Cautley Nights...

Past few days, or rather nights, have redefined what awesomeness earlier meant for me, and that too in an unexpected territory. While the might and capacity of bakar are beyond any question, you still can't expect it to unfold all it's awesomeness so addictively in a spacetime you are least acquainted with. And when that happens, in a place where you least expect it to, little is left to be said or done, and you are just absorbed in it's sheer splendor. And among all the places, Cautley, situated comfortably far down away from reach of fair humans who dwell in upper lands, seemed like the last place which could suffice my insatiable appetite for bakar. But it was matter of just a few nights which altered all my previous beliefs and theories.

I am a part of a random campus news magazine and also a random organization trying to promote entrepreneurship, and that gives me enough reason to visit Cautley, for it houses all kinds of fellow random members. I have been in these outlying settlements before, and returning back is always an exalting experience. It gives you a much required break from the hassles of the urban life we live up the slope. And imagine trekking to such a beautiful raw place in company of some highly enlightened writers to discuss relationships. When such refined nobility takes up such a task, you can expect highest level of civility in their conduct. The discourse on relationship started with the moderator guiding it as we moved step-by-step from theory to case analysis, scrutinizing relationships in detail hitherto unheard of. After clearly defining various aspects of love, we applied the concepts to real life. It was then that the "random" confessions were made, "random" love was revived, "random" people were discussed and false and unfortunate, yet some "random" associations were forcibly and just for the heck of it invented. Besides that, a lot of non-random stuff was discussed as well, some of which was obvious, some shocking and educating. The awesome night which titillated every sense of our's had to come to an end, for nature demanded such, and it did end, but only after leaving an impact. The night still stays alive in our memories and will continue to do so for a long time to come.

But just when you thought that you had the best of bakar, it amazes you again. Leave a day, and I got a different reason to visit Cautley. Once the work was complete, Bakar started showing it's true colors. Like an honest wanderer devoutly relying on his instincts, I allowed myself to flow in the stream of bakar that followed with a kondy editor, soon extended to include a pinky one as well. And then from self-actualization to more on relationships, from wild and naked dream confessions to problem of excess, everything under the sun was discussed. Without even realizing how fast the time ticked away and dissolved the night in itself, we went on till the last it was permitted. And after the awe-inspiring session, all through my journey back up home, I couldn't help but think and regret of missing out so long on this bakar paradise. The simplicity and generosity of rural folk, and their intelligent ways, all encompassed within their modest demeanors can humble farce people like us who disguise in urbane flairs. I can just express my earnest gratitude and respect for these beings, who inhabit the awesome lands.

And before signing off, here is brief synopsis of my life unfurling in present:

1. I've got new speakers and I'm vehemently playing hard rock to notify the matkas of my new purchase who have made several attempts to kill me by playing songs from '80s C-grade Bhojpuri films.

2. All my feelings for the department which I melodically expounded in my last post, have been falsified, thanks to the trip that won't happen.

3. Catch-22 is some catch, the best there is !

And with that, I sign off !

Typing, Evolution and department of mathematics

Even after loops of scanning you'll not be able to figure out what is so special about this post. While I have no unreal expectation from the chance readers to come up with an answer, I would indeed like to tell them that this post is coming up at a painfully slow pace, because I'm typing it with the universally accepted rules of typing, involving all eight fingers and two thumbs. I had a dream last night of a beautiful Indian girl typing a love letter on an old typewriter in a decaying government building. I am convinced that I can only find and reach her through a stenographical job, and for that I must first acquire necessary skills. And here I am, practicing typing on freeware online tutorials, where I need to burst balloons by typing alphabet appearing on them to see the animals standing below dance in amazement, and to wait for fart like sounds to fill the room when I press a wrong key. Since the newly induced lag is giving me more time to think, some will plead that I should now be more responsible for the content I put up, not like the toilet bakar, which btw, I still maintain was a valid observation. After an arduous wait, my last blog got just 2 comments (generously counting), of which one was my own reply to a rather squeamish remark. These are the times when you think of the good old days when genuine appreciation wasn't hard to come by and there were takers in whatever your mind could muster and spill.

Just like my blog, even I've evolved over time. It may seem naturally routine, but already being at top of the chain, I find further evolution quite amazing. All my thoughts have been altered, to varying degree, about my own self and about things tangible and intangible. My ideas of own my department have witnessed a sea-change. In my first year, the precincts of mathematics department were darker than Mordor itself, and such thought is permitted if you take into account the conclusive resemblance of everyone in department (from faculty to clerks) to foul orcs. The tales of torment this evil empire inflicts on the poor freshman souls can send shivers down the spine of even darkest of sinners. For an year I trembled and cried for my own fate and things didn't change much until I entered second year and found my own reasons to visit the dreaded territory. And when I did, unexpectedly, I couldn't help but feel waves of patriotism walloping me. Walking down the alleys of the wrecked building is like walking in history through times of our revolution. With valiant names like Swaminathan, Balasubhramaniam, Tilak Raj Gulati, Raj Rani Bharagava, Gangopadhaya - engraved on the archaic nameplates, one is bound to wonder if the professors here are descendants of our exemplary freedom fighters. As patriotism diminished my fears and abhorrence, more mathematics started creeping into my life, and the department became and instrument of that. These small doses of interaction were useful indeed, but could never suffice for my unwavering skepticism and the preparations I was making for the war ahead.

I entered third year with valor and heart of a spartan king, to face and conquer my fears. But even before a shield was raised or a sword was whirled, the far too placative stance of the enemy made the battleground too amiable for a slaughterous war. It wasn't an amusement park ride exactly, but the once dark and spiteful enemy seemed to be indubitably generous and concerned. Though always strict, the professors weren't that bad at shelling out marks, or giving occasional breaks, or cracking occasional jokes, or sometimes asking our opinion and then implementing it as well. In fact as time went on, the hatred was discounted to cordiality. We are a small batch of eleven taking on this evil empire for the first time, and every little struggle of ours adds to our understanding a pinch of its own flavor. The iniquitousness of the professors doesn't seem so obvious anymore, it seems more like a delusion of the earlier years. The place itself doesn't seem so bad, the subject not so hideous. I am still not too senti about the department yet, but I can feel a more stronger association being forged every passing day. I can't say if its good or bad, but the department is indeed finding its place somewhere in the whole of myself and lending a push to the evolution of my spirit and body.

While that is all I can say of my department now, I am being lifted up by the beautiful clattering rhythm of my dabbing fingers, which are getting more quick and musical. My typing speed is taking off even before I draw curtains to this post, which may sound a drastic improvement but is actually spread over two days. I hope that one day this skill will help me get that beautiful women, but even if not, I'll make peace with what it adds to me. Till then, I'll keep bursting balloons and wait for my moment to arrive.

Khai-Khai

It took me a good measurable time to realize that 'Anonymous' was no Greek philosopher, even though his quotes found their way right next to those by Socrates and Aristotle in popular English dailies (Secretly, I still imagine him as a Bald man with loads of beard straying all over his face). Nevertheless, I still value and preserve much of his wisdom I mustered during my school days. He had resolutely emphasized on human relationships and its complexities and why is it so important for us to address them with the attention they demand. Had the Greeks taken some time off writing volumes on astronomy and trigonometry and paid a little heed to what the bald man with loads of beard had to say, they would have actually been worthy of the hype they've left behind for themselves. After all, it is the intricate web of human relations that bonds everyone of us into a society and thus into civilizations which propels our advancement. It's a fabric holding entire humanity together and you don't have to be a great philosopher or a rocket scientist to get the idea. Yet, we continue to be oblivious to the grand scheme of things. We overlook the patterns as if they never existed, as if they are inconsequential. Instead of solving the puzzle, we just keep on complicating it. It's like total chaos all around and as Mr. Anonymous would have sadly pointed out, we are loosing ourselves into it everyday, every moment.

And while the entire mankind seem to be traveling the erroneous path, the brilliant B-Clan (Bakar Community) of R-Land seems to have provided a break. And what a break it is. It has taken the entire place by storm and promises to be the next revolution that can change the world. Take note Mr. Obama, this is what you might want to talk about in your next speech. For all the uninformed, this phenomenon is called Khai-Khai. Veterans call it the holy game (That would be Vidit Agarwal and gang.) The name of this divine game is composed of one word, repeated twice - Khai. Khai is a steep fall leading to a sure end for every thing that goes for it. It may sound dreadful, and the way it is pronounced in iteration sounds more like a childhood game like ghar-ghar and office-office than instilling any significant fear. But the fact is, that it actually embarks on something as fundamental as the harmless emotions that characterize children playing those games with iterative names. It is a simple game which paves way for humans to open up and find where they stand in the labyrinth of life.

It is a game with a hypothetical situation (having dreadful real consequences) and 4 simple rules. The situation is that you are standing with two of your dear ones on the edge of a Khai and circumstances such arise that you are to save one and end your tryst with the other by pushing him down to a painful end (hypothetically of course).The rules are as simple as a boolean expression. 1st, you can't save both of them. 2nd, you can't push both of them. 3rd, You can't jump yourself to avoid an answer and 4th, you can't deny a decision. You have to choose one and you have to do it veraciously. And that's about it. It may sound simple, but you can appreciate the challenge only when you give it a shot yourself. It is an open forum, a battle against yourself. You play with no one else, but just against your own negligence in quest for your own enlightment. The game doesn't end with one question. Questions are thrown on you one after another, with all the permutations and combinations you can think of, ultimately to craft a list of people who matter to you most. The game continues for hours with an unspoken promise to say and hear only truth and nothing else. Even if you try, the game is self-structured to offset any kind of diplomacy and pretense. Layer by layer, every person is unleashed. Hearts are broken, relationships are strengthened, barriers give way to new alliances, just to make some fresh wounds. It is a roller coaster ride that takes you through shock and celebrations, joy and sorrow, love and realization in some of the most defining moments of your life. It reveals who you are and where you stand in the human ecosystem that every individual builds for itself. Khai-Khai lets you evaluate the entire humanity against yourself. It is beyond awesomeness !

Let me construct a small example of how difficult and interesting it can be. Since to ensure everyone understand what we are talking about, I'll replace the characters by important organs. I don't know if I'll be doing justice to the game since it is experimentally found to work best on humans, but you can at least get an idea of what its all about. So here is A playing Khai-Khai with B.

A : Let's play Khai-Khai

B : Sure

A : Okay, choose between right hand and left hand

B : It's a no brainer. Right Hand of course

( Everyone anticipated it. It was his right hand after all !!)

A : Heart or Brain ?

B : ummmm....this one's a little tricky

A : ( Brags a little for framing it)

B : ( After some thinking) Though, I know Brain is more important, but I listen to my heart more. Let it be Heart.

(Many sitting around are shocked. A knew it, as he claims. But Brain can't believe it. He remains silent and try to appear indifferent, but he is shocked to the core. Heart, on the other hand, always knew it. B turns healthier with red cheeks in days that follow !)

A : Aur ab Mudhe ka sawaal. Eyes !!

B : Nooooooooo......

A: Yes....

B : Not this one...I'm not answering this

A: Right eye or left eye ?

B : Shit. I can't answer it. I'm sorry.

A : You don't have that option. You have to answer.

B : But they are both same. Exactly Equal.

A : You have to choose one.

B : This is insane.

A : Just choose one.

B : ( Thinks a lot. He wants to give up, but can't...it's Khai-Khai after all)

B : Okay ( Eyes on him now. Complete silence)

B: It's......( More eyes follow. Hearts pounding)

B: It's .........I can't do it !! They are both EXACTLY same.

A : That won't do B. Just say it.

B : Okay OKay. Though they are both equal, it's the...left eye.

(There are murmurs in the crowd, faces staring at each other to make sense of the declaration. Right eye is shattered. Left eye tries to maintain decorum, but still find itself boasting with left eyebrow penetrating almost into the forehead).

A : Bhaiya...Macha di !!

A : Now left eye or the heart ?

And it goes on.

So if you want to get a true feel of the powers of Khai-Khai, you have to allow yourself to play it. It'll be full of surprises, sometimes much to your dislike. But you'll resign with content at the end of the day. Inspite of every feeling that goes along with this game, it promises more satisfaction than you could have bargained for, for nothing is more enlightening than the truth itself. It is the game where you want to speak the truth when nothing compels you to, but your own inner self. And since all this is so dynamic, you have to follow it every day with every single person who concerns you and there are people who do that religiously. In fact, sources claim that after an immensely popular and life changing season 1, Khai-Khai has now entered its second season with wider fan following. That is the power of truth. That's the magic and addiction. That's the solution and revolution. And that is the essence of khai-khai, which so beautifully resonates with the purpose of our existence. If you want to understand the meaning and origin of life, stop taking refuge under clueless babas or spending billions on stupid underground accelerators.

Play Khai-Khai and enlighten yourself !!

One year on the Road less taken....

An year ends, what can easily claim to be among the best times of my life. The college life, and particularly the hostel life, had been a totally new experience for me, and I have rejoiced every moment of the feast. I have made new friends and learned so much in many different ways. I can conclude it by saying just this : I have grown up a lot !!

But this was the first year, and as often the case is, it's not always the best yadrstick to measure your rest of the college life. After one year, it was just natural for me to ask myself again...one year ago...did I make the right choice ??

I'll tell you what it was like one year ago. One year ago, at this point of time, I was anxious and was in a big dilemma, just like many of those who were done with host of entrance examinations and were now on the needle head of situation as the results were slowly rolling out. I was confronted with something very similar. After cracking the JEE pathetically, I managed an Int. Msc in Applied Mathematics in IIT Roorkee. On the other hand, I had the option of IT in DCE. There were two paths, and go ask any normal delhiite, the choice was pretty much obvious.

IIT is IIT, but DCE isn't bad either. Any engineering aspirant knows that, especially someone belonging to Delhi. If he cannot break even into top 2000 in JEE, he'll be giving a serious thought of taking up something good in DCE/NSIT rather than chasing the IIT dream. That's how most Delhiites think. Come on, step into my shoes, or rather in my mind, and just see it for yourself.

'You love Delhi, so much that You can call yourself city-sick to some extent. If you take up this course, you'll be living in Delhi all the time !! Enjoying every moment of whatever wonderful is happening here. Damn !! you can make a girlfirend !! And Then you're getting IT in DCE, something that most of the crowd still fancy. IT, an extremely wonderful field, with best placements going on and most light course structure, how can anybody just leave it ? But hey, you are doing it!! And for what ?? An Msc. course in IIT Roorkee !! hey, that's not even an engineering degree and that's not even an IIT !! And buddy, it's Mathematics, for 5 years !! Yuck yuck yuck !! And lol...it's a first time course, you even don't know the course structure yet. Hell !! they haven't even designed it. And placements ?? You sure it's not for research...well it seems like that,...and those two year JAM guys don't seem to be making a lot of money either. And Mathematics department sucks there...maybe only after E&C. Friend !! Let's talk shop now !! Let's face it...FORGET IIT !!!'

Forgive my mind for being too hyper ( too many exclamation marks !!) but that was exactly the state of my mind at that time. And as you must have realized, any man with tiniest sense of logic would have happily opted for IT in DCE. But I didn't. I took the road less traveled, very less traveled. And to some measurement, I can posit it as the road totally untraveled. But why ? It wasn't out of adventure. Whatever logic you can conclude from babbles of my mind, it all fails on it's last two words: " Forget IIT !!!". That is something I can't do !! For two years I have rotted my ass on piles of books to get into IIT. I never thought what course I'll be getting there, but the driving force had been IIT and the life I will get there. It was IIT, my real aim, and not the further consequences and situations that will boil along with it. But my decision was not just based on emotional factors, it stood on pillars of hope and optimism, on a very new and thinking.

This was the time when got around a book called 'The World is Flat'. I have to admit that this book had been the most influential read in my life. I got to know so much going on in the world, and how new things are happening...actually how the world is going flat. What this book did was, it just confirmed some of my fears, like the non-linear relationship between education and industry. Today, a person is valued not because he maybe a king of one and may or may not be jack of some, but because he is a king of at least a few and a jack of some. Gone are the days when a mechanical engineer is required to build and design new cars and machinery and just take care of the technical know-how of his profession. Now he is expected to do a lot more than that. He is expected to organize resources much more efficiently, effectively lead people working under him, participate in the growth of organization, understand and optimize his role in global supply chain and have better understanding of economic forces that are today shaping a new world.

A MBA degree can help a lot, but it just don't end there. Today economic and scientific progress is governed by so complex processes, that everything is intermingled with each other. If you think that biology has no roles to play in aerospace technology or material sciences has no role to play with the browser you are using or any other connection like this, I'm sorry to inform you, but you have just been too ignorant till now !! You see, until there isn't a major breakthrough in material sciences, you can't expect new electronics to shape up, and until that happens, you can't expect any major hardware revolution which in turn can foster a software revolution which brings about You-tubes, Googles and your browsers. We have reached at such an height that all scientific and economics and even social processes have been so much entangled, that it needs a pro in lots of fields to take us up a notch higher. The machines build today for advanced medication requires just not the expertise in field of electronics, but also in biology. It's just an example and world today is full of it. That's why you see a lot of switch-overs these days. Most of the engineers end up in field of finance, because today companies require people who can better understand the planes or computers they are making, and hence apply suitable economics for better progress. And because the demand is way too more than supplies, placements are pretty hot.

Being in Applied Mathematics, I believe certain things can go in our favor. There are a lot of fields we can disperse in like Software, Finance, Economics, technical fields like aerospace or higher physics or mathematics. The choice is broad and the course seems promising over these aspects. The course offered to us has quite a lot in common with the successful Maths courses already in service at kharagpur and kanpur. I just hope it all turns out well for us. Of course, the success of the course will depend a lot on our batch and the guys here are simply talented. We can yield something nice, only if we are ready to get a bit more serious with acads. So I guess, It's time to rot some real ass over the texts.

Let's see how things work out !!!

As we grow here and what we'll become...

The day I cooked up Bakartheory, I promised my substance that I'll blossom a post at least twice a week on it's tender stems. Time has passed and my substance questions me. For past two months, my blog had been marooned unscathed and there had been no more than 3 posts added to it, counting very generously, the fortnight before that. You know, I'll fool my self if I say I couldn't find time, but I'll still say that because I've become such a bustard sluggard, such bustard sluggard that can never find even a hint of spare time in the routine he lives. Living the IIT culture is like living very lavishly. Sometimes I feel bad, we live a life an average Indian can't even think of living but bills in enough taxes to make sure that crap like us get off well from this place to serve the nation. This issues touches onto something different and I'll write about this somewhere else in spacetime. Right now, I'll just like to focus on the IIT culture and how is it molding us, so much so that I can't even face my substance as after a long time, I breath yet again in blogosphere.

I can't put the entire blame on the life I'm living in my hostel, but stewing it with my personality and aspirations, to a large extent I can. First time I landed here, I never knew we were expected to have so much fun. I expected to do a lot of ghissing. That notion soon changed. I realized, that the best way a person can survive, or better say live life king size in IIT was, to allocate minimal time to academics and devote rest of the share to a world lot of activities, which will nurture his personality to the fullest. But yes, there was a minimum time to be dedicated to studies. Until you are in possession of a celebrated brain or you are a knucklehead, that minimum time in IIT means, attending enough lectures to save an attendance back, submitting all tutes and pracs on time ( or at least, not so late to land you in trouble), and learn enough stuff (and that won't take more than a day or two) so as to atleast sense what the question paper is about. Rest the system can take on it. You can gracefully expect something decent out of your results if you have managed that minimum quanta of time. As we say here, it takes a lot of effort to fail in IIT. But what if someone actually puts in all that effort and starts doing the things by too daring means.

I'm part of a group called Watch-Out, a group that brings about a student news magazine twice every semester. Being in the group, I have talked to a lot of seniors over various issues as we keep conducting surveys and interviews among students every time we bring out a mag. While talking to them you get to learn a lot about this place and some other things too. This can provides you with a lot of insight. But you see, It's not difficult to sense a level of frustration that has taken toll over them. I have seen this with lot of seniors, this thinking of theirs to get out of this place as soon as possible. They've had their share of fun here, but not everyone seems very cheerful with the life they live now. Of course, they radiate nth degrees of coolness which can't let anyone go uninspired. But they do admit themselves, that they've been disappointed in some way or the other. I'm not saying everyone is frustrated, but many are and amount of that vary over a large range. I had been chewing over this aspect for a long time and had been wondering how can this so colorful life let down anyone. Yes, I'm new and the life we have just subscribed to, seems very glamorous. But with time, everything change. I pondered over it long enough to realize that one day, we too may grow bored out of the life we live. And I see, entropy already increasing in the direction I think.

Last month had been a rugged road on the venture of time. Chaos finally taking charge of me as my life sinked in the ocean of turmoil. It was never earlier than 4 in the morning that I banished to the bed. And whenever that happened, you'll find myself with my peers in most inadequate postures. Naturally, I never piled out on time to attend the lectures. I must have missed over half of them. I got a few proxies, and rest were all marked absent. The other classes that I attended, I was found absconding seeking salvation in the shades of Alpahar and Khosla. My TS marks are nothing my parents could boast of and my academic life is on it's way of decimation. Leave the academic life apart, I never cared about it much. But a little problem with a nut and a screw can bring an entire bridge down. My oblivious self on the part of academics has affected every other work that I've doing. Once I know I can ignore academics, I know I can ignore any other stuff as well. I'm not playing squash anymore, neither I'm doing anything for Cogni, and nothing great for the cells I'm committed to. When I came here, education was never high on my list, but I intended to do a lot other activities. And when I see myself horsing around my own pursuits, It's all natural but to fret. And thats here that I can conclude.

We all expect things in life, and when we don't get them (including women, of course), we sulk and we erupt within. I have seen people here, who have been left disappointed in lot of ways. Academics has disappointed almost everyone here. There is a limit, at least in theory, to which anyone can engage in inventing and harnessing crap (Bakchodi). After that, everyone can feel the dormancy creeping into the talents they have. Some people come here with lots of expectations of the academic environment they will get, like my roomie. He is kind of really interested in Higher Physics and he's rare and lucky to get the branch of his choice. But the reality concealing this place is far away from anyone's anticipation. I'm happy to see him resorting to other interests, but many people who are dedicated downright to studies, are disappointed the most. First year can serve you well, with a new air and everything exciting and colorful, but as you grow here and find your best not being exploited, it's your gusto that channelize into dismay later.

What I want to settle with in this post is, that life in IIT is not the way people think it is, and I have realized it now. Personally, it may never disappoint me because academics was never in my 'I want to do good in this thing' list. IITs have lot to offer for those who seek for other activities. But from the point of view of academics, it hardly serves it's purpose. It's not a place for academic excellence. Maybe for excellence in field of entrepreneurship and management, but not for academic excellence. Academics is deprived of genuine interest. The frivolity is so much, that in most of the lectures everybody, every student sleep. It's an unchallenged tradition. Even I sleep along with everyone else, when I'm not supposed to sleep. But I still sleep, and in moments when I wake to change in positions, sometimes I think that we are being taught by the best in the country, some of the most prized men. And then we are sleeping not paying a damn to what the profs are muttering. Are we fooling ourselves or the system, or sometimes I think, maybe even this country. And then discerning the depth of thought I had penetrated into, I raise the eyebrows up, smiling over myself for the thoughts I just had, I decide better to submit again to slumber god. If that's the way things are supposed to happen, I'm no maverick to foster a new cognizance.

And yaa, our tech-fest is on it's way !! At least I can promise my substance to add a post to the count when those three glorious days come.

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.........

NCC Camp( FIRE )

Ten days of toilsome punishments, for the crime of being unaware of the fact that NCC can't be compulsorily imposed with the course being offered to us. We have had enough of excruciating parades all through our first semester to endure the horrifying camp quietly. What killed us was a ten day delay to meet our family and friends. Our seniors had confirmed, we won't be in a position to spend the post-camp day in elation. Who can, after waking up at 6 in the morning... jogging his way all through the campus to finally report in the PT grounds. His plight would be nurtured by a 6 hour long parade session, exclusive of 1 hour period, twice a day, totally dedicated to attendance. And if this was not enough, there was food to be cooked and plates to be cleaned and every piece of work to be done by cadets ( Yes !! we were the cadets !!) . And during this entire phase of 'Stalinism', no one was allowed out of the hostel premises. But hey !! there's positive to it too. In case any of the cadet die ( a very realistic situation, we guessed), the family of the Martyr would be compensated with a lump sum of 2 lacks.


This was the stuff recited to us, by none other than our divine seniors. We had blind faith in them, whatever they said, was gold. But this time, they couldn't had been more wrong. It wasn't the case that their observations were not upto the standards set by themselves. This was the reality of most of the NCC camps. It seemed horrible to us, mainly because of the IIT culture we had adapted to. When you are in IIT, 90% of the time you are supposed to be lazy and engaged in Bakar sessions. This is quite contrary to the general public belief, but it's true. Go ask any IITian and he'll reassert what I claim and what had been done thousands of times by our seniors. Coming back, their wisdom about NCC camps was not even close to what reality was about to be this time. Because this time at NCC camp, we had a hell lot of fun. So much, that we wish it had stretched a little longer.


The first semesters ended on a low note, the reason being it ended with exams. We were horrified with our future prospects. Day 0, the introductory session was the testimony of our fears. An entire regiment of officers explained how badly they'll screw us for next ten days. All hopes were gone. It seemed a life sans happiness, love, mercy...and humanity. And in these circumstances we discovered our obsession for freedom. We had decided we were not going to be restricted. We were not doing stupid parades for hours and hours ! We were not going to torture our legs standing in useless formations !! We were not going to wash our plates with our own hands !!! We were turning into mavericks.


That entire night we spent discussing plans to escape, our strategies, revealing secret way-outs to nearby hostels, which one of my friend had explored. Most of the lot just gave lukewarm reactions while discussing these plans, deciding against all kind of possible rebellion. But me, and a bunch of my friends, had already decided.

Came Day 1. In the morning I was relieved with simple task of going to the vegetable market to assist in purchase of vegetables and fruits. Though it demanded labor, it was still easy as compared to the grueling work-out my friends underwent. In the next Assembly though, we had to execute the plan of our break-out. We stood in three companies, forming a rectangle short of a side, where each side was formed by the cadets standing in files of 3. We surreptitiously moved, on knees, behind the last files and made our way to entrance gates, hiding from the guards ( cadets !! ) and other officers. After that first escape, we were all too excited and a bit fearful. We started a movie and watched it that afternoon. Still suspicious, we kept a close watch on the progress of the parade. But that was our first victory. We had to celebrate that in the canteen, which was still open and would cater to our services next few days (thank god the owner realized the potential of income in such a camp. Fortunately, no resistance came from any authority). The following evening we escaped yet again. We were feeling excited. We were feeling we could do anything in the world. We were feeling, maybe for the first time in true sense, like IITians.

And so came day 2, day 3 and so forth. We were met by our fellow cadets from a local Polytechnique ( KLP). These blokes were taking NCC much lightly than us, although they attended all their parades quite regularly. As far as our small group was concerned, we were found absconding at all points and and all times from all the duties, except at the time of summoning up in the evening for attendance. The rest of the day we just slept, watched movies, slept again, enjoyed Bakar sessions, played old childhood games, slept some more, ate at restaurants, played computer games and did I mention... sleeping ??

Lots of orkuting..and lots of computer games. Me and a friend of mine popularized 'Medal of Honor' in the wing. For a span of time, everybody was playing it. And those who weren't, were watching movies, because movies are the favorite pastime of Indians. We are mad about them. In south, the mania is even more. And so we have, The Haddu Communities watching Haddu movies together. Sometimes they watch Hollywood flicks, and I have personally seen a Haddu ( Hyderabadis, aka Haddus as they are called in campus) closing his eyes and enchanting name of god, at the sight of a women in cut-sleeves.

Anyways, the movie mania continued it's grip over the tenants of RJB, courtesy the hundreds of movies available on sharing. There were, at any instant, over a dozen house-full (room-full) shows running in RJB. And now, many like us, had realized, the pleasures of redemption. Dozens bunked the parades, went out to Civil Lines and perished in the hours of their duties. Nobody was serious, even the officers. Such had become the frivolity of the camp.

The officers, though, spotted the growing indiscipline among the cadets and took some tepid actions, the actions all conked out pretty soon. However, a few of the cadets were caught, like me and my friends, sleeping late after the PT was over, in room locked from outside (Don't ask how they got in). Our names were noted and we were threatened to face serious action. Nothing happened. The other day, I was almost caught running. Small things like these happened with most of us, but no serious action was taken against any culprit.

Day 4 and Day 5 were special. We were taken, in companies - two at a time, to shooting range. We fired first, from the light .2 mm, and then from the SLR . Man !! The blast was staggering. It changed my entire notion about guns. They are not toys. Certainly not. You just don't need the right technique to aim the target ( which I considered as the only major requirement to fire with a gun ). You need a lot of strength in your shoulders to carry the gun and withstand the recoil. Anyways, firing SLR was fun. It was the only NCC devoir, we all accepted without defiance, mainly because of the dangers involved in display of delinquency. After the retreat from the range, we were back to our normal life of insolence.


This way, most of our camp went away quite easily. When at times, we felt bored in hostel, we could sneak out of the boundaries guarded by our friends in uniform. For those who were not much comfortable with our liberation, we always had our NSO coach calling us, thanks to the NSO guys staying back. This way, we were also able to go and check our marks being displayed in various departments. By the end of the camp, most of us had estimated our rough c.gs. It wasn't a big issue in the end, inspite of the consideration it demanded. All what mattered was we were all going to be departed soon. We had a brilliant time together in these days. All the time we spent in watching movies or the bakchodi we had together. It was so much fun. And those stealth flights, though they became useless and unnecessary in the end, were all so exciting. We all wanted the reunion with our families, which for some of us was for the first time. But we all wished we had a bit more of these NCC days.


The last day, we saw the caravans moving from the hostel, tents being packed and NCC flags being pulled down. We all fancied this moment since the start of the camp. But then, there was a lull. It seemed we were going to miss something. Many of our friends departed the same day, and many more departed that night. All hostel lights were off, save for a few from where low, and unexpectedly, yet understandably unenthusiastic voices could be heard. The next morning, we all were set to bid the final goodbye to our residence. But we knew, we were going to return, and return pretty soon, and the silent wings would become loud again.

Return TO IIT Roorkee Video

Now...here's one video you must show all your friends and family....Captures all the good locations of the campus and some sweet moments of...someone from IIT R

The pics are awesome and the music gets too gud after a minute or so. The video starts taking you into the grip, after that !!

Take a look...and you may get a bit senti if you happen to be a pass-out...nice stuff....and hats off to MANISH AGGRAWAL...apparently the person who did it...