up on the topic of the proposed abolishment of class X board exams by the Indian government. I, personally, have no wish to write on this topic about which hundreds might’ve have already written about. But Meena ma’am made a comment, which really caught me unawares. When Sherin ma’am that all the class X teachers would be free most of the time and they will be at the school canteen sipping tea or coffee, Meena ma’am said,”Then in place of the Swati bakery, there would be a Coffee Day or an Expresso in KG Halli!”
I was like,”Would it really turn out that way?” Either Meena ma’am has a futuristic vision, or maybe she is a bit too optimistic.
Keeping My Fingers Crossed!!!
But it was an “exquisite” vision – a Coffee Day in KG Halli! I believe it would do a hell lot of good to the crowd there – perhaps a first step of the long walk to innovation? As more and more teachers become regular visitors to KG Halli (and I mean teachers like Sherin ma’am – with a stern stare and a sharp tongue), perhaps the alumni of KVJ would be back on track en route to finding success in life.
I’ll be keeping my fingers and legs crossed so that even if the class X board exams are abolished (which I really hope doesn’t happen), we’ll have a vicissitude to look forward to.
Looking at the brighter side of everything…..
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This incident just struck me and I had to post it....so I'll keep scribbling...
Well, sometimes in life, you become a part of a joke (or rather you become a joke) – but later, you think about it and have a hearty laugh. This happens to be one such incident.
So it was on June the 21st – during our reunion. As I’ve mentioned in earlier posts, Girija and I found ourselves leading the pack on MG road, followed by HS, G and Mainak. So as we were trotting along, we reach an auto stand. There an auto driver, seeing Girija and me walking, comes up and asks,”Uncle, want an auto!?”
And I was like,”You talking to me?” Maybe he had a poor eyesight (I hope he did). Another question - if I looked like an uncle to him, did Girija look like an aunty???
And all this after all my friends accused me of looking like a kiddo, walking around with a school bag! :-D
Just another reason to smile in life…..
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Well, I picked up this habit of saying,”What’s the bet!?” whenever I had a disagreement with someone back in class XII. Though I no longer use it, once in a while, it just happens by chance that I end up keeping bets. And here’s one of them….
It’s Arun vs. Sunita!!!
So we happen to be the two parties concerned. Pretty much a straight-forward bet. If she manages to come to Bangalore within the next two years, she wins – else it’s my victory. Of course, I don’t usually keep bets I feel I might lose – and the chances of her travelling all the way from Delhi to Bangalore seem pretty bleak (I believe her parents won’t allow!).
Anyways, she isn’t someone who would refuse a challenge – especially from me (we’ve been at loggerheads ever since our school days). So she agrees – and then we had to decide on what the loser had to. After all, it won’t be any fun without making the loser realize his loss…..
“Tilting in My Favour!??”
So we start racking our brains. She suggested that the loser treats the winner –but that’s just way too common. We were members of “the” X-C after all – we had to do something out of the blues. So I get a brainwave – I’ve no idea how the others would feel about it, but it doesn’t matter anyways.
So it was decided that if she wins, I take out a lady teacher from our old school KV-I Jalahalli out for lunch or dinner. And if I win, she does the same with a gents teacher. Looking back, I feel I won’t have such a hard time even if I lose (I’ve always kept in constant touch with my old teachers and I trust them to squeeze me out of tight situations), but if she loses, she’ll have her task cut out (she has never even spoken to anyone in the past four years)….
“Did I Keep Such a Condition to Make Her Come???”
I get a feeling I kept such a condition that she’d rather come over here than face the prospect of fulfilling the not-so-easy condition – it happens to me at times, just out of instincts! So guess I’m keeping my fingers crossed – for what I don’t know! I hate losing, but this one time, I’m ready to yield….
A win-win situation for me? I’ve no idea….
It’s Arun vs. Sunita!!!
So we happen to be the two parties concerned. Pretty much a straight-forward bet. If she manages to come to Bangalore within the next two years, she wins – else it’s my victory. Of course, I don’t usually keep bets I feel I might lose – and the chances of her travelling all the way from Delhi to Bangalore seem pretty bleak (I believe her parents won’t allow!).
Anyways, she isn’t someone who would refuse a challenge – especially from me (we’ve been at loggerheads ever since our school days). So she agrees – and then we had to decide on what the loser had to. After all, it won’t be any fun without making the loser realize his loss…..
“Tilting in My Favour!??”
So we start racking our brains. She suggested that the loser treats the winner –but that’s just way too common. We were members of “the” X-C after all – we had to do something out of the blues. So I get a brainwave – I’ve no idea how the others would feel about it, but it doesn’t matter anyways.
So it was decided that if she wins, I take out a lady teacher from our old school KV-I Jalahalli out for lunch or dinner. And if I win, she does the same with a gents teacher. Looking back, I feel I won’t have such a hard time even if I lose (I’ve always kept in constant touch with my old teachers and I trust them to squeeze me out of tight situations), but if she loses, she’ll have her task cut out (she has never even spoken to anyone in the past four years)….
“Did I Keep Such a Condition to Make Her Come???”
I get a feeling I kept such a condition that she’d rather come over here than face the prospect of fulfilling the not-so-easy condition – it happens to me at times, just out of instincts! So guess I’m keeping my fingers crossed – for what I don’t know! I hate losing, but this one time, I’m ready to yield….
A win-win situation for me? I’ve no idea….
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So I’ve got used to the concept of fate/destiny/chance. Coz I keep meeting old acquaintances every now and then – just by chance I guess. So another such rendezvous….
Add-on to a Regular School Visit!!!
So I went to my alma mater, as I do every semester break, to meet my old teachers. Anyway, I get out of there by noon and I had two options – either go back by bus, or find something to do till the next train scheduled at 4pm. So I call up my old friends – and Saurabh aka Patiala invites me to go to Malleswaram with me. And I, being the “eternal jobless”, was more than happy to go. So we meet up at Jalahalli cross and catch a bus to Malleswaram….
Are We What They Call “Loafers”???
I’ve always had this doubt, all we do is loaf around – so are we called loafers? Doesn’t matter….
So we loaf here and there, then go and have our lunch. Then we go and collect a cake Patiala had ordered for the marriage anniversary of his parents – I take this opportunity to congratulate uncle and aunty on their happy married life and wishing them many more happy years together. Then somehow, as we were walking around, we end up on the topic of marriage – how I’m not sure. So as we were discussing, a question comes up,”If someone kept a sword at your throat and in order to save yourself, you had to marry someone from the old X-C, who would it be?” Of course, we had to reply (ab doston se kya chupana?) and we did – but the answers will be kept a secret from the aam junta (don’t try threatening or coaxing me – I won’t yield)…
Then we catch a bus back – he to his home and I to Yesvantpur railway station (we were in the same bus – different stops). After all, meeting and then departing is the way of life….
Add-on to a Regular School Visit!!!
So I went to my alma mater, as I do every semester break, to meet my old teachers. Anyway, I get out of there by noon and I had two options – either go back by bus, or find something to do till the next train scheduled at 4pm. So I call up my old friends – and Saurabh aka Patiala invites me to go to Malleswaram with me. And I, being the “eternal jobless”, was more than happy to go. So we meet up at Jalahalli cross and catch a bus to Malleswaram….
Are We What They Call “Loafers”???
I’ve always had this doubt, all we do is loaf around – so are we called loafers? Doesn’t matter….
So we loaf here and there, then go and have our lunch. Then we go and collect a cake Patiala had ordered for the marriage anniversary of his parents – I take this opportunity to congratulate uncle and aunty on their happy married life and wishing them many more happy years together. Then somehow, as we were walking around, we end up on the topic of marriage – how I’m not sure. So as we were discussing, a question comes up,”If someone kept a sword at your throat and in order to save yourself, you had to marry someone from the old X-C, who would it be?” Of course, we had to reply (ab doston se kya chupana?) and we did – but the answers will be kept a secret from the aam junta (don’t try threatening or coaxing me – I won’t yield)…
Then we catch a bus back – he to his home and I to Yesvantpur railway station (we were in the same bus – different stops). After all, meeting and then departing is the way of life….
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I always make it a point to go to my old school during every semester break to meet my old teachers. After all, school teachers rock – unlike their college counterparts. So I enter the premises of KV-1 Jalahalli, primarily with the intentions of meeting two of my favourite teachers – Mrs.Sherin John, my English teacher from class VIII to X and Mrs. K Latha, my biology teacher from class XI to XII. And every time I meet them, I add new memories to cherish. (But as a matter of fact, I hardly come back without meeting at least 20 teachers – I’m glad they still remember me!)
“Me!? At the School Canteen???”
You won’t believe – I’ve been at that school for five long years and the only time I’ve been at the school canteen was to buy the school belt. I’ve never been there with the intention of filling my stomach – today was the first. And that too coz Latha ma’am invited me there. And of course, she happens to one of the few teachers I really respect and as they say, her wish/request is my command. So I accompany her and she says,”Take anything and everything you want.”
But I had no real urge to eat – I wonder why! So I take a masala vada and say I’ll be fine with this, but she insists I take one more – and I comply! So my first visit to the school canteen comes two after I pass out of that school! Life never ceases to surprise…..
“What Am I Doing in the Staff Room!??”
One place we students sort of revered, even feared, when we were in school. But now, finding myself sitting with my old teachers discussing and chit-chatting – I wonder if this really is happening (actually, it has been happening every semester break since I left school – but I’ve not yet been able to digest this fact). Sherin ma’am wasn’t really surprised to see me – she knows I’m jobless for more than 5 months a year. And she meets me with a stare which seemed to say,”You are always free, aren’t you?” And how could I deny the truth!
So it was the X-C show – about how we had our reunion on the previous Sunday, about what the others are doing and stuff. And then a teacher unknown to me comes and says someone has hit the blackboard in X-C with a duster and it has broken to pieces. Now we never did anything of that sort – so maybe our X-C was better!?
Anyways, it was another great experience “sitting” on a chair in the staff room – we were used to standing in that room. (I seek an excuse from the other teachers who were present – I can’t mention all of your names).
Another great day at school – hoping to have many more…..
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This was how Mainak put it – one guy between two gals (a series of pics)….
The X Factors - Girija and Shalini!!!
So it was Girija and Shalini with a guy – why they wanted these photos taken, I’ve no idea (And for once, I don’t want to apply my weird imagination – as Mainak says, I shouldn’t be annoying any more people). So just enjoy these photos (maybe sometime later, I’ll find time for some more tongue-wagging)
Human imagination is boundless…..keep imagining!!!
The X Factors - Girija and Shalini!!!
So it was Girija and Shalini with a guy – why they wanted these photos taken, I’ve no idea (And for once, I don’t want to apply my weird imagination – as Mainak says, I shouldn’t be annoying any more people). So just enjoy these photos (maybe sometime later, I’ll find time for some more tongue-wagging)
Human imagination is boundless…..keep imagining!!!
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So on 21st June 10:40 am, 13 of us stand at Garuda mall’s ground floor wondering where to go first – and a voice comes,”I have to eat breakfast”…..
“You Skipped Breakfast???”
Anyways, we went to Garuda’s food court and while Mainak went to order, the rest of us pull up chairs and sit down.
Then Mainak comes back with a dosa. I was flattered to ask him, “Didn’t you get anything else?” There were cries of,”He’s come to Garuda to eat dosa!” (Not unexpected from the crowd of X-C) Anyways, he finishes his dosa and starts devouring the leftover curry/sambar. HS quips in,”Eat the remaining chutney too.” And Mainak responds with,“It cost me 38 bucks. I ain’t gonna leave anything.” Same old Mainak aka Gandhi!
Cheers buddy! And next time you come, eat something different!!!
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I’ve always been known as a talkative guy among my old classmates – talking during class, talking during lunch break – talking all the time. Yet, there were few in the class with whom I hardly ever interacted with – two notable names being Shreyasi and Swarna.
“Shreyasi!? Who’s That???”
That was my response when Mainak told me about Shreyasi. However I racked my memory, I just couldn’t connect the name with a person. Finally, Mainak had to tell me she was our classmate in VIII class. I was like – was she really there? Actually, she was – and among those girls I hardly knew back then. So I guess I can say we’ve been friends only since last year – we met on May 10, as she reminded me on May 10 this year (I hardly remember such “anniversaries” – it’s always the girls who do).
Anyways, she has been one of my best friends over the year and (whether she likes it or not) the person who listened to all my escapades at college! Cheers, buddy!
“We were Classmates for 5 Years, But…….”
Very few would be willing to believe this. Swarna and I were classmates all the way from class VIII to class XII. Yet, we hardly had a decent enough talk during those five years. So passed the years – and we were not in touch (not unexpected, I believe). But, as it has happened in many other cases, orkut did the trick. Back in touch after years – and when I asked others to come to our reunion, she was one of the first to respond positively. Just goes to show one thing – no matter where we are, how we are, X-C would maintain a link between us.
So two girls who never talked to me in school have turned out to be quite interactive – maybe as they say, you realize the importance of someone only when they are no longer around…..
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DISCLAIMER : This post has been written with/without the consent of the three parties concerned. And I might’ve added a bit of my crazy imagination to it too. So just enjoy it – it is equivalent to fiction.
As many of you might be knowing, I never miss an opportunity to have a go at anyone from X-C. So I’m gonna go ahead with this post as well….
My Freaky Mind and its Wild Imagination!!!
So if you have read my previous posts, you’ll know that the concerned are Mainak, G Suraj and Shalini! I’m a gossip-monger by habit and I’m habitually engaged in idle talk about others. Anyways, after the posts were published (in my blog), Suraj posts a comment claiming Shalini is his “sister” (check it here).
On the other hand, Mainak in his blog says he and Shalini are not a couple, but Shalini and Suraj might be a potential couple. Here Suraj comments saying that his “sister” and Mainak make a good couple and he shouldn’t reject the fact that they are a couple! (check this one here)
Don’t forget to leave comments guys and gals……
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Though 14 warhorses of the erstwhile X-C might have been more than overjoyed on June 21, 2009, there were few who were really sad as they were unable to make it there. This post is dedicated to one such person!
20th Night 8PM – My Mobile Sounds a Mishap!!!
So I was in Bangalore on 20th to meet a few friends (Mainak, Vijay and all). Saurabh aka Patiala would’ve joined us but he was in KR Puram that day and couldn’t come. However he promised to come the next day to meet (especially Mainak, coz the rest of us were nearby).
So I catch the train from Bangalore Cantt. Railway Station to Hosur. Since I had been on the phone almost the whole day, the battery had drained out – and I had to cut short my phone call with Shreyasi. The train stops at Heelalige station for a crossing. Right at that moment, I get an sms from Saurabh saying he has slipped from the stairs and injured himself, rendering him unable to come the next day. I was just wondering if this was a joke or not (but mind, he wasn’t one to crack such jokes). Anyways, I get a call from a minute later which confirmed the sms. So the guy who was one of those looking forward to June 21 was forced to spend the day all alone on a bed, instead of with us!
“Don’t Make Me Jealous!!!”
So he smsed me on 21st morning asking me to give a report of the day’s happenings. I said,”Of couse!” So once everything had finished, I give him a call while I was at the bus stop and again when I was at the railway station. He was just drenched in sorrow for not being unable to come. And I wasn’t helping him. Though unintentional, words such as “the day was awesome” and “you should’ve been there” kept flowing out of my voice box. And he was green with envy. (Sorry Patiala, I didn’t want to make you feel bad…) So I try coaxing him, telling him we can have another one when everyone is free. And since the 21st of June, I just get a feeling another reunion is just round the corner….
Cheer up dude! There’s always the next time! And happy recovery!!!
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We see freaks everywhere – even I’m a freak in my own right! And most of my friends are peculiar in their own ways. And Vindhya happens to be someone who always shies away from sunny and crowded places. Guess she suffers from Heliophobia (fear of the sun) and Demophobia (fear of crowd)!
Worrying About Her Complexion???
Many girls are so worried that their skin will tan and all. So they tend to keep away from the sun. But that doesn’t keep them from roaming around in the sun. Even Vindhya would roam around but she’ll always keep her eye open for shady places - always complaining,”It’s so sunny here!” I’ve seen her standing behind pavements trying to keep away from sunlight, while others will be basking in the glory of sunlight!
“Why Don’t You Go to Antarctica???”
I’ve met her twice in the past 30 days or so and she’s always the same – nothing can take away her love for emptiness and shadows. So the best thing to do, as I told her, would be to go an isolated barren land where the sun never shines. Antarctica might be a good option!
Incidentally, the last time we met, I didn’t hear her complaining for quite some time – maybe she has changed in the past month! But then she starts moaning, and Girija quips in, “Arun, she’s again moaning and complaining!” Guess some never change – and I’m glad she didn’t.
After all, if she did, this post wouldn’t be here!!!
There is only one damsel common among the two photos, so you know whom I’m talking about. She’s all smiles in the crepuscular emptiness of Garuda’s food court!!!
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Now quite a few might be cursing me for writing part-fiction on them – so guess I should write one on me too. But this one might lack a bit of imagination….
Philo and Her Mobile!!!
So as Shreyasi says, Philo only attends my phone calls, supposedly. (I’ve no idea if it’s true – you have to ask Philo!) But I’ve a tough time getting her to pick up her phone – sometimes network problem, sometimes her problem. Maybe none of the others try frequently enough. Anyways, Philo has been my classmate for five long years (like Swarna). So I’ve never lost touch with her, unlike some of the rest. And well, we are really good friends – and as Philo says,”Tu meer bhai kaisa hai Arun!” I never mind – friend or sister, more or less the same.
“Did She Really Come Coz I Asked Her???”
And she supposedly came on Sunday only because I asked her. As they say, everyone can be convinced, you just need the right person (Shreyasi came only because Mainak asked her – she wouldn’t agree even after I asked her more than 10 times). Well, it doesn’t matter why you come as long as you come. And as there is no lack of “leg-pullers” from our class, it’s back to business. Shreyasi and I are always at loggerheads and of course, she won’t miss an opportunity to have a go at me – though I think it didn’t have much impact.
Well, Philo wanted to have a pic taken with me and all the girls went,”Ooooooh!!!” Cheers Philo…. Friend/sis [;)]
Future is a mystery – so keep guessing…..
Philo and Her Mobile!!!
So as Shreyasi says, Philo only attends my phone calls, supposedly. (I’ve no idea if it’s true – you have to ask Philo!) But I’ve a tough time getting her to pick up her phone – sometimes network problem, sometimes her problem. Maybe none of the others try frequently enough. Anyways, Philo has been my classmate for five long years (like Swarna). So I’ve never lost touch with her, unlike some of the rest. And well, we are really good friends – and as Philo says,”Tu meer bhai kaisa hai Arun!” I never mind – friend or sister, more or less the same.
“Did She Really Come Coz I Asked Her???”
And she supposedly came on Sunday only because I asked her. As they say, everyone can be convinced, you just need the right person (Shreyasi came only because Mainak asked her – she wouldn’t agree even after I asked her more than 10 times). Well, it doesn’t matter why you come as long as you come. And as there is no lack of “leg-pullers” from our class, it’s back to business. Shreyasi and I are always at loggerheads and of course, she won’t miss an opportunity to have a go at me – though I think it didn’t have much impact.
Well, Philo wanted to have a pic taken with me and all the girls went,”Ooooooh!!!” Cheers Philo…. Friend/sis [;)]
Future is a mystery – so keep guessing…..
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DISCLAIMER : This post has been written with/without the consent of both the parties concerned. And I might’ve added a bit of my crazy imagination to it too. So just enjoy it – it is equivalent to fiction.
As many of you might know, I’m the eternal jobless freak of X-C. And I have one of the craziest imaginations around. And I love pulling my friends’ legs. This combined with my flair for writing, I’m itching to write this post. So I’m gonna ahead with this (Sorry G).
Garuda – An Ideal Place for This???
So, Shalini happens to be one of the girls who really mingle with guys (Girija might be another notable mention in the same category).
So, after we reach Garuda, Mainak says he wants to have breakfast – the rest of us had had our breakfast and we go there only to keep him company. So it was during our small escapade at Garuda that Shalini commented on G (we are used to calling him G, so here onwards G=G Suraj). “Suraj, you are looking cute.” And as expected, there were howls of “G! G!” from the guys. All in the game – no hard feelings….
Shreyasi Speaks! Girija Moves!! I click!!!
So after we come out and start clicking pics, Girija and Shalini start dragging us guys to have pictures taken with us. I think they started with me, then Mainak. Right then comes Shreyasi with a punch dialogue,“Shalini, Don’t fool around. Directly take a photo with Suraj!” reinstating that “Hum kisise kum nahi”. Well, the camera was in my hand and I take a photo (Girija + G + Shalini). Then Girija nicely, as they say, “patli gali se khisak gayi” and I take the snap. Someone might treasure this pic….who knws….
Future is a mystery – so keep guessing…..
As many of you might know, I’m the eternal jobless freak of X-C. And I have one of the craziest imaginations around. And I love pulling my friends’ legs. This combined with my flair for writing, I’m itching to write this post. So I’m gonna ahead with this (Sorry G).
Garuda – An Ideal Place for This???
So, Shalini happens to be one of the girls who really mingle with guys (Girija might be another notable mention in the same category).
So, after we reach Garuda, Mainak says he wants to have breakfast – the rest of us had had our breakfast and we go there only to keep him company. So it was during our small escapade at Garuda that Shalini commented on G (we are used to calling him G, so here onwards G=G Suraj). “Suraj, you are looking cute.” And as expected, there were howls of “G! G!” from the guys. All in the game – no hard feelings….
Shreyasi Speaks! Girija Moves!! I click!!!
So after we come out and start clicking pics, Girija and Shalini start dragging us guys to have pictures taken with us. I think they started with me, then Mainak. Right then comes Shreyasi with a punch dialogue,“Shalini, Don’t fool around. Directly take a photo with Suraj!” reinstating that “Hum kisise kum nahi”. Well, the camera was in my hand and I take a photo (Girija + G + Shalini). Then Girija nicely, as they say, “patli gali se khisak gayi” and I take the snap. Someone might treasure this pic….who knws….
Future is a mystery – so keep guessing…..
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Phones were invented out of necessity – for serious talk! But I’m used to fooling around on the phone – usually with friends. But sometimes, we get the opportunity to antic around with strangers. And these occasions can turn quite funny….
The Onset!!!
So, as it happened, Shalini made a call from my mobile and it went the wrong way (perhaps, she forgot the number and dialed the wrong number. Anyways, doesn’t matter…)
So we were on our way to Dollar’s Colony bus stop – Shalini, Mainak, Girija and me. At that time, that guy calls back. I pick up the phone and he asks, ”Who are you?” I say,”You are the one calling on my phone. Who are you?” He doesn’t reply but instead asks,”I want to talk to that girl.” I ask,” Which girl?” ”The one who called from this number in the morning.” I reply,”There are only guys here.” At that precise moment, Girija starts giggling…and he got to know that there were girls with me!
Partners in Crime – Girija and Me!!!
So I pass on my mobile to Girija and she starts talking to the guy. He asks,”Did you call from this number?” She replies in the negative. “Was that your guy?” “Yeah, he’s my guy!” Then he keeps asking stuff, “Do you know who had called?” and all. Then Girija decides to take him for a ride,“I can’t hear you. The voice is getting disconnected.” Man, was it fun – pulling the leg of a guy we’ve never even met!
So she disconnects the phone. But he calls again after some time. She picks up the phone and asks,”Who’s on the phone?” He replies in filmy style,”Tumhara baap (your father)!” She isn’t some naïve girl, so she continues,”Oh!? You’re my father!? Hello Daddy ji, how are you? Please talk to your son-in-law.” And she gives me the phone. I start with, “Hello father-in-law….” And he says,”You’re really enjoying this, aren’t you?” “Of course…..” I would’ve loved to continue this, but it was time for us to leave. So I tell him not to call again and disconnect the phone. And we had a real laugh over that incident!
But he wasn’t one to give up – he called around 20 times again and again. But I disconnected all the times and he finally gave up!
Guess we can take the title “Phone-Larks”!!!
The Onset!!!
So, as it happened, Shalini made a call from my mobile and it went the wrong way (perhaps, she forgot the number and dialed the wrong number. Anyways, doesn’t matter…)
So we were on our way to Dollar’s Colony bus stop – Shalini, Mainak, Girija and me. At that time, that guy calls back. I pick up the phone and he asks, ”Who are you?” I say,”You are the one calling on my phone. Who are you?” He doesn’t reply but instead asks,”I want to talk to that girl.” I ask,” Which girl?” ”The one who called from this number in the morning.” I reply,”There are only guys here.” At that precise moment, Girija starts giggling…and he got to know that there were girls with me!
Partners in Crime – Girija and Me!!!
So I pass on my mobile to Girija and she starts talking to the guy. He asks,”Did you call from this number?” She replies in the negative. “Was that your guy?” “Yeah, he’s my guy!” Then he keeps asking stuff, “Do you know who had called?” and all. Then Girija decides to take him for a ride,“I can’t hear you. The voice is getting disconnected.” Man, was it fun – pulling the leg of a guy we’ve never even met!
So she disconnects the phone. But he calls again after some time. She picks up the phone and asks,”Who’s on the phone?” He replies in filmy style,”Tumhara baap (your father)!” She isn’t some naïve girl, so she continues,”Oh!? You’re my father!? Hello Daddy ji, how are you? Please talk to your son-in-law.” And she gives me the phone. I start with, “Hello father-in-law….” And he says,”You’re really enjoying this, aren’t you?” “Of course…..” I would’ve loved to continue this, but it was time for us to leave. So I tell him not to call again and disconnect the phone. And we had a real laugh over that incident!
But he wasn’t one to give up – he called around 20 times again and again. But I disconnected all the times and he finally gave up!
Guess we can take the title “Phone-Larks”!!!
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DISCLAIMER : This post has been written with/without the consent of both the parties concerned. And I might’ve added a bit of my crazy imagination to it too. So just enjoy it – it is equivalent to fiction.
Well, here’s another post related to X-C and its warhorses. Mainak has always been among the most “seedhe-saadhe” guys of our class. Not me, I’ve always been known as the chatterbox with a certain degree of naivety.
“Innocent naivete!? Who? Me???”
So as the four of us – Shalini, Girija, Mainak and I – were walking on the pavement, two girls come from the other side and Shalini says, “Hey Arun! Take a pic of those two girls.” I ask why. Her reply,”You have guts for that?” Of course, if it’s challenge I never stand back. I take out my camera, turn off the flash and take a pic (I deleted it later – it was just to show her my guts).
I have never been someone one can call simple and naïve. And yet, many get the delusion that I’m so. Though, one by one, the delusions are getting dispelled. But Mainak, he is one of them…..
“Him Talking to Girls!? Maybe Once in a Blue Moon! And Today’s the Blue Moon!!!”
So he happens to be the typical mother’s son – never talking to girls. As a matter of fact, he has the phone number of only one girl, but that girl is not the one in context here.
But when it comes to X-C, there’s no girl and no guy – just friendship. So it wasn’t such a big deal seeing Mainak with girls. But I don’t understand one thing – why is it that both of the “couple” photos with Mainak happen to be with the same girl??? Something fishy – my wacky imagination knows no bounds as many of my friends might know….
Do They Make a Good Couple???
Now the final question – do they make a good couple? Have a look and post your comments. (I know this might be my shortest post – but it’s based on speculation, not fact….so cheers)….
Future is a mystery – so keep guessing…..
Well, here’s another post related to X-C and its warhorses. Mainak has always been among the most “seedhe-saadhe” guys of our class. Not me, I’ve always been known as the chatterbox with a certain degree of naivety.
“Innocent naivete!? Who? Me???”
So as the four of us – Shalini, Girija, Mainak and I – were walking on the pavement, two girls come from the other side and Shalini says, “Hey Arun! Take a pic of those two girls.” I ask why. Her reply,”You have guts for that?” Of course, if it’s challenge I never stand back. I take out my camera, turn off the flash and take a pic (I deleted it later – it was just to show her my guts).
I have never been someone one can call simple and naïve. And yet, many get the delusion that I’m so. Though, one by one, the delusions are getting dispelled. But Mainak, he is one of them…..
“Him Talking to Girls!? Maybe Once in a Blue Moon! And Today’s the Blue Moon!!!”
So he happens to be the typical mother’s son – never talking to girls. As a matter of fact, he has the phone number of only one girl, but that girl is not the one in context here.
But when it comes to X-C, there’s no girl and no guy – just friendship. So it wasn’t such a big deal seeing Mainak with girls. But I don’t understand one thing – why is it that both of the “couple” photos with Mainak happen to be with the same girl??? Something fishy – my wacky imagination knows no bounds as many of my friends might know….
Do They Make a Good Couple???
Now the final question – do they make a good couple? Have a look and post your comments. (I know this might be my shortest post – but it’s based on speculation, not fact….so cheers)….
Future is a mystery – so keep guessing…..
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Arun
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We might be sitting here, but surely we aren't among those who sit quietly in one place, lazying around!!! Read on, and you'll knowThere are all kinds of people – some lazy, some diligent. Some aren’t lazy, but their low energy levels give an illusion that they are lazy. And there are some who are always running helter-skelter – always on their toes, never ready to keep quiet in one place. Guess this post is about two such people – I’m one of them. Now, maybe I’m praising myself!? Doesn’t matter….
“Why Are We Two Always in the Front???”
So the “two” happen to be Girija and me. Once we got out of Garuda and started roaming (or maybe loafing) around, we sort of split into groups, pairs, etc. I remember initially it was Mainak, Girija, Shalini and I. Then as we moved on, the groups re-shuffled and all. And in the end I found myself with Girija leading the way.
So we moved on from Brigade Road to MG Road, and still we were in the front. We look back and find Mainak, Suraj and Rahul right behind us. So assuming the rest are following, we keep chugging along. And then I get a call….
“Where Are You Going?” “Anywhere is Fine as Long as We Are Together!!!”
Well, the call was from Swarna asking us where we were going. I said, “Wherever the road takes us!” Then she asked us to come back, since they were “unable to walk”. So we head back – perhaps 500 metres. And we find the remaining people there. Shalini’s sandal was “biting her leg”. And I told her, “Why are ya messing around with these fancy sandals which are no good in comfort. Wear shoes!” And I get her signature stare as a reply.
Then everyone asks, “Where do we go?” Rahul says, “If we go staright, we’ll end up in Cubbon Park.” Then Shalini with her “kiddish” response, “There’s a swing in Cubbon Park. Chalo jhoola jhoolte hain.” (I guess I’m repeating a part of one of my older posts – this is just for continuity of this post.) No one agreed with her swing-theory, but still everyone agrees to go. I wondered how they were going to walk 3-4 km to Cubbon Park!
“Eh!? We Are in the Front of the Pack Again!??”
As it happened, and it wasn’t really unexpected, we two end up in front again. So this time we decide to take a break and sit down, right in front of a traffic signal. Soon everyone joins us and there we were – at the traffic signal – I never feel embarrassed about such stuff, but others were – so we move on. A few stay back to bring Punit who had asked us to wait at MG Road for him. Then we find ourselves in front of Hotel Empire. Half of us were willing to go there for lunch, the remaining weren’t. So we reached a consensus and decide to go to McDonalds. And as expected, we two were the first to reach there too!
“Buck Up, Lazy Bums!!!”
So we go to McDonalds and find place to sit on the first floor (guess that was second floor of the building, but first floor with respect to McD). And someone had to check the available items at the ground floor. The others were just lazing around. So Girija gets up and asks one of the guys to come along. And no one is willing to go (you know how these guys are – scripting stories about any “couple” they see walking around – it was just for fun, no serious stuff and everyone took it without any hard feelings). Anyways, we both go and check the available items. And it was a relief when Punit and Shalini go to buy them – finally we can have a seat! After all, we need food to recharge our energy levels!
And after that, we two were among those who went to……!? Guess I’ll save that story for later!!!
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Some meetings are planned - and some just happen – eleventh-hour rendezvous. And some – guess you can call it coincidence, maybe destiny!
(From left) Vijay, Arun (that's me), Mainak, Suhas and Samuel!!!
En Route to School – Again!!!
So my real old friend Mainak had come over to Bangalore for a couple of days. And he wanted to see the school he had studied in till X (I was in the same school till XII). So we meet up at Gangamma Circle and decide to take a walk – perhaps one and a half kilometers, but as they say – There’s no walk too long.
So we go and take a look at our alma mater and then start roaming around in KG Halli – why, we don’t know. Perhaps we were hoping to catch a glimpse of our old classmates. Anyway, we couldn’t find anyone familiar and so we decide to go back via the watch factory route. And we sit at the watch factory bus stop – perhaps it was destiny which made us sit there, instead of catching a bus.
Luck or Destiny???
So we had been sitting there for some time – seeing buses pass by, but never bothering to catch one! Then we see three guys going on a scooty – and the middle one happened to be Suhas – one of our old classmates! Mainak just kept staring – I don’t know if he recognized Suhas or not. But I surely did. Next second I was shouting, “Suhas!”. He turned to see who was shouting his name. And man – was he surprised at finding us there. Simple reason – neither of us live in Bangalore. Mainak stays in Trivandrum nowadays and I’m in Hosur.
So two become three – and we continue refreshing old memories. The bus stop was turning lucky for us – or maybe we were fated to meet!
Bikers Inc.!!!
Bangalore is a city where almost every college-goer has access to a bike – his or his friend’s (I’m just speculating – I haven’t done a survey on this). So after some time I get a call from Vijay – another old classmate, asking me where we (“we” referred to Mainak and me, he didn’t know Suhas was there too) were. I tell him and he decides to join us – lady luck continues to shine. Soon enough, he’s there on his bike.
So three became four now – I thought things couldn’t improve. But they did – four became five. Samuel (guess you are tired of hearing this – he’s another of our old classmates) calls me and tells he’s also coming. So he comes riding pillion on his friend’s bike. So there were five of the old X-C class.
High five! Yippeee!!!
Together after Years – Memories Keep Flooding!!!
So we go into a nearby park and start chit-chatting. And believe it or not, we might’ve forgotten about our Xi and XII classes, but we do remember our X-C class – the class every other class was jealous of! And incidentally, all the five of us had remained more or less unchanged in spite of the passing years – unless you consider the increase in height of some guys. So the memories came back flooding – where we used to sit in class, how Suhas and I used to have chalk fights with the girls getting caught up in the cross fire (actually, we used to aim for the girls – “Suhas vs. Arun” was just an excuse), how we were scolded by our teachers, and so on. In spite of all the differences between boys and girls, we were always united against an outsider – guess that’s what made X-C different from other classes of the same batch!
Soon enough, it was time for us to go home. So we departed – with a new memory to cherish! All thanks to fate!!!
(From left) Vijay, Arun (that's me), Mainak, Suhas and Samuel!!!En Route to School – Again!!!
So my real old friend Mainak had come over to Bangalore for a couple of days. And he wanted to see the school he had studied in till X (I was in the same school till XII). So we meet up at Gangamma Circle and decide to take a walk – perhaps one and a half kilometers, but as they say – There’s no walk too long.
So we go and take a look at our alma mater and then start roaming around in KG Halli – why, we don’t know. Perhaps we were hoping to catch a glimpse of our old classmates. Anyway, we couldn’t find anyone familiar and so we decide to go back via the watch factory route. And we sit at the watch factory bus stop – perhaps it was destiny which made us sit there, instead of catching a bus.
Luck or Destiny???
So we had been sitting there for some time – seeing buses pass by, but never bothering to catch one! Then we see three guys going on a scooty – and the middle one happened to be Suhas – one of our old classmates! Mainak just kept staring – I don’t know if he recognized Suhas or not. But I surely did. Next second I was shouting, “Suhas!”. He turned to see who was shouting his name. And man – was he surprised at finding us there. Simple reason – neither of us live in Bangalore. Mainak stays in Trivandrum nowadays and I’m in Hosur.
So two become three – and we continue refreshing old memories. The bus stop was turning lucky for us – or maybe we were fated to meet!
Bikers Inc.!!!
Bangalore is a city where almost every college-goer has access to a bike – his or his friend’s (I’m just speculating – I haven’t done a survey on this). So after some time I get a call from Vijay – another old classmate, asking me where we (“we” referred to Mainak and me, he didn’t know Suhas was there too) were. I tell him and he decides to join us – lady luck continues to shine. Soon enough, he’s there on his bike.
So three became four now – I thought things couldn’t improve. But they did – four became five. Samuel (guess you are tired of hearing this – he’s another of our old classmates) calls me and tells he’s also coming. So he comes riding pillion on his friend’s bike. So there were five of the old X-C class.
High five! Yippeee!!!
Together after Years – Memories Keep Flooding!!!
So we go into a nearby park and start chit-chatting. And believe it or not, we might’ve forgotten about our Xi and XII classes, but we do remember our X-C class – the class every other class was jealous of! And incidentally, all the five of us had remained more or less unchanged in spite of the passing years – unless you consider the increase in height of some guys. So the memories came back flooding – where we used to sit in class, how Suhas and I used to have chalk fights with the girls getting caught up in the cross fire (actually, we used to aim for the girls – “Suhas vs. Arun” was just an excuse), how we were scolded by our teachers, and so on. In spite of all the differences between boys and girls, we were always united against an outsider – guess that’s what made X-C different from other classes of the same batch!
Soon enough, it was time for us to go home. So we departed – with a new memory to cherish! All thanks to fate!!!
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I really don’t know why – but I really love the phrase “warhorses of X-C”. There used to be what one can call “wars” – sometimes girls vs. boys, sometimes within themselves. But it was all playing and fooling around. Once we got out of X, guess we really lost touch with each other. And it continued that way for years. But finally, one of my really good friends Mainak decides to come to Bangalore to pay a visit to his old classmates. And I thought – “I ain’t gonna miss this opportunity”. Let’s try to ruffle up the old lot, find whomever we can and we can have a gala time.
Mind, I happen to be the one who’s in touch with majority of the class (I recently read a book “People Power” – I think it’s authored by Diane Fletcher. And my social networking has always been above-average I can say). So it was time to set the wheels in motion. And we managed to get hold of 14 “warhorses” – not a bad number by any standard…….
“10 am is Early??? Are You Insane!!?”
Many complained that 10 am was a little too early. And I had only one thing to say,”If I can travel 50-odd km from Hosur to Bangalore and be there by 10, can’t you travel 20-odd km???” And finally everyone agreed to come at 10am. Though it was past 11 by the time all the 14 showed up.
So I change buses, sprint on the roads and reach Garuda mall, our gathering place, at 9:59 am (lucky me, I don’t like being late when I myself decided the time). And at the same time, Shreyasi alighted from an auto. Then comes Sangeeta after 5 minutes. Rahul, Mainak, G Suraj, Swarna, Philomina and Vindhya walk in a few minutes later. Then come Girija, Shalini and Harini. Vijay turns up at 10:40 or so. Punit said he’d come by noon. So there were 13 of us – guess 13 turned lucky!!!
Quite a few didn’t turn up and I have no intentions of bringing up their names. But I would like to mention two of them – Saurabh, who couldn’t come because he slipped and fell from the stairs and Tarun, who was in Chennai (he said no one told him beforehand or he would’ve come – guess there was a flaw in my planning!)
“No Cameras Allowed??? Just What is This Place???”
Mainak says he wants to have breakfast, so we go to the food court. As it always happens, cameras and mobiles start clicking and then the guard comes and says, “Cameras not allowed!” That really pissed me off and I believe, most of the others too. So we decided to go out – after all it was the mall losing on customers, we had nothing to lose. So we go outside and start clicking – the guards couldn’t say anything. Even though we were in front of the mall, they had no right to boss us around there.
So after clicking around, we decided to take a walk – where, we had no idea. “As long as we are together, anywhere is fine.”
“You Can’t Walk!??”
So we start walking – brigade road, MG road – anywhere and everywhere. It was Girija and me leading the way – guess we fall into the category of “over-energised” people, and tiring us out would really require something. Mainak, Suraj and Rahul were behind us. We were halfway through MG Road when I get a call from Swarna saying they can’t walk anymore and asking us to come back. So we head back and find the remaining eight standing on the pavement.
Then our “bird-brain” (don’t take it seriously yaar) Shalini says, “Let’s go to Cubbon Park and ride the swing.” Everyone was like, “Are you a kid or what?” Nevertheless, we decide to go. Mind, Cubbon Park was around 3-4 km away and I had no idea how all these tired geese would get there. But we had hardly walked a km when we get a call from Punit telling us to wait on MG Road. So we gather him up and then it was time for lunch. Guess I’m eliminating many details, but this post is getting long. I’ll bring them up later in some other post.
“McDonalds – Why is it Always the Same???”
As it always happen, we chug along to McDonalds. I have nothing against it – but I’ve been there so many times and it sort of gets monotonous. Nevertheless , “As long as we are together, anywhere is fine.” Right!?
Then we order and start eating. Then we find fries and coke remaining. Everyone taking a bite, everyone taking a sip – I think in the end no one knew who was drinking from whose glass. Doesn’t matter – we are nothing short of a family, as Shalini said. So we finish our lunch and six of us decide to leave – Rahul, Philomina, Vindhya, Swarna, Harini and Shreyasi. The rest of us stay on – now the question, “Why?” Guess it’ll be answered in some other post.
So ended the fun-filled roller-coaster joyride! It just showed one thing, “We might be all over the place, but when we are together we are one!”
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I loved my school life like anything – and the teachers there were great, unlike those at college. As was tradition, when we were in XII we had to become teachers for a day. How this tradition came about I know not, but I knew one thing – I, for one, can never be a school teacher!!!
5/9 to 14/11!!!
It’s a common practice in Indian schools for the XII class students to “act” as teachers on Teacher’s Day, September 5. But in ours, it used to be on Children’s Day, November 14. The reason – the students supposedly only loaf around pointlessly on the day they become teachers, forgetting their duties and exercising only their rights. So it’s unbecoming a tribute to teachers.
I personally never wanted to do all this on Children’s Day (if it was on Teacher’s Day, I might’ve gone). But no choice, we were given our “roles” for the “one-day play”.
All the school’s a stage and all the XII students mere players…..
“Me!? Physics Teacher???”
Now that I had no choice but to do all this, I would’ve loved to be a primary teacher – at least there would be nothing to do. The kiddos would be excited but controlling them won’t be that much of a trouble. Not to be – I had to “enact” the role of Mr. S.M Pandian – our physics teacher!!!
I idealized him – one of the best teachers I ever had. But that made the job even more difficult – how on earth was I supposed to teach physics if he asked me to!? Fortunately, he didn’t give any instructions and we were given a free rein. Just maintain the discipline and we are done…..but even that became an uphill task….
The “Autograph” Brigade!!!
Another custom, I can say. Everyone wants autographs from the “one-day teachers”. Even I used to do this till I was in V or VI. Later, I lost interest in all this. But you can always find kids vying for the crown of “The One with Most Autographs”. And as most of us had half of the periods free, all we did was roam around in the campus. But the moment we went near the primary block, we were surrounded by these autograph-hunters. Then it was the Headmistress (one of the students who really took the teacher thing seriously) chasing the kids and “ordering” us to go back to our secondary block. Nevertheless, one sari-clad girl isn’t much of a match for a battalion of kids!
All of us kept scribbling our names on the diaries and notebooks much to joy of the tiny tots – after all, we did the same things when we were kids. But alas! The “Lady Hitler” (I don’t want to mention her name, but my school mates would know who she is) of our school got another reason to fire a cannon ball at us….
The Crappy Side of School Life - Ignominy Inflicted!!!
Well somehow, the day was over and we were charge sheeted the next day. Offence – inability to maintain discipline in the school and giving autographs resulting in loss of order. And we were made to kneel down in the basketball court for an hour, while the above-mentioned oaf of a teacher kept screaming on the mic. That was humiliating – it was as if we begged them to make us teachers! They seemed to have sky-high baseless expectations. Most of the teachers had no problem with a little indiscipline on one day. But not her. And the autograph thing – I would’ve loved to ask her what she did when she was a student. I have always wished that my college teachers turn out to be like my school teachers. But when it comes to the ones like these, I’ll take my college teachers!!!
I wish I would forget this…..school life is full of happy memories, and I don’t want the ones like these to tarnish ‘em! But try as I may, memories keep popping!!!
5/9 to 14/11!!!
It’s a common practice in Indian schools for the XII class students to “act” as teachers on Teacher’s Day, September 5. But in ours, it used to be on Children’s Day, November 14. The reason – the students supposedly only loaf around pointlessly on the day they become teachers, forgetting their duties and exercising only their rights. So it’s unbecoming a tribute to teachers.
I personally never wanted to do all this on Children’s Day (if it was on Teacher’s Day, I might’ve gone). But no choice, we were given our “roles” for the “one-day play”.
All the school’s a stage and all the XII students mere players…..
“Me!? Physics Teacher???”
Now that I had no choice but to do all this, I would’ve loved to be a primary teacher – at least there would be nothing to do. The kiddos would be excited but controlling them won’t be that much of a trouble. Not to be – I had to “enact” the role of Mr. S.M Pandian – our physics teacher!!!
I idealized him – one of the best teachers I ever had. But that made the job even more difficult – how on earth was I supposed to teach physics if he asked me to!? Fortunately, he didn’t give any instructions and we were given a free rein. Just maintain the discipline and we are done…..but even that became an uphill task….
The “Autograph” Brigade!!!
Another custom, I can say. Everyone wants autographs from the “one-day teachers”. Even I used to do this till I was in V or VI. Later, I lost interest in all this. But you can always find kids vying for the crown of “The One with Most Autographs”. And as most of us had half of the periods free, all we did was roam around in the campus. But the moment we went near the primary block, we were surrounded by these autograph-hunters. Then it was the Headmistress (one of the students who really took the teacher thing seriously) chasing the kids and “ordering” us to go back to our secondary block. Nevertheless, one sari-clad girl isn’t much of a match for a battalion of kids!
All of us kept scribbling our names on the diaries and notebooks much to joy of the tiny tots – after all, we did the same things when we were kids. But alas! The “Lady Hitler” (I don’t want to mention her name, but my school mates would know who she is) of our school got another reason to fire a cannon ball at us….
The Crappy Side of School Life - Ignominy Inflicted!!!
Well somehow, the day was over and we were charge sheeted the next day. Offence – inability to maintain discipline in the school and giving autographs resulting in loss of order. And we were made to kneel down in the basketball court for an hour, while the above-mentioned oaf of a teacher kept screaming on the mic. That was humiliating – it was as if we begged them to make us teachers! They seemed to have sky-high baseless expectations. Most of the teachers had no problem with a little indiscipline on one day. But not her. And the autograph thing – I would’ve loved to ask her what she did when she was a student. I have always wished that my college teachers turn out to be like my school teachers. But when it comes to the ones like these, I’ll take my college teachers!!!
I wish I would forget this…..school life is full of happy memories, and I don’t want the ones like these to tarnish ‘em! But try as I may, memories keep popping!!!
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I have always been a ”jack of all, king of few” – at least I believe I am. I am used to doing petty chores at home – ranging from that of a plumber and a cobbler to a carpenter. And incidentally - by luck or by fluke – I’ve had such classes at school too. The IX class extravaganza (should I call it so) can never be forgotten – dance classes, music classes, glass painting and so on – nothing lasting more than a few weeks at most....
“Dance – Are You Insane???”
I got dumped into the batch going for dance classes – how I have no idea. But it seemed to consist of both guys and girls. So I thought – let’s go for one class and then we will see…..
The dance teacher tried her best to “tame” the guys – but none of us were willing to go the “classical dance” way. She hardly started dancing when we started muttering, chattering, hooting…..and stuff. Nevertheless, it seemed a scene out of a comedy movie. I wouldn’t have minded staying there without having to dance seriously, but the teacher wouldn’t agree to that. She was hell bent on teaching her students classical dance. At least western would’ve kept us there for a few days I guess. But classical – we didn’t even last a day. Or rather, the teacher drove us away. A one-day escapade!!!
“Tabla – Dha Dha Tirakita Ta!!!”
Next I went on to tabla classes. It lasted longer than the dance classes – that’s all I can say. The teacher was another sample – he was happy to see many people attending his classes, but he just didn’t have the time or the equipment to teach all of them. So we hardly learnt anything there.
The only thing I remember about those classes is weird suggestion to avoid the functioning of sweat glands in the palms, “Boil a mixture of ‘kaalshum’ and water and apply it on your palms.” And everyone started wondering, “What the hell is ‘kaalshum’?” Then he says, “It’s the one which is present in chuna (lime).” So it was calcium. And he says we can use chalk powder as a source of calcium. Of course, I had no intentions of following his weird Calcium-therapy. Moreover, calcium carbonate isn’t actually harmless to human skin. But we had a weirdo in our class too – Madan. He decides to try it. And the result – he ends up with blisters on his hands. That taught us not to trust that guy.
But before any more such weird suggestions could come from his repertoire, it was time to bid adieu….
“Keyboard – Losing Steam After Kick-Off!!!”
Then we got news that keyboard classes are going on as well. And few of us decide to jump there – keyboard sounds a lot more “modern” than the primitive tabla!
So we go there – and it was a disaster to say the least. We had no idea of chords and bass and stuff. It was pretty humiliating actually when you are asked to play a tune and it goes awfully disastrously wrong. Then the teacher says he’s taking private classes as well. And for some reason, I decide to go (mind, that was a wrong decision, still repent it). So I go and learn a few things – I won’t say he was a bad teacher, but he wasn’t such a good one either. And I hardly went for two months when I entered class X – full time studies as they say – and I left the classes. So it was pretty much a waste – and I bought a casio on top of that (haven’t played it in ages). Maybe someday I’ll take it out of the trunk and strike a few chords…..
I’ve had time to re-start all these years, but I’ve never been able to generate enthusiasm for any of them. Starting everything and leaving it without learning it fully – that’s all I am about I guess. The Universal Novice!!!
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Arun
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They say vengeance is in a snake’s blood, but does this theory extend to other poisonous creatures as well - scorpions for instance???
The Midnight Wanderer!!!
Well, there was a function in our house and I had to go pick up my relatives from the bus stop. So I was practically roaming around on my bike almost the whole time from 8 pm to midnight. It was during these journeys that I – or rather my cousin – found out this pretty strange phenomenon.
So there’s this house - right under the street lamp. So the area in front of it is always well-lit even during the night. It was here that we found a scorpion moving back and forth for about an hour continuously. Now scorpions are among those one can call nocturnal – they don’t usually move in enlightened places. Yet this scorpion kept moving right under the light, rather than in the shadows. Quite surprising right – and the two of us had pretty different hypotheses to put forward (though none of them have any scientific basis – might even be termed foolhardy)….
“It’s Guarding the House!!!”
This was what my cousin suggested – that the scorpion is acting guardian angel to the house. Quite expected from an optimistic person. But a watch-scorpion (guess that’s what you can call it – a man guarding a house is a watchman; a dog guarding a house is a guard dog)??? The idea doesn’t seem right even in my head – so how can it be really happening???
Though bizarre events aren’t really rare in this world, but I know that the dwellers don’t have any such “pet”. So this idea seemed pretty far-fetched. Then she asked me what I felt. And I have never believed that this world is full of goody-goody non-violent creatures. My usual responses to such situations – “An eye for an eye”….
“It Seeks Revenge!!!”
Well, this one had to be better than the last one. “Tit for tat” has been around for ages. So if someone does some harm to you, it’s not out of this world to retaliate. So maybe the scorpion wants to get back at someone for harming it and it’s awaiting the right opportunity!!! Vengeance can drive many mad to do crazy things…..
Right now, even this seems highly improbable to me – maybe the scorpion was just too foolish to do that!!!
It’s just another out-of-the-ordinary event. Maybe it would make a decent enough news report…..but who knows???
The Midnight Wanderer!!!
Well, there was a function in our house and I had to go pick up my relatives from the bus stop. So I was practically roaming around on my bike almost the whole time from 8 pm to midnight. It was during these journeys that I – or rather my cousin – found out this pretty strange phenomenon.
So there’s this house - right under the street lamp. So the area in front of it is always well-lit even during the night. It was here that we found a scorpion moving back and forth for about an hour continuously. Now scorpions are among those one can call nocturnal – they don’t usually move in enlightened places. Yet this scorpion kept moving right under the light, rather than in the shadows. Quite surprising right – and the two of us had pretty different hypotheses to put forward (though none of them have any scientific basis – might even be termed foolhardy)….
“It’s Guarding the House!!!”
This was what my cousin suggested – that the scorpion is acting guardian angel to the house. Quite expected from an optimistic person. But a watch-scorpion (guess that’s what you can call it – a man guarding a house is a watchman; a dog guarding a house is a guard dog)??? The idea doesn’t seem right even in my head – so how can it be really happening???
Though bizarre events aren’t really rare in this world, but I know that the dwellers don’t have any such “pet”. So this idea seemed pretty far-fetched. Then she asked me what I felt. And I have never believed that this world is full of goody-goody non-violent creatures. My usual responses to such situations – “An eye for an eye”….
“It Seeks Revenge!!!”
Well, this one had to be better than the last one. “Tit for tat” has been around for ages. So if someone does some harm to you, it’s not out of this world to retaliate. So maybe the scorpion wants to get back at someone for harming it and it’s awaiting the right opportunity!!! Vengeance can drive many mad to do crazy things…..
Right now, even this seems highly improbable to me – maybe the scorpion was just too foolish to do that!!!
It’s just another out-of-the-ordinary event. Maybe it would make a decent enough news report…..but who knows???
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Arun
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I’ve studied over quite a few places – making new friends on the way. And I believe I’ve this knack of getting good Bengali friends everywhere…
And they do share quite a few similarities. All of them have been in the same league as me in academics, but always ended up getting a shade lower than me. All of them have handwritings, well better than the untidy scrawl prominent among the masses.
(I had to choose four and these four were the ones who came into my mind while writing this post. Others might forgive me if I forgot to mention them.)
KV 2(AF) Jodhpur – Shankhmoy!!!
He was my first Bengali friend – at least as far I remember. We were classmates only for a year – when we were in IV class. Then this father was transferred to Jamnagar, while I stayed there for another 3 years. So there we were, kids aged 8-9, playing pithoo, climbing trees and doing everything possible to exert our mightiness in the little world we knew. Well, even after he left we kept exchanging letters for a few months. But eventually even that link broke and we lost touch with each other for years. But last year, all thanks to orkut, we got in touch again (Hail internet!). Now he’s in Auckland and I, here. But I’m sure we will meet someday – for sure. Destiny didn’t bring us back in touch for nothing….
KV 1(AF) Bangalore – Mainak!!!
We joined the school in the same year – 2002, separated by a few months. And we rose in a jiffy to the top two academic positions in the class. He was perhaps the best rival I ever had. We were always at each other’s backs, trying to outwit the other. And most of the times, I pipped him with one or two marks. I still can’t forget the Green Olympiad 2004-05 when I got 73 and he, 72. And this kept continuing as long as we studied together, culminating in the board exams. Three long years – which I miss the most in my life!
Then he moved to Delhi and I stayed. But we never lost touch even once during this period. Now he’s in IITKgp and I’m in NITW – Choosing different ways to the top! But I believe I’ll meet him soon – within 3 weeks of this post unless I’m mistaken!
KV 1(AF) Bangalore – Shreyasi!!!
Actually, it was the three of us entering KV 1 in the same year – Shreyasi, Mainak and I. Shreyasi left right after VIII, and frankly speaking, I don’t remember ever talking to her in class. And I didn’t even remember who Shreyasi was when Mainak told me, “Shreyasi scrapped me” last year. My memory failed me I believe. But ever since, we’ve been in touch and I’ve had the good luck of meeting her a couple of times last year. We are two of a kind I believe – teasing, taunting. She’s always telling me,”Sudhar jao” and I always say,”What to do? Difficult to change now.” I can’t keep quoting every quote else it’ll take hours. So I’ll finish this one here. And I believe this is the second year of our friendship. Hope it keeps going!
NITW – Maji!!!
Arnab Maji, known as Maji coz there are just so many Arnab’s over there in NITW. So I never knew this guy in first year – guess I must’ve seen him a couple of times and that was it. I was in ‘A’ section while he was in ‘D’. But in second year, we became classmates as we entered the Dept. of Computer Science. And with both our names beginning with the letter ‘A’, we ended up in the same lab batch as well. So it all began – in the lab. And the bonds have just grown stronger as the year has passed. We’ve studied together, dined together and most importantly, played FIFA together (or rather, against each other!). So one year up, two more to go - looking forward to chit-chatting in next year’s lab!
I accept this post might be a little on the boring side, but I scribble whatever comes into my mind. And this too popped up – after all, it’s friends who make most of the memories!!!
And they do share quite a few similarities. All of them have been in the same league as me in academics, but always ended up getting a shade lower than me. All of them have handwritings, well better than the untidy scrawl prominent among the masses.
(I had to choose four and these four were the ones who came into my mind while writing this post. Others might forgive me if I forgot to mention them.)
KV 2(AF) Jodhpur – Shankhmoy!!!
He was my first Bengali friend – at least as far I remember. We were classmates only for a year – when we were in IV class. Then this father was transferred to Jamnagar, while I stayed there for another 3 years. So there we were, kids aged 8-9, playing pithoo, climbing trees and doing everything possible to exert our mightiness in the little world we knew. Well, even after he left we kept exchanging letters for a few months. But eventually even that link broke and we lost touch with each other for years. But last year, all thanks to orkut, we got in touch again (Hail internet!). Now he’s in Auckland and I, here. But I’m sure we will meet someday – for sure. Destiny didn’t bring us back in touch for nothing….
KV 1(AF) Bangalore – Mainak!!!
We joined the school in the same year – 2002, separated by a few months. And we rose in a jiffy to the top two academic positions in the class. He was perhaps the best rival I ever had. We were always at each other’s backs, trying to outwit the other. And most of the times, I pipped him with one or two marks. I still can’t forget the Green Olympiad 2004-05 when I got 73 and he, 72. And this kept continuing as long as we studied together, culminating in the board exams. Three long years – which I miss the most in my life!
Then he moved to Delhi and I stayed. But we never lost touch even once during this period. Now he’s in IITKgp and I’m in NITW – Choosing different ways to the top! But I believe I’ll meet him soon – within 3 weeks of this post unless I’m mistaken!
KV 1(AF) Bangalore – Shreyasi!!!
Actually, it was the three of us entering KV 1 in the same year – Shreyasi, Mainak and I. Shreyasi left right after VIII, and frankly speaking, I don’t remember ever talking to her in class. And I didn’t even remember who Shreyasi was when Mainak told me, “Shreyasi scrapped me” last year. My memory failed me I believe. But ever since, we’ve been in touch and I’ve had the good luck of meeting her a couple of times last year. We are two of a kind I believe – teasing, taunting. She’s always telling me,”Sudhar jao” and I always say,”What to do? Difficult to change now.” I can’t keep quoting every quote else it’ll take hours. So I’ll finish this one here. And I believe this is the second year of our friendship. Hope it keeps going!
NITW – Maji!!!
Arnab Maji, known as Maji coz there are just so many Arnab’s over there in NITW. So I never knew this guy in first year – guess I must’ve seen him a couple of times and that was it. I was in ‘A’ section while he was in ‘D’. But in second year, we became classmates as we entered the Dept. of Computer Science. And with both our names beginning with the letter ‘A’, we ended up in the same lab batch as well. So it all began – in the lab. And the bonds have just grown stronger as the year has passed. We’ve studied together, dined together and most importantly, played FIFA together (or rather, against each other!). So one year up, two more to go - looking forward to chit-chatting in next year’s lab!
I accept this post might be a little on the boring side, but I scribble whatever comes into my mind. And this too popped up – after all, it’s friends who make most of the memories!!!
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Arun
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Triskaidekaphobia, or terdekaphobia, as many of you might be aware of, is an irrational fear of the number 13. It dates back to centuries of superstitions. I’ve never believed in superstitions, or rather I believe only in lucky superstitions and not those predicting misfortune. And the number 13 never played a significant role in my life, not until I entered college at least…..
So I joined NIT Warangal in 2007. And my roll number happened to be A07013 – A denoting the section, 07 denoting the year and 013 denoting my roll number. In other words, I was the 13th person to enroll at NIT Warangal that year (A was the first section and H, the last). Of course, I never realized this at that time. But over the past two years, I’ve always wondered – did it rain misfortune upon me???
And this, incidentally, is my 13th post on my blog – dedicated to A07013!!!
Was it Destiny???
I’ve always wondered why I got the roll number 13. 12 had already registered by July 10, 2007. And I was among the first to reach on July 11. Ash and I were there at the same time – and in fact, he preceded me for everything except the ultimate step in the process of registration. So I always believed my roll number would be after his. Not to be – I got 13 and he got 14. And it was a solace – we were the only non-Andhrites in the first 33. If either of us hadn’t been there, the other would’ve been left to the mercy of the localities!!!
First Shock - The Crappy Messes!!!
Well, the boys were allotted two hostels – one 2-seater and one 2-seater. I got in the 2-seater. So the beginning was quite lucky. But how long did it last!?
The mess was perhaps one of the greatest misfortunes to befall me. Being used to good home-cooked food, the mess food seemed just eatable – and this feeling lasted only for a month or so. The quality started to take a nosedive. And after a few months, I was willing to skip lunch rather than eat there. I myself can’t believe I managed to survive eating that horrid food. But the food was good in the last month – and I still wonder why that happened! So this misfortune didn’t last that long.
Second Shock – “Where’s the Water???”
The worst thing that ever happens in NITW. The taps go dry once in a while – I managed to avoid getting stuck due to this reason by getting up early and taking bath before the water ceases to come. Hostellers can be seen running from one hostel to another with buckets in their hands every time this happens. I, for one, never had the misfortune of doing that. So this wasn’t a misfortune either.
Third Shock – C Grade in C!!!
The one blotch in my academic record I can’t ever erase – and if this wasn’t a tornado of misfortune, I don’t know what is. Mind, I wasn’t that bad in C language to deserve a C grade – I was rather better than most in the class. But my marks in the paper – always way below expected. And I never stay back to check my end semester papers – so I’ve no idea how the correction was. But this started a string of ill-luck factors interfering in my academics.
Fourth Shock – Chicken Pox during Mid-sems! Two More C Grades!!!
The worst medical catastrophe in my life. I contracted chicken pox the week before my mid semester exams in the 4th semester. Of course, I came home, hoping against hope that I’d get well in time for the exams. But fate had something else in store for us. I ended up being bedridden for 10 days and by the time, I came back the exams were over. I expected the exams to be re-conducted as I had a valid medical reason. But due to “certain” reasons, I was unable to write a couple of the exams. That resulted in C grades in both of them. My academic record keeps going down the drain….
Nevertheless, I’ve enjoyed my stay at NITW in spite of all these debacles. There have been new friends to make, new memories to cherish! And I still have to be there for 2 more years till my graduation. And I look forward to how lucky – or unlucky – these two years will be!!!
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Arun
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Whenever there is decision to be made among two different choices, one of the most common ways is to toss a coin. From mathematics classes to cricket matches, the coin reaches places. And it really can turn disastrous when you lose a toss…..
For the Want of a Thursday!!!
Well, it all happened towards the end of our third semester. So we were a class of 90, divided into three batches of 30 each for the three labs – data structures (DS), file structures (FS) and basic electronics (BE). We had our labs on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. My name starting with the letter ‘A’, I was in the first batch. And we followed the schedule – DS on Wednesday afternoons, FS on Thursday afternoons and BE on Friday mornings. So we were the ones who were supposed to complete the weird yet meaningful DS assignments of out teacher first (or else get thrown out of the lab). FS on the next day was not a relief either (I don’t want to mention the complexities involved – would require too many technical terms). The only solace was that we had BE on Friday which lasted only an hour or so – and we could start our weekend on Friday 11 am itself.
The first batch was destined for hardships – but the worst one came right at the fag end. When during our lab exams, the Thursday turned out to be a holiday…….
The Odd Numbers Fight it Out!!!
The second batch had BE on Thursday and hence, it had nothing to worry as the teacher was too lenient. But the first and the third batches were caught in the crossfire of holidays. The teacher gave us two options – the Thursday exams be conducted either on Wednesday or on Friday. Wednesday would mean we had DS and FS on Wednesday with the third batch having BE and DS. Friday would mean we had BE and FS on Friday with the third batch having FS and DS. Now no one wanted to have both DS and FS on the same day – it would almost torturous!
So the teacher decides to go for a coin toss….
The “Jishnu Effect”!!!
So the representatives from both of the batches were called. I chose Badarudheen and Jishnu. I wondered if it was the right decision, but later I was glad I chose Jishnu….
So a guy from the third batch tosses the coin – we call and lose. Then Jishnu claims that coins can be manipulated to get the desired result. Of course, the teacher wasn’t one to believe just like that. He handed the coin to him and asked him to bring heads. Then Jishnu was on course – heads, heads, heads and heads. So the teacher had no option but to cal an M.Tech student (he refused to toss the coin – I wonder why). But then – it turned out to be inconsequential as we lost it anyways.
But it was worth calling Jishnu for the dramatic effect leading to the climax.
9 am to 9 pm – The Life of a “Lab Rat”!!!
So it was – DS on Wednesday morning 10 am and FS on Wednesday afternoon 4 pm. And it was a disastrous outing in the air conditioned lab….
So the teacher asked us to come to the lab at 9:30 am, but we were there by 9 – guess we are used to being early to exams. But he himself turns up at quarter past ten. And by the time we got our questions, it was past 11 o’clock. And he asked us to wrap it by 1:30 pm. Hardly two and a half hours!!! Well, it wasn’t that bad – I at least managed to get the output. And then we were off to lunch and a couple of hours to prepare for the next exam.
The second exam started on time, but after the timely start everything went downhill. No point in mentioning the standard or the questions. Somehow, most of us were able to finish it within the stipulated time of 7 pm. But alas! We couldn’t leave until the teacher came and checked – and he comes at 8:30 pm! And we were allowed to leave only at 9. Those two hours – stranded in an air conditioned room – kept me wishing I had worn a sweater or a jacket (it was quite cold at that time of the night). More importantly, we had to have dinner at 9:30! That was the worst of all. Only one thought remained in our minds after that – it was finally over and we have a holiday the next day to pull ourselves together!!!
Once in a lifetime mis-opportunity!!!
