Dreamopia – Freaked Out by a Beetle!!!

Everyone has dreams – some happy, some scary! I get these really – freaky – dreams sometimes. And yesterday happened to be just another such occasion…..

The “Venue”!!!
Now how to say – it seemed a place out of the Amazonian rain forests. Tropical trees everywhere and a 4 feet cement “road” in the middle (I think it can be called a road) – at a higher level compared to the rest of the landscape, the height being around 5 feet. And there were “steps” to climb back up from the forest floor to the “road” – I guess they were similar to what you see in Indian wells. So this was the scenario in the dream (mind, the “road” seemed to be going on and on and on!).

The Guava Effect!!!
So we were two guys walking, or rather stuttering on the road. But alas! I don’t even remember who was with me – highly mysterious dream!

Then we find a couple of guavas lying on the road. Then we look around and find a tree on the left side of the road. I get all excited and hungry and run towards the tree. My companion tried stopping in vain. I was assured that it was not dangerous – what could happen? But then, I should’ve heeded his words!

Snake aka Beetle!!!
So I go there, but on reaching on tree I find it devoid of fruits. And I wonder – were those fruits really from this tree? But before I could reach a conclusion, I hear a slithering sound and bingo – I find a python crawling towards me!

Man, was I scared! So I climb back up and we both start running. But the snake was faster (Here too it seems unrealistic –pythons aren’t that speedy). And worse, I trip and fell down. Then the snake crawls onto my left hand. And guess what – I really feel something moving on my hand. And I wake with a start!

It was early morning so there was no need to switch on the light. Then I find the culprit – a beetle! Well, I was relieved to say the least. But if it was really a snake??? I don’t want to imagine that…..


An imaginary reptile and a real insect! Can be a scary combo!!!

Six of a Kind in an Eleventh-hour Rendezvous!!!

Some meetings are planned months in advance, some weeks in advance, some days in advance….. But some just happen, without planning – grab hold of everyone who’s free and there you are! Today happened to be the same…..

A Call From Bangalore!? Just Who Might It Be???
Well, yesterday was just another day. Getting up, eating, sitting in front of the computer – my usual holiday routine. Then the landline starts ringing, caller ID shows it’s a Bangalore landline number – unknown to me. That comes as a surprise – I start wondering who it might be and while wondering, I pick up the phone. “Is it Arun?” Comes a voice – strikingly similar. But before I could make out who it was, she herself said it, “It’s Girija here.” Another of the old warhorses of the erstwhile X-C class.

Anyways, she asks me if I can come to Malleswaram in Bangalore today, ie. 26th May. I, being jobless during holidays, said I was free to come. She said we can grab a few of the others and meet to have some chit-chat. Travelling 40 odd kilometers from Hosur to Bangalore crossing the TN-Karnataka state border just for the sake of meeting a few, maybe 5-6 – many might not be willing, but the class X-C has its own special place in my life. Even if it’s for one member of that class, I’d have gone. So we decide to meet – no speculations about who else will come!

Don’t Count Your Chickens Until They are Hatched!!!
There were quite a few rumours – “More than 10 will turn up”, “………. is also coming” and all. I’ve had many such experiences in the past and knew usually only half of them turn up. Well, we were six in all and that’s not a bad number at all – there’ve been worse!

So it was us – Girija, Vindhya, Saurabh, Samuel, Jasmandeep and me. I met the first three in front of Girija’s college. She had come to collect her hall ticket (I wonder why they need hall tickets each year – I, being a student of NIT Warangal, have never needed one. We are used to going to the examination hall just like that. Mind, they don’t even bother to see our ID Cards – so such formality seems strange to me). And we gathered up the remaining two as we loafed around on the streets pointlessly – just keep blabbering, it doesn’t matter where we go – that seemed to be our motto.

“Why are We Standing in the Sun? That too in Such a Crowded Place???”
Typical girlish comment – boys are used to playing in the sun and maneuvering their way no matter how crowded a place might be. I don’t understand why everyone worries about their complexion once they get out of school – no wonder sunscreen lotions are making it big in the cosmetics industry. I think Vindhya might’ve said this at least half a dozen times – with Girija too chipping in to support her. I personally feel they should be sent to an isolated dungeon-of-sorts.

And amidst all this, they decide to go to a beauty parlour, owned by the kin of another of our old classmates, to find out her whereabouts. I think it might not be a deviation from reality to say they were gone for around half an hour. We really thought they ended up being customers there!

“Café Coffee Day!? I Don’t Drink Coffee!” “Neither Do I!”

(From left) Saurabh, Samuel, Jasmandeep, Vindhya, Girija and Me!

It was Girija’s suggestion. And my usual reply to such suggestions, “I don’t drink coffee.” And her reply – “Me neither!” Well, she said we can go eat donuts – but the bill would be on us guys. “Ok fine”, say Saurabh and I (Anyways, girls won’t eat much – what’s the worry!?). And we walk in. And everyone is still telling stories about this certain someone or that certain someone (I won’t mention the stories lest they turn out to be rumours!). The girls kept insisting they’ve to leave my 12 30 – as far as I know, nothing usually happens on time, the obvious exception being exams!

So we finally decide to leave – with some new memories to cherish! A walk to the bus stop and all of us leave one by one – Jasmandeep & Samuel followed by Vindhya and Girija. Then we, the remaining two bid adieus with promises to meet gain sooner or later!

Some Change, Some Never Do!!!
I felt we were still the same – as we were in school – the envy of the other classes. Of course, Jassi and Sam (too much trouble writing their full names) never seemed to really join in gossip. It was the remaining four of us “blah blah blah”. Girija didn’t really like this and she told us so. But you really can’t expect people to be the same even after all these years. But some never change, as they try to replicate the person they were in their fondest memories!!!


Adding new memories everyday! Life rocks!!!

The "Key" to a Sardonic Evening!!!

None of us is perfect, and neither are our memories. Every now and then, we forget trifle things, but once in a blue moon, we forget or lose important stuff, like a key for instance. And it may lead to a catastrophe of sorts at times…..

One Key Lost, the Other Left Inside the Locked Room!!!
This was the situation at hand. Mr. Aeshverya Jain (called Ash for short) goes and loses off his key. Not a very rare thing to happen, but in most cases you manage to open the room with your roomy’s key. Not to be – his roomy Yatish had left his key inside the room…. Room locked and the key locked inside it – a scene befitting a detective movie I presume. Anyways, we had no choice. Actually we had one – break the lock or break the door!!! (Mind, it was a Godrej six levers lock – I personally thought the door would give away before the lock did). And it was quite late in the evening – past 7 pm I guess. So calling anyone from the hostel office was not plausible (might even say it was not possible). So we had to take matters into our own hand….

“A Brick!? Are Ya Nuts???”
Our electronics engineer Shoaib has a brainwave and he grabs hold of a brick (This shows that electronics people are so lost in their own studies that their brains cease to function at critical times). Can anyone really expect a brick to break a steel lock – beats me! Anyways, he goes ahead with this weird theory. As expected, two hits and the brick crumbles to a fine red powder. All he succeeded was in dirtying the corridor.

“A Rock?! Might Do the Trick!!!”
Then it was Sameep’s turn. He goes scouting in the college campus and comes back with a rock (it was a little too large to be called a stone). He sure had some exercise trying to bring it to the second floor. Then the more troublesome part – lifting it and striking it with accuracy. Shoaib takes the first try, and notably fails miserably – the aim going haywire!

My turn – my aim was relatively better but instead of hitting the lock, I hit the latch and it gets detached off partly from the door. Now something is better than nothing nay… But still the door remains locked – the other part of the latch refuses to give in.

“A Hammer!? Don’t Underestimate a Godrej Lock!!!”
We finally manage to get hold of a hammer. That was good news – or so we thought. So this guy Rohit (a friend of Ash’s roomy who brought the hammer) volunteers to break the lock. Bang!!! The first hit and the handle of the hammer breaks off. It seemed we were plagued by ill luck – the third ‘tool’ notwithstanding. Now Ash really gets impatient and proposes a treat – for breaking the lock! Anyone who has first-hand experience of the messes at NIT Warangal would love to get away from the prospect of eating dinners there. So a new burst of enthusiasm – but will we escape the inevitable fate of dining in the mess, at least for one day?

The Decisive Hit!!!
Everyone literally gave up hope, but Sameep and me. Two of our three ‘tools’ had been defeated but one still kept standing – the rock. So we decide to go with it (mind, lifting it and landing it with a crash right on the lock was not an easy task). And after numerous tiring attempts, one hit lands on the target and the lock is finally demolished. From then onwards I made a mental note to buy only Godrej locks – they sure live up to their reputation. It was a heck of a trouble breaking one small one….

Then we were faced with the prospect of the Engineering Drawing exam the next day – Ash and I. One trouble ends and another one creeps in – maybe the day had misfortune written all over it.


But the aim was achieved – we managed to avoid the mess for a day. And nothing else matters!!!

This Day That Age – My XII Results!!!

Today’s the day many have been eagerly waiting for – and many would’ve wished this day never came. The day of the results of CBSE class XII!!! This reminds me of my own results two years back…..

Expectations Soaring High!!!
I always thought I’d get used to carrying everyone’s expectations and hopes on my back in school – but I never did. Yet I never buckled under them. Maybe it was luck, maybe it was fate – but I always made it to the top in school (now, of course, is a totally different story!).

So there I was, school topper in X with 96.4%. And I decided to take biology instead of informatics practices in XI. That was a change from the scenario as usually the toppers end up taking the alternative. Hence my biology teacher Latha mam had pinned all her hopes on me. She was a great teacher, so I felt I had to do it – at least for her, if not for me!

The Pre-board Nightmares!!!
The pre-board exams of XII were the opposite of that in X. I was always below par in maths, chemistry and biology. I still managed to top but neither my teachers nor my parents were satisfied. English is a standard debacle so I never worried about it. But the other subjects – yuk!!!I still remember never getting more than 62 on 70 in my biology papers. “Hell! If I end up getting 62 in the boards, I couldn’t face my teacher….”

And my chemistry mam - no need to ask. She told me she’d make me drop a year just coz I got 39 on 50 in a class test (mind, it was the highest!). And the way she said it, yeeks! But I couldn’t help giggling – no way she can do that! And then her scream rouses me from my thoughts,”Are you listening boy?” Of course, she was good at heart no matter how atrocious she might seem.

But keeping your cool with all these thought clogging your mind – it wasn’t easy!

The Examination Hall!!!
The vision that comes into one’s mind is one of students surrounded by their parents, looking so nervous as though they are the ones writing the exam. Never in my case – my parents never came with me. Of course, dad had to go to office and he would leave with a “Do your best” in the morning. Mom would’ve liked coming with me, but I was used to cycling my way around and she never came in my way.

Then the exams, each paper a different story. And I’ve no intentions of blabbering on and on and on about them. But I guess except a little disastrous question in physics, I did decently well. Expectations? I never had any in English, but I was sure of at least 95+ in the others. So overall, I felt I should cross 95% somehow and said so to my parents. I kept thinking, “Ain’t I overestimating myself???”

Finally…….. It’s Time!!!
Mom kept waiting for the results. I was too pre-occupied with my entrance exams to really care much about it. Well, the day came as it had to.

Mom kept wringing her hands right from the morning. And the confidence which I had right after finishing the exams had slowly melted away over the months. “What if I go below 95???” As a practice, I never wait for the time the results are scheduled for. I’ll be online an hour early, waiting for them (What if they somehow decide to release them a little earlier?) And that one hour – a nervous mom and I, trying to pretend to be uninterested (I’ll get 95 anyways, mom!) – the world used to be at a standstill for the two of us. Only the clock kept ticking…….

Well, the time did come at last……And I didn’t fare that badly – except English that is (86!? That was sickening). But I managed a 98 in biology and a 97 in chemistry. “Phew, now I can face my teachers!” I rather believe I studied, not for myself, but for my parents and teacher and of course, my reputation! 96 in physics was disappointing, but never mind. I clocked 95.2% - All’s well that ends well….


And the 5 grands cash prize – icing on the cake!!!

“Snake in the House!? Where’s My Camera???”

Snakes have been among the creatures most fear. But I, for one, ain’t really afraid of them. Only one reason – I believe that something without limbs can’t hurt me. Maybe it’s a misconception, but I’m happy this way!

The Place Where I Live!
Well, our township is still in its developing stages – houses have not yet being built on all the sites. And the empty ones remain covered by bushes and shrubs. So it’s natural to say that they are full of snakes, lizards and the sort. And behind our current residence - no nearby houses. Guess the nearest one is around 200 metres away. So that’s not something you can call “near”. As a result, you only see trees and bushes if you look out. Among these, a mango plant (around 5 ft tall I guess) leaned towards the compound wall, touching it. Quite harmless as such. But then – a baby snake decided to use it as a ramp to climb over the compound wall!

“Is It Really a Snake???”
Well, I didn’t realize it was a baby snake when I first saw it. It was quite small. I thought it must be a somewhat long earthworm (after all, I’ve read in a ‘Believe It or Not’ column in a newspaper that the longest earthworm was 22 feet long – I wonder if it’s true!?). But my mom, she suspected it to be a snake the moment she set her eyes on it. She had heard stories about snakes barging into people’s houses nearby. So she felt as though her worst fears had come true.

But then, it started wriggling the way snakes do and I realize – It’s true!!!

“Kill It!” “Why?”
That was mom’s first reaction. And she runs off to get a stick or a broom to beat the life out of the tiny fellow. I felt otherwise – why kill the poor guy when he hasn’t done anything to us? So mom comes back fully prepared to attack, but I stopped her. Somehow I managed to convince her to throw her outside the compound. So we decide to grab it (mind, grabbing snakes isn’t easy at all). But then, something struck me – a thought many might call foolhardiness!!!

“I Wanna Take a Photo!”
That was the thing that came into my mind. After all, it’s not every day that you find a snake in your house. I’ve never wished to a wildlife photographer or anything, but the prospect was just too inviting. It was a once in a blue moon opportunity. I told mom I wanted to take a picture of the baby snake. As expected, she asked, “You gone mad???” She couldn’t imagine that a normal person is behaving this way (she should realize I ‘m not what you can call normal). Somehow, after coaxing her and telling her it’ll take only a few seconds, I finally manage to get her permission. So I tell her to monitor the movements of the baby snake and now it was my turn to rush around! I grab my camera and manage to take a snap! Yippeeee!!!


Then I get another weird idea! I should have a photo with the snake (like two friends side-by-side maybe!). But mom, already furious, won’t listen to me anymore. And she manages to take the struggling snake on a piece of cardboard with the help of a broom and haul it over the wall.


So shattered my dreams of having a picture taken with a snake at home. Well, another snake might find its way to our house someday and I’ll make sure I won’t miss another opportunity!!! (But I think I’d prefer it’d be non-poisonous – don’t wanna meet a cobra!)

Jumping Off a Running Train - A Fit of Insanity!!!

It is said that when a person is caught in a tight situation, he/she resorts to desperate measures. I’ve gone through a few of such situations myself, this perhaps being the most memorable one….

A Novice in an Unknown Kingdom!
It’s been pretty long. But I can remember it as though it happened yesterday – perhaps this particular memory got engraved and embossed in my cerebral hemisphere. I was a fresher at college then – with no idea of the outer world – meaning the Andhra world. And I ended up in Warangal – a place I never even imagined I’d go to. Well, I maybe I was destined to go there to ‘study-while-suffering’. Well, it has been quite a fun-filled ride, marred by occasional occurrences of undesirable incidents!

Changing 3 Trains – Whom to Blame???
The most unfortunate bit about studying in Warangal is the lack of a convenient mode of travel. Buses are there, of course but I’ve never been happy travelling by bus. So the only option left was train – and I, having always loved travelling by train, was always game for it. But when faced by reality, the balloon of enthusiasm deflated in a jiffy!

There were no direct trains suitable to my time of travel as I had to a catch a train on Sunday so I can attend college on Monday. And as fate would have it, the direct trains were scheduled on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. So, having no choice, I had to change trains in the midst of my journey. The worst part – the train from Bangalore doesn’t go till Secunderabad, only till Kacheguda. So I’ve to catch a local train for that little part too. Then a third one from Secunderabad to Kazipet (it being the closest station to my college). You are full of thoughts as to why you didn’t stay at home longer. Then attending college – yuk! Life can’t be worse!!!

“Wish I had Studied the Geography of Secunderabad!!!”
They say a man learns from his mistakes – I learned a few things that day! So I was en route to college. Got down at Kacheguda and was waiting for the local train to go to Secunderabad. Back then I’d no idea whether I had to catch the train going left or right. Anyways, one train came. I knew not a single word in telugu then, so I tried asking a few people in English. Most of them wither didn’t know English or had no idea where the train was going. So I tried my luck at the enquiry counter – one idiot (I wouldn’t hesitate to punch him right on his face, but unfortunately I don’t remember his face. Geez!) told me the train would go to Secunderabad, while in fact it was coming from there. So I get on. Then as the next stop passes by, I wonder “This station wasn’t in the way when I travelled the last time”.

I wasn’t inclined to trust anyone. So I called my dad and asked. Bingo! He said I was going the opposite way. By then the train had stopped at its next stop and was departing. My dad’s voice rang in my head,”Get off that train!!!” So what did I do – perhaps the most insane thing I’ve ever done in my life! I grabbed my travel bag and jumped off!!!
(This incident had me wishing I knew the different stations in Secunderabad and I did find out in the coming days.)

Saved by Sheer Luck!!!
It could’ve resulted is quite a disaster but I got away; just with a couple of scratches I guess. Fortunately I managed to jump off before the train left the platform so I sort of went crashing down on to the cement floor. Man, was I fortunate! So I was able to get up on my feet no problem. I still remember a lady in the train shrieking as I prepared to “take the dive”. Count my lucky stars!

Well, I had to catch the 6 o’clock train from Secunderabad railway station. So I had no choice but to catch an auto. And he swiped me clean of 200 bucks – well, guess it’s better than ending up in hospital with the half the body covered in bandages. So I finally managed to reach college and attend the 10 o’clock class. Phew! Wasn't it a relief!


An ordinary day going haywire, but saved by the flick of fortune!!!

Drenched in a “Shower” of Blissfulness!!!

This life is for making friends and friends make life more memorable. And I’ve had the good fortune of making friends as if I’ve been born for making friends. Of course, majority of friendships arise from either being together in class or being neighbours. But few originate through the internet – and yet are strong enough to last a lifetime!

“Me!? Online???”
I always felt I wasn’t a guy to be associated with the internet. It was only after I was thrust into becoming member of think.com that I started using the net. Of course, it was only out of curiosity – wanting to know what was it that fascinated everyone! And eventually I too became a sort of an internet freak!

I joined orkut pretty early but never bothered to do anything about it, until I joined college. That’s a different story. So coming back. Google chat was a sort of revelation at that time; chatting wasn’t actually that popular in India then – at least in the world around me! So even I became a once-in-a-while user of it. Of course, I never was addicted to it. So it resulted in making a few friends online, and the perhaps my best “catch” at that time was Varsha.

Varsha vs. Shower – the Never-ending Battle!!!
It’s a question she still asks me, “Which is better – Varsha or Shower?” Of course, I’ve always known her by the name Shower rather than by the name Varsha. So I’m always inclined to answer Shower. But trying to be diplomatic, I answer, “Both of them are good enough”. Still, she won’t rest till I chose one.

Guess that name fascinated me – I myself don’t know why! Maybe coz I loved rainfall – no qualms about getting sick (Mom was there to take care, after all!)

Those Sunday Mornings!
It used to be our weekly practice to meet online on Sunday mornings. Both of us were students – and KV students at that. Studying 6 days a week – Sunday provided the only relief. So it used to be what I call a “showery” start to the weekend (I never considered Saturdays as weekends then, now of course it’s a different story). Then we used to exchange our experiences about the week – cursing the teachers for giving so much homework, sharing the funny things that happened in class, discussing even about exams if they were near (She was in IX and I in XI; so it wasn’t something one can call self-study – rather something like wondering how we will fare). I often felt we were a pair of conspirators, talking in secret!

How I miss those Sundays now!

One of a Kind!!!
She was (and still is) one of her kind to me - too much of emotions packed into her. A cut aside the rest I can say! But change is the spice of life, after all! Guess her presence prevents monotony from creeping into life – a life full of pulling others’ legs and getting your legs pulled in return. So a bit of serious talk, devoid of poor jokes comes like a cool breeze in a desert full of grains of sarcasm!

And she never changes – I don’t know why! I’ve seen people, including me, change as time passes by. But guess she’s stubborn as a mule. And maybe that’s not a bad thing either. Some things are never supposed to change. Maybe she is too much busy with herself that she found no time to change!

One quote befitting her

Some friends forget…
Some move away…
Some remain silent…
Some just change…
But I’m not one of them…
I’m here for just two moments…
Now and…….forever!!!

Think.com : A Friendly Revelation!!!

It was a rather innovative idea of Oracle – creating an online platform where students and teachers from different schools in different places could interact and share ideas. I wasn’t very internet-friendly at that time. Rather I was never fascinated by the ‘set-of- boxes’ called computer. Yet I became one of the most active members of think.com!

“Someone from Bio!? That’s Fine, But Why Me???”
I was introduced, or rather forced into joining, think.com during class XI. Every student had an account in it. And it was left to our discretion whether to use it or not. Though many were excited, I wasn’t. I was a biology student and had no interest in computers (This speaks of how much I’ve changed since now I’m in CSE). But our biology teacher, Mrs. Latha was quite an active member of the internet-faction in our school. So she wanted some of her own students to become active members (she couldn’t ask XII students as they were supposedly struggling with their studies). And I, being the topper became the natural choice. So it all started, and we started “thinking”.

But I realized she did the right thing – as think.com changed from a seminar hall to a cafeteria!

What it was Intended For! And what it Became!
Think.com was supposed to be concerned with serious stuff – a step towards revolutionizing the methodology concerned with studies. Teachers giving assignments to be done on the computer. Students uploading it on think.com. Online doubt-clearing. Online tests. Online evaluation. To be frank, all this seemed far-fetched to me. And very few of these actually materialized.

Rather think.com became a place for meeting new people, knowing about them and making new friends. It became a cultural forum, instead of an educational one. I think it resembled a mini-orkut. It still might, but I’ve no means of finding out. The account remains active only till the student remains in school. So I lost mine when I graduated. Think.com might not be a part of my life anymore but it did bring about new friends into my life!

Some Never Forget!!!
I made loads of friends. And I climbed to the top of the ‘Hot Hits’ list of my school thanks to them. But once I passed out of school, most of the threads connecting us snapped. But few didn’t - Aashal, Arundhati, Suman and Varsha to name a few. Now don’t ask me why all of them are girls – its fate!

Gradually it changed from thinking to orkutting. But the passing years have done nothing but strengthen the bonds. Two people – with different backgrounds, knowing nothing about each other, never even seen the face of the other – can end up being great friends, after all! Hope there’s still more to come!

“Was it Such a Good Report!?”
We also ended up doing some sort of educational work too. We were the chosen twos - Nishant and I. We had to create a presentation on Genetically Modified Foods. We were in XII then and the time limit was around a week. So what to do – copy and paste. That was all we did. Copy articles, copy pictures and paste them, adding a bibliography at the end. Nothing great, but we organized it in a way, which gave the illusion as though we had done a diligent job. Our biology teacher was pretty happy with our efforts, and I remember her giving us kangaroo-shaped badges – a memento to keep!

So last year after finishing second year at college, I went to school, as I usually do. Then I met Latha mam there. And she had something to say about that report – about which I had momentarily forgotten, but she ruffled it up. She said she had been to a regional convention about think.com and there the spoke about that report – how well-organised it was and how it can provide the basic layout for a good report. I couldn’t help but smile. The scribbling of two kids seems to have been taken like calligraphy.


If you plant a seed, the fruits will come no matter how long it takes! But be there to relish them!!!

How X-C Rocked the School!!!

X-C….the class I miss most. The class I’d give anything to go back to. A fun-filled odyssey lasting a whole year!

“X-C? That Class is…….!?”
If there was one word which described our credentials, it was – notorious. We were well known throughout half the school as the most undisciplined class, always getting in trouble. We couldn’t help it. It was inevitable – our class boasted of some of the most exuberant students the school had, who had difficulty staying put in the class and keeping a low profile. So it was pandemonium! Loafing around in the corridors whenever the teacher isn’t in class, chalk fights with girls getting caught in the cross-fire, screaming at the top of your voice were trademark activities of our class.

The Mis-placed Classroom!!!
And adding another twist to the existing scenario was the place where our class room was located. First floor, in one of the wings – closest to the Examination Department (well, XII standard was closer than us, but it seemed they were a bunch of disciplined studs). So our class became one of the favourite haunts for the teachers in that dept. At least Ms. Sherin and Mrs. Sobhana were always there, taking us to task. Of course we never changed, but that doesn’t mean we weren’t forced to!

Still looking back, even that used to be memorable – at least we came to be known in the whole school. Maybe it would’ve been better if our classroom was above the principal’s office. One shot to stardom!!!

“Me!? Getting 99!?”
We were one of the unfortunate batches, having written 3 pre-boards and 3 practice sets. The first pre-board….brings back memories!

The first set of papers as preparation for the boards – it wasn’t fun. But I do remember my social science paper – with pride! As it happened, teachers teaching different sections exchanged papers within themselves for correction. And our paper went to Mrs. Kamalakshi – the same teacher who had taught us in VIII but didn’t continue in IX. The reason, “VIII C is really undisciplined, so I’ll continue with VIII D.” we couldn’t have wished for worst! In fact, her correction was strict – even Mainak got only 81. But then, I ended up with 99!!! That was shocking – even for me! Then she says she cut that 1 mark just like that. I wonder – was I really that good at social!? Maybe that’s why I’m going with history in the civil services. Now this shook the social science dept. Every teacher wanted to see my paper. Guess another teacher even re-corrected it. But my marks didn’t go down.

X-C remains in the school headlines!!!

The Most Disciplined in Class! “How Come it’s Not Me!?”
I never really deserved to be called a disciplined student – the word ‘punctual’ would have suited me more. I was up-to-date with everything, but one thing I couldn’t help – I was never quite in class. I had this uncanny knack of following what the teacher was teaching even while chit-chatting. So I was ready for surprise questions, I had marks on my papers – nothing to complain! Yet teachers complained to my dad.

Maths teacher : He gets really good marks, but he won’t keep quiet in class. I think he studies at home.
Social teacher : He got 49/50 in the previous test. Only 47 this time. That’s coz he’s always talking.
Science teacher : He’s really studious, but he should learn to keep quite in class.

The other two classes I was relatively silent, so no complaints as such! So the title of most disciplined went to G (G Suraj – we called him G as there were two Surajs). As my science teacher once said in class, “Suraj is silent in class. Even Mainak talks a little. And Arun is always talking!”

And I daresay I’m living up to my old standards – but one change, I feel like sleeping now rather than talking!

Board Results Out! Two Shots to Stardom!!!
Finally our class became popular for the right reasons. Good results – perhaps the best among all the sections. Top two in the school. Of course, we never knew amongst ourselves which one among the two of us –me & Mainak – would pip the other. In the end, lady luck shone on me, though narrowly. 2 marks – that was all that separated us! Guess that showed everyone that being a goody-goody class doesn’t matter as long as you crack the nut called examination. And that we did!


But I was full of melancholy – and I guess others were too. The roller-coaster ride had ended – and it was time to part ways! Many left our school – and even those who remained were left divided in 3 sections. Embarking on our different routes – will we ever be together under one roof again???

Farewell Reminiscence - A "Gluttonous" Frenzy!!!

Rolling back time to class XI…..getting ready to bid adieu to our seniors in school, who would be embarking on the journey of “collegehood”. Everyone busy with one thing or the other. But I ended in the most lucrative department – the Refreshment Committee! Bless my luck! A toast to free food!!!

Partners in Crime!!!
I don’t remember the names of everyone who was in the committee, but I do remember these – Amit, Sunil, Madan, Anuradha and Nithya. Others might please forgive my slip-of-mind. Well, we just ended up there – maybe it was fate! It was Sunil who started the act of munching. And the first dish was (I wonder if it’s right calling it a dish) samosa. That got everyone in the mood. Amit started one but then, the teacher-in-charge Mr. S.M.Pandian came in, well known for his strict nature. So what does he do – he stuffs the half-eaten samosa back into the box, hoping against hope he doesn’t get caught! Lady luck was shining for him – and perhaps for all of us!

The girls had kept their hands clean till now. Even I hadn’t touched anything yet. But I ain’t so honest to let such an opportunity pass by. So even I joined the party. That was the cue for the girls. “If Arun Raj, the punctual, disciplined Arun Raj is eating, why can’t we?” This rang an alarm bell somewhere in my head – Would I have to take the blame for all of them!?

Our Unlucky Peers!
But the ones caught in the midst of nowhere were our peers who were not fortunate enough to be a part of the eat-all-party. We served the teachers followed by our seniors (of course the girls did most of the serving, but we had to help here and there). Once the seniors were done, we were supposed to serve our batch mates. But this bits and pieces of this instruction got lost somewhere during communication and no one actually followed it.

“Serve the XI class after XII” was the instruction. And we followed it – after all, we are also XI standard students! Well, they envied us. But none of us were actually inclined towards helping them out. After all, it’s an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

The Teacher Who Gave Us a Free Rein!
I guess everyone has a softer side to them. The teacher-in-charge never really bothered about what we were doing. Maybe he gave away his strictness to the festive atmosphere! So it was eating, eating….and eating!!! We lost count of how much we had eaten – all that mattered was to continue till we could eat no more. The girls, of course, were in control. But we! It wouldn’t have been a miracle if our stomachs had burst out.

The After-Effects!!!
Junk food seems good only while you’re eating it. The real hard part starts once it’s over and we have to face what’s in store for us – moving around with a stomach that full. I myself know how I managed to cycle 4km to reach home. Lunch skipped, evening snacks skipped, dinner cut down to half! The whole time slouching in bed….. At least, groceries were saved!!!

Somehow, I felt good enough to go to school the next day. When I reached there, I realized everyone else didn’t feel the same way. Many didn’t come to school including Amit and few others. Guess the reason was conspicuous – stomach trouble! Thank my lucky stars……my perfect attendance at school continued!!!


Just another unforgettable memory of school life – the life which has been left behind to move on, but which always pops up in mind every time it gets a chance! Can I really re-live those golden moments!?

English Literature! Sherin Mam!!!

English…..my lowest scoring subject in school. Always hoped for less effort, optimum output. Alas! Always ended up with less-than-expected marks. Not that I didn’t like the subject, but I just couldn’t score. Maybe I overestimated myself at that time. And here I am, again taking the same subject for what might as well be the most important exam in my life. Is it a risk (should I call it so) worth taking???

I’ve had numerous English teachers in school and college. But none more influential than Ms. Sherin John, who taught me during classes VIII-X. Maybe it was chance that I ended up in VIII C, the class in which she taught, or maybe it was fate. Whatever it was, I didn’t mind. I felt she was a cut above the rest, so nothing to complain about. Maybe it’s coz of her that I’m taking English now……!

“KV Cuckoos”
A phrase of her own creation, I may say. At least I had never heard it until then. The phrase that I perhaps remember her by.

I have done my complete schooling in Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) and the school in the present context happens to be KV 1, Jalahalli West, Bangalore. We hardly used English in our daily life, or in her words we were “KV Cuckoos”. Mugging up answers to the literature questions and forgetting them once the exams were over. Very few had the natural flair for writing. I wasn’t one among them, but I could write well, if I wanted to. But I hardly ever did.

Whether we asked for it or not, hindi became our language of communication in school even though we were supposedly in an English-medium school. English was the language of “aristocracy”, used by few. Even though the teachers used English in class, its importance ended the moment he/she stepped out of class. Maybe the phrase was befitting, after all.

Mirabai – Did We Do Justice to the Play???
An indispensable (or should I say inevitable?!) part of her routine was to divide the class into groups and make them enact a play from the prescribed text. And the one which we got was Mirabai. As expected, I had to don one of the title roles, that of Rana Sangha! It’s been years so I can’t really remember the casting, but Badri, as the director, did a good job. He even brought props (crowns, swords, etc). Well, our play went pretty well. I never had any problems with memorizing the unending string of dialogues, having been blessed with quite a reliable memory. Yet, I forgot one and she had me! I wonder how one can be as sharp as her. But her next question had me tongue-tied, “Why was the Rana smiling?” Ah! I couldn’t help it. The moment I looked at the audience, I felt like giggling and I had to strive real hard to suppress it to a smile. Guess theatre isn’t my place, after all!

Of course, the other groups did a good job too. I guess Mainak as the Rana did a better job – at least he could act serious on stage!

“Its Vacation! What are We Doing in School?” “Eating Rice Bath!“
April paves the way for May. And we are filled with thoughts of what we would do in the summer vacation. Of course, we had a few weeks before we left for our natives. Obviously, we would have desired nothing other than loafing around till then. Apparently the teachers had other ideas. We were called – Mainak and I – a royal summon by Sherin mam! Actually she asked us if we could help. And we were always ready, the studs of the class. Well, we ended up drawing charts on various topics of grammar. Guess we learnt a bit while we worked!

But the thing I would never forget. “Rice bath for lunch!?” ” Can’t I go home for lunch?” Such were our thoughts, but we ended up eating it. Perhaps our commitment to work outweighed our hatred for the food!

“My Handwriting Gave Me Away!?”
This didn’t happen in class. I was in XII then. And she no longer taught me. But she was an integral member of our schools’ Examination Department, which incidentally was headed by my erstwhile chemistry teacher, Mrs. Sobhana. So I kept bumping into Sherin mam in places like the chemistry labs and such. Enough of background info, lemme begin. So we had a Display Board Competition. Four groups – XII A Girls, XII A Boys, XII B Girls and XII B Boys (I was in XII A). We came joint first in the end. I wrote a few things on the display board – in the best handwriting I could muster. Then one day, a week later, Sobhana mam tells me to write my name and school on a piece of paper. I noticed another person had done the same thing before me. Anyways, I did as I was told. But I didn’t write, I scribbled. She looked at it disapprovingly and left. Then a few moments later, both of them come and look at the display board. I was graciously “summoned”.

Sherin mam (pointing towards the board): Who wrote this?
Me : I did.
Sherin mam : See Sobhana. I told you. I know his handwriting. I’ve taught him for 3 years. He can write well when he wants to.
Sobhana mam (to me): Then why did you write like that???
Me : ………………………………………………………………………!?

I had no answer. How was I supposed to know they wanted to see my handwriting!? Consequently, I ended up writing around 100 certificates. I was happy coz there were around four with my name on them. But I’ve to acknowledge her sharp sight and memory! I should be careful in future!

She’s still in touch. Perhaps it’s a fated student-teacher relationship! I might have left school, but my memories won’t leave me!

And I don’t know how she’ll react once she reads it!!!