The school days are indeed the best days of one’s life. Not a single day passes when I don’t think of the yesteryears at school. There are many magical moments in one’s life like the years of graduation, the first job offer letter or one’s first salary. Yet, to me, the days at school will always be the most wonderful time spent.
I can vividly recollect those games periods, the class tests, the annual function, sports day and cluster meets, lunch hour games, morning assembly, the house activities, quarterly, half yearly and annual exams, the independence and republic day celebrations, sunday morning cricket in the school grounds or in some friend’s house, the library hours and the discussions, bullying around with people, all the double meanings and the cricket and WWE card games (one that came free with Big Babol!). Getting ready five minutes before the final bell and then racing our bicycles to reach just in time for the morning assembly, gorging the lunch as fast as possible to spare time for cricket or table tennis, coming home after a school fight with bruised knees and elbows and then covering up for friends, the joy of playing in the rain with the lurking fear of being scolded at home, fright of being thrown out of class for misbehavior or incomplete homework etc. are the things that really symbolize the school life (excuse me if I have missed out something!).
Some of these are very specific to my case but I am sure everyone has a story to tell. Just scribbling down the thoughts is making me nostalgic! One major difference back then was that we were not as independent as we are now. We had parents to blame for everything. We were frowned upon for our wrongdoings and suggestions and advice from parents didn’t hurt our ego as much! There was hardly anything we couldn’t tell mom and dad. There were no tensions or responsibilities (except the exams time, ofcourse!).
My English teacher often said that school days are the best days of one’s life but it is in our innate nature that we don’t understand the importance of something until it is gone forever. Back then we felt that it was just a ruse to keep us interested and motivated and nothing more.
Today, as I lay back and think of those beautiful days, I realize how much things have changed. That innocence, that carefree attitude towards life, the ability to live in the present and not give a thought to what will happen a few years down the line, relishing as small a thing as chocolate distribution on birthdays or the thrill of getting a free cricket bat with some health drink.
Well, this is life and it moves on. Now, we have to think of jobs, internships, future plans, career path; the list is endless. I believe the right thing to do would be to keep a track of all these things but at the same time not forget to enjoy the moment at hand, the present; else life would just slip away like loose sand.
‘And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years.’ – Abraham Lincoln.
Cheers to this moment!
Piyush.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Chom or Gult
These are the BITSian slangs for the north Indians (CHapati Oriented Men) and people from Andhra Pradesh (Telugu read backwards sounds similar to gults).
The all important question here is ‘where do I belong’? Whenever I try to force this question on me, I tend to get utterly confused. This is because I was born in Bihar, spent my very early years in Uttar Pradesh and then moved to Andhra Pradesh at the age of 8. Most of my schooling was done in this southern state yet I am not a native of the state. When one talks of the history, traditions and cultures associated with this part of the country, my knowledge is a big zilch. I don’t speak very good Telugu neither do I have much idea of the telugu film industry or age old politics. To some extent, the fault lies with me. When one spends such a lot of time in some place, one ought to know these things. But then, at home there is hardly anything I can learn on this front. My kins have never been to the south and so newspapers are all I have!
I can call myself ‘gult’ only because most of my close associations and my very close friends in school and BITS have been with gults. I am a ‘chom’ because essentially I belong to Uttar Pradesh. On a personal level, I don’t mind being called either to the extent where someone doesn’t abuse the other community on my face for no reason. I believe in treating people on merit, be it chom or gult. Someone deserves to be praised, I’ll go and pat him on this back and if someone has to be lambasted for his mistakes I surely will not refrain from doing that as well.
There are flip sides to everything. A dual status at BITS has its own share of pros and cons. The most unique advantage is that one gets to know these two very different wonderful communities from very close. I feel proud that I don’t find trouble bonding with either. No one’s perfect and so if one can adopt the good things, such a status is a real great help. On the contrary, sometimes a few harsh comments hit you directly in your face. No one like’s to be lectured or shown one’s mistakes. So, when someone talks ill of either gults or choms, it feels like I am being scolded. I prefer staying mum during these encounters.
One may feel that I am exaggerating this a tad bit more. But, what would anyone else do being in my position? I don’t blame you for not understanding me, because from where I am standing this question is totally valid and besetting. I have seen people generalize things about the other regional association which to me doesn’t sound right. I have heard people say that some community boasts of ghotus, misers and self-centered people, I can show you a million examples on the contrary. I have heard people say that a particular community is full of people who are lazy, laid back and very loud in expressing thoughts. Again there are examples to prove one false.
My point is don’t see a segment or a few souls doing something and start to take that as the character of the community. One can find all kinds of people in that very community; after all, god didn’t create us keeping in mind this faux split of regions. It is true that culture adds a lot to one’s behavior and attitude, but then again it is how one interprets ones culture or traditions. Particularly in BITS, I find people take pride in being a part of the split. It is not wrong to be proud of your region, your community or your folks but trying to gain superiority by making all the wrong assumptions about the other group is just not right. When we think of the bigger picture, it is the first step to degrade a nation. The educated lot should understand this. Someone at fault should be pitied for not having the understanding to get it right and not humiliated. Only then can we, as a nation, move forward.
After all is said and done, I feel proud and privileged to have been associated with ‘gults’. Whatever I am today is because of this great state and my great friends. But again, I would request everyone to ponder upon this!
Cheers,
Piyush.
The all important question here is ‘where do I belong’? Whenever I try to force this question on me, I tend to get utterly confused. This is because I was born in Bihar, spent my very early years in Uttar Pradesh and then moved to Andhra Pradesh at the age of 8. Most of my schooling was done in this southern state yet I am not a native of the state. When one talks of the history, traditions and cultures associated with this part of the country, my knowledge is a big zilch. I don’t speak very good Telugu neither do I have much idea of the telugu film industry or age old politics. To some extent, the fault lies with me. When one spends such a lot of time in some place, one ought to know these things. But then, at home there is hardly anything I can learn on this front. My kins have never been to the south and so newspapers are all I have!
I can call myself ‘gult’ only because most of my close associations and my very close friends in school and BITS have been with gults. I am a ‘chom’ because essentially I belong to Uttar Pradesh. On a personal level, I don’t mind being called either to the extent where someone doesn’t abuse the other community on my face for no reason. I believe in treating people on merit, be it chom or gult. Someone deserves to be praised, I’ll go and pat him on this back and if someone has to be lambasted for his mistakes I surely will not refrain from doing that as well.
There are flip sides to everything. A dual status at BITS has its own share of pros and cons. The most unique advantage is that one gets to know these two very different wonderful communities from very close. I feel proud that I don’t find trouble bonding with either. No one’s perfect and so if one can adopt the good things, such a status is a real great help. On the contrary, sometimes a few harsh comments hit you directly in your face. No one like’s to be lectured or shown one’s mistakes. So, when someone talks ill of either gults or choms, it feels like I am being scolded. I prefer staying mum during these encounters.
One may feel that I am exaggerating this a tad bit more. But, what would anyone else do being in my position? I don’t blame you for not understanding me, because from where I am standing this question is totally valid and besetting. I have seen people generalize things about the other regional association which to me doesn’t sound right. I have heard people say that some community boasts of ghotus, misers and self-centered people, I can show you a million examples on the contrary. I have heard people say that a particular community is full of people who are lazy, laid back and very loud in expressing thoughts. Again there are examples to prove one false.
My point is don’t see a segment or a few souls doing something and start to take that as the character of the community. One can find all kinds of people in that very community; after all, god didn’t create us keeping in mind this faux split of regions. It is true that culture adds a lot to one’s behavior and attitude, but then again it is how one interprets ones culture or traditions. Particularly in BITS, I find people take pride in being a part of the split. It is not wrong to be proud of your region, your community or your folks but trying to gain superiority by making all the wrong assumptions about the other group is just not right. When we think of the bigger picture, it is the first step to degrade a nation. The educated lot should understand this. Someone at fault should be pitied for not having the understanding to get it right and not humiliated. Only then can we, as a nation, move forward.
After all is said and done, I feel proud and privileged to have been associated with ‘gults’. Whatever I am today is because of this great state and my great friends. But again, I would request everyone to ponder upon this!
Cheers,
Piyush.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Andhra Mirchis
The two words mean a lot to me. I believe I haven’t made the most of my time here at BITS but this is one thing that is very close to my heart, that has made me proud. It may not matter much to those who haven’t been a part of it, but I will not refrain myself from writing anyway.
Andhra Mirchis is the cricket team we formed in our first year and the association has continued to exist and better itself every day. But this was not something that just came by. The team, as it stands today, is the result of many hours spent discussing strategies, contemplating our mistakes and looking for ways to gain an edge over the opponent even before the matches take place. The team formation itself took many nyt-outs and heated arguments. Captaincy has had its share of pondering as well. Some may find it amusing but, I can assure you, every person who has been a part of the squad has taken it very seriously. At no point in time did anyone feel that we are taking it too far, after all this was just a campus team, like many others, which played tournaments conducted by regional associations at BITS Pilani. Three cheers to that spirit!
As it happens with every team and every player, we have also had our highs and lows, players have been in and out of form and health but then it is the love for the game that has kept us going. I believe we are one of the very few teams on campus, in fact the only one as my memory goes, which has had the same 11 on its squad for over three years now. In our final year there have been a couple of changes owing to the Practice School program, and our new members have proved to be equally talented and spirited (proud of you, guys!). I can’t recollect a single instance where we had team members arguing over something or any sort of ego clashes. There is always a captain in the team but then we have never had monopolies. Any decision is the outcome of a collective thought process. To better oneself, one always needs to retrospect so that same mistakes are not reiterated. We always have post-match cnot session/discussions in the wing/anc discussion or sometimes we sit musing at the Gandhi circle (!) as to how each one of us performed that day. We rejoice every victory and there is a sullen silence whenever we lose (very few of these, I believe!), although we never forget the kudos handshake with the opposition. The loss inspires us to perform even better the next match and the post-match session is a real boost. We have team treats and our bonding on and off the field is just great.
I feel ecstatic even as I write this post as this gives me a chance to hold on to these moments forever. So, I will also not miss out on mentioning the players who are the real assets of a team.
(In batting order)Kishore a.k.a Mule, Aditya a.k.a Adi, Chaitanya a.k.a. VSK, Vijay a.k.a Cap, Sarat a.k.a Law, Mohan a.k.a Barru, Venkatesh a.k.a Venki, Sowseel a.k.a. Kodo, Myself, Amarnath a.k.a Amar and Satyanarayana a.k.a Satti. This year there have been a couple of changes - Jagannath a.k.a Jaggu, Krishna Mohan a.k.a KM have replaced Law and Barru, and we are still as formidable as ever.
I feel privileged to be a part of this team and this affiliation of great talents.
Love you guys,
Piyush.
Andhra Mirchis is the cricket team we formed in our first year and the association has continued to exist and better itself every day. But this was not something that just came by. The team, as it stands today, is the result of many hours spent discussing strategies, contemplating our mistakes and looking for ways to gain an edge over the opponent even before the matches take place. The team formation itself took many nyt-outs and heated arguments. Captaincy has had its share of pondering as well. Some may find it amusing but, I can assure you, every person who has been a part of the squad has taken it very seriously. At no point in time did anyone feel that we are taking it too far, after all this was just a campus team, like many others, which played tournaments conducted by regional associations at BITS Pilani. Three cheers to that spirit!
As it happens with every team and every player, we have also had our highs and lows, players have been in and out of form and health but then it is the love for the game that has kept us going. I believe we are one of the very few teams on campus, in fact the only one as my memory goes, which has had the same 11 on its squad for over three years now. In our final year there have been a couple of changes owing to the Practice School program, and our new members have proved to be equally talented and spirited (proud of you, guys!). I can’t recollect a single instance where we had team members arguing over something or any sort of ego clashes. There is always a captain in the team but then we have never had monopolies. Any decision is the outcome of a collective thought process. To better oneself, one always needs to retrospect so that same mistakes are not reiterated. We always have post-match cnot session/discussions in the wing/anc discussion or sometimes we sit musing at the Gandhi circle (!) as to how each one of us performed that day. We rejoice every victory and there is a sullen silence whenever we lose (very few of these, I believe!), although we never forget the kudos handshake with the opposition. The loss inspires us to perform even better the next match and the post-match session is a real boost. We have team treats and our bonding on and off the field is just great.
I feel ecstatic even as I write this post as this gives me a chance to hold on to these moments forever. So, I will also not miss out on mentioning the players who are the real assets of a team.
(In batting order)Kishore a.k.a Mule, Aditya a.k.a Adi, Chaitanya a.k.a. VSK, Vijay a.k.a Cap, Sarat a.k.a Law, Mohan a.k.a Barru, Venkatesh a.k.a Venki, Sowseel a.k.a. Kodo, Myself, Amarnath a.k.a Amar and Satyanarayana a.k.a Satti. This year there have been a couple of changes - Jagannath a.k.a Jaggu, Krishna Mohan a.k.a KM have replaced Law and Barru, and we are still as formidable as ever.
I feel privileged to be a part of this team and this affiliation of great talents.
Love you guys,
Piyush.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Fantasy Cricket League
This IPL season created a lot of buzz right from the day the bidding for the players started. The controversy over the snubbing of Pakistani players, the much awaited announcement of the two new franchises (which gave the satta bazaar a whiff of fresh air) coming up in the next season and then the frills and thrills of the T20 game itself.
Amidst all this euphoria, there came up something called Fantasy Cricket League. Although, the concept has been there for quite some time now, it is only in this semester, rather this IPL season that I have realized how well it is catching up with youngsters.
I see this as an attempt to commercialize the game. The idea of bidding for players and teams itself seems to degrade the very spirit of the game. Add to that, I find people cheering only for the players that form a part of their own ‘so-called’ fantasy team. Only a few days back as I was watching an IPL match where our very own Sehwag seemed to be in his prime form, someone from the crowd was Bronx cheering him just because he was not a part of his own team. He went to the extent where he was praying for Sehwag to be out in that very over(because he had elected the bowler to be in his squad) and hoped that the batsman at the other end scored some runs, again for the same reason.
Some may argue that this ‘Fantasy’ thing has brought more flavor to the IPL and people turning up for the matches have increased. To me it is nothing more than a sham justification, an excuse for people to get rid of their boredom giving them a reason to go on arguing and spatting for hours together. I understand that one may have reasons to support a player – talent, attitude, character or sometimes even nationality (a good enough reason because the very idea of matches between two countries seems to justify it well). But keeping all this aside and supporting a player so that one’s ‘fantasy’ ranking improves doesn’t go well with me.
I consider this to be worse than wagering, atleast there one has a chance of winning something. What pleasure can one possibly achieve seeing a lower number (rank) on his fantasy chart or tad extra number of points on the scorecard? I find people are ready to cut on their diet, outings and leisure time because they may run out of time to elect a fantasy team and with the IPL likely to go over two months this has become a daily thing now.
There is nothing wrong with enjoying it. But, in my opinion, one should not take it too far. Don’t avoid your diet for some faux team selection or shout your hearts out for your ‘fantasy’ team player.
If you really want to take it so seriously, start betting where atleast you compensate for all your time you spend talking and thinking about the game. But see that’s the problem! One can enjoy the game for some reason like Fantasy Cricket League but as soon as you talk of money, all the hue and cry starts. You are chided for not being ethical. But, why do you lock your ethics in some box when I talk about something no more than virtual betting. To me, in either cases I am not enjoying the game for the right reasons, in the former earning nothing more than headaches and tensions.
Seriously guys, no offence, but I do not find a fair reason to this. Give this a thought and I am sure one can find a million other better grounds to cheer for the game, the teams or the players.
Cheers,
Piyush.
Amidst all this euphoria, there came up something called Fantasy Cricket League. Although, the concept has been there for quite some time now, it is only in this semester, rather this IPL season that I have realized how well it is catching up with youngsters.
I see this as an attempt to commercialize the game. The idea of bidding for players and teams itself seems to degrade the very spirit of the game. Add to that, I find people cheering only for the players that form a part of their own ‘so-called’ fantasy team. Only a few days back as I was watching an IPL match where our very own Sehwag seemed to be in his prime form, someone from the crowd was Bronx cheering him just because he was not a part of his own team. He went to the extent where he was praying for Sehwag to be out in that very over(because he had elected the bowler to be in his squad) and hoped that the batsman at the other end scored some runs, again for the same reason.
Some may argue that this ‘Fantasy’ thing has brought more flavor to the IPL and people turning up for the matches have increased. To me it is nothing more than a sham justification, an excuse for people to get rid of their boredom giving them a reason to go on arguing and spatting for hours together. I understand that one may have reasons to support a player – talent, attitude, character or sometimes even nationality (a good enough reason because the very idea of matches between two countries seems to justify it well). But keeping all this aside and supporting a player so that one’s ‘fantasy’ ranking improves doesn’t go well with me.
I consider this to be worse than wagering, atleast there one has a chance of winning something. What pleasure can one possibly achieve seeing a lower number (rank) on his fantasy chart or tad extra number of points on the scorecard? I find people are ready to cut on their diet, outings and leisure time because they may run out of time to elect a fantasy team and with the IPL likely to go over two months this has become a daily thing now.
There is nothing wrong with enjoying it. But, in my opinion, one should not take it too far. Don’t avoid your diet for some faux team selection or shout your hearts out for your ‘fantasy’ team player.
If you really want to take it so seriously, start betting where atleast you compensate for all your time you spend talking and thinking about the game. But see that’s the problem! One can enjoy the game for some reason like Fantasy Cricket League but as soon as you talk of money, all the hue and cry starts. You are chided for not being ethical. But, why do you lock your ethics in some box when I talk about something no more than virtual betting. To me, in either cases I am not enjoying the game for the right reasons, in the former earning nothing more than headaches and tensions.
Seriously guys, no offence, but I do not find a fair reason to this. Give this a thought and I am sure one can find a million other better grounds to cheer for the game, the teams or the players.
Cheers,
Piyush.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
My First Blog
Its been quite a while since I have been thinking of blogging. Even at this moment, I am quite unsure of what I should be writing about. Well....lets see....I think my four years at BITS Pilani would be a nice idea to start off with. I still vividly remember the first time all of us were called to gather in our respective bhawan common rooms. Our hostel warden was right in saying, although then it seemed to be just a boring speech, that these four years would pass by in a blink of an eye. Today, as I await convocation, those words come rushing into memory.
Right from day 1, all of us embarked on a memorable journey. There were times that made us feel low and there were moments that got us all enthu-ed. Be it one day preps before tests, the tension of rightly predicting when some tut was going to be conducted(very bad at that!), ANC sessions, LAN gaming, gen tp nyt-outs, various cultural nights, group study sessions before exams, dhaba and cnot trips, birthday celebrations, treats etc. etc. etc..., everyday at BITS has given us something to relish upon for the rest of our lives.
As of me, I remember how reluctant I was when my father asked me to apply for BITSAT. It was not until the very last day that my application status turned positive and even this didnt seem to bother me much! I must say if it werent for my father, I would as well be rotting someplace, no offense to anyone, not even knowing how much I was missing. The campus life has really taught me a great deal of stuff, given me some great insights into living life, and above all given me great friends who I can look upon to.
Into my final semester with just two courses, the 'lacha' sessions have increased dramatically now. AOE fever is spreading fast in the wing. In fact, it has reached to an extent where my sidee is nicknamed 'War Elephant', super sidee 'Paladin' and we also have 'Archers' and 'Skirmishers', not to forget the 'Goth' blogger, thats me! Cricket, Table tennis....full on. There is just one problem this semester, PLACEMENTS. Half of the wing is yet to be placed, but who cares(just kidding, the low moments I was speaking of!).
Neways, less than 50 days before the journey ends, but as our Ts rightly say 'Once a BITSIAN, always a BITSIAN'!, hoping to carry forward the tradition....
Signing off,
Core DOSA member !
:)
Right from day 1, all of us embarked on a memorable journey. There were times that made us feel low and there were moments that got us all enthu-ed. Be it one day preps before tests, the tension of rightly predicting when some tut was going to be conducted(very bad at that!), ANC sessions, LAN gaming, gen tp nyt-outs, various cultural nights, group study sessions before exams, dhaba and cnot trips, birthday celebrations, treats etc. etc. etc..., everyday at BITS has given us something to relish upon for the rest of our lives.
As of me, I remember how reluctant I was when my father asked me to apply for BITSAT. It was not until the very last day that my application status turned positive and even this didnt seem to bother me much! I must say if it werent for my father, I would as well be rotting someplace, no offense to anyone, not even knowing how much I was missing. The campus life has really taught me a great deal of stuff, given me some great insights into living life, and above all given me great friends who I can look upon to.
Into my final semester with just two courses, the 'lacha' sessions have increased dramatically now. AOE fever is spreading fast in the wing. In fact, it has reached to an extent where my sidee is nicknamed 'War Elephant', super sidee 'Paladin' and we also have 'Archers' and 'Skirmishers', not to forget the 'Goth' blogger, thats me! Cricket, Table tennis....full on. There is just one problem this semester, PLACEMENTS. Half of the wing is yet to be placed, but who cares(just kidding, the low moments I was speaking of!).
Neways, less than 50 days before the journey ends, but as our Ts rightly say 'Once a BITSIAN, always a BITSIAN'!, hoping to carry forward the tradition....
Signing off,
Core DOSA member !
:)
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