For Queen & for Country
It’s been three and a half years since I arrived in this perennial dust bowl. I never did expect life to be easy, but was I in for a rude shock or what? I know that I can hardly complain; I just got the wrong end of the stick. I’m in the Bronx of Jamshedpur, with Manhattan across the Kharkai. Welcome to Adityapur, Jharkhand; the land of the Bad & the Ugly, not so much of the Good to be found here. In the land where Billy the Kid would have blended in like a chameleon, I stuck out like a flaming beacon in the bleak conditions of the Artic.
A hundred odd voices spoke in tongues that were unfamiliar to a simple lad brought up in the land of the luxuriant fields and beaches with sable d’or (as described in my French text book of 8th std.). My first acquaintance with an English speaking person in what was a very dreary hostel was short lived as he himself left in search of brighter prospects (only to return 2 days later with his tail between his legs). The Real Slim Shaggy (Mamenem) as he is now fondly known gave me his famous speech on the vices that we the gullible 1st years tend to imbibe from hostel life. Alas that speech was wasted on one such as me- a life long teetotaler.
They say that time has a way of healing even the worst of wounds and disappointments, and I’m afraid to say that ‘they’ were correct. Apart from the Profs (at least some of them), the electricity condition and the narrow minded outlook of the philistines that inhabit this place, I’m forced to say (as much as I’d hate to) that life here has been fun to say the least. The main reason for all this fun is the company that we shared here. It was hard in the beginning to find people in my batch who shared the same tastes and passions (I’m still searching as a matter of fact). But I learnt that I’d have to change if I had any hope in hell of surviving. The years that followed the first few weeks produced some memories that I’ll carry all my life. I’ll enumerate the instances and the people as we move along.
Sam, ‘The Epitome of Procrastination’, Man, I have already introduced, Rathz, ‘Mr. Planning sans Execution’, Crudra, ‘The Guru’, Boars, ‘The Rhino’, Kaka, ‘The Destroyer’, Harr(am)y, ‘The Casanova’, are a few of the nutcases whom I called my friends. The list doesn’t stop there (It never can when you live in a hostel). Monu, Dambar, Wasu & PKP were another set that made up my humungous friend circle.
Those were just the people, now comes the events and the catastrophes that follow those events and make them memorable. 1st year’s Holi celebration was the stuff of folklore, for a place that has perennial water shortage. We had floods (water was ankle deep), and every bucket and tub (including dustbins) were put to all sorts of proper uses. The fresher’s parties that we conducted were well disciplined (i.e. until the girls stepped out of the room, very fortunate for the alcoholic consumers that the girls have to be neatly tucked up in hostel by 20:00- How BORING). The departure of the so called prudes (I certainly don’t think so- I’ve grown up in a family full of girls and I know how they are and how they behave, God help us all) only let loose those animals, (who were straining their leashes) and the following events can’t be described here (just a hint though- They made the bacchanalian orgies of ancient Rome seem pale in comparison). The fashion shows at college are another farce, the girls don’t know how to walk (can’t blame them, can’t expect beauty, modeling skills and brains in one package, though I seriously doubt the presence of any one of those attributes in most-98% or more, and quite a few guys beg to differ), and the guys look liked chickens with their feathers plucked out, and truly and positively gay. My singing performance at Utkarsh ’05 is something that I’d like to forget too. Actually speaking only the ‘Summer of ’69’ was bad. The other two songs went well or so I’ve heard. By and large it’s been a fun filled adventure. Sally Field (from Forrest Gump) was spot on when she said that “Life is like a box of chocolates”, I never expected most of what happened to me.
In retrospect, I must say that it wasn’t the lack of beacons, but my shortsightedness that made me feel like an outcast (literally). I’ve learnt my lesson. I will never enter another unknown with any preconceived notions. Life provides us with the sweetest of surprises when we least expect it. My three and something years here is testimony to that fact. Like the audience at a magic show I failed to notice that the magician’s hat contained a false bottom concealing a rabbit and a bunch of flowers. As Yoda (refer to Star Wars) would say “Mistakes, make we all; but learn we must from them”
As we leave college in three months time memories and feelings run gamut in my head. Life will never be the same- that is one guarantee in life that I can bank on. For those of us about to leave, NIT, Jamshedpur, we salute you.
For Queen (the Queen of my heart) and for Country (i.e. India; to all you doubters).
‘Angrez’ a.k.a. ‘Firang’
a Dion Savio Antao Post
It’s been three and a half years since I arrived in this perennial dust bowl. I never did expect life to be easy, but was I in for a rude shock or what? I know that I can hardly complain; I just got the wrong end of the stick. I’m in the Bronx of Jamshedpur, with Manhattan across the Kharkai. Welcome to Adityapur, Jharkhand; the land of the Bad & the Ugly, not so much of the Good to be found here. In the land where Billy the Kid would have blended in like a chameleon, I stuck out like a flaming beacon in the bleak conditions of the Artic.
A hundred odd voices spoke in tongues that were unfamiliar to a simple lad brought up in the land of the luxuriant fields and beaches with sable d’or (as described in my French text book of 8th std.). My first acquaintance with an English speaking person in what was a very dreary hostel was short lived as he himself left in search of brighter prospects (only to return 2 days later with his tail between his legs). The Real Slim Shaggy (Mamenem) as he is now fondly known gave me his famous speech on the vices that we the gullible 1st years tend to imbibe from hostel life. Alas that speech was wasted on one such as me- a life long teetotaler.
They say that time has a way of healing even the worst of wounds and disappointments, and I’m afraid to say that ‘they’ were correct. Apart from the Profs (at least some of them), the electricity condition and the narrow minded outlook of the philistines that inhabit this place, I’m forced to say (as much as I’d hate to) that life here has been fun to say the least. The main reason for all this fun is the company that we shared here. It was hard in the beginning to find people in my batch who shared the same tastes and passions (I’m still searching as a matter of fact). But I learnt that I’d have to change if I had any hope in hell of surviving. The years that followed the first few weeks produced some memories that I’ll carry all my life. I’ll enumerate the instances and the people as we move along.
Sam, ‘The Epitome of Procrastination’, Man, I have already introduced, Rathz, ‘Mr. Planning sans Execution’, Crudra, ‘The Guru’, Boars, ‘The Rhino’, Kaka, ‘The Destroyer’, Harr(am)y, ‘The Casanova’, are a few of the nutcases whom I called my friends. The list doesn’t stop there (It never can when you live in a hostel). Monu, Dambar, Wasu & PKP were another set that made up my humungous friend circle.
Those were just the people, now comes the events and the catastrophes that follow those events and make them memorable. 1st year’s Holi celebration was the stuff of folklore, for a place that has perennial water shortage. We had floods (water was ankle deep), and every bucket and tub (including dustbins) were put to all sorts of proper uses. The fresher’s parties that we conducted were well disciplined (i.e. until the girls stepped out of the room, very fortunate for the alcoholic consumers that the girls have to be neatly tucked up in hostel by 20:00- How BORING). The departure of the so called prudes (I certainly don’t think so- I’ve grown up in a family full of girls and I know how they are and how they behave, God help us all) only let loose those animals, (who were straining their leashes) and the following events can’t be described here (just a hint though- They made the bacchanalian orgies of ancient Rome seem pale in comparison). The fashion shows at college are another farce, the girls don’t know how to walk (can’t blame them, can’t expect beauty, modeling skills and brains in one package, though I seriously doubt the presence of any one of those attributes in most-98% or more, and quite a few guys beg to differ), and the guys look liked chickens with their feathers plucked out, and truly and positively gay. My singing performance at Utkarsh ’05 is something that I’d like to forget too. Actually speaking only the ‘Summer of ’69’ was bad. The other two songs went well or so I’ve heard. By and large it’s been a fun filled adventure. Sally Field (from Forrest Gump) was spot on when she said that “Life is like a box of chocolates”, I never expected most of what happened to me.
In retrospect, I must say that it wasn’t the lack of beacons, but my shortsightedness that made me feel like an outcast (literally). I’ve learnt my lesson. I will never enter another unknown with any preconceived notions. Life provides us with the sweetest of surprises when we least expect it. My three and something years here is testimony to that fact. Like the audience at a magic show I failed to notice that the magician’s hat contained a false bottom concealing a rabbit and a bunch of flowers. As Yoda (refer to Star Wars) would say “Mistakes, make we all; but learn we must from them”
As we leave college in three months time memories and feelings run gamut in my head. Life will never be the same- that is one guarantee in life that I can bank on. For those of us about to leave, NIT, Jamshedpur, we salute you.
For Queen (the Queen of my heart) and for Country (i.e. India; to all you doubters).
‘Angrez’ a.k.a. ‘Firang’
a Dion Savio Antao Post
Wat say Dion..all da moments were flashing thru my eyes & while reading ur write-up & i loved it..I join u in saluting this college which has given so much 2 us & i've just one thing 2 say:
"There maybe better colleges on this earth,with better students with evrything better than this college ...
but I can say , if given an another chance in an another life 2 go to an Engg. college we ,for sure, would all be together in diz beloved(if not gr8) institute of ours.."
Posted by
Manvender |
Saturday, January 27, 2007 2:25:00 AM GMT+05:30
This post has been removed by the author.
Posted by
Sakshi |
Monday, January 29, 2007 10:29:00 PM GMT+05:30
Hey Dion, I am sure that you knw who I am. Neways- lovely blog. Must say you n Rathinder are good at this. Though, after reading your post, I can finally picture the kind of life you guys have living. Though I had quite an Idea...!!! Neways all the best for your life outside college.. and ont stop posting...!!!
Posted by
Sakshi |
Monday, January 29, 2007 10:29:00 PM GMT+05:30