Coffee in the mountains...

This is the story of coffee in the mountains. It starts not so far away and not so long ago. In the shivering cold of the concluding year, the NCC camp left most of them hankering for adventure, and it was in those days that they decided for the expedition. They were six friends : Tanay, RV, Gigs, Jayant, Babe and Dang. They were back from their places after spending a much awaited break-out from the insti life and now the starvation for adventure was getting furious. Confused they were till the hindmost moment, but in the end, they all agreed to set out their foot for the mountains in the first light of the weekends. So that's how they started the new year. Early in the weekend morning, after a sip of tea, they sat down in a buggy that was supposed to escort them to Dehradun, a very prominent city in the Himalayan foothills. And it was there that the story of coffee begins.

But before going any further, you'll need to know this,...something about these fellows. Starting with RV, he is an awesome and cool isolated system who hates to share anything with anybody ( except for the possible exception of his would to be GF...as he confesses). His obsession for his N-93 is quiet very apparent, but what's not is, is his secret impulsion to search for a wi-fi in whatever building he enters. Tanay, is a very expressive person. Loads of stories and for all occasions are always ready with him, which are supplied by a very special newspaper delivered only to his house. He also enacts the stories, in an action replay sort of manner. Gigs and babe keep on fighting, most of the useful time, always contradicting each other when babe tries to prove Haddus are universally assholes. Babe would keep running from one end of the mussorie to other, finding the right angle to snap up the same mountains thousand times. He'll take all the slangs thrown at him by the group for this reason, with a teethful smile. On these occasions, Gigs would be having shopping nightmares or be very worried or would be searching a Vodka shop. And Dang, inspite of being in Musoorie, would keep talking about the heavens in Dalhousie and the beauty thats shrouding it. He'll sometimes find himself in very awkward positions in photos. He'll remain very suspicious if his friends are planning out for a meal in a South Indian Cafe. And in all this mesh of traits, jayant will try for a dose of Welcome (the pathetic movie) again. He'll never spare any oppurtunity for pulling a (or two) leg, and he is a pro at this. But there's another issue. He'll believe it's night if he's asked to belive it in noon. He believes in pretty much all the things that are told to him, so much so, even AJs. ( AJ AJ marke **** to hila ).

And now since you have an idea of the people you'll read about in this post, they begin their journey. After making it to Dehradun, all engaged themselves in useless bit of shopping , like Gigs bought a pair of Addidas shoes (ironically, original) which would be vomited on during the quite eventful retreat. After the shopping, they all hanged-out in Barrista. This was the time, the old memories drenched the gang. Those good old times, a cup of coffee with the friends, hot coffee, sometimes cold, and all that leisure and all that talks that went along with it. Wonderful times, once again were wandering right in present. After those blessed moments, they headed for the mountains.

It took them sometime to find a lodging, but eventually they settled for one among the decent lot. Ensuing the contentedness of finding an abode and after capturing some glorious posses on the micro-film, they again launched themselves on the roads of Mussorie. This time round, they ended up in a games parlour. They played games worth about 300 bucks, and telling you, that a lot of money for ten minutes of rapture. All the childhood swaying away in front of their eyes. Anyways, highly content, they took a dinner in Dominos, a very average meal, as Dang described. He frequently argued with babe and Gigs, convincing the superiority of Pizza hut over Dominos. The poor ambiance and service, which all agreed on, forced them to leave early and fall back once again in barista, for a hot fudge treat. And there, they enjoyed, sang songs, talked all the crap their minds could formulate, tried some strings on guitar and Played the truth-only version of truth and dare. Nice time, to sum it up. Coffee shops, were becoming their favorite hangouts. But the cold outside and the night overhead, was something they enjoyed too. A stroll back the hotel, lavished upon them the shining gold in the twilight. Yes, Dehradun with all it's street lights on, sparkled like shimmering gold, as they viewed the city from scenic spots of Mussorie. Babe, who was transfixed by the view, made a lot of desperate attempts to take the beauty down in his camera. He was spellbounded by the views, resolved to gape every moment at the gold spread. He was determined, but after quite some insistence from the gang, he toggled his plans for a night-out in artic balcony. They all made themselves cozy in the warm quilts to start-up with the Bakar, which lasted more than 2 hours, and I'm excluding Ice Age 2, the movie they all saw together for an hour or so. Like all the bakar sessions, this one started too with random insanity, but ended with all intellectual discussions. They talked about live-in relationships, university culture in IIT R, the future of the country, entrepreneurship. Whatever, they talked, they all enjoyed every moment of it.
This part of the trip, Dang gave it 10 out of 10.


The next day started with the ropeway junket, which led to the higher extension of the hill-station, where they saw mountains covered with snow. Dang convinced the gang, they'll find loads such in Dalhousie. They retired from the place on a 20 minutes walking journey, full of scenic beauty, and the descent allowed loads of oppurtunities for photography. Babe ran all the height up and then down to reclaim his forgotten bag. All settled, the group decided for some shopping, a decent meal ( Not south Indian, as Dang sighed ) and another Hang-out in CCD. Another cup of coffee, and an hour of relieved Bakar that they all engaged in. Soon, they packed up for the departure, bidding the final good-bye to the mountains they had such a nice time in. The retreat, though, was the bad part of the journey. There was Loads of vomiting and a Big Gigs crying, and Dang was not feeling perfectly healthy. Jayant was on the verge vomiting too ( Don't think of CHOCOLOATES !! ), but somehow the journey ended finally. The rest of whatever followed was quite uneventful.

One of the most talked about stories in the journey was an IIT in mountains. IIT Mussorie, for example, sounded a hell beautiful, and IIT Dehradun would be so cool, giving all that city-like feel. But the group wondered, if any other IIT, even a one in mountains, could be as good and as cool as IIT Roorkee. After all, this was the place where they all met, and where the gang was formed. This was the place where they all belonged and where they all were walking finaly, inspired, somewhat tired and a world lot excited, as their delightful trek drifted to finality.

If you like reading this post, you'll also like to read NCC Camp( fire)

If everything could happen the COGNI way...

Cognizance is approaching fast now, and it dazzles me to know it is the second largest tech-fest in the country, and it does so even more with it's young age of four. Talking in context of other IITs, IIT Roorkee has a bad habit of losing out on everything which amounts to University rankings, especially the PR ( what people think about your place). When you compare yourselves with any other institute in India, except "our brothers" (with the possible exception of IIT Guwahati) or when you don't compare yourselves with anyone, you feel this IIT is better next to heaven. We've got one of the most beautiful campus in the country and hostels that other IITs envy. And we have such good sporting facilities, great food and brilliant internet accessibility. We've all the luxuries at our disposal. But the point is, there is more to the college life, and especially a one in an IIT, than that.


The Problem with IIT Roorkee is that it has still not moulded in the shape of an IIT. In 2001, University of Roorkee was converted to IIT Roorkee. That's the problem. And you see that word - University, that's the biggest problem of them all. That's the reason why we have such a bad habit of losing out to other IITs, as referred above. The University culture is still prevalent here. IITs are places which breed intellectuals, gives them lot of room for creativity and thinking and enough resources to materialize them. That's something like a trademark of these places. But not our's. We still live in those old days where University Politics and dominance was the way to get things done. You are not supposed to be creative in a University (defined in Indian education system) and you have no scope to look-out in any field that is not a part of your curriculum, which is lol...devised by the gods of University Politics. Passiveness, is the word that can best describe the administration here. They want to improve, but not at the pace other IITs are going, or how a "world class institute" should uplift itself. It's not that the progress in not visible or you get a feel of typical government administration here, but certainly you don't see the level of progressive ideas other IITs make. There are cells and societies here, and lot of them, which keep experimenting different things now and then, but they are never given sufficient resources or mentorship support or even encouragement to do something ground-breaking. The administration is reluctant to implement new ideas that dilutes their authority ( as what they feel because the idea is not Their's). Just for example, this institute won't go off the way to arrange even a few grands to support a project if it's out of pre-determined budget ( This actually happened with a guy in Electronic section of Hobbies club). I'm quite accustomed of exaggerating stuff, but it's all truth, even if with somewhat less immensity.

And That's why I'm so amazed. To make a very young tech-fest in a fiercely competitive environment the second largest in the country, requires a vision of great leadership and ideas, that are adored and cherished by the new generation, the ideas and efforts that belong to them. I don't think I have any further permit to comment more on this issue. I'm just in first year and say what I've learned by my observations and by interactions with some seniors whom's opinion really count. Anyways, I'm happy to see Cognizance reaching such heights so early and applause to those who have made this possible, and yes, administration needs special mention here. Hope to have a great fest this time again. But just imagine, if everything here in Roorkee could happen the GOGNI way...

So I'll leave this one here. And I'll leave you with this photo: The leaning tower of Pisa (of Roorkee). I found out this while on my way to breakfast in Khosla, which I believe, deserves an entire post to do justice to the pleasure it provides :




This is still in front of Electrical department. It's been more than a week and it seems the " administration" has taken no note of it. Lol... Go out and check it before it's gone.

Silent Wings Are Loud Again...

So, once again we are back to the life of anarchy after spending a much awaited break-out from it, to meet our people, in our ancient lands. Anyways, since now we are back, the SILENT WINGS ARE LOUD AGAIN, just as I promised ensuing the NCC camp(fire). We are back now, and we are so happy. It seems all those days of yore would soon be soaring their way to the posterity, and the signs are showing up. We got good new teachers ( Now this is important: When we say good teachers, we don't want to say they teach well and all and what not, what we actually say is how lenient they are and how careless and undemanding they can get while taking attendance ) and we got good classrooms too. Even the hefty fine of 500 bucks, imposed on many of us kind-souls as a lousy hoax devised by our alma mater to annex profits, don't quite seem a big deal. The optimism is in the air and the sun is shining over head. Although it kicks the god out of our ass to get up in the morning leaving out of cozy quilts in the killing cold, but the thought of the day ahead, and all the fun we are going to have with our lot, makes the painful mornings all that manageable.

The best part is, this time we have an easy course structure. The last time it was more difficult and it was our first experience. For the nonce, we have gained a lot of knowledge regarding time management and we have, hopefully, much less to handle. And with minimal academic pressure, we are all free to watch movies, enjoying bakar and trying hands at sports. Like me, Yesterday I played Squash, breaking a long tradition of physical inactivity. Those who are not playing are hooked to their lappies downloading whatever crap available anywhere, and few of them have joined Guitar and Drum classes. The rumors are, love is in the air too. Now the identity of the 'love-birds' is highly confidential, but most of us are wise enough to understand who they are. Well, it's all so good going on...and life is so happy now. Maybe I'm getting too over-optimistic, and many of you can rightly argue, but the internet is working so good now, it's a pleasure surfing and a pleasure blogging.

And Hey !! This is our Photograph...Some of us from the I batch. locate yourselves into it...if you are into it.





Anyways, the year has started, and so has the new semester and so has a new phase in our lives. The start is good, and we can just hope everything goes fine. After all, we deserve some luxury after spending gruelling months stuck up in the first semester !! Lol...

Let's Hope for the Best....

LET THE PARTY BEGIN.........