Updates from Bangalore

After scrolling through atleast FIVE blogs today, getting scolded by my dear friends who happen to like my blog (yaiy!), and being prompted to quit calling myself a blogger, I've finally got back to blogging :)

Life has been good. I'm doing my so-called summer internship/project/research at IISc. (No, its not okay if you ask what the project is about). IISc is a great campus, trust me. For all the kgpians, here's a thought - why don't we get shifted to this campus? The grad students and Phds could anyway manage at Kharagpur, huh?

Here's a picture of the main administrative building, I like to call it the church. Doesn't it look like one? It's bigger than what it looks here from here. And there's a statue-cum-sitting joint in the front, where you can sit and watch the building in awe. Truly an experience with the wind flowing.

Beautifully captured by someone.

This is one of the walkpaths that take you the departments through the greener insider passages. Interestingly, some of these have a shed on their top so that you could take a nice walk while you avoid the sun yet not miss it completely. You're bound to feel romantic at this place!

A rare blue Verditer Flycatcher. You can also find ducks and swans in plenty around the campus.

Also, what could particularly strike some of you is - the mess FOOD isn't bad at all. And there are a couple of good restaurants and canteens around. Talking of food, those of you who have never tried typical south Indian rasam with jeera rice should not miss it the next time you get a chance! Did I tell you I'm a fan of south Indian food now?

Apart from the campus, I've found some really sweet people here. Jayanthi has been like a sister, helped me with the accommodation, mattresses, medicines and what not! And Gauri, who I met in my hostel when she was watching a movie in our TV room, cooked me maggi at 3 in the morning coz I was hungry! Thanks you guys ..

I'll post more about my 2 month long stay in Bangalore and a weekend in Mangalore soon. =)

07BT Goes to Mandarmani

This Sunday, 29 March i.e., 07 BT went for an awesome trip to Mandarmani (a spectacular beach about 3 hours from kgp). All credit goes to Sumeet Mohanty (SSM) for his insistence n a little bit of planning, Shirsesh for assissting him, Kalyan for assissting Shirsesh and unforgettably Swaty Gupta for convincing most of the batch to join. Thanks to all others for coming.

We hired a bus that day and left the main insti gate at around 10:30 PM. Was absolute fun in the bus with all the singing and the guitar. Yeah, Kalyan brought the guitar. If you want to know about his playing skills, you'd ask someone who knows about guitars. Though his teaching skills seemed to be exceptional. Heard him bloating up when he was explaining something to Asawari,
"Sab batayege ki kaunse chords play karna hai. Har koi batayega .. but ye koi nai batayega jo main bata raha hu .. Bass sun le.. "
A must-see look on Asawari's face who was sitting beside him!

Anyway it was fun with the guitar. Stairway to heaven. Yellow. Hotel California. Jagjit Singh. Euphoria and loads of Bollywood songs (including Kajrare!). Couple of Telugu, Punjabi n Bong songs were thrown in too.
How can I forget those smash hit, typical Kallu style parodies for so many of us. Excerpts, anyone? Sadly I don't remember much from there.
The only thing left to tell from the bus journey was how I saved Kalyan from ruining his whole trip over his broken guitar by meticulously locating key parts that he'd lost in the guitar itself.
Kalyan, you owe me three (or two?)



Then it was the BEACH. The Sand. The Sea. The Wind. Splendid, to say the least. The wind would've made me fly.

Beyond description.

You've to go there to find about it.



Dawn breaks. (Its difficult to tell whether its early morning or late evening.)


Some of the things that happened before we left off for breakfast. (only those I remember)
1. Me saving Kalyan (refer above)
2. Noopur losing her specs in the water. (Sadly, no pics)
3. Me hiding in the bus when everyone was playing in the water. (Again, no pics)
4. Noopur, Subhradeep, Shirsesh n Me enjoying a ride on the Marutaa. (below)



5. Asawari dozing off for the most of the time.
6. No more songs.
7. Truth n Truth. (Boring enough to be skipped).
8. People playing Football.


It was fun on the beach. As you'd anyway expect.
Later, we had breakfast at a really CUTE resort. There were swings, you know. I remember Varun putting one of his feet at one side of a see-saw and three of the girls trying to balance on the other side. Huh!
Breakfast was fine. We were pretty sleepy by then. And the journey back was anything but fun coz of the Heat. All of us were sleeping while Kapil was giggling taking pics of everyone. Some of the less pathetic ones are put up here.






Don't we all look so GAY?


All in all it was a NICE trip.. really. 07 BT rocks yeah! Will look forward to going out with the whole batch again.

btw, another funny thing was Subhradeep's amazing outfit for the beach. Shirt, trousers, belts and shoes .. hehe
(Hey buddy, no offense meant)

The Dude.


Some more pics.

.. :)

Been a Long time.

Since I posted.
I started to read Shantaram on the journey back home. Before I start with the book, I must tell you that it was 27/11 that day. It took me a while to realize what had happened the previous night. It started with my dad calling me to be careful n alert as I was going to wait for him on the New Delhi railway station. Newspapers followed.

Then Gtalk status messages of people, which read
1."everyone okay? need any help anyone?"
2."f**k those bastards, Its my City!"
3.IIT kgp alumnus was one of them. 2005 archi batch.
etc.

Newspapers were flooded with how the Intelligence took us down. The politicians ruining the country blah blah.. I googled the recruitment procedures of the Indian Intelligence Agencies. It was appalling to find out that ordinary civil servants or university graduates were trained for a while and assigned those extraordinary jobs.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Research_and_Analysis_Wing

Someone gave the link, Mumbai Under Attack

Then someone told about our neighbour's neice who went to the Oberoi under her hotel management training program. She was among the first ones to be shot.
Gradually, the feeling of fear,vulnerability and helplessness creeped in. It no longer felt safe. Anywhere.

While all this was happening, I saw the newspaper headlines changing this way, 'Mumbai Attacked', 'In Flames, And Fighting', 'Heads begin to roll, Patil out', '26/11 could have been stopped', 'Low IQ, Why India Fails', .. 'India Rising'
The last issue launched a 'Citizens Against Terror' initiative where citizens would post their suggestions on what India needs to do to fight terror. (fightingterror@hindustantimes.com)

Its yet to sink in completely. I'm not sure what to do.
'Don't think too much. These things happen and you need to let it go and focus on your life. There's not much you can do about it'
Doesn't work.
I can't let it go.
We can't let it go.

Howzzat!

Hey, check this out!
This was Maulik's first attempt with ambigrams.
Yeah! My name.. the Illuminati style! :D :D




Btw, I'm in kgp now. So, life is back with a bang! With my department, I am having lots of fun in the labs, pre-labs, post-labs, lab reports, lectures, assignments, et al. Oh, forgot to mention big time PJs. Lots of changes from the last time I was here, still, I'm lovin' it!

FAQs continued

1. The last movie you saw in the theatre?
Ans. I don't remember! Isn't that too harsh on a movie-buff like me? I have not seen a movie since like whatever and I don't get tickets when I go for Jaane Tu ya Jaane Na. I am going to watch it by this week, no matter what!

2. Your favorite hang out?
Ans. In Chandigarh, it would be my balcony at home. (weird eh?)
Bakes n Bites, or whatever its called, in kgp. (kgpians please don't laugh!)

3. Do you break traffic signals?
Ans. Yep, sometimes. I'm trying to avoid it now as I am supposed to set an example before my younger siblings.

4. You like music?
Ans. Have you ever met a person who says "No" to this question?

5. What attracts you in a man?
Ans. Sense of humour, honesty

6. Do you hate it when people don't use spoons while eating?
Ans. :P Sorry for the question!

7. Favorite smells?
Ans. The one of petrol!

8. Favorite Sounds?
Ans. That bells make in a temple.

9. Finish the statement, "If I had a lot of money I would .."
Ans. Invest. Spend some of it traveling around the world and shopping for myself.

10. If you had to color your hair, what color would they be?
Ans. Eeesh! No! I love my hair as they are. Still, if there was no option, I would try some shade of brown, darkest one!

PS: I wrote this while having yummy pyaaz-pudina paratha! :D

Gosh!

I am the makhauest person ever! really!
Don't know why I always end up slogging on the last moment to meet deadlines.
I've got to submit my paper by 8th of July and see the date!
Oh I really hope I'm able to finish it. Wish me luck!

The Driving License

My driving license was pending for quite a long time now. So I decided to get the formalities completed a few days back. I took my scooter to the Sector 17 Licensing office (which took a lot of effort as I had to get ready by 8 AM) with all the papers ready. I was pretty satisfied to have reached by time to the place. All my earlier visits had taken me to drive about the whole Plaza for about 20 mins each to locate the place.

Anyway I went to the basement to submit the form. As expected, there was a long queue awaiting me. I was 6th on the line when I joined. I found an aunty peeking into my papers as I was going through them. I ignored. But guess what, she asks me if I was married! urghhh.. wtf! Dumbstruck, I asked, why??? I look like? Aunty: "Oh, you're not. You are 18 na. I am 19." Gawwd, she's 19!! With tons of make-up loaded and those auntyish mannerisms, I seriously couldn't believe that! I didn't occur to me that she is not an aunty afterall. "oh, so you are married?" Ofcourse, she was!

Btw, I got my license made at around eleven. Was going back home, thinking about the lady, when suddenly my scooter started slowing down. Before I could realize what was happening, it came to a complete halt. No way! Not the petrol! Shittt. That was the first incident of its kind. I always used to get my scooter filled timely. Anyways, I called up a rick n asked him to carry the scooter with me to Sector 49.
"Sector forty-nine"
"Aaain?"
"forttyy-naaiine!"
"?? kahan?"
What now?? He doesnt know 49?? he should atleast know the numbers! what was 49 called in hindi?? damn!
"pachas se ek kam"
"pachas? chalo, chaalis rupay."
"uncle pachas se ek kam. aap chalo main raasta bata dungi"
Gosh! I was so relieved when I finally reached home.
First thing I asked my mom, "what is 49 called in hindi?"
"unchaas"
"ooh!"

The Ooogle Story !

Satya Paul's new "Google" sari showcases what a phenomenon Google is. I was literally amazed by this fusion of the traditional sari and the contemporary consumer culture. I am a very devotional Google user and also a sari fan. Though it is a li'l overpriced for me at $299.88, I would still like to own it. Wow, imagine Indian women employees at Google draped in the sari and going for work!
Cheers Satya!

Night out sessions..

I am quite fond of marofying night outs, (yes we call it that!, instead of nights out :P) which happens to be one of my favorite stress busters and and at the same time my mom's most serious headaches.
The all-to-yourself time, absolute silence, non-interrupting environment and assurance that no one is watching you.. can you miss it? I can't.

Things you can enjoy while marofyin a night out:

1. Simplest, watch a movie. Watch F.R.I.E.N.D.S., HIMYM etc etc.

2. Read your favorite book. You may never find anytime better than the night.

3. Chat/talk on phone with your bf/gf. Okay, friends allowed too, if they are interested.

4. Blog, if you like to. For writers, poets - need I say anything?

5. Play some game.

now, some innovative ones.

6. Paint down something! So what if you're not a painter! Just do it for yourself.

7. Sing! or how about, record your voice!

8. Watch funny videos on youtube.

9. Some impish personalities like me may want to trouble their friends by calling/messaging :P

10. If you have a cam, take pictures of yourself! Pose in whatever manner you want to!

11. For girls (n some guys) : the mirror!

12. Check out your old scrapbooks and school magz. Childhood pics and videos. (your folks' honeymoon album! :P)

Aah!
A night-out is like chocolate to me, irresistible!
But remember, over-indulgence can be injurious to health. (yeah I know mom!)

mikesh: "i was gonna tell u the same thing about the best thing bit that your bro did"

me: " why?? ...u think i have none? aaw shitt! "

mikesh: "the best thing about you is your individuality ...and i don't think there's one thing that contributes to it."

me: sigh!

mikesh: "there are like a huge number of things in the right proportions which make who you are .. and make everyone who they are .. and that's the most beautiful part about everyone .. the individuality"

me: :) "beautifully said"

mikesh: "irshaad irshaad .. "

me: hehe..

continued..

Since I'm new to this blogging phenomena, I don't really understand some of the things here. Like, why does my earlier post show its been written on June 28, when I wrote it on July 1? Where can I search for other blogs, n how would people be able to search for mine, etc. etc.
Anyways, I shall continue with some more questions.


8. Do you attend classes in kgp?
Ans. Tricky! Oke I would just say that I try to! Now that does not mean I attend every damn class and I'm sincere, punctual blah blah. If we have ever met, you must be knowing that I'm not the least bit of it.

9. Do you have a lot of friends/few close ones?
Ans. If few <= 12, yes few close ones.

10. The best thing about you?
Ans. umm.. I think it should be, the faith that I have in myself. Akshay says its my sensibility, Juhi says its my carefree nature and my bro says that there's no such thing!

11. Worst thing?
Ans. My lethargic nature for sure. I guess everyone would agree to it. Bro has lots to say on this but ofcourse he doesnt matter, hehehe..

12. Languages you speak?
Ans. Hindi, English and a bit of Punjabi. My Punj is not bad when it comes to understanding, reading, writing n all but I'm afraid I'm not very good at speaking, specially the accent etc.

13. What kind of books do you like to read?
Ans. Sci-fi, action and drama. Inspirational at one point but now I'm over that phase. Currently reading The Argumentative Indian by Amartya Sen. (noticed the shift of genre?)

14. Are you a foodie?
Ans. Sorry but no. I eat to survive, not otherwise. Although I'm the biggest fan of chocolates and ice creams on this planet! Gimme a box of chocs and I bet I'll finish in a day!

I can't think of anymore questions right now. Thanks kushank, chinky for helping with the questions.
Will keep adding to it.
Cheers

about...

aah.. seems like I'd have to give an intro, (quite a hyped term in kgp, where I study) btw, there is a lot to talk about this term, will get back to it a li'l later.

Well, I am an 18 year old girl from Chandigarh, India, studying biotechnology at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kharagpur, kgp. I am going to be a college sophomore now and right now I'm spending my summer holidays at home.
But anyway, who wants to know all this. Now since this post has been titled "about", (suggested by one of my friends at Kharagpur, read mikesh), I've figured out that the best attempt towards describing myself would be answering some of the frequently, and some not so frequently asked questions to me when people first meet me. So, here it goes.


FAQs about myself :

1. Are you a Punjabi? like people who keep turbans, a la Santa-Banta?
Ans. Yes and No. Yes, I am a Punjabi. And that's because I belong to Chandigarh which is in Punjab. No, because what you are talking of are "Sikhs" , and there is difference between the two terms. Being a Punjabi n being a Sikh are like two overlapping sets which are quite different otherwise.


2. Do you keep studying for hours, in IIT?
Ans. No. For God's sake, NO!
(no further comments)

3. Are you a party person/nerdyish?
Ans. A mix of both. Actually, a bit partial to the nerd cliche. :P ( We call it maggu here, here means kgp, which refers to a person who can study even without being forced to do so. )

4. Are you at ease with making new friends?
Ans. Not really. People usually have to make some efforts to start over a conversation. Though my friends say that once I'm friends, I have the capability to talk endlessly, (can be a real headache sometimes). Still, first meetings are not really memorable. One of my friends once remarked that I scare guys! I have been trying to be thoda receptive and polite since then. :P

5. What do you do in your free time?
Ans. I waste it. That's my favorite. I would most probably chat or watch movies, HIMYM, etc. sometimes listen to music.

6. Are you the girl/woman who would always fuss about respecting women, relationships and won't spare even a single chance to argue over who's better, et al?
Ans. Unfortunately, I am.

7. If given a chance, would you run away from IIT?
Ans. Naah. I love this place called kgp. It has given me my life's most cherished moments in the very first year. And ofcourse, the FRIENDS.

hey, it got really late, will continue later.