Time to think in Ink – Part 1

On this wonderful Reunion agenda, as one of my dear seniors and one of the most enthusiastic students I have ever come across puts it: 'Party like a rockstar' :) Btw, if you are still guessing...it is Ms. Neha Vijan (And Neha, the enthusiasm was well evident when you made me MIRA NAIR) :D

I think after living...enduring...four long years in the rocking institute called UMIT...that Rockstar attitude comes along ;) But I can only say that REUNION was one of the best things that has happened to the college after well, us STUDENTS ;) But it only makes me nostalgic...and here goes...

It’s a lovely flashback…
As a young 17 year old, I entered the beautiful college campus…not knowing what it had in store for me. I was a troubled soul accompanied by an all-the-more-worried daddy dear.
Standing at the grand culmination of four long engineering years…My O My! I am a Graduate now! … Sigh! And…Guess what… It has been one rollercoaster ride. Each moment of it has been a refreshing and a worthwhile experience that will be cherished forever.
I managed to collect the college life reviews from friends on the day of our farewell. Some were ecstatic to get free food in college that day, Some were worried about the scores, Others about placement, Those who were placed worried about a cute boss among many other things like pay, location, etc, Some were glad to just be done with engineering and now aim to start afresh (whatever that means?), Some weren’t really sure of anything I asked them except that they liked my farewell dress, Some almost harangued me and all I could interpret was that they were to take a detour to management, Many were worried about surrendering to the so-called-marital-bliss, Some realized their potential of doing every other thing but engineering, Some were loyal to the field and planned to research on the same, Some had found a new bread winner (ahem! They planned to settle down), Most of them wondered why I was being such a drag, and with some I sensed a get-lost vibe so I politely asked for a picture instead. That’s all I guess, a dire summation of my review! Which if you notice also describes in a way the ongoing chaos (may be organized, may be not) within a young women’s mind in the country.
But as they say…Things change, Life moves on, you study, you love, you marry, you study more, you love more , you marry…. You have another beer, and you say another cussword.
I knew the day I stepped in the college… that I had it in me to make it small but little did I know I was born to make it big! I distinctly recall, it was 15th of Sep. 2004 and majority of it was spent in the Auditorium. We all, the so-called freshers, had gathered to celebrate the foundation day of our college. Coincidently it was our first day at college. The new student council (2003-2004)was to be officially sworn in on that day. Sitting there, I vowed to myself that no matter how my Engg. Tenure shapes up; I would make a difference…to the institution and to myself. Even from the long distance that I sat, I saw the spark in the eyes of my seniors on the dais that could move a dead soul. I knew that very moment, that I wanted to be up there too. I knew I had to strive hard for it…real hard. Coz the odds were stacked pretty high against me: Away from Home, No more Army Schools, No more ghar ka khana, No more laundry service, No more momma-combing-my-hair days, (obviously no denying the new found freedom, no ménage chores), Official intro session ha! Can’t fool my friends! More so the unofficial Ragging, no more GUYS around (Ahem! actually I got my way around that one)…
But as the Satanic Verses speak at the onset;
To be born again first you have to die. To land upon the bosomy earth first one must fly. How to ever smile again, if first you don’t cry? How to win the darling’s love, mister, without a sigh?

Time to think in Ink – Part 2

Nothing seems either extra ordinary or glamorous in the life of an average Engineering Student. That’s exactly how I predicted it. But as always I was proved wrong. Who was responsible? Well, I to a major extent and the environment around me was to be righteously blamed. The defense association had already contributed the soigné me but there was still something missing in me. I really didn’t know what it was until now! Until I achieved it!
Anyway, Hallelujah!
From a stranger in the city to an office bearer at college and university both, the journey I embarked on whilst this long tenure, was enduring in all respect, but at the end of it, all that I possess is an ambition to lead, an ambition to lead change. I have realized that what I am today is what my college made out of me. I have realized that for most of our lives, we operate under a schematic of winning and loosing, but it is the college where at least I learnt the tolerance of ambiguities. A youthful enthusiasm, boldness of vision and an uncommon decency… that’s me! I realized my individuality! And also my responsibility! But nevertheless, as a firm believer in “Change and Evolution”, I hope there would be better range of adjectives as time goes by.
But I must mention that there were apprehensions, doubts, brickbats, skeptics and scathing criticism… often one, mostly all…occasionally none… on the frailties of my milieu! Will I just prevail? Or excel? Or excel and prevail? Or simply just sustain? So any mea culpa? No way! Yes, obviously it wasn’t all that rosy. There were times of regret and mêlée with others in and out of college premises, more so within the mind about certain things I did, things I failed to do, things I could have done, success rates, failures…But irrespective of good and not-so-good times alike, I am what I am. And what more, if I felt cared for in kindergarten or liked being in school, wait till you hear this… I fell in love in college oops with college. Yes, I know there wasn’t anything extraordinary about my college or me, but then remember what Kim Novak says in “Picnic”:
U don’t love someone because he’s perfect!
Ditto!
U don’t love something because it’s perfect!
To overcome the frailities of my milieu, To be able to excercise my freedom in the best possibble way, experience the highs and lows of life...UMIT was a experience of a lifetime. Aww..What the heck… I thought I might save this for another post but couldn’t have bagged a better opportunity:
School let me discover the middle finger, College let me flash it!
I reserve my comment…But please feel free to do the same….

I mean comment ;-)

Irrespective of all said and done, It's time to rejoice. Please come one come all... Be a part of the tradition that was you. It is a brilliant effort by the UAA to give us an opportunity to HIT it HIGH...So...be there at the Reunion to share and care :) Cu soon!

A Reunion to Remember!!!

After 12 years of the start of the Institute with 8 batches already graduated, UMIT is all set to witness its first formal Reunion Party....

The word Reunion itself brings back fond memories of the exciting 4 years we have all spent in UMIT (formerly ITW). From Arcane to IEEE/CSI fests, throwball to cricket matches, we have done it all. Enjoyed every moment of our time inside and outside of the Classroom.... The boring Labs, the cut-copy-paste of Journals and the running around for Xeroxes a day before the exam... I am sure each one of us can relate to all this.. And whats even better is that we all have the same story to narrate to our juniors every year... Trust me the trend has still continued.... And Vibhuti is still flourishing in its business, all thanks to UMIT and its wonderful Engineers....

All said and done, we still are the brightest and most dynamic Women Engineers in the country and across the globe.. and we prove it every single day with the achievements in our respective fields...

I work for Nokia Siemens Networks-NSN, Bangalore... (I dont build mobiles.. so no discounts on the latest gizmo's for me.... ;-) and just few days back we had our Annual Day... Yes Annual Day... with singing and dance performances... skits and fashion show.... After attending Arcane for so many years, I was excited about the show and very keen on attending it... I reached little late for the show, and missed out on most of the good programs... But I was in time to see some dances.. and I must mention that Arcane was much much better....

Once the dances were over, there came two anchors on stage to present the next set of shows... One of them was a pretty looking girl, and she seemed very familiar to me.. I told my friend sitting next to me that this girl looks like my Senior from college, Kaveri.... And as soon as I finished saying this, the other anchor took her name... Kaveri....

Aur mera shaq aur badhta gaya.... I kept pestering my friend to find out her last name... I kept asking others if her name was announced earlier.... But unfortunately no one seemed to know her last name... The Annual Day show was over and we all hurried towards the food counters.... Imagine, 2000 + employees.. with their family and friends.... 3000 odd people rushing towards the food counters.... It felt like I was in a Punjabi wedding.... ;-)

As I stood in the never ending queue, a girl walked up to me, looked at me with surprising eyes and asked... "Are you Neha Vijan?".... Phir kya tha... I quickly replied... "Kaveri Ingale!!............" I was so happy to see her.... We were seeing each other after 5 years or so.... She looked stunning as always.... We chatted for a min and then we parted with the intent to meet again sometime.....

The point I am trying to make here is simple..... UMITians are making a mark in every field.... Hosting the Annual Day for a world renowned company like NSN, was just one such platform.... Our girls are excelling in the field of IT, Electronics..... Journalism... Rural Management.. and many such challenging fields.. Some of us are proving to be good home makers as well....

Thus it makes sense for us all to get together at least once a year, and share our achievements, our experiences with fellow UMITians... Relive the fond memories of our 4 years in UMIT and have a great time together... Party like a rockstar... Maybe watch me dance to the latest tunes too... ;-)

So lets all try and make this Reunion the most happening event of 2009...

Lets Rock!!