Mad for AIT

TONIGHT, as I was taking my post dinner walk, I thought suddenly; I am absolutely crazy in AIT. It's a thought that often crosses my mind. Someone or something is always going loopy, and quite often it's me.

Like, I was trying to score good marks for the last 4 years, but poor me, could never score above 55%. The result comes and I feel sad just for a moment and with that sad-facing I am heading to Mayur. I have been here for the past 4 years, and we call it "home away from home". It is a strange beast, this AIT. It hugs me, so tightly sometimes that I can't breathe, then it turns and punches me hard in the face, leaving me stunned. Then it hugs me again, and suddenly I know everything will be all right.

It was my choice to come - I always wanted a career in engineering and AIT was the only college where I could get Computers - and I wanted a change. I needed something new, exciting, thrilling, terrifying. And AIT gave that to me in spades. To outsiders, AIT has a particular kind of impression. We are approached like "You are in AIT? My God, really !!! Subah PT hoti hai kya? And do they teach you how to fire guns?" I thought, who in AIT would bother to get up from his/her bed to go for PT or pick guns to fire them. AITans don't know much, but can give you an answer for anything you ask. Who would know better than me? I being a PR have seen inventions of new languages in that 15 minutes of technical interview. Others have searched and sorted like none could do before. Mechanical people make it through software companies more easily where Compies find it difficult to crack. Being in AIT is like being in a very intense, extremely dysfunctional relationship. AIT and I fight, we scream, we argue, we don't speak for days on end, but really, deep down, we love each other.

AIT wonders why I don't just "know" how things are done, why I argue with it about everything, why I judge, why I rail at injustice and then do nothing about it. But at the same time, it has taught me things. It has taught me to be brave, bold, independent, sometimes even fierce and terrifying. It has taught me to walk in another man's chappals, and ask questions a different way when at first the answer is no. It has taught me to accept the things I cannot change. It has taught me that there are always, always, two sides to every argument. And it is kind enough to let me come and stay.

AIT didn't make my stay easy though (but then, why should it?). It does not allow me to drink peacefully and not even in a corner of it (volleyball court). What costs you 100 rupees one day might be 200 rupees the next, I am talking about the fine that is imposed per day in case you get late, plus that extra effort to go to the Bank. What you didn't need to bring yesterday, you suddenly need to bring today and no one would tell you why. The registrar can ask you to come back tomorrow and see him again just because he is too busy on phone or chatting with other staff members. He will never answer to your queries (even when a simple 'yes' or 'no' would do the trick) but will give you a lecture for 5 minutes and then ask you to notice the notice board. Notice boards are also a funny thing in AIT, some change hourly (registrar), others change yearly (mag board).

It's not easy being here, although I am spoiled. I abuse, I drink, I smoke. I have long, boozy brunches in restaurants and not to mention, I prepare for it (skip a couple of meals prior to it). I have very little to complain about. But then I have been ragged, stripped, made to propose, sometimes compose too, fill bottles, do assignments sometimes my own and sometimes that of others, teased, given less term work and been made fun countless times. I have lived more than I have ever in my life, out of frustration, happiness, anger, loneliness, excitement and the sheer hugeness of being here. The longer I stay, the more I seem to relax.

But I do often wonder why I'm here, especially when I'm tired and homesick. I am technically zero, I have a job that I don't deserve, I have an aggregate equivalent to what has compelled so many IITans to hang themselves. But then a willing ride always comes along, and I'll turn a corner and be suddenly in the midst of some banging, online gaming, outdoor sports and crashing mad parties, where everyone is talking to someone specific in 'English' about someone 'specific' and reciting, when 'she' first smiled at him, and I breathe out and think, really, my God, this is fantastic. This is AIT! I live in AIT! It hugs me, it punches me, and it hugs me again.

Yet I know after a while I won't ever belong here. It will hurt and will stay within me forever. I will remember when my friends gave suggestions like: "Lets go to the graveyard. Time....ahhhh...its 2 am." Some eatable when falls of his hand, he'll eat it, beacause he knows that he won't die. I feel proud to be called an AITan because being a true AITan is in my DNA. I marvel at how incredibly good scorers, many of them are (up to 90 plus in both board exams), they start at 45 in first sem here and improve it to a mere 50 by the last sem. There are hundreds here who speak 3 languages. We have Gultis, Mallus, Biharis, Jats, Nepalis and god knows everything that you can think of. We fit ourselves so easily, be it a train or a bike.

I've done things of which I am ashamed, things I never thought I would do. I am sorry since mentioning them might get me and my friends into deep trouble. Let secrets be secrets. I am kind and I am cold-hearted, I am fair and I am mean, I am delightful and I am downright rude. I am all of these at once and I distress myself wildly over it, but somehow, AIT accepts me. It has time for everyone, you don't need to fight here for survival; it will just shove everyone along a bit and make room for you. It just keeps moving along.

And then, theist or atheist, but you go to temple. Don't know whom do you pray for, but yes an AITan can love more than anyone else. He thinks of his friend, sides his meanness and does justice to every relationship he is asked to, be it fanticism or friendship.

In short, I have been among the luckiest of the lucky. It keeps me on my toes, AIT, and I have been blessed that you let me stay for a while. Thank God, it was a while, because at a stage, it was asking me to extend my trip for 5 years. It wanted me to succeed here and it gave me grand opportunities and endless second chances. It willed me forward like a stern parent. It welcomed me. And when I leave, because I know I will one day, I will weep, because I will miss it terribly. And because I know it won't even notice that I am gone.

Bleed Blue

Winning and losing are part and parcel of cricket. Right? Yes, but when it is an Indo-Pak affair, you can throw this cliché out of the window. The much anticipated encounter between India and Pakistan of the cricket World Cup would be one of the most exciting matches of the 14-team quadrennial event.


The importance of this match can’t be stressed enough. A defeat in this high octane clash would be a bitter pill to swallow for the people of both the countries. The semi-final match between the two cricketing giants of South Asia is much more than just a match. It has been labeled as “THE WAR OF THE DECADE”or “THE JUDGEMENT DAY”. Pakistani players would be very eager for this match to get underway because they have a point to prove and some unfinished business with the Indians to take care of. I being an Indian support India and wish my team good luck and I know that defeating India in India would be an impossible thing for Pakis.

"Final haarna manjoor hai, lekin yeh wala toh kabhi nahi (India vs Pakistan)!!!", says one of my friend's facebook status. So, one can estimate the intensity and the hunger to win than an Indian has when it comes to a win over Pakistan. Interestingly, both the arch-rivals have won World Cup title once, India in 1983 and Pakistan in 1992. The encounter has already warmed the temperature in the two nations.


India in India are favorites, there is no doubt. But as a unit the Pakistan team has been very composed in this World Cup, so the team which attacks more will win. Pakistan have regrouped themselves in the current edition of the ICC Cricket World Cups from a turbulent past year of controversies leading to a ban on three of the top Pakistani cricketers by the ICC. India kicked out Australia from the World Cup 2011 after Pakistan ended their 34-match winning streak at the World Cups in the group stage. Pakistan literally thrashed West Indies by 10 wickets in their quarter final. So, none of the both teams can dare to underestimate the other.

One thing is for sure, if you are a cricket player and want be remembered in history, an Indo-Pak encounter is an ideal opportunity to reach stardom in a flash. But be ready to feel the pain if you lose it or become immortal if you win it. Take Chetan Sharma for example, great cricketer of his time, bur few of us know that he was the first one to take a world cup hat-trick but all of us know the six that was hit to him by Javed Miandad on the last ball of a match when just 4 were required.

India Pakistan encounters have always been a treat to eyes. India had defeated Pakistan in the quarter final by 39 runs at Bangalore, a match which is renowned more for Aamir Sohail-Venkatesh Prasad tussle (videos of which are very frequent on facebook). Current coach of Pakistan cricket team, Waqar Younis can never forget that match in which Ajay Jadeja blasted him to all corners of the park. No one can understand the agony better than Waqar, and he is lucky to have another chance to erase the bitter memories. Lets see what does Pakistan team do under his guidance. Akthar will be a player to watch out for, a team man with a lot of aggression and zeal. Though he wasn't given a chance in the previous game, but it will be an interesting contest for sure when Sehwag and Sachin come out to bat and if Rawalpindi Express is asked to open the attack.

The Pakistani players have got a point to prove if not to their nation, at least to the franchises of IPL teams. After the Mumbai attacks in November, 2008, the tension between both the countries rose very high due to the Pakistani players were sidelined from the 2nd ,3rd and 4th edition of IPL. Elimination from participation in IPL and a series of some unfortunate events will be a great motivational factor for the men in green. And similarly the hopes of billions of people will boost the Indian team to outwit their rivals from across the border. People of India would hope that the roar of “MASTER BLASTER” might prove to be too much for the Pakistan team to handle. India is playing at home and are odds on favorite to win but playing in front of your home crowd with the expectancy of a win would definitely add some extra pressure on them. Certainly counting Pakistan out and taking them lightly would be the biggest mistake men in blue will ever make.

Alongside the fierceful Indo-Pak encounter, a window of opportunity has opened up to put relations between India and Pakistan back on track. An editorial appeared in the News International Sunday, a day when Gilani accepted the invitation from Manmohan Singh to watch the match at Mohali on Wednesday. Even though the cricketing contest will bring much of the patriotic fervor that marks all contests between Pakistan and India, it could also help create the friendship that is so badly needed. In more ways than one, this is vital for the future of both countries and their people.

Welcome the Incredible match (you creeds of cricket) because this encounter is being accompanied by a lot of talent to watch out for and that too from both sides, world class bowling attack (Zaheer, Bhajji, Umar Gul and Akhtar hopefully), world class batting (Sachin, Sehwag, Misbah) and some of the best all-rounders (Yuvraj, Afridi, Razzak). And one last essential thing without which a cricket game is no fun and that is sledging, and to which 'Hindi' language adds a unique flavor. The battle will be more in the minds than the field itself. It will certainly be a battle of nerves. Who will come out on top? Something that we will just have to wait and watch! Only time will tell. 

Till then you keep bleeding blue because that is what Indians do.

B+ (A nonsensical poem)

"The woods are lovely, dark and deep
The woods are lovely, dark and deep

But I have promises to keep

And miles to go before I sleep"

These were the lines written by my friend on facebook

My blood group is B+ and so is my outlook

One of my senior asked me to go crazy

I guess, this try proves that I am not lazy

I know this poem sounds very absurd

But mind you, I am not a Surd (SARDAR)

You will suggest me not to try

Writing poems or you will kill me and eat me deep fry

P.S : I wrote this poem a long time back (around 5 months), but did not have the guts to post it on blog. But yesterday, a thought came to my mind that a certain character can be built from embarrassing yourself endlessly. Ya its true, at a point of time I felt very embarrassed to post this poem. Even now, I know I should not dare to write "I hope you like it" because its not worth it. It is indeed a nonsensical poem with an equally absurd title.


The poem does not carry any sense, the first 4 lines are from Narender's laptop's wallpaper, and he was the one who put them on his facebook wall and that was the day I started writing this poem. My blood group is AB+, but since one's outlook can not be AB+, so I had to go with B+. The next 2 lines talks of a senior, who asked me to go crazy, as in to do something innovative on blog other than regular articles, this senior is our Vijay Sir (Blaze). Then comes Surd and the last two lines, as they sound and appear, its nothing but just a forceful and repeated attempt to rhyme.


It is your interest that makes things easy for you and one's flawlessness at something can make it look easy for others too. Like, take programming for example, once you get to see the source code of a problem, it seems so simple but its difficult to see the pain that goes in making that classic piece of code. Similarly, poetry also seems simple, but believe me its not. It is meant only for some, Zainul Hassan Khan and Prince Mishra are two of them whose poems can make you cry like a rainstorm and some can make you laugh like anything. I remember Zainul's comment on my poem, I wonder if I am in love had it not been my blog but some facebook like thing where you could like the comments too, I bet there would have been a more likes on Zainul's comment rather than my poem. So, finally with with sheer happiness and a proud feeling, I am posting this poem, not actually a poem but more of an article with a pessimist attitude regarding writing poems.


In the end, a very well said quote by Douglas Engelbart : "The rate at which a person can mature is directly proportional to the embarrassment that he can tolerate".

Ek Kahani

“Pritam, you have topped the class again. Congratulations!”, said Professor Bhansonare. Pritam, the class topper and Bhansonare’s favorite student, was standing up, beaming in pride. The class students started clapping while Professor Bhansonare continued, “Class, if you ever desire to prosper in life, be like Pritam. In life, studying hard is the only way to come up.”

After a few seconds of applause, the students returned back to their usual silent self. Professor Bhansonare was about to distribute the exam papers of other students. The very thought of hearing Bhansonare’s sarcastic comments irked each and every one in the class. As expected, most of the class had scored average marks. None so worse than Nitish, Bhansonare’s least favorite student, who had failed, scoring only 17/100.

Bhansonare turned towards the back row where Nitish was seated. “Dear students! You know what? Nitish has yet again failed in MATHS.” Nitish hung his head in shame. Professor Bhansonare continued, “Teaching students like you is a waste of time. This is the second terminal exam that you have failed in Mathematics. If you can’t solve simple problems in Probability and Trigonometry, how will you survive in life? I am not sure you can improve now. MARK my words; you are NOT EVEN GOOD ENOUGH TO EVEN BECOME A CLERK. Oh my god, how am I gonna show cent per cent results in the upcoming board exams. This fellow is gonna spoil my reputation for sure.”

Nitish hung his head in shame. This was the umpteenth time that he had been insulted. Nitish was not a bad student. He had excelled in extra curricular activities like Essay Writing and Dramatics, but could never repeat his performance in studies. Bhansonare was harsh on Nitish because he feared that Nitish was an obstacle to the school’s record of scoring 100% results.

During the next annual Parent-Teachers meeting, Bhansonare did his best to convince the principal to exclude Nitish from appearing in the forthcoming board exams and was successful. Nitish was dismissed on grounds of consistent poor performance.

Years rolled by. Bhansonare was now accompanying his 20 year old son, who was about to attend a non-campus interview for a lucrative trainee position in a reputed MNC, Sapiosys Infotech. Bhansonare’s son entered the building to attend the interview while Bhansonare was waiting in the company’s cafeteria sipping a cup of tea. Suddenly, he saw a person calling out his name. He turned around and realized it was none other than his former student, Pritam.

Pritam: “Sir, What a pleasant surprise?”
Bhansonare: “Oh. Pritam beta, is it you? I am so happy to see you here. How are you? What are you doing here?”
Pritam: “I am fine sir. I work as a Project Manager here. I am very happy to see you.”
Bhansonare: “Nice to hear that beta. My son Rupesh, is here for an interview. He is a BE graduate and has applied for the post of a Trainee Programmer in your company.“
Pritam: (Having a look at Amit’s resume copy given by Bhansonare) He has a good academic record, if he passes the aptitude test and the second round, I will ensure he gets selected.

(As they were speaking, Rupesh comes)

Rupesh: Dad, I completed the second round. The interview was tough, I’ve done my best. Let’s see.
Bhansonare: Ok son. Let’s go to the reception and wait there. Maybe they would announce the results soon.

(Bhansonare and Rupesh move to the reception where the interviewer announces the results of folks, who have been shortlisted for the last round. Rupesh finds he has been not shortlisted for the final round)

Rupesh: This is unfair dad. I had done well in the test, yet they failed to shortlist me. This is not fair.
Bhansonare: Cool down son. One of my old students is a Project Manager here, let’s visit him, perhaps he may be able to help.


(Rupesh and Bhansonare go to the receptionist and request an appointment with Pritam. The receptionist calls Pritam, who asks the receptionist to give the phone to Bhansonare)


Bhansonare (Explains the situation to Pritam on the phone): This is what happened, they rejected my son for some reason.
Pritam: (After checking Amit’s results with the HR team): Sir, I am sorry. We rejected your son because we are looking for Engineering students who have background in Computer Science or Information Technology. Your son has specialized in Electronics and Telecommunication. I am sorry, we used to recruit candidates from all streams and train them, earlier, but now since we have very less training budget, we are focusing only on a certain skill set.
Bhansonare: “But beta, my son has a good academic record. Furthermore, he has completed a diploma in Information Technology.”
Pritam: “I am sorry again, I have been given the responsibility of recruiting candidates who have basic level skills in C++, Java and other skills. While your son has done a diploma, he still does posses the required skill set as his test results showed. I cannot afford to recruit a candidate who needs to be trained. It will spoil my training budget and resource utilization. We pride here in 100% billable resources right from second month of training sir. Your son does not fit the bill. Sorry to say this. I have a meeting, will call you later.”

Bhansonare (Mumbling to himself): That ungrateful wretch, I gave special attention and support to him in his school days and see how he returns the favor. Bloody wretch...
Rupesh: “Appa, what happened?”
Bhansonare: “Pritam says he can’t help us. I guess you have to try some other company.”


(Walks away in shock. Just when Bhansonare and Rupesh are about to leave, they hear a voice calling Bhansonare’s name)