When I first discovered I was spending the next three years of my life in a hostel; to say I was upset would be a massive understatement. I remember reading the hostel rule book (yes, it really does exist) and being filled with a sense of dread for what lay in store for me. Atrocious food? Early curfew? ONLY ONE TV???
Such words floated to me, through endless advice and suggestions. But something seemed to happen almost immediately after joining. All those mundane rules and restrictions seemed insignificant for two major reasons – one, there were an endless stream of new activities that helped me keep my mind off them. And two, I learnt that hostelites don’t follow the rules anyway!!!
The last six months have been like an invigorating journey, filled with ups and downs. But in the end, when I think of my fondest memories of Mumbai, I give credit to the hostel for making it all possible. And although it gives me intense happiness to complain about its endless flaws and the grumpy warden, in the end, I’m glad to be a hostelite.
We may have occasional pangs of ‘homesickness’ but there are always a great number of things that make it worthwhile - singing along to the tune of the guitar at 2 in the morning, celebrating someone’s birthday at midnight, having a mass study session the night before an exam. So many more wonderful opportunities and experiences I would have hated to miss.
So this goes out to all those incredible, independent people staying in hostels. It’s true: we still have atrocious food, an early curfew and ONLY ONE TV. But along this way, we get to meet these remarkable people we call friends, and that’s what makes all the difference.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Monday, January 3, 2011
When the Premises were all Ears
“Encore” was the word, the crowd bawled out in chorus after listening to the performance by Sheldon Bangera’s band. Needless to mention, the enthusiasm and the vigour held by the crowd had paid off in a colossal manner. The premises of Wilson College were all ears to the beautiful Christian Gospel Music played by the band. The throng which was full of vigour and liveliness shouted approval to each song of theirs. But what left a touch was the song, “Pyaar toh andhaa hai” as everybody was seen humming the song along with the crew. And if that wasn’t enough, people are still heard singing it to themselves in the canteen or elsewhere. And then when the excitement, the noise and the zest had reached the top notch, there came to perform the very legendary and celebrated, Yeshua Band Artists. Within minutes they managed to capture the attention of the on-lookers and take them on this little hypothetical trip to the world of Gospel. As was very visible, all and sundry in attendance there were flabbergasted and amazed at their marvellous and enthralling performance. Surely, they too were a huge success. But what struck a chord in the people there were the striking and riveting words said by the lead singer. To quote him, he said, “At the end of this beautiful life we’ve been bestowed upon, it’s not about finding success through materialistic or money-oriented means. To find victory in our lives, we simply need to look towards God and it will be in that direction that we’ll find ourselves to be most triumphant.” So all in all, the entire occasion ended up being a gigantic success punctuated with loud applauds and cheers.
All hail Sheldon Bangera and Yeshua.
-Alisha Mishra
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Nuances- Ria Lawrence
Have you ever noticed that if you sit quietly near a brook, you can hear its music? The soft gushing sound, the rocks and water crashing against each other and the strong, swift current, it all seems like a sweet, reflective melody. There is always a sense of movement, of activity, of impermanence.
Have you also, ever noticed a dead tree? A tree without any leaves and no sign of life, standing alone and naked against the sky, all its branches outlined in a towering silhouette, and there, in its bleak nakedness there is a song, there is a sense of vitality, of vigour, for it waits for spring to cover its branches with beautiful, colorful leaves again.
Have you ever noticed a caterpillar just before its transformation into a butterfly? It’s extremely grotesque with all of it in a grossly distorted shape, but does it not eventually evolve in a butterfly?
Have you ever noticed the setting sun from the bank of a river? How it exudes the most incredible hues into the waters before dying down and leaving the world enveloped in a forbidding darkness.
Without seeming too profound and spiritual, I merely mean to point out how life as we know it and life as we live is so very similar to the ever flowing river, the caterpillar, the dead tree and the setting sun, it is eternally changing, constantly moving. There is no sign of stagnation or immobility. However, we ourselves, either in an attempt to resist pain or out of our own insecurities, our own uncertainties and reasons, form these intangible yet extremely strong walls around us. Walls of comfort, of virtues, of rebellion, of religion, of fear and many more and while we are busy creating and breaking down these walls…life moves on. It rears its ugly head more than we’d like and smiles that vague smile on us once in a while.
Like the setting sun and the dying caterpillar, we seek a reason to fly, to shine. Some manage to find that elusive standing while others struggle to find a foothold. Staggering, falling, picking ourselves up again, experiencing misery, anguish, mirth, laughter, trials, making memories, making mistakes, making the same mistakes, learning from these mistakes, growing up, acting like a child, numbness, excitement, fervour, partings, meetings, stillness, desolation, strength…through this kaleidoscope of emotions and incidents we stumble upon life, discovering our true selves and slowly dropping the façade we’re compelled to put on. And while the transition happens, people see the shine, the true light in each and every one of us, similar to the changing caterpillar which evolves into a butterfly. And even though, the butterfly may seem delicate, fragile to the eye, don’t you forget the fact that it has what it takes to fly!
Have you also, ever noticed a dead tree? A tree without any leaves and no sign of life, standing alone and naked against the sky, all its branches outlined in a towering silhouette, and there, in its bleak nakedness there is a song, there is a sense of vitality, of vigour, for it waits for spring to cover its branches with beautiful, colorful leaves again.
Have you ever noticed a caterpillar just before its transformation into a butterfly? It’s extremely grotesque with all of it in a grossly distorted shape, but does it not eventually evolve in a butterfly?
Have you ever noticed the setting sun from the bank of a river? How it exudes the most incredible hues into the waters before dying down and leaving the world enveloped in a forbidding darkness.
Without seeming too profound and spiritual, I merely mean to point out how life as we know it and life as we live is so very similar to the ever flowing river, the caterpillar, the dead tree and the setting sun, it is eternally changing, constantly moving. There is no sign of stagnation or immobility. However, we ourselves, either in an attempt to resist pain or out of our own insecurities, our own uncertainties and reasons, form these intangible yet extremely strong walls around us. Walls of comfort, of virtues, of rebellion, of religion, of fear and many more and while we are busy creating and breaking down these walls…life moves on. It rears its ugly head more than we’d like and smiles that vague smile on us once in a while.
Like the setting sun and the dying caterpillar, we seek a reason to fly, to shine. Some manage to find that elusive standing while others struggle to find a foothold. Staggering, falling, picking ourselves up again, experiencing misery, anguish, mirth, laughter, trials, making memories, making mistakes, making the same mistakes, learning from these mistakes, growing up, acting like a child, numbness, excitement, fervour, partings, meetings, stillness, desolation, strength…through this kaleidoscope of emotions and incidents we stumble upon life, discovering our true selves and slowly dropping the façade we’re compelled to put on. And while the transition happens, people see the shine, the true light in each and every one of us, similar to the changing caterpillar which evolves into a butterfly. And even though, the butterfly may seem delicate, fragile to the eye, don’t you forget the fact that it has what it takes to fly!
Friday, December 24, 2010
It Doesn't Really Matter
IT DOESN’T REALLY MATTER!
by-Alisha Mishra
Not many of us are privileged enough to be born with flawlessness in our physical attributes. Some are beautifully endowed while others are bereft of these delightful gifts. My close encounter with one such mortal got me to realize that although life is challenging at the other side of the coin but at the same time, it’s not impossible.by-Alisha Mishra
I had been bequeathed with this wonderful opportunity to write an exam for a visually challenged student, Nikhil Deshmukh. Having a huge soft corner for people with disabilities, I wanted to help him to the best of my proficiency. When one of the supervisors’ got me introduced to him I was a little apprehensive about the way I should go about making him feel at ease in my company. So, when the teacher asked me to take him to the staff-room I thought of lending him a hand so that we could walk till there. But to my utter surprise, before I could do so, he’d already started walking. And I realized that not him, but I was following him, which was indeed a little weird, nevertheless interesting too. When we finally settled down and there were still a few minutes for the paper to start I thought of asking him a few questions which I had in my mind. So very randomly I asked him as to where he was from and why did he choose Wilson to be his college et al. I learnt that he was basically from Amravati and he was the eldest amongst his four siblings. His father had expired when he was a mere 2 years and all the family’s expenses were incurred by his uncle, who sometimes would be nasty enough to beat him up for no reasons. Here in Mumbai he stays at Worli and his conveyance mode is the public transport. I asked him if he ever has been duped by people or any incident which he remembers about him being ill-treated. And that got him to smile for some reason. He said, people in this city have not been of much trouble to him and he has been assisted as and when needed without any trouble. He doesn’t remember any such episode of him being harmed or maltreated, but sometimes the road-side hooligans are the reason behind a little distress. I asked him the reason, but his hush made me comprehend that he probably was not very comfortable to narrate to me those occurrences.
Insignificant things which just generally ensue also, speak hugely about a person’s individualities and uniqueness. Whilst writing his paper, there was a bundle of sheets kept next to the table. And just when the sheet kept on top was about to wing, before I could, Nikhil held it down. I was stunned for a second. I had to ask him, how he figured that out and that too before someone who could actually see that happen. Some other instances made me realize that visionless people have a very sharp memory and a huge sense of sound. Also, his answers were very articulate and to the point. Very evidently, he was a good student. And I was glad that he was one, for clear reasons. On questioning him later about various other particulars, he said that he could figure when people sitting next to him look at him by listening to their vague sound of breath and also mentioned some more specifications which I was not able to follow. In my opinion it’s simply incredible and miraculous to have such capabilities.
So on the whole this little encounter with Nikhil was more than writing an exam for him. Initially I was full of circulating emotions, but after seeing those little marvels, I have more respect and even more good-will for him.
So, in my first-last conversation, this is something I would like to dedicate to him.
With the way things are shaping up, I can clearly see you go a long way. And my best regards are sure to shadow you throughout.
BLIND-by Mitchell Pavao
Your beauty intoxicates all you encounter,
Yet you fail to notice,
This is your blunder,
You've had a rough time,
Though now it is over,
But yet you continue clinging to what is left over,
And in doing this your depression grows deeper,
Pulling you apart at the seams,
Causing you to unravel and fall to your knees,
Pondering desperately: "How much worse can it be? "
To ease your mind of your terrible burden,
You bargain with Satan (as if he cares),
Giving you a release, in turn for your soul:
That you believe tarnished and not worth much at all,
When all of your friends have been with you till now,
But here comes the crossroads up ahead,
They give you a choice: "Stand tall or fall down."
You have your beauty and charm,
Your intelligence and grace,
Good friends and your health,
What more does it take for you?
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Realizations of a not-so-fresh BMMite - Shenna Albert
When I walked into Wilson College on the 1st of July, 2010 (around 10am I guess), I didn’t realize what I was getting myself into. I didn’t know I’d be redefining myself and trying to reach up to and beyond certain limits I’d set for myself.
Back then, all I knew was that I wanted to do something which would provoke me to reach to my best and a major part of the decision I took then, was to save myself from entering boring laboratories and fiddling around with strange liquids to get some result, to save myself from books weighing half my weight and the anxiety bursts, from calculators and confusing intertwined numericals. Well, I’m happy I’ve successfully warded off those evils!
But now, when I look back at the last six months of my life, I can’t help but ask myself ‘Was this all?’ Certainly not! I learnt and did things I didn’t know I would or perhaps I could at some point in life, or maybe I never gave it a thought.
Back in the summer holidays I never thought the crazy videos I was learning to make as an amateur on movie maker would ever fetch me marks and that too decent ones!
The chapter of Dance was closed long back in time until this August when my friend (Prajakta) urged me to go audition. I can’t say I am amazing at all of this but yes I can see the change, I can see myself excelling.
During our first ECS lecture, when Maam spoke about a blog and writing and how it could change your life, I did take something back home with me, though I never thought writing could change my life. No offence Maam, no flaws in your teaching, flaws lie in my writing! So, with the little something that I took back, I decided to create a blog of my own. As I decided, I did end up making one and I did post some of my not-so-great articles and eventually stopped. No likes, no comments, no motivation killed that little excitement that was created as I posted those articles.
I know what you’re thinking just now; everything one does, can’t always be complimented or appreciated. True! I just figured out a flaw in myself, while writing this. So I decided to try and keep posting, not just for appreciation, or lunch with Maam but to see myself grow.
I might not make it big here, but at least I can appreciate myself for trying. I think all of us should. Our teachers keep saying that a lot of us have it in us but do not try, out of fear and rejection. I see and sense great energy in our FY class, which is seen during various presentations, festivals, trips. These words coming from me are surprising to myself, let alone you!
On a serious note, now when I sit and contemplate on SSR’s words ‘Are you merely floating through the course?’ I realize the answer is no. I have learnt, I am learning and this process would go on until the end (NOT of this course). I tried my hand at painting, mingling with people who are totally different from me as well as a replica of me, drawing, video making, dancing, acting, presenting (phew!), modeling and here I finally try writing.
I’m not superb in most of these, may be also all of these; but nevertheless I tried and wow this actually got me to write an article that is Funny? Inspiring? Boring? All? None? Any which ways, I could blow your top if I’d go any further! So then, This Is It. The last six months have had a small impact on my life. Small for now, the effect gets stronger with time I guess (figured by reading what my seniors write).
P.S. This has still not motivated me enough to raise my hand in class for a debate or to question SSR. But like I said, as the effect gets stronger, the boundaries I set for myself keep extending further ;) (Excuse me for the smiley, I’m not sure it’s allowed but some statements are just incomplete without them)
-SHENNA ALBERT, FYBMM.
Back then, all I knew was that I wanted to do something which would provoke me to reach to my best and a major part of the decision I took then, was to save myself from entering boring laboratories and fiddling around with strange liquids to get some result, to save myself from books weighing half my weight and the anxiety bursts, from calculators and confusing intertwined numericals. Well, I’m happy I’ve successfully warded off those evils!
But now, when I look back at the last six months of my life, I can’t help but ask myself ‘Was this all?’ Certainly not! I learnt and did things I didn’t know I would or perhaps I could at some point in life, or maybe I never gave it a thought.
Back in the summer holidays I never thought the crazy videos I was learning to make as an amateur on movie maker would ever fetch me marks and that too decent ones!
The chapter of Dance was closed long back in time until this August when my friend (Prajakta) urged me to go audition. I can’t say I am amazing at all of this but yes I can see the change, I can see myself excelling.
During our first ECS lecture, when Maam spoke about a blog and writing and how it could change your life, I did take something back home with me, though I never thought writing could change my life. No offence Maam, no flaws in your teaching, flaws lie in my writing! So, with the little something that I took back, I decided to create a blog of my own. As I decided, I did end up making one and I did post some of my not-so-great articles and eventually stopped. No likes, no comments, no motivation killed that little excitement that was created as I posted those articles.
I know what you’re thinking just now; everything one does, can’t always be complimented or appreciated. True! I just figured out a flaw in myself, while writing this. So I decided to try and keep posting, not just for appreciation, or lunch with Maam but to see myself grow.
I might not make it big here, but at least I can appreciate myself for trying. I think all of us should. Our teachers keep saying that a lot of us have it in us but do not try, out of fear and rejection. I see and sense great energy in our FY class, which is seen during various presentations, festivals, trips. These words coming from me are surprising to myself, let alone you!
On a serious note, now when I sit and contemplate on SSR’s words ‘Are you merely floating through the course?’ I realize the answer is no. I have learnt, I am learning and this process would go on until the end (NOT of this course). I tried my hand at painting, mingling with people who are totally different from me as well as a replica of me, drawing, video making, dancing, acting, presenting (phew!), modeling and here I finally try writing.
I’m not superb in most of these, may be also all of these; but nevertheless I tried and wow this actually got me to write an article that is Funny? Inspiring? Boring? All? None? Any which ways, I could blow your top if I’d go any further! So then, This Is It. The last six months have had a small impact on my life. Small for now, the effect gets stronger with time I guess (figured by reading what my seniors write).
P.S. This has still not motivated me enough to raise my hand in class for a debate or to question SSR. But like I said, as the effect gets stronger, the boundaries I set for myself keep extending further ;) (Excuse me for the smiley, I’m not sure it’s allowed but some statements are just incomplete without them)
-SHENNA ALBERT, FYBMM.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
EssEssAar.
Presentations... They get to you!!
Commotion anxiety, distress, yet an unending desire to prove him wrong!!
The day you've been assigned the task, it's almost as if you've psyched yourself up to win a gold at the Olympics (atleast, that's what I would do), only this may be better... Then the days go by.. Day 3 and by now you're looking for the easy way out.. Day 5 and Enter rain! You aren't gonna be able to do this.. Who were you kidding?!!...
D-day! and a pile of Unfufilled promises.. He's won again!
Beat the system.. Learn how to be efficient even while you'll are busy mastering the art of procrastination in your mundane lives.. Scented lines used on an ailing group.. They barely have the time to shrink into their seat, as once again they hear the sound of chalk against the black that resembled their fate, and the words he spoke.. But all they could hear was, "Take... Down!!"...
Commotion anxiety, distress, yet an unending desire to prove him wrong!!
The day you've been assigned the task, it's almost as if you've psyched yourself up to win a gold at the Olympics (atleast, that's what I would do), only this may be better... Then the days go by.. Day 3 and by now you're looking for the easy way out.. Day 5 and Enter rain! You aren't gonna be able to do this.. Who were you kidding?!!...
D-day! and a pile of Unfufilled promises.. He's won again!
Beat the system.. Learn how to be efficient even while you'll are busy mastering the art of procrastination in your mundane lives.. Scented lines used on an ailing group.. They barely have the time to shrink into their seat, as once again they hear the sound of chalk against the black that resembled their fate, and the words he spoke.. But all they could hear was, "Take... Down!!"...
Friday, December 17, 2010
India - lost and found
India is such a fascinating place to live in. I have always been bewildered by the unassuming ways with which we Indians tend add colour to our otherwise mundane, routine lives.
What I like about India is that we successfully blend our cultural past with our mechanized future. And that’s not just affecting the young work force we see bustling in and out of call centres throughout the day. It is affecting the subha ki chai ke liye fresh milk laane wala doodhwala, the street children who play cricket in the gulleys and the nukkads and also the Pujaris who offer daily prayers in Temples and Shrines.
Wait! Let me elaborate this point… with an illustration you know.
One fine morning, on Marine Drive, when I was sprinting to college (something I have to do each day to reach class on time), I noticed a scooter approaching in my direction. There were tens of cars running in the same direction as well; but what made me take notice of this scooter in particular, was its rider. I observed that the rider was a Jain priest who was heading to the Derasar, dressed in the traditional white attire that is peculiar to Shwetambar Jains.
However, it’s sorrowful that we have learned to overlook such out-of-the-box instances in our everyday lives. I mean, when you are swapping channels and you decide to watch the firangis stroll the colourful markets of Rajasthan or visit the fishing village of the Noila community in Orissa, you see your own countrymen doing wonderfully crazy stuff. Like yogis who have been sitting in Dhyaan since 15 days, tribesmen doing street performance to collect alms, a ragpicker in tattered clothes heading back home to switch on her television set to watch her favourite serial Big Boss 4, et al.
I remember I was watching a serial on Fox History Channel. The anchor was Malishka, the RJ woman and she was touring a remote area in Karnataka. She met this localite who was applying kajal on his eyes with his legs. That’s not all; he was applying kajal with the tip of a knife. That’s correct! Do you ever see something so awfully unusual and dangerous anywhere else?
India is a pot-pourri of various indigenous talents. Unfortunately, India has long forgotten the Desi mitty ka swaad. We have become so dependent on the West that we need their serials like America’s got talent and American Idol, to imitate and then showcase ourselves and our people.
The west’s glamour has had a blinding effect on our eyes. We have nothing but devalued our worth in the World market.
Open up your eyes to all the wonderful people around you. Let’s embrace our people the way we have embraced international chain stores like gelato ice-cream, KFC and Domino’s (forgive the unrelated association. I can’t think of anything else at this moment as I’m starving. But I’m not going to binge on a Mc D burger. I’m going to have daal bhaat. Sounds like a bad alternative? Not to me, not anymore.)
To sum it all up in 2 simple words, this is ‘Incredible India’!!!! :)
What I like about India is that we successfully blend our cultural past with our mechanized future. And that’s not just affecting the young work force we see bustling in and out of call centres throughout the day. It is affecting the subha ki chai ke liye fresh milk laane wala doodhwala, the street children who play cricket in the gulleys and the nukkads and also the Pujaris who offer daily prayers in Temples and Shrines.
Wait! Let me elaborate this point… with an illustration you know.
One fine morning, on Marine Drive, when I was sprinting to college (something I have to do each day to reach class on time), I noticed a scooter approaching in my direction. There were tens of cars running in the same direction as well; but what made me take notice of this scooter in particular, was its rider. I observed that the rider was a Jain priest who was heading to the Derasar, dressed in the traditional white attire that is peculiar to Shwetambar Jains.
However, it’s sorrowful that we have learned to overlook such out-of-the-box instances in our everyday lives. I mean, when you are swapping channels and you decide to watch the firangis stroll the colourful markets of Rajasthan or visit the fishing village of the Noila community in Orissa, you see your own countrymen doing wonderfully crazy stuff. Like yogis who have been sitting in Dhyaan since 15 days, tribesmen doing street performance to collect alms, a ragpicker in tattered clothes heading back home to switch on her television set to watch her favourite serial Big Boss 4, et al.
I remember I was watching a serial on Fox History Channel. The anchor was Malishka, the RJ woman and she was touring a remote area in Karnataka. She met this localite who was applying kajal on his eyes with his legs. That’s not all; he was applying kajal with the tip of a knife. That’s correct! Do you ever see something so awfully unusual and dangerous anywhere else?
India is a pot-pourri of various indigenous talents. Unfortunately, India has long forgotten the Desi mitty ka swaad. We have become so dependent on the West that we need their serials like America’s got talent and American Idol, to imitate and then showcase ourselves and our people.
The west’s glamour has had a blinding effect on our eyes. We have nothing but devalued our worth in the World market.
Open up your eyes to all the wonderful people around you. Let’s embrace our people the way we have embraced international chain stores like gelato ice-cream, KFC and Domino’s (forgive the unrelated association. I can’t think of anything else at this moment as I’m starving. But I’m not going to binge on a Mc D burger. I’m going to have daal bhaat. Sounds like a bad alternative? Not to me, not anymore.)
To sum it all up in 2 simple words, this is ‘Incredible India’!!!! :)
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