Calcutta to Bangalore

It is in my opinion a journey that most of us shall not forget till the very end of our times, if that is, there is anything such as "our" time, which of course depends on how we fare in our time! However, there are some of us who willfully attempt to forget this transition as we tread further, in some way knowingly not looking back at the memory lane, for when it is time to assume another role in campus, being on the other side of the ominous table, we plead innocent to any sensetivity towards the souls who have spent hours sitting across us forming different answers to the same, cyclical and perpetually repeating questions that were once asked to us.

It is not within my scope at this date to discuss the merits of such voluntary and intermittent amnesia, but I hope I do not become a case-in-point one day. However, on the other side, the more inextractable piece of our existence, the layer of thought that we passed through in the two years at Joka, continues to make a consistent impact on our chosen way of life and I hope would lead us to serve the marquee our predecessors have created.

As of the present, I have proceeded to find the key differences in my lifestyle in a post-event scenario after moving to Bangalore. I still dont like to get up early, and am facilitated by my organization letting me come in just when the second lecture would start at Jokaland. In a way, the precision of the match I have found here compared with the last two years in terms of routine, though not comparable with clockwork, comes dangerously close to Bangalore traffic signals. Yes, they do have signals in Bangalore, in case you missed them!

Even as I miss the 85% water coverage, Ulsoor lake is just about making up the damage. That coupled with the will-rain-any-moment climatic structuring of my new home is holding me up against the lack of any work or play. So the primary and most heartening loss is of my closest and dear friends whom I now see through minute symbols on a virtual interface and hear through diaphragms and digital speakers.

I hope others have had better luck in making this leap from "our" world to "theirs" and also that they shall make it "our" time from "theirs". This post goes out to everyone of my batchmates living out something new, and remembering that which may never be forgotten. Hope we stay Jokaiites for all our times...

~DragonFire

Malli- the mohammed who went to and conquered the mountains

Prankie had asked me to put up a blog entry on Malli when he had conquered Mt everest. Silly me: was caught up right in the middle of the internship, however I tried to justify the inability to post an entry by saying that I was waiting for much bigger news from Malli. That "news" has finally arrived.

Malli has finally created a world record of conquering 7 summits (apparently it is a part of mountaineering terminology that defines 7 mountains in just two words) in the shortest span to date.

I admire him for two aspects and his physical strength is not one of those. The characteristics that I admire would be those that I probably lack in. And the first in those is his ability to pursue his dream without letting sponsorships and its nuances forming a roadblock. Personally, I might let go of a dream, if I had difficulty getting sponsorships. But Malli has persisted with his dreams and he has won. It really is "hats off" to him for his devotion to his goals.

The second characteristic is his ability to find alternatives when ever diplomacy comes across him. I heard "tales" of how he hitched a ride in a cargo plane and of deportation from an alien nation. Amazing indeed! The methodical way of thinking outside the regular norms, ability to comprehend the situation and act in the best (optimum) way, are some rarely-found traits in human beings today. I had to struggle to develop those skills to the amateur level at which they exist in me. Malli seems to have mastered those skills by now.

Mountains are no longer hurdles for this young man ...Malli, the coming days should be enjoyed to the most. It is not everyday that an IIMC-ian sets a world record (oh unless you are Malli, of course) . Truly, it is with a lot of joy that I say that at this moment "IIMC is proud of it being a part of you"