Memoirs – June 2008- March 2010

Someone asked me the other day, what would be the most memorable moment or what would you cherish the most after these two years. I was not in a position to reply immediately, as I was surprisingly at a loss for words. Two years had whizzed past, carrying me along in the current. It is wrong to say I drifted without any purpose or sense – I swam, sometimes making a futile attempt to fight against the current and trying to go in another direction but eventually routed in the direction I was meant to go and the path I was supposed to tread by God’s grace.

Looking back, I realize that I have met and encountered people from different backgrounds, cultures and totally diverse outlooks on life. I have learned about languages, sometimes made a mockery of myself in my various attempts; relished on food that I learned to enjoy and now miss terribly; celebrated festivals of all sorts after satiating my inquisitive mind with the stories behind it; and visited places that I have read in history books or seen in National Geographic channel. Many had warned me in advance to expect a culture shock when I got here. But what I experienced was what I would call a pleasant surprise. I loved the freedom – it made me responsible and mature and I respect my alma mater for that.

I experienced what it was to know the value of time – to have quizzes, assignment submissions, project presentations and event deadlines all at the same time. The lesson of juggling between of all of this and yet having the stamina to survive through sleepless nights solely because of a high from caffeine! On the other side, the guest lectures, open houses, club meetings and activities. The getaways to Delhi, watching sitcoms & movies through the night on laptops, shopping sprees during sales, trips across India, coffee & DLP breaks at 3 AM, sumptuous lunches and dinners outside campus and the many parties on campus makes me want to turn back time.

Appreciation of the beauty of nature and of my surroundings also came to me here. Be it the dewdrops on the surface of the grass on the football field or the stormy showers marking the end of summer or the chilly foggy nights when visibility was about a meter, the comforting warmth of rays of the sunshine on winter afternoons, the blooming flowers during February and even the squirrels scampering around the amphitheatre.

Last but not the least, the people that I met here who have made a difference in my life. Strangely when I started these two years, I had this preconception in my mind that I should be prepared to accept everyone around me as acquaintances – that was all to change. My girlfriends – the good times we had together – the lunches, dinners, birthdays, parties, trips – words cannot describe how I loved it all ! My event teammates – have learnt a lot from them and working was always fun! My groupies – the art of last minute work but a superb presentation I have learnt from them. My other close friends –for always being there and bringing a smile on my face. My mentors – the ones I have looked up to and still continue to do so.

These years were a potpourri of emotions, events and what not. I have changed a lot from what I was but have kept the principles I believe in and have grown as a person. I have experimented, tried new things that I always had the inhibition to do and become mature as a person. So if you ask me again what was special about 2008-10? For me it was a complete package and I would love to relive those days!

Sounds of Nature

Neither a bat, nor a dolphin
But still I hear sounds of nature.
The chirping of crickets
The barking of street dogs
The splish-splash of rain drops
The flip-flap of caged birds
The whistling of leaves through palm trees
The rustling of long skirts over meadows
The chattering and tattering of urban streets
The clicking and shuttling of factory machines
The shrill cry of a new born baby
The whispering prayers from dying lips
Low sounds! High sounds!
Good grief, its sound pollution.

[This was my very first poem made for some project in grade 5 with mom's help =)]

The Promise

Early morning sun rays
Break into the mists of the sky
Glowing with a radiance
Extending their warmth to all

The little village on the bank
That almost stood still with time
Distant chants from the temple
As they rose to greet the day

She walked to the shore
A routine for many months
Unknowingly humming a tune
Of a distant memory

She had the poise of a lady
Beneath that controlled exterior
Lay an exuberant childlike quality
One that even she forgot

She smiled at the sea
The glittering calm waters
Her eyes were far way
Searching yet tranquil too

She held on firmly
To that promise he made
That he would come back
And sweep her off her feet

Though the chides continued
She paid no heed to them
“He promised me he’ll come
And surely come he will”

Faith, Hope, Love

[Meanwhile these three things remain – faith, hope and love; And the greatest of these is love – 1 Corinthians 13:13]


This particular Bible verse represents a very simple yet striking reality of life. People spend years trying to figure out the way they have lived their past and pondering over what the future has in store for them. We may often feel that we’ve accomplished quite a bit – that fat pay cheque with all its perks, bought an expensive diamond necklace as a gift for mom, travelled to exquisite places, made many friends and acquaintances along the way and the like.

But not one of us can predict how our lives will be – how the disarray of events will unfold and spread out before our very own eyes. Yet, we live by choice. Can we live with the faith of a small child laughing and giggling with glee, when her dad throws her up in the air only to catch her again? By believing in ourselves, our family and friends and importantly our creator? Can we adopt the hope, that whatever happens we will have the strength and courage to deal with it? The hope of a mother, that her estranged child will return back to her and show her some affection. And of course love – this powerful word has inspired many a writer, given motivation to the artist and has been the subject on which the actor gave his best performance to leave the audience in awe. Simply put, it is the rhyme and reason of our existence. The reason why we wake up in the morning, thank God for our dear ones, face the day having the assurance that we’re in the prayers of many and the thoughts of our close ones swim across our minds before we plunge into night’s slumber.

A good friend of mine told me a story many years ago that comes to my mind now. He was traveling by air to some destination when suddenly the engine stopped working and the airplane started plummeting downwards. The nervous smiles and reassurance given by the flight attendants did not help in pacifying the passengers. At that very moment, what filled the thoughts of my friend was his family – his loving wife and cute daughter. The love that he had for them encompassed his entire being and he was able to have the faith and hope that he would see them again. And thankfully his wishes were fulfilled when after swooping down some hundred feet, the engines recovered accompanied by loud cheer and prayers of thankfulness.

The striking revelation that I strongly believe in is that love encompasses the other two elements because when there is love, then faith and hope closely follow by default. After all, ‘the greatest of these is love’.

[This entry is dedicated to my family]

LIFE

Life’s too short to grumble
To worry, fret or moan
Every challenge is an opportunity
But turned inside out

A chance to prove yourself
That indeed, you’re a winner
What matters is the voice inside
Pay heed to it at all times

You’re a champion in your own way
Life’s taught you one more lesson
Smile. Shrug off the fall
Get up and start once again

You’ve so much to achieve, so much to do
Places to go, people to meet
Lives to touch and tears to wipe
After all, this is called Life.

A Matter of Time

There are days and times
When there's thorn in the pine
You don't know of tomorrow
Lo! There might come more sorrow
The Bears getting more brown
Big strongholds come crashing down
You're feeling the pain
Life's getting more strained
Layoff they call it! Retrenchment too!
But always remember
Tis only a matter of time
You feel devoid of dime
The flame inside you - keep it alive
The fire within - let it burn bright
For neither the storms nor the rains will survive
Little hands holding on to yours
Show them the path to follow
You are their hero - the one they wanna be
The one they look up to and the one they admire
Don't let them down.
You are their fire.


[The above lines were jointly written for a competition under a time constraint by two friends and me. The background is the Global Financial meltdown that resulted in many people taking away their own lives. Our message to them was to hold on and there would definitely be a better future if they hang on.]