The College Timeline

Okay. This is late. The post you jot down when you leave college. I did not do it before because I did not know what I would write.

To be frank, I almost did not like posts sounding as if the four years at college were the bestest thing to happen in one's life. It sounded a bit negative, a bit pessimistic.

But, okay, the friendships and the time spent at college indeed deserve a post. To be true, much more than that. The story yearns to be told. I know I've had a better college life than Chetan Bhagat's. This story also has more characters than 'Five Point Someone'. More varied personas.

The story starts, obviously, from the first year. I lived through the messy yet carefree spirit Harsh brought in our room, with the added sensible weight of Kuldeep's sincere character. The college, and the academics were almost non-existent throughout the year. Also, yes, I was more involved with my virtual life than the real people around. I met Alpana during this time. She deserves a mention here. Also, Apoorva was a good friend around this time. 

Somewhere around this time, I also started exploring the enigma that is Politics. More about that later. Somewhere near March, I took a few decisions which would later shape my experience in Jaipur. The first year ends here.

Enters the second year. The year I get introduced to a bit of studies, and a couple of people who would be around for the rest of the campus life. As far as academics were concerned, I, in fact, wrote a blog post about how I loved the Sidney H. Avner text! I got introduced to a more balanced life around this time. Hostel 3, and the people around did that. 

The interest in Politics had peaked at this time. For an estimate, I visited at least 15 news portals and consumed at least 40 articles from them on a daily basis. The figures must have had been quite close for the first year as well. I particularly remember the day when results of Delhi Assembly Elections were announced. We had a mid sem exam on the day. And, at least three laptops were open in three rooms, refreshing Election Commission website every couple of seconds. I would run to these rooms whenever someone shouted an update. I also remember experiencing an emotional orgasm when Kiran Bedi started trailing, in a BJP stronghold seat.

I came in contact with Poshank when the academic year began, and almost instantly (?), we were the backbench buddies. I got introduced to Sahu as well, through Poshank. And his room slowly became the Monica Geller's room for the rest of our college life. Also in the second year, I slowly became a Thadi regular. End of Second Year. 

The end of the second year or the starting of the third year was when my mind went haywire. For almost my third year, I was a weird man. I still am. You want to argue again, Maumita Das? Politics, Philosophy, Psychology, Perception, Language, Wordplay were the walls around. Innumerable questions. Miniscule answers.

But, thankfully, my memories of the third year aren't limited to mindfuck. First, we became unarguably Thadi regulars now. Second, Sahu got a scooty in September, and the group started a long stroll together. Our paastime spots changed to Jaipur Junction, Jaipur-Ajmer Highway, Jaipur-Agra Highway, Sikar road and so on. These trips happened only, of course, in pitch black hours. In the process, we became regular guests of a couple more Thadis. Prabhat and Jayant entered the story sometime in between these trips. This season will always be memorable. I almost think, I will keep reiterating the stories from this season, to anyone who will ever have a conversation with me about 'fun'. 

This was also the time I started watching TV Shows. And later, the idea of 'good cinema' intruded my mind. 

Now in retrospect, I realize that third year would have had been even more difficult if these people weren't around. Also, around this time, Mahak was a good friend. Third year gets over.

Fourth Year. I just experienced a lot more variety of emotions in my final year than any other. I was happy! Absolutely carefree and happy. And I was sorted.

Then came a lot more complicated emotions. There were serious stories around. There were complicated situations around. And, my mind was on a light walk. With these four people, my friendship grew more mature. Discussions with Sahu, Discussions with Poshank, Discussions with Prabhat. Discussions with Jayant.

In fourth year, Mai ki Thadi is where we offered our regular prayers. Metaphor, of course. But metaphorically, absolutely true. You see, existence of a place where you can feel at ease, just like your personal room is a lot like love (not that I know what love is). It was the place where we had our deepest conversations. In about the last month of college or so, talks with Jayant, Poshank happened here which I will indeed remember. 

It was the room, the mess (the mess committee), the thadi, and the occassional PTP Cell office where I spent the fourth year. See? My fourth year was beautiful. 

It is almost the end of this post, and I have to mention a couple more names. These names are no less important, just that I couldn't think of a timeline for these stories. Bhagyashree Goyal, I cherish the sensible conversations we have had, over the past four years. The two (or three trips?) we took, Kuldeep, Deshraj, Shivdayal, they were awesome in their own sense. Inter NIT happened in fourth year, and Maumita, Aditi had some fun in Jaipur. Some inanimate names: Sonu Bhaiya ki dukaan, the Thadi near the Juice Shop, the Dairy in front of SBI ATM. Going out to these places in wee hours of morning, and coming back with a newspaper was a delight! 

Well, that is it. A long post. Yet, needed to write this. Can't think of how I should end this post. So, leaving it this way.