Pune Memoirs: Twin soul friends

Fergusson College campus

2003-06

June 2003

Imagine constantly searching for a friend on Facebook with whom you bonded for a decade plus long after college was over and not able to connect like during the older days can be so disheartening. The near-perfect memories, laughter, and dollops of cuteness for company as we hark to past for such times ring a smile on the face.  My college life left behind in India now feels like waking up from a dream for one could never imagine having the best of everything and in such a flawless manner as I try to revive the moments in today’s Pune Memoirs. There is not one friend but two where both are two sides of the same coin. Go read for I take you back to the year 2003.

The innocent days of straddling into the sprawling Fergusson College campus in making it a world to conquer and turning dreams into reality is what altered our lives unbound to make every moment count and worth living albeit remembering. There were aspirations, joy of dating, falling in love, first crush and making friends, eyes beaming with excitement and seamless happiness setting in what would become the most cherished universe, binding us for life.

The year is 2003. We are innocent kids making a leap from 12th standard to the initial FY starting our grads classes in India. Hopping from the Katta albeit the Main campus squatting at leisure on the elongated boulder filled with students to straddling towards our classes called A3-A7 and the Amphi Theater became altogether new and would turn into a usual, regular affair for us in the place that became home, buried our laughter and happiness to carve out memories.

First days would be a tad boring on campus in June since we are still looking around for the first friends with whom we would gel with and initial bunking classes. The college crowd or batch hasn’t yet turned out in full swing. I still recall the day we were hopping from one subject class to the other, must be after English or Sociology class were a handful of us started teeming to attend. It was a hot but sunny morning and can’t make out which lecture we were waiting to go for, either French or Philosophy. The latter always drew a huge audience because of the charismatic Lobo Sir.

We were a group of freshies hanging out downstairs and I remember sitting on the brick slab window sill that became my happy space, lending a sense of comfort and of course, rest was needed for gotta trudge the stairs towards Amphi Theatre and the left of the entrance, another staircase in heading towards classes.

Two beautiful girls sashayed on the campus, both wearing identical blue skirts, flawless skin and the perfect smile that would kill.  Infectious is how I remember S and M during the three years spent at Fergusson College. Bubbly, effervescence, exuding happy energy and aura electrifying everything around them that even the birds would chirp happily. How can I or anyone remain unaffected by such a bundle of energy? The first time we spoke to each other on campus, initially in English verging effortlessly to Hindi with such natural ease by both ‘sisters’ and I didn’t feel about meeting them for the first time.  Such was the comfort level and we gelled like long-lost friends. 

Something was endearing about S & M and the way both of them spoke makes for their natural charm. Both girls are very rooted and that was the first thing that drew me to them, the sparkling vibes and a rare gift to make the conversation an easy flow. We had this nice hearty chat before the lectures started with both of them and mostly S. If I am not wrong, M was a bit reserved but full of sparks. I can’t remember what we spoke about but they told about hailing from the beautiful city of Nashik.

Such a heart chat filled with laughs during the first meet before running to attend the class made the day memorable so much that I can’t filter this moment from my system. I vividly remember. Such memories grow powerful on us. S just jogged my memory when we connected last week about a girl whom she would call my soul cousin and initially I couldn’t make it but now as the mind hovers to the past days, I could hear S sweetly asking me this question. I am still trying to remember the girl she would ask in college about being my soul cousin, though!

A fascination with wearing blue, be it the skirt or Salwar, made both sisters a bundle of cuteness inside the campus or walking with so much grace towards classes. The smile never weaned on their faces and I’ve never seen them ever look pissed off, upset, angry, or rude with anyone.  It was quite a sightseeing both sisters like peas in a pod whether outside or inside the class, walking or sitting together. S & M that’s how I saved their phone numbers were and are like angels

I can see both S & M right now inside the Fergusson College campus who are identical twins and it was impossible to spot any difference. Similar to each other in their own unique ways. There is something bubbly about S who is a chatterbox and see even now I am confused or both of them made conversations such a fine art with no self-consciousness at all. My treasured friends whom I missed for such a long time where  I spent the best three years of my life in the best college made the time worth it. It feels like yesterday only.  Now, it’s getting difficult to recall every moment or conversation, the time we first met and during the times spent in college but remember addressing them in jest…S….M….as if it’s a single name pretty much like how I saved their mobile number(s).

There have been rare times encountering one of them and when they were not together, I would call or mistake M for S. She would reply with a smile, No I’m S and the other way round.  I felt awkward and sheepishly smiled in an apology that must be amusing to both sisters. It was hilarious.

The age of sms forwards and silly jokes that we would send to friends and of course S & M was always on my contact list and of course, both of them were always polite and warm on chats. If I am not wrong, both sisters used to share a single mobile number and again were a bit unsure to whom I was speaking first. College life was coming to an end in 2006 and saw very less of sisters in college. I think the last time we messaged and spoke was during the Holi festival in 2006 wishing both of them and after that even during the exam, I couldn’t spot S & M.

I wondered where the twin sisters may have disappeared or if I put it that way far from campus sight a couple of months before and after college ended, perhaps back to their hometown in Nashik.

At that particular time, our TY read final results were forever delayed and how, with one foot in Pune and the other one in Mumbai preoccupying the mind, I didn’t see a fleeting glance of the sisters on the day where our results were declared dramatically. A bunch of us were watching the movie Corporate with Bipasha Basu and

Kay Kay Menon at  E-Square when someone pinged about results have just been declared.  We dashed like mad catching the rickshaw to college and I was tensed like hell waiting in the queue. Still, I didn’t get a glance of my friends.

I often wondered post-college, where they are settled, may be in India or abroad, where many among us are exploring the world or busy making a living or career.  First Orkut and then Facebook seeped into our lives where I joined most probably during 2007 or 08 and tried searching for my twin friends a couple of times and years. . Quite surprisingly never found them and it’s only last week, I spotted S on Linked in, 15 years after we left college. Incredible, isn’t it? 

Here to many more incredible times as we bask in the glorious past and create new moments together.  Those days of the extraordinary crooning the perfect tune of friendship and making life happen in Fergusson college, the excitement, hearts jangling together in exploring and finding ourselves, a sense of identity and strength created through such true friendships. So many moments in Fergusson College spent with S & M, skipping me right now but what I fondly remember is the ever-smiling and chubby faces exuding limitless love reverberating through the mind. Grateful for such friendships with both twin sisters whom I have always been fond of are priceless and lending a sense of strength and happiness defining me for years and a lifetime. Yes! Both of them have a peculiar way of walking with so much grace, read slow steps, and with a cool demeanor.

My Xmas gift to my special friends S & M. Now, I am sure they will be reading this fleeting memory buried in the dust and belonging to the past.

Merry Xmas

Love

V

Pune Memoirs: A crush’s birthday and a silly game

Pune Memoirs:

FC Road: 2004-05

Monday, November 29

Today is the crush’s birthday. We rewind time 16 years back as students at Fergusson College in Pune, Second Year. I was in love with G. Quite a big mushy kinda feeling in those days and to meet quite in the most unlikeliest fashion about exams related query, becoming friends and watching movies at E-Square. A rapport was struck. One-sided attraction carries its inherent beauty, whipping poetry in the brain and conjuring the skies and stars into a chiaroscuro of sorts. That is what love does to you, flitting in the air and swooning to the perfect tune.

I remember vividly that we watched The Village with another friend at E-Square and almost watched Tom Hanks Terminal which she was planning or already watched with her boyfriend but had to watch alone, sobbing with popcorn. Later, we watched Socha Na Tha with a gang. So, imagine how heartbroken I was so much the feet plodded towards her flat on FC to get a dekkho of her and sipping chai at the teastalls downstairs while gazing at the building from the road. Yes! I’ve done that too. Hilarious as I hover to the past.

It was the time to declare my flame to her and funny part is that it wasn’t my doing at all. A friend prodded me in proposing to her and so much I was shit scared, my normal ‘run away’ avatar from almost everything took over with frantic heartbeats that yours truly could compose a song on the chimera of love. Another friend came to the rescue telling the best friend, See how scared he looks and stop doing this. Obviously, A’ who was and still is my best friend didn’t give a fuck to the other one and asked me to go the school way forcing me to type 1, 4, 3.

Wanna take a bet! It’s another tale, theory, and rhetoric that remains to be proven whether I typed 1,4, 3 or it’s A who did all the typing. Message sent! Deleted and re-sent. A big step ahead and felt like the clattering of rail heartbeats. No reply. It soon came, “Vishal! What is this?”

The friend playing havoc and naughty games took my modest Nokia 3310 phone from the hands, and a diplomatic way to tell, he snatched the phone. “Just type, What do you think it is?” Done as requested,

The message icon flashed, “Well! It’s a stupid game we used to play in school. Vishal! You know I have a boyfriend right.” I didn’t know what I replied to. I was very innocent in those days and must be my friend doing all the twisting to reply or not to reply. Finally, I didn’t. There was no temptation to message her good night. I thought that the entire romance friendship skittered past the window, flitting into the dust and air.

An entire day and a half of zero messaging when during the latter half of the day, G messaged apologizing in case she was rude. The phone rang and she called about catching up later where we spoke about my ‘proposal’ to being friends. I was back into shopping mode, during the evening to get something for her. Just imagine, a birthday card and a Ganesha idol. Sounds crazy, right! At that point, you don’t want to risk the friendship by trying to be over smart to get something romantic and a teddy was definitely off the cue.

We met inside the college campus or rather I straddled earlier at ‘Savera’, our college hangout waiting for the call and while seeing her, there was a hesitation when I tried walking straight, pretending nothing actually happened. It can be crazily mushy, I know. A hug. We sat under the shade of a tree and she excitedly opened the gift wrap.

G has a peculiar way of asking something with a smile and she did. I didn’t deny and can’t recall what I did or say about the ‘love’. We walked past the college gate. Man! She received so many calls from friends and admirers which I guess that what Miss popular or Mr popular are all about. I was just a tiny speck in the ocean. As she was on the phone with someone, we hugged and embraced, flailing hands-hers not mine-wide open like a celeb.

Ah! This hug just feels like honeyed dip into the stream of romance, tender and wintery showers with hearts longing for each other. A feeling of the gentle, cool breeze stroking the hair and chin in a perfect world sashaying to the tune of the rain dance. I have never felt such a warm and amorous sensation trickling to this hug. It was tight and done in slo-mo just like in our movies. A moment to be cherished for eternity.

And if you believe that every story has the romantic ‘love’ to it and ends on a happy note, think again. It didn’t. The love was one-sided. Drifting apart, we did as friends. There was ego overriding every beautiful friendship carved over time for we tend to move with new people making mistakes with some being of my own doing and other people going around in telling things, adding their own tinge of masala.

I had my fair set of fault and may have said things that have hurt her in some way or the other. It was after several years that I reached out to her on FB to say sorry since there were guilt carried for a decade and she nicely told. ‘don’t trouble me again’. It washed away every small and mundane thing. She’s happily married with a son and a daughter, if I am not wrong.

Happy birthday dost. We may not be in touch and hardly so, but we spent some priceless times in college. You taught me so much about life and taking things easy, not to be too hard or not making things diffiult. It was a fun journey and today, I feel sad because of the pandemic, our younger friends may be missing all the fun of falling in love, dating on campus, heart break and conflict.

Cheerz

V

Pune Memoirs (First Year): First friends made in college is blessing

Pune Memoirs,

First Year: 2003

Fergusson College (FC):

 

 

The year was 2003, the first year in Fergusson College meeting my first friends in the gang, Amrita, Pooja, Shiji, Savita, and a second Amrita with Harsh and Pranab where we would sit together during lecture and after at the campus, watching movies and lunch, innumerable birthday treats.

How we became friends I cannot recall now but must be meeting by accident on campus, maybe the library lining up for Xerox but whatever is the reason, it happened during a random conversation. Some bonds are bound to be carved and am happy to be part of the group. By nature I am quite shy and immediately after becoming friends, the girls shared their lunch made at home with us and we contributing in emptying the tiffin. We bonded over food.  Last week, Amrita sent me an absolutely beautiful Hindi poem about news on TV which I loved for the simplicity and embedded feeling where later we connected on Whatsapp after more than a decade.  Incredibly unbelievable! Connecting after little less than two decades with one of the first college friends. We spoke about the days where several moments came back as if it never left us. It prodded me to do another Pune Memoirs, going back to the first year in college.

College Katta where we would sit.

There is no specific order narration about those first-year moments. Let me try, rehashing my memory. Since I am a crossover Indian whose parents crossed the seas, I have a tendency to use the vernacular at times but not always right, using the word ‘Gham’ alluding to the sun and the girls were a tad surprised. Amrita came to the rescue telling how in some parts in Bihar, the word gham is used and something we could connect about belonging to the same place. There are certain things that make people connect. There are many such incidents and of course infatuated with one of the girls whose Economics book I took, forgetting to bring with me to college. S. playfully threatened to beat me with a stone and I played around by hiding behind a few girls.

There was something between me and S but the signals were mixed and confusing. Blame it on a shy and introvert nature that I didn’t pursue ahead. She is such a beautiful girl and her features attracted me during the first few days. There were signs that I couldn’t read or didn’t want to! It’s difficult to say now after someone confirmed about mutual crush recently after so many years. A deep friendship brewed between us and drooled over her handwriting once borrowed her Economics notebook home. Yes! I gave her a red rose in college. She almost disappeared during the second year in college and I did try looking for her.

Shiji is someone I connected this week after many years. She has the art of gelling effortlessly in any form of conversation and choosing her words carefully. The impression I had about her in those days is someone sorted, brainy, and a sense of maturity in her 18 years in those days. I was always in awe at the effortlessness and easy conversation she makes for everyone to be super comfortable ringing in a sense of mutual respect, humility, intellect, easy-going, and fun-loving is super visible.

Our gang loved discussing everything under the sun, right from Politics, Economics and issues facing India to become a superpower 2020. How we rued about people needing a reason to party on New Year eve what with the whole hoopla about paying 1000 bucks in a crowded place! Cherishing those moments and making the most in sprinkle joy on faces. I always looked forward to meeting them every day without fail. After all, the group was my only friends on campus in the first year and hold a special place in my heart.

A trip to Shivneri formed part of the most blissful memories in college reserved exclusively to the Hindi department and Amrita as well as a couple of girls wanted me to be a part. Behenji (Hindi teacher) was someone I greeted in college and she was fond of me as a good and respectful boy. The girls, led by Amrita argued with Ma’am for me to be part of the trip and finally was in. What a trip it was! Waking up early morning and headed in the bus to Shivneri where Shivaji Maharaj was born, trudging painfully and at a loss of breath towards the slope that makes quite a good but tiring exercise for the brain. I still remember the trip and the various place we visited in Maharashtra, near Pune or singing Hindi songs on the bus. The places where we took lunch break and bonding with each other. I remember Pujari Sir accompanied us for the outing.

There is something very innocent and cute about Amrita. I didn’t really like the place I was staying where the flatmates weren’t people clicked with. Before the end of the first year, I started looking around for places to stay and visited Amrita’s flat within walking distance of Fergusson College was a regular affair and just near the stretched Pune University flyover, nestled in a serene environment and surrounded by the shade of trees. A pure soul, she has a way of allaying fears where all the worries fly out of the window. I want the readers to catch the beauty  and exact words penned in Hindi here to get the feel, “Agar tum ladki hoti na Vishal, hum tumke leta ghar pe.” It literally means that if you were a girl, we would take you as our flatmate.

Our friend has a way of calming us down in a gentle fashion and ringing in dollops of cuteness in the way she reacts to things. Once, we were at her home and visiting her flatmate Pallavi and Meenakshi, together with a friend. I think the girls were going for the end of year party and Pallavi served us Vodka. It was December 31, I still recall during the final year.  Amrita was coming out of her room and joined us in her apartment. She innocently asked what we were drinking and Pallavi asked her to have some Vodka. She hesitated and the expression on her face was a moment to capture. The reaction was priceless and again needs to be written in Hindi what Amrita told, “Arre yaar yeh toh bohot acha hai.” The expression was funny and something to drool over. As I look back at those moments, it feels like yesterday and still smiling, remembering every moment.

Kimaya where meetings were hosted and hanging out.

Priceless moments during college and another instance, we were in the same group volunteering for our college festival that happens every year. It was either Oorja or Wallstreet. I think it was Wallstreet, the Economics department festival where a group of five in the marketing team and after the all volunteers meet at Kimaya, we started off on two bikes to market the festival inviting students from other colleges on a Saturday afternoon. We drove to Symbiosis college. We sneaked inside one of the classrooms and started marketing about our college festival, telling fellow students to come and join. We were on the marketing mode addressing a classroom when suddenly the teacher walked in. Amrita shouted at the top of her voice, “Bhaago!” Our enthusiasm was cut short and in time leaving pamphlets on the table running and panting to the parking spot leaping on the bike. As we run away, the girls in the classroom looked at us amused but it was good fun, smiling and laughing, bringing good vibes in our hearts.

Many such moments are present am sure about it. I think we were also part of a workshop hosted by Shiamak Dhawar’s dance group and rocked the Dhoom Machale dance that was good fun. We were all Economics students and often would walk past the gate near the Mathematics department on the other side of Fergusson College on the main road and adjacent BMCC college. There was a line up of tea and snack stalls. At that point, I recovered from food poisoning and grew a phobia eating outside but all of them, Shiji and Amrita coaxed me to have a lil bit of Vada slowly. I am glad about listening to them and slowly immunity built.

As I look back, a certain sadness flows thinking about the group splitting during the second year where we went to different directions with new people. Perhaps, it was our fault together with me. I could have taken the initiative of keeping it intact but somehow, life is not in our hands. Once, I met Shiji and we had a chat because somehow Amrita went on a different mode, avoiding conversations. But, circumstances push us in different directions. What matters is keeping those moments in our hearts and making us complete as individuals in our journey, a reminder to always preserve goodness and innocence, when life takes a toll on us. Such near perfect moments equip with strength.

Today, we celebrate Friendship Day and vividly remember many of our conversation and fun moments sitting at FC katta which we call Main circle and Kimaya that feels like yesterday only. This friendship shaped my life and to be remembered forever, the moments and images remain visible. There are so many thoughts in the mind veering towards the conversations playing in the mind and ears, the exact words we spoke to each other. People meet for a reason. A friendship that stays forever and a real blessing. What would I be without those days!

 

Love

V

 

Pune Memoirs: Actor in the making, Raju guide and a farewell

Pune Memoirs:

Fergusson College (FC) Road:

2005-06:

 

Kaku is making a short film. I almost became an actor and roped in before being in the loop to play no less than a double role. A man who is hit at the park exercising early morning by an unknown bike. I ask questions to the director on what I should wear, suggesting keeping unkempt beard and hair, a Kurta Pyjama would perhaps do. I am excited and on top of the moon, as we sip chai, smoking and discuss endlessly on the fleshing of characters outside Savera, our college hang out.

The first-ever time of being shot on camera and featuring in a short film, gung ho to share with everyone that matters. Entire days and evenings are spent in Savera, sashaying in and out to discuss filming, occupying the mind. A day later, I see Tootoo inside Savera who tells how proud he is of me and that’s how actors ask questions to their directors. Our life among the gang. There were many among us, Ajitabh Bhaiya, Kaku, CV and Chanda, with film discussion going endlessly. It’s another tale that the shortie got canned because of creative differences but later got made with CV’s sister replacing me. I remember once Chanda would be irked with me when he was sharing something at the coffee table with me prodding him constantly and he retorted, “Fuck, Bachchan always asks questions.” Yeah, that’s me and an old chum christened me Bachchan. And, Ajitabh and me high on the new short films chipped in, “Haan bol de ussko, hum artists hai, we need to ask questions.”

Outside Savera on FC where the gang discussed the short film. You can see Satish’s Pan shop to the right.

Our college days never got over. We moved cities and colleges. I shifted to Mumbai in the same year but keep coming to Pune at the drop of a hat for a reason or another. Lobo Sir our Philosophy’s teacher farewell party was another reason to be back in the city when received an sms on the event scheduled in November. I knew that gotta be there. After all, Sir played a huge impact on our lives at Fergusson College and shaped our thoughts, in being unafraid to ask questions on the system or challenging the status quo to take a stand. I remember well the day traveled to Pune from Mumbai, What an emotional farewell it was!

Maybe we did our fair share of struggles and arguments now called misunderstanding before I went back to Mumbai on something Ajitabh said and yours truly told to Chanda. Both Chanda and Ajitabh may have had a healthy argument in my absence and couple of months back when I was back to packed Savera with students on a noisy and hot Saturday afternoon, Ajitabh who walked in told me, “What I told and what you said to Chanda. I was pissed with you.” I wanted to tone down this conversation and told him how it turned out as a huge misunderstanding. He acquiesced and said, “Haan misunderstanding hi tha aur baad mein baat karenge.” Ajitabh Bhaiya Hindi was shuddh and words that people hardly spoke, for instance, he would often use vishay rather than baat karenge. The pure and cultural North Indian influence on him made it an endearing dialogue we often had over smoke and chai.

I still remember how Lobo Sir greeted me outside Amphi Theater. It was emotional and the loss of words I saw on his face and glad to see me back. I joined in. Hey! Oh my! It was filled with excitement. He was at a loss of words so much he forgot my name and choked with emotions. The teacher was proud of all his students and perhaps he didn’t believe I would be present. The pride tinkling in his eyes. Videos and testimonies were played with students, our seniors scattered across the world, from US to London, spoke on the role he played in their lives and a confidant where students could share anything and everything with him. Kudos to our juniors for organizing the event in the beautiful night, surrounded by the huge trees in college. Lobo Sir was also the acting Principal couple of months when we passed out of the final year and he ensured the recommendation papers sought by students were done smoothly. I have carefully preserved the recommendation letter which is one of the best things ever received in life.

The moment of Lobo Sir’s speech is captured in the heart forever and vividly remembers how junior, senior and present students huddled together in honoring one of their best teachers who shaped us for years. Another tale during the final year in Pune and after the exams was over, I was called Raju Guide by Sudhendhu Bhai. Savera is one place where everybody knows everybody and walking to ask a lighter from someone, a plain stranger or saying Hi was not offensive at all. The story goes like that when a nice lady asked for my lighter and at the spot she told me something on those lines that I get very conscious about people. That was true. It was the time when everyone was discussing the World Cup final in 2006. We became friends later. Susan was newly married to Animesh and belonging to our common tribe of seniors. I was oblivious to the connection.

The moment everyone gets introduced to everyone, it was pure fun. In the afternoon, the smoking zone we normally sat, adjacent to Satish’s pan shop was closed for cleaning and we had to shift to the other end, facing Shirole Bungalow, sharing a huge table with both friends and strangers. After all, India is a country where we adjust in times of need. During the day, I took Susan and gave her a tour of Fergusson College, the various departments, Kimaya and main circle we call Katta. She shared about her hostel at TISS in Mumbai and perhaps the brick buildings reminded her about it or the girls’ hostel, I can’t recall. We went back to Savera, sipping chai, coffee and smoking. That’s how friends are made. Those days are perfect to loosen the self and truly miss the times, of letting the hair down and not giving a fuck about people. How I wish could go back in time.

Susan was extremely happy on the day. She was feeling bored on that day, I bet and sitting at Savera for her husband Animesh and Sudhendhu or someone else went for a meeting. When those guys came back in the afternoon at chai time, the husband asked her what she was into other than smoking or coffee for an entire day, she was extremely happy and told that I took her to visit Fergusson College. And, I became Raju Guide, popped out of the mouth of Sudhendhu. Unbelievable how we never counted time and didn’t occur on how it was already dawn.

Everything reminds me about moments lived,

the dappled sun,

dawn and daylight,

joy playing out,

the yesterday left behind,

laughter,

where every moment counts,

vivid as if never left those days.

 

Love

V

Pune Memoirs (III): Savera tales and more! (1)

Pune Memoirs,

Third Year,

Fergusson College (FC) Road, 2005-06:

 

A mecca of friendship, smoke curled, a taste of monsoon like wildfire, wind skirting past tables and steamy cups of chai and coffee, rush of breeze stroking the back shoulder and spine. Savera was a tale of everybody knowing everybody, the college crowd thronging for endless chats and cackle. We grew in and out of Savera, as we waded past the gate of Fergusson college and crossing the road to land straight to our favorite spot.

The doctor teaching me Marathi as we sat at the table in the company of present and former Fergussonians. He taught me bhadiya, not badiya but pronounced bhaadiya saying the first step in learning a language is cuss word, making me repeat till I get the proper accent, urging to clamor loud and in full confidence. I remember the tall doctor walked in straight posture and the signature style of white shirt tucked in his trousers. So many moments spent with the people in Savera, our mouths never tired in saying Hi, jaws wide open, to every known face encountered.

Koko is one of my closest friends and we met first time one afternoon in Savera, casually exchanged Hi when he came to meet one buddy Sharma-Ji. One chat led to the other and we soon became drinking buddy in the august company of Vasant bhaiya, Sudhendhu, Ajitabh Bhaiya, Chanda and people at Namaskar nestled behind Savera in the same property run by the same owner.  I was in for gyan and pushed to unshed my lack of confidence, putting my hands straight on the table or am in for a slap. That’s Koko for you. Everybody in college called me, Bachchan, for being a self confessed and die hard fan of Amitabh Bachchan, christened by Sudhendhu who passed away in 2006. We became such amazing pals in such a short span of time and as one looks back, everything seems so unreal, at times impossible to fathom that he is no longer around.

Once, during the monsoon, I trudged in the rain for 2 km at Crossword to grab the pre-release CD of KANK, the Karan Johar magnum opus and came back to the spot. Sudhendhu Bha chiding me for forking money quite stupidly on CDs and read Karan’s note on the world of marriage and with a unique expression sniggering on KJO’s stupidness, “What bullshit,” he shrugged.

Savera: Years that were!

The conversation veered from light to passion and at times, intense weighing gold. Tootoo is one guy, my senior I looked up to and it was always a brain teaser with his pot of knowledge, well versed in Economics, politics and development happening in Pune. We first met one Sunday at Savera during the holiday. He came and asked if he can join me. I was sitting alone, smoking and reading newspapers splayed on the table, Times of India and Midday, a common sight with me. We chatted for hours on the people we knew in college at that time. I spoke to him once on phone for the first time and was hanged right under the nose asking for a room or house since I was in desperate need of a roof.  It’s another story that we became such thick friends in the nick on time and reminded him about my call. He laughed, saying he rented the house to some pretty girls. Another story that I already landed a place in Pashan, quite some distance from Fergusson College and got a second hand Marvel bike. He told to drive slowly during the rain to avoid mishap.

Smoking days,  countless cups of coffee and pep talks, Toots doled out gyaan on waking up early is the productive way, hinting on the day when he got up to the lark, went for walk, did some work, attended lectures and met his girlfriend. How true! There are days when I achieve so much in a day, his talk popped to the mind on how ‘easy’ it can be to juggle time and achieve a multitude of tasks.  The motivational dialogues cannot be summed in one instance and so many times Tootoo pushed me to achieve goals in life, together with the bunch of seniors, A, an actor friend with Toots telling about doing my ‘gand maroo’-whipping my ass, like he called. Tootoo was saying on my lack of confidence, pretty much true and how my mind wanders despite being not physically present and being unexpressive, keeping things inside me.

A told go walk the hill and release energy by shouting or even swearing! Don’t worry, he told. Nobody knows you over there. Such priceless advice! I’m yet to do that and intend to do it. It’s about releasing the energy still repressed inside.  The conversations were rich and offered me an identity as a person in the company of friends who meant the world. Often, Tootoo would ask, “Why do you look up to me?” as a starting point in making me talk, conquering the demons and helping to find my marks. He would often curse me, lingering on the point of being rude, calling, “Bitch! I told you to buy this Economics book…why the fuck you didn’t and now telling me about exams or studies now?”

The knack of telling stories or narrating an incident making it spicier and trading cuss words in return as the audience gloated over it was never lost on us. Once Chanda was driving towards college in his car through DBC and saw an accident which he found amusing and told us when Ajitabh bhaiya interjected in his philosophical baba style, making comments, “Haan Chanda Kahani sunao na (tell the story)? The way he quizzed with the maniacal smile to piss off the narrator, who served him right, “Fuck bhenchod! It’s not a story….suck me Ajitabh!” You got the groove! I am censoring some specific words! Quite a conversation we had! After all, Savera was one place, I mastered my ‘hinterland Hindi poetry’ and wallflower language, mc and bc, flitting with ultimate ease.

Of course, Beast was another such quirky character in college and the dude was already working but had a paper to clear over again. So any excuse was good to stay on and off campus or Savera. Once, I remember whining in telling some peeps in TY how will terribly miss college after passing out and the suggestion was, flunk a paper or two. Obviously, I didn’t do that! Just to tell the kinda crazy conversation and wild imaginations thrumming through.

College friends are quite the uncomplicated lot yet intriguing to detect or for that matter, unpeel the layers within to discover what we are made of. Shaheen is one such friend and we bonded during the last year in college, after avoiding each other for almost a year. It makes quite a tale to tell and amusing as it may seem, perhaps a jerk prevented us from speaking to each other. The gay guy was sitting in the company of Shaheen on New Year Day at Savera and both were looking in my direction as I plodded at giant steps to the opposite side of FC Road. I saw them laughing.  The sensitive person that I am took offense at something not witnessed personally. We crossed each other’s path a couple of times but never spoke.

I think friendship arrives at the right time and sometimes, a bad thing can augur the extraordinary things in life. Shaheen met with a serious accident when she was chased by dogs outside the house of the English teacher’s house and suffered stitches. It did come as a rude jolt. I spotted her in Savera one day and reached out to her, speaking and asking how she is, something that broke the ice. We were sitting together, smoking and gulping countless cups of coffee. Once we were sitting and smoking casually when she spotted her Dad on the other side of the road coming to Savera, she panicked and yelp, “Fuck!” and flung the cigarette. I can never forget the scene and the incident still brings a smile to the face.

College was over and results declared. We were whining time at Savera and sitting for hours, on a Sunday afternoon. I still remember Shaheen was leaving for Chennai the next week and a reunion of the sort when she came, slouched on the chair, laughing and repeated something thrice. She reaches this elixir state, word or sentence are not spared to find mention like blaring horns in our ears not once but thrice in a usual natural high state. What followed was SPDP, the special Sev Batata Dahi Puri, Savera’s specialty.

An entire gang of friends, right from Amol, Siby, Pakya and Raffick Bhai, who passed away few years back and since I moved places wasn’t aware of, made the moments delightful. Raffick and Sudhendhu, are no more but always spoke to me about girls and Osho, both were followers.  Quite surprisingly, Raffick spoke a lot about Sudhendhu to me and Chanda after his death and the final moments lived. Savera was not just a place for us but an invisible friend witnessing the variegated moments, joy and pain of both existence and unexistence, the friends we made, lost but we choose to keep alive in our minds.

Trust me, a place where no whisper no matter how silent ever skipped the mind and attention to make it hilarious. Once I was making my way out of Savera and overheard a junior sitting with another girl, whispered to comment on my shoes. “How can someone wear black formals to college?” It was quite amusing. I am someone who hates laces and wore the black shoes on my blue denim, something been doing for ages. I laughed then and told it to Adi, the best friend. I am still laughing over it.

To be continued.

Love

V

 

 

 

Day 32: Parties, serenity and bonding with a college senior

Silence is therapeutic and beautiful. The power to fob off anxiety hands down and no rush in being someone else or what we popularly call, People-pleasing. The whole masquerading of being super cool or pretend to flit with ease happens to the best of us and there is always the pressure to speak to just anyone at a party as if trying to clinch a race set against time. Who says that you can’t be yourself at a party!

This week was quite interesting and attended two networking parties, one for wine tasting and the second yesterday evening was a beach party. Both were work related to socialize, exchange business cards and be in touch with many important peeps. Guess what? I felt light like a feather and couldn’t be more proud of myself. A pressure has been lifted out of my head. I practice silence and enjoyed my drinks solo, spoke to a few people briefly unlike the long, mundane conversation animatedly over almost everything. The new Me is practicing silence and be on my own since I want to cut this pressure building on the head on ‘having’ to speak to everyone or be whipped. A walk to the beach with the drink and watching the gentle sea soothed me and brought a certain amount of serenity in choosing myself for company.

Many times, a constant pressure was built upon the head and this entire regret or whining on letting the chance pass of meeting X, Y or Z. But, not this time. I was with myself. One can always be true to the self in a place pocked with people and please stop this labelling of indulging with maximum people to feel joyful. Happiness is a choice.

This week has been an extremely awesome one. Call it what may, moment of happiness or happy coincidence but life surely has its own way to surprise in the unlikeliest way or place. Incredible joy happened at the wine tasting party on Wednesday. I was practicing mindfulness when someone waved to me from far, among the horde of people. Pretty much like Facebook wave, my hand responded with the sticker, waving back with a smile. To be honest, the memory was playing truant and couldn’t recognize the girl. She came to greet me after the presentation and realized that it’s my close friend younger sister which is a real shame since been to her house several times in the past. But, then people do change over time.

What she did is something extraordinary and reaffirms my belief that as humans we are all connected on this planet. My friend’s sister introduced me to an Indian girl married and settled in Mauritius where I am based. We started having a normal chat owing to our Indian connection and she stayed in Pune, the city I call my own. I was delighted and told of being there. The lady, A, asked which college. I said with pride, Fergusson College. A glint in her eyes and a smile surfaced. She happened to be my senior whom I was meeting for the first time. Much to the amusement on the face of the common factor, Sam’s sister H, we ended up taking the name of our teachers, right from Professor Lobo our much-loved Philosophy and Logic teacher, Bhalerao Ma’am, Abhayankar Ma’am at the same time and of course my Economics department that was quite a distance from the main campus, we call, Main Circle.

The feeling of getting back the flawless college days despite belonging to a different set of batch and meeting for the first time. Elixir of joy and exhilarating moments yet one bonding factor, the alma mater Fergusson College that couldn’t stop me from asking to be clicked together. Normally, taking pictures with people I meet for the first time is not something that I do. I can’t remember the last time was so happy and the talkative me just came alive like an electrified pole killing the introvert for once. No facade. We just need a strong connection that will jostle us into the mojo moment. Being Fergussonians helped us to break the ice and created the comfortable vibe since meeting someone for the first time normally takes a while to jazz and gel. What an incredible coincidence to meet a college senior in a different country other than India and something that wouldn’t dare to dream. The alma mater connects folks and comes as naturally to speak like long-lost friends. It holds true for people passing out of the same institution, I guess to experience this common thread. Now, I am tempted next time to get a jhola for A asked if I had one in college. It reminds me that I never did which is a shame for many Fergussonians slung the jhola on the shoulder.

I am a great believer in vibes and the energy power that has something in store for us. It whittle down to a personal choice on the kind of energy that we attract and on the day, I was practicing mindfulness and silence in a place filled with people, the universe chooses to smile at me, bringing unlimited joy which worked wonderfully on the spirit and mind.

Love

V

 

Pune Memoirs (III): Protesting against reservation, ideology and friendship

Pune Memoirs, 2005/06:

Third year in Pune

May 28, 2006:

The TYBA (Third Year) exams were finally over. Everyone waited in anticipation for the results that were delayed forever. I was constantly making this stupid joke of pulling a Rang De Basanti (RDB) climax at the University, reeling under the effect of the film that could be a mass movement in college. I was not the only one under the effect of RDB, it seems.

We were all counting the days, sitting and whining time at our college hang out in Savera with the gang. A bigger movement was taking shape all over India and it spread from one city to another, that ultimately reached Pune. Students all over the country, from  MBBS, engineers and arts, were angry over the latest measure announced by the Government and the HRD Minister Arjun Singh to go ahead with the reservation of 27 percent seats in premier institutions like AIMS, IIT and IIM for the OBC castes. We were young and reckless. After all, 20s is the age to protest against discrimination, misplaced merit which we viewed as negative discrimination to garner a vote bank.

It was a Sunday. I was bored sitting in the flat.  On that day, I took off early morning at Savera, picking up the morning newspapers and sipping countless cups of filter coffee and chai. I received an sms from P who became a close friend during the last year in college, where we were hanging out together at Savera to puff and indulging in gup shup. I walked back to the flat that was minutes away from Savera on FC road to take a shower and hastily walked back to my favorite restaurant for a quick meal. I met Sudhendhu on my way out when P buzzed, asking me to wait outside since she is on her way in the rickshaw where I’ll be picked on FC Road.

The movement was hosted by Youth For Equality and everyone would assemble at Saras Baug, Bajirao Road near Swargate where we would march from Saras Baug to Tilak Road, Deccan Corporation to end our march at Shanivar Vada. As we reached the venue, we could see flags flying against reservation and cops surveying the students’ movement with rumors spreading like wildfire that students were lathi charged.

Fortunately, nothing of the sort happened the time we reached post lunch at 1 pm and things started to move fluidly where we walked peacefully and in a disciplined manner following the crowd on a line on the bustling roads in the city. It was quite a long march and can’t remember the last time I plodded my feet for so long. We strongly believed in ideology and a quest for a better and equal India that shouldn’t have a room for discrimination.

Image credit: http://shoppinglanes.com/Google India.
An outside view of Sambhaji Garden off JM Road in Pune.

Today, it’s a different story that my ideology has shifted drastically away from the misplaced capital system where I find myself more in sync with leftist socialism. Needless to say, I have a significantly altered view-point on the whole reservation issue after reading several scholar articles on groups lacking access to education and there is a certain ground reality that we cannot ignore.

As we sweated it in the sun, we indulged in discussion on the whole issue between sharing fags and P rightly observed that this march wouldn’t make any difference to a chai or paan wala who is more concerned to make both ends meet, ensuring that his children don’t sleep on an empty stomach and on how to send them to school. It’s a valid point that has relevance even in today’s times. Time was flying fast on this otherwise boring Sunday where it didn’t struck us that it was almost past 4 pm as we sat at the Chattrapati Shambaji Garden on JM Road sipping chai and resting our tiring legs.

It was fun times to be in the city. I constantly pulled P during the entire year in Savera and she would get angry, protesting at my antics and the next breaking into a cackle of laughter. But, we were thinkers who could also have a passionate debate about issues. We spoke about a classmate who was planning for DU (Delhi University)  and has boasted about how he will never go through reservation under foreign quota, but would rather give entrance exams. But, sometimes, ideology fails when it doesn’t suit your interest. The man who faced the truth about the DU exams decided to opt for a seat under the quota, ultimately. It can happen with people where all their self-claimed ideologies go for  a toss. I found it ludicrous. Why boast about ideology when you will ultimately choose the easiest route?

At that time, I was trying for Mumbai University to do my Masters and was eligible under the NRI quota but decided that I am not going for it. As a proud Indian, I told the administration that trying under the merit list suits me when my results will come. It was either a do or die situation for me. It was one of the reasons that I was anxious about the result getting delayed and desperately praying to secure a first class. Ultimately, I sealed my seat in the Second Merit List at Kalina Campus. Delay meant not being in time for admission and there was always the risk of being royally fucked in the ass. I shared it with P who told me, ‘I am so proud of you Vishal.’

We parted ways in the evening. The cherry on the cake was that we crossed the path with N who was apparently the darling of college dudes and on whom I had such a soft crush in the first year. We cheerfully said Hi to her and exchanged pleasantries, talking about the reservation march for few minutes before she disappeared.

It was one of the memorable friendships carved during the college days with P and the bond that makes everything so vivid as if it was yesterday only. How I wish time would never fly so fast! I mean, we take every good thing for granted and at that juncture in life, we never realize that nothing stays forever but the only thing that would matter are the memory, friendships, and bonds. It was the last days that I was spending in Pune where good things were escalating one after the other that would make one miss the place like hell. College life was almost over. The best in my life.

Love

V

 

Pune Memoirs (Part Two): Kothrud to Vishrantwadi (1)

The Pune Memoirs is back after a super long break. I take you back to my college days in Pune during the second year. Today, is the first outing in 2004 and hope you have fun reading as much as I had retrieved the blissful memories.

Pune Memoirs: Kothrud to Vishrant Wadi

Second Year, 2004

The tale of shifting house and living literally off the suitcase continues unabated like the Monsoon lash during my second year in Pune.  I was back in the city and literally shook my head, caught in maelstrom losing sleep. Do I need to do that?! Arggh! Felt like tearing my hair off.

It felt like a lover torn between two damsels at a time when people in India struggle to find a roof under the head and the pavement offers solace. You ungrateful bugger! I cursed myself. I was in a quick fix.

It was quite a funny story when I went back home, stacking along copies of Times of India.  I am a hoarder of paper. I couldn’t afford the luxury of reading newspaper in peace during exams and stacked bundles in the luggage.

One fine day, I was gleaning through the advert and my eyeballs popped like round gulab jamun on a studio apartment for 2.8 K off Paud Road at Kothrud. It was a steal. For outstation students like us when an ad reads, Brokers please excuse and minimum deposit, you sprang to the tune of Aisa jadoo dala re. I called the aunty who firmly told that she is giving her words and I better keep mine.

Mayhem of goodies struck. One fine morning, Sunita aunty who is originally based from Pune and moved out of India, a bit like me, called home to announce like Santa Claus that her Mom has a spare and newly constructed room that she will give me for 2000 bucks. The only hitch is Nani’s (Sunita aunty’s mom) house is in Vishrantwadi which means I gotta converge to Fergusson College every single day for two hours, braving the traffic.

Cut the crap! I gotta do that. The first thing that I did when I went back to Pune was to land straight at Nani’s house and stayed there for a couple of days. Vishrantwadi is a very nice place, cut off from the city and walking in a village like atmosphere, surrounded by small shops, houses, and greenery.

Image sourced from Google:

I was warned gently by Nani’s daughter-in-law of the mosquitoes making masala dosa outta of ordinary mortals and a mosquito net protected me throughout the night. My silly mind outdid myself with the Mathematics and decided to go and shift to aunty’s rented place at Kothrud. The mind wasn’t working properly and decided to go back to Nani’s place. I got myself a second hand Kinetic bike that would make me sail through. Except, the journey to and fro college was no Vishrant in the wadi.

It was quite painful and felt like being trapped on the on the Indo-Pak border being hit by snipers and rifles to brave this super long journey between Vishrantwadi and Fergusson College. The honking and terrible traffic ensured I almost pee in the pant and shook like Paul the Octopus.  I couldn’t take it anymore to drive like a mad man, covering the journey and started to hail the rickshaw, costing me a bomb where I almost forked 400 bucks every single day. It rattled on my mind and body like Katrina not the Kaif but hurricane.

Image source: Vishrantwadi corridor/https://rainbowbrtpune.wordpress.com/

I couldn’t afford to miss college for a whole year and after all, it was a matter of life-and-death. Chicks, what else?! I am no Vishwamitra not to be distracted by the Menkas of Fergusson College.

I called Kothrud wali aunty and almost wailed on phone, for pity in this tough life.  I looked like a doe-eyed Kanhaiya and Bhola straight out of the Hindi film potboilers, apologetically asking Nani’s permission to go back to Kothrud. I looked like a new age Abla Nari in the form of a man. The baggage was shifted back in the rickshaw from Vishrant Wadi to Paud Road like a No Man Land’s character.

Finally, I settled into the daily routine, taking the bus to college and dropped atGarware bridge to walk 2 kilometers and back to wriggle my way into the bus as if I am some tiny musketeer. Lady luck would often smile at me and would hop on the six-seater packed like packed eggs with the long legs dangling in the air. I felt like a flying saucepan.

The bike would kick off in the morning and believe me, you gotta keep hitting till it soars to life. I would always ride as a responsible and disciplined citizen, you see! It’s another story that haphazard driving is a fucking norm in Pune. I normally avoided the crowded Deccan Road that leads to Fergusson College and the short cut always worked for me, swerving past FTII, Law College Road, Bhandarkar Road till college. It was my favorite road to take and driving at leisure past the line up of trees, meticulously avoiding the crazy traffic and honking for no reason.

Paud Road, Kothrud Pune/Sourced from http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4090/5085641207_70a698e1d9.jpg

Horns Ok! Please! See how thoughtful we ‘converted’ Punekars are. Driving and humming a Hindi song I listened on Radio Mirchi in the morning that stayed with me and felt like the brave ‘chocolate’ Hindi film ka hero, Biswajeet. Issko lagadala toh life jingalala. It made me fall in love with the bike, steered the engine and gained momentum on the way back home, whooshed past SNDT and climbed the Paud Phata flyover with all the might.

It felt like a chase, trailed by the villains honking furiously as if it’s the end of the world. I am sure climbing the mountain would be a better deal and felt like Manjhi the mountain man with the fear that the modest bike may swing downward as if pulled by some invisible force wrecking havoc on my existence.

There were days when the bike was given the breather and left outside the room to take the bus to college. The crush K was something to die for, my til todne wali machine. Supermodel, cool chick and angry Goddess with a smile that kills for that she makes you forget all the chocolates you can munch for life. Once while walking to the bus stop, K stopped her bike in front of me and offered to drop me till the terminus. Aye Shapat! You know that feeling right?

When you order veg pulao and a whole plate of chicken briyani lands on your table. I was the pillion rider. She was in the driving seat. I held her shoulders gently. It suddenly turned me into a Hindi film ka coy heroine and felt like swinging my Pallu in the air, doing a duet, except that I am no girl nor did I have a pallu. When she dropped me, I kicked myself in the ass and at least, I could have pretended to go in the same direction as her to go full swing with our romance on bike.

The second year in college turned me into Muhammad Ali breaking all records and not teeth. Nah! I didn’t kick asses or turn into Big B kicking in the bum dozens teasing a girl. I shifted five houses in that year, meaning college wala 2004 and 2005 year. I wanted to live on Fergusson College Road and it felt like charging girlfriends in the same fashion one discarded Rupa wala banyan during the sweltering heat.

I left the studio apartment in November to land myself in a PG on FC Road which was nestled behind college. Better keep the story for another day for there are loads to tell. It turned out to be quite an eventful year, from falling in love to become a college fest volunteer and fulfilling vows of friendship. It was 2004. I was loving it as if munching on Mc Donald wala burger.

Love

V

In conversation with Anuja Rathi on writing and LIFE

  Interview with Anuja Rathi

Pune-based Anuja Rathi is a University topper in Psychology, Disc and Fierce certified, training professional, avid traveller and blogger, loves reading and clubbing. She describes herself as dynamic and versatile, aspiring author, a mother to a hyperactive and super naughty 2-year-old.

Princess is one blog that can charm you off the perch with the in-your-face and true to life persona. It was one sunny afternoon when I chanced on Anuja’s blog and since then, I’ve been an avid follower to her words for she always gives you a reason to visit her space. Honest to the core, meet the super talented and one of my favourite bloggers, Anuja Rathi, who was also my classmate at Fergusson College. Say Hola to Anuja on life, follow, read and share. It’s one interview I always wanted to do and read to know the gem that she is.

Anuja Rathi

1. I’ve been following your blog, ‘Life…’since the time I first stumbled upon it in 2008.  The tagline, ‘This is Life…You can love it, you can hate it….Your dull, lonely days are over…coz Princess is here! Cheerio!’ is a killer. How did you arrive at the tag line and the name?

“Life…” – That was the first thing that came to my mind almost a decade ago when I thought about writing a blog which would address anything that came to mind about absolutely everything under the sun. I am a dreamer and philosopher, a connoisseur of all things weird and gorgeous. What better title than “life” to summarize the exquisiteness of it all?! My blog aims to bring a smile to everyone’s face, either because they find the content amusing or because they can relate to the feeling behind the words. If I can do that, my objective of writing is achieved!

 2. Your blog-Life-is a brand and your first post, Q Sera Sera shows you as a rebellious girl who doesn’t shy away from speaking her mind, even if it goes against the crowd. How much of Anuja Rathi is present in LIFE and how much have you changed as a person over the years?

“How vain it is to sit down to write when you have not stood up to live.”

― Henry David Thoreau

My biggest strength is that I am a forthright, assertive person. That (unfortunately) is also my biggest weakness. I cannot disguise my thoughts and I refuse to mask my feelings even if they (at times) hurt egos and reveal truths that people do not want to accept or acknowledge. It has its own merits as well when people walk up to me and tell me how refreshing it is to meet someone so authentic and real. Needless to say, I am what I am, in person and online. I can’t be someone I’m not. I’d like to think I’ve become more mature and responsible in the last decade, while I still retain the pluck and liveliness that makes me, me!

3. You are a born talented writer who weaves beautiful short stories about human relationships, read love, conflict, and poetry which is not cut off from the real world. How much of these stories are inspired by real-life situations? I must say that I miss reading those beautiful stories that touch the heart and soul. Are there plans to make a comeback with such short stories?

Never say never! I am glad my readers recollect and miss my musings – I shall surely try to do justice to your expectations. Most of these poetic and literary compositions are inspired by real life people and situations – and that’s exactly why readers like yourself, remember them!

A family that lives together smiles together. Anuja with husband and son.

4. You’ve been my classmate at Fergusson College. I must say, we hardly spoke to each other but witnessed your incredible talent during one of the case study/presentation during Psychology lecture in FY. I feel words come easily to you and your effortless elocution skills, is testimony to that. Are there plans to give public speaking/motivational lectures in the future?

College is a different world altogether! We’re all figuring ourselves out more than each other. I have always been fond of teaching/training and speaking as well as writing. I have a passion and flair for language and communication. No wonder then that I chose a career in Training and most of my time is invested in interacting with people, delivering sessions (not “lectures”!) on behavioural and communication skills, inspiring and developing people so that they can achieve their personal and professional goals. Their win has been my win for the last 10 years! It’s immensely satisfying and enriching to be able to connect with people and accompany them on their journeys, contributing meaningfully, even if for a short while.

5. You have also done modelling during your Fergusson College days and also worked at that time. Unlike many of your peers, you didn’t wait for college to get over to take work and how it shaped your life and career, dabbling in so many things?

I think I have too much talent and energy to waste doing only one thing! Modelling was something that happened by chance since many people complimented me on my height (I’m 5 feet 7 inches tall). I enjoyed doing print shoots for boutiques and international mags and did a few ramp shows in India but I soon realised that I did not want to pursue a career in this industry. While still an undergrad, I completed my Diploma in Travel and Tourism and landed a full time job at an MNC doing HR and Travel desk related tasks. I also took up assignments in training individuals on communication skills. I barely remember coming to college, but my teachers and peers knew me even if I did not know them! The exposure and jumpstart I got by doing all that I did then is reaping benefits now, while I can boast of a rich experience that most people accomplish only by middle age. It has brought me a lot of laurels and respect. I feel truly blessed for all the opportunities I got and caught.

6. You are also a doting mom to a cute little munchkin, Aarush. How has Aarush changed your life and do give our readers a peek on moments spent with your little one and how he brings a smile to your face every single day?

My little monster keeps me on my toes, and he is one of the best things to have happened to me. His innocence and intelligence have taught me a lot, and he manages to push all my buttons in all the right and wrong ways. I have come to see myself as a very patient parent and I did not know that tiny moments can become defining aspects in life. There are of course times when I wish I had more time and freedom on my hands, but life is incomplete without him now. Be it kissing him good morning or holding him close as he pretends to be a little baby! It’s a beautiful phase, even though it gets exhausting at times. Nevertheless, I’m blessed to have him in my life.

The doting Mom with her munchkin. Aarush.

7. Congratulations for your elevation as location lead for Pune and Bangalore at Hitachi Consulting. Coming from a Psychology background, what your job profile consists of and was it something you always wanted to do professionally?

I have always been a Training professional, and my Masters in Industrial / Occupational Psychology was a natural choice given that I wanted to be a part of the corporate world. I started off as an Associate Consultant, then trainer and finally I am now managing L&D for multiple locations in India with one of the best IT firms. My job profile is very exciting – it gives me the autonomy to do my best and make learning a rewarding experience for employees across Americas, EMEA and APAC, while at the same time, empowering me to grow as a person and professional by collaborating with my global and consulting teams.

8. Describe a typical day in your life?

It’s a mad rush as I manage to get home chores sorted while attending to the little one, then get ready for work and reach just in time for meetings followed by training sessions. Barely have I caught a cup of coffee and connected with the team,  then it’s time to rush back home in time for Aarush to arrive from day-care. 24 hours are just not enough! I enjoy catching up with friends and family, books and reality TV shows when I get some time off for myself. I also take up freelance writing assignments and keep updating myself with the latest trends and growth in the industry.

 9. Movie buff and regular traveller. What role films and travel plays in your life?

Films and travel – both give me the break from routine that my free soul craves for. Given a choice, I’d keep traveling the world until the end of time (or money!) It adds such a rich variety of thoughts and people, exposes you to cultures and hardships that you do not realise on a daily basis in the comfort of your homes and cushy jobs. I’ve seen almost all of India, except the Taj and Andamans, and also visited Kenya and London. Next on my bucket list is Europe and Australia.

10. Coming back to blogging and writing. How often do you blog and share the purpose behind writing and the kind of satisfaction it gives you as a person?  Also, has it crossed your mind to pen a book or novel, considering the fact that you are a super talented writer?

I blog as much as I can, but much less than I’d like! Life has taken on a crazy pace with parenthood as I juggle home and office work. It’s satisfying when I have managed to make a point or connect with my readers, even if it is just to say Hi. At the same time, it is also frustrating when I fail to find time and keep my readers waiting to hear from me. I very much aspire to write a book someday, hopefully before I’m 35! Fingers crossed.

11. Where does the talent for words, comes from-parents or inspiration?

Anuja posing with her Godfather, all smiles.

I am grateful to my god-father, my paternal uncle, who instilled in me the love for reading and writing while I was still a baby. Once on this path, there is no going back. The sources of inspiration for me are endless – I find a story wherever I go, and I am a poet at heart.

Anuja is born poetess and a glimpse of the first one published in a newspaper.

12. How do you see the blogging and writing scene evolving in India as a writer as well as the fact how do you make time to write and read?

I’m struggling to find time to stand and smell the roses at the moment, given my stage in life and parenthood. But I am well aware that the writing scene in India has transformed from what it was a decade ago. There are so many talented people out there and a multitude of networks where they can post their voices and find like-minded companions. It’s truly heartening when I see new initiatives and events planned across the country to encourage and guide bloggers. My time to read and write starts after the little one is asleep at night, but it’s not too long before I find myself dozing off with exhaustion! Praying that changes soon. Until then!

 

 

Pune memoirs: moments, mood and coffee

Hey folks, starting a series on the Pune days, recollecting memoirs of three years spent in the city and it may span over two to three months, depending on the mood. I am also linking today’s post to #MondayMusings hosted on Write Tribe.

June 2003:

I open the grey envelope at Ganeshkhinde, University of Pune and leapt with joy. I am already flying. I have just been accepted at India’s and Pune prestigious, Fergusson College. Dreams do come true, after all! I excitedly hopped on the rick to file admission papers and paying fees at the best college in Pune, hip and happening as I walked past the white gate, proudly written, ‘Fergusson College. I felt a huge sea of opportunity waiting for me as I walked in the grand college, hugely spread across 65 acres.

I could sense that my life gonna be grand like my college. Unfortunately, office hours was closed on Friday and came back on a Saturday to file for admission.d Checked at the Princi office, Wagh Sir and a lady, bubbling with energy greeted me with a smile. I still recall the words Jog Ma’am told me about Pune, ‘Oh! You’ll love the city.” Years down the line, it became so true and feeling emotional writing this post. Pune has given me the best days of life, made the bestest of friends and welcomed me with open arms. It’s the city where I started my life. It gave me an identity and a sense of purpose that I made it my home. Faraway from Pune, I still call it home. The city keeps growing on you.

The initial days were spent plodding my feet to Jungli Maharaj Road which we call JM to munch on Chinese food at China Gate, Mc Donald or hopping at Archies Gallery, the place to shop for Greeting cards. Life was beautiful, exploring places like Deccan Gymkhana and Aundh, that was my first PG at Goodwill Housing Society where I had regular lunch and dinner with the owner, Mr Oak. What a lavish bungalow it is! He would rent rooms on sharing basis to students and working boys & girls.

College started during the Monsoon season. Running in different directions to find classes and clueless about our time tables. That’s quite another story to tell. Waking up at 5 a.m in the morning to attend our Economics classes, scheduled at 7 and there was no time to make tea or breakfast. The small tapdi (tea stall) on the street was such a blessing in disguise where tea for 3 bucks and 1 buck biscuit filled the stomach. Evenings were spent walking at FC Road. It’s was such a beautiful sight watching the crowd swarming for dinner at places like Roopali, Wadeshwar and Vaishali. I enjoyed the evening walk on FC, surrounded by the small shops on the streets selling stuffs like Kurta, hats, shirts and ornaments.

I would often walk long distance from college till Deccan, shopping for books and magazines on the streets cum Crossword, that was the only bookshop in Pune, much before Landmarks came. CCD on FC was the place I would became a regular, sipping cold coffee with ice cream. I love the hip and happening crowd, cool chicks swarming there. The first coffee I tasted was Arab Eskimo and absolutely love it. Love the music playing at CCD and we were getting free tickets for parties.

It was the first taste of Pune, the city known for its greenery and traffic was not as crazy as it is know. The perfect place for students and it’s not without an iota of logic that it is called, ‘Oxford of the East.’