Not just another SMS (Part2)

Contd... (This part onwards it will be written in the context of the protagonist)

What shall I do? The 5 minutes I took contemplating what to do seemed like eternity. Don't know why but this Soumya looked innocent for me. I made up my mind not to keep her in dark. Pat went the reply I got this number quite recently...about 2-3 weeks back. You must have mistook me for someone else. I'm Siddhu, doing my Engg in F.U.N College. I was relieved. But how would I know that life throws up surprises at a scorching pace! I received another SMS from her saying I know who you are and what you are. Its just that you dont know me. I'm in the same college as you. Its upto you to catch me.

That almost shook my world. Is this girl crazy? Or is it some kind of a joke? I could not think beyond my class for the girls I know and remember. For the first time in my life I felt embarrassed....embarrassed that I did not expand the horizons of my network. Worse still, I couldnot remember the names of the girls I talk to other than my section friends. Jesus!!! What is happening to this poor soul! The grey cells of my brain introduced another complex variable at that stage. Last month we played the same trick on one of our friends who entered the mobile world. Is history repeating in itself? Is it the work of the gang members? It gave me immense pleasure...Thank God! I do not need to think further....

Next day was my friend Ravi's birthday. This is one guy of our gang who is closer to me than to the rest. He called all of his friends to a party on the beach. As usual, the rest of us were a little dicey. Shall we go to the party? We will be bored. I was the first to throw a suggestion that we should have a party of our own from Ravi at a later point of time. Everyone disagreed and I had to budge down. We decided that we will turn up late and slip early. But, I never knew at that point that this is a season of surprises for me!

I went to the location on time. I have to admit that we would have rued our decision had we decided to give it a slip. So many gals and it looked so colorful. But sigh, what use....main aur meri tanhayee... I was not the last to arrive but certainly one of them. The surprise was that I was the only one from the gang to turn up. To my shock, when I called each of them, everyone replied that they are not coming. What can I do now...Sing the song...eat the cake...watch the show

Precisely that's what happened. I took my plate and was the only loner around. The waves looked pleasant and the Moon resplendent. You seem to enjoy your loneliness more. I heard a sweet voice. It was one of the gals. I wasn't sure if she's from the same college or not but I was sure that I saw her some where. Can I sit here? She asked. The Moon no longer looked beautiful. Ofcourse, my pleasure. I offered her a place on the sand to my left. I saw most of the couples sitting in such a way that the girl is to the left. I am not a novice in observing.

So, how are you related to Ravi? I knew immediately that this is one question which I should have avoided. Ravi already told me that it's gonna be a purely close friends party. I'm his sister's friend. She replied ever so sweetly leaving me puzzled. Does that mean she is not from our college?. I thought for a second. My name is Siddhu. I'm Ravi's class mate. It seemed another stupid introduction. I'm Nikita. I always thought there's nothing velvety than silk. I was wrong. Her mild hand shake reminded me that I know very little in this world of the fairer sex.

The next 20 minutes passed as if it were seconds. She gave nothing away. She asked a lot about me being alone here, my friendship with Ravi and Radha(his sister) and my hobbies. For every query of mine, her answers were ambiguous. They left me more confused. Nikki it's getting late. We should make a move. It's Radha. For the first time, I gave her a serious look. So, Siddhu bhaiyya aap ki tanhayee ko meri dost ne disturb to nahin kiya. I immediately understood that Radha is hell bent upon teasing me. No. She made me realise the essence of beauty. The words never went beyond me. Nikita got up and gave a beautiful smile. Nice talking to you Siddhu. Hope we meet again. I almost immediately asked when and where. Instead I gave her a pleasant smile. At that moment I wasn't sure which one is more splendid...the Moon or her smile.

I had to watch in awe as she left me moving slowly towards Ravi's car. I saw Radha saying something to her and rushing back towards me. What happened bhaiyya. Flat for Nikki? Girls tend to have a sense of all these things. Probably their curiosity for gossip helps them in these matters. The 5-10 sec gap I took gave her enough cues. Want to meet her again. Want her mobile number? Batao na bhaiyya. My heart said Yes which she could not hear. No Radha. Some other time. Ravi's waiting for you. She left givin me a smirk...a smirk that told me that she caught me napping.

I wanted the day to end then and there. I wanted nothing else for the night but as is the norm for the past couple of days, there still are surprises in store for me...

To be contd....

Not just another SMS

Siddhu is just like any one of us. A B.Tech III year student in a small college. He likes hanging our with friends and hates studies. Sports is always on top of his criterion. He recently celebrated his birthday and guess what, his papa gave him a present he dearly wanted. A cell phone! Siddhu was persuading his parents to get him a cell phone for a long time for now. He believes that adds to his trendy appeal.

Cell phone added a new dimension to Siddhu's life. He started exchanging numbers with every friend, close or otherwise. He was fascinated with the Short Messaging Service or the SMS. He felt it's the best (and the chepest) way to keep in touch with friends. A no-nonsense way of messaging even at odd hours. Slowly but steadily he got addicted to SMS ing. He never knew at that stage that this fascination would change his life.

It was just another normal day for Siddhu. Classes as usual, chatting with friends, computer games and his favourite pass time...SMS. At around 10:30 in the night, he received an SMS. There's no name flashed which meant this is from someone anonymous. It read "Idiot...it's been ages since u msged me. Wht hpnd?". He was puzzled. This must have been a 'Wrong SMS' ala wrong call. Siddhu promptly replied "This is Siddhu. Looks like u mistook me for someone". Patt came the answer from the anonymous "When did u forget ur name. Now don't say u forgot that I'm Soumya".

Siddhu jumped up....It's a girl on the other side. he couldnot remember any of his friends named Soumya...What should I reply? The biggest question doing rounds in Siddhu's mind....

To be contd...

Gimme just one idea not these mannnny!

Yeah! That's true...I get so mannny ideas. That too not sporadically but at regular intervals.

I wanted to be a cricketer in my childhood. Huh...just like any second Indian, thanks to Sachin. And what did I do to fulfill that? Nothing...literally nothing. Just played some tennis ball cricket and rarely played with cricket ball. Infact, I took pleasure in watching my bro participating in some league cricket. One thing stopped me from pursuing my dream...fear...fear that I might not reach it...fear of charting an untreaded path. I chose to live without my dream.

Next up in my list was to become an actor. I would dance to every song that's played in the television ( that actually decreased the frequency of TV watching in our house. People stayed away from the TV set to stay away from watching me dance!) I would mimic any hero and situation and perform at home. Poor chaps at home! They had to endure all these!!! Becoming an actor was just a fad...I never thought about it seriously. It was more of a time pass...

There were many to follow... book writer, film maker, ad designer...ohhhh! What not? There were too many tangential ideas churning from time to time. The small box between the ears kept giving me ideas, kept me going. The only thing that my mind didn't do was to show a particular direction; to show me that this is what I'm cut out for.

I'm still doing what I do the best. Waiting!!! Waiting for that one signal; for that one moment of truth which will set me on my path. And yes...I've company...my little box is still giving me ideas!

AIMS @ IIM K

"It's a holiday resort. Studying there is like spending your holidays". If this is what you think of IIM Kozhikode, take your time out for AIMS 2007. IIM K's annual technology summit at a level that is unexpected from a B-School. Believe me, it's going to exceed all your expectations.

So, what are you waiting for....take a look at our website www.aims2007.com. You better make it fast to keep pace with others because The world is looking at IIM K. Where are you?

Who am I?

The first question in any interview...first question in any ragging session...first question in any informal meeting...Tell about yourself. I do make it a point to prepare for this question before every meeting. And I succeed in posting an image. But, who really am I? What's my existence? What's my USP?

If I start thinking about all these, I get more questions than answers. I never know my USP. To be honest, I never thought about this. I'm good at so many things but USP???? hmm...I write well, but can't call that my USP. I speak well, but that agian isn't my USP. Then, what is my USP? Is it necessary that I have a USP? Can I not be a jack of all trades and master of none?

I would love to give my answer for that but would not. I would rather leave it for discussion...

Funny are the ways of life...

...Yeah they are. We do not appreciate our college until we are out of it. We do not value our friends until we are away from them. We do not miss our family until we are in an alien place.

Even if we do appreciate, do we express it? Rather, do I express it? When was the last time I told my father that I really loved his guiding hand? When was the last time I told my best friend that I miss him? We take it for granted that our feelings are understood. Alas!!!

Personally, I'm very very less articulative. It took me 24 years to tell my dad that he's the best. Not that I don't know or I'm afraid of telling. I took it for granted that my dad knows my feelings. It took me as many years to tell my friends that I miss them. I always thought Does it matter? They anyways know that.

Does it work? Well, sometimes yes and many times no. You need to understand the importance of articulation. No matter where you are, a small call or a small hello would do. Believe me, it works. You understand it only when you are at the receiving end. So, what are you waiting for? Pick up the phone and call that old buddy who was always there for you. Tell him how much you miss him. You do not get to see but I'm sure his eyes would be full...with memories.

Diversity in Unity

It's that time of the day (rather night) when I should be dreaming and not penning down my thoughts. I would not blame you if you think that the title is a typo. How I wish it was!

We are taught in our childhood (so that we become 'good' citizens) that India is known for Unity in diversity...that all religions live together in harmony...big terms for a kid but the essence of unity in diversity seeps through. It's Unity that matters and not the diversity.

Alas! We grow up only to see that this world is not for purists. The practicality part of our learning goes for a toss. Where do I see the unity. I vote for a person to become the president because she is from my state. Nothing else matters. Not even her antecedents. I want my state to be represented in all the committees.

I listen to my leader who propagates that our state is for natives and not for the 'rest of Indians'. Wherever I go, be it for study,work anything, the first thing I look for is a person from my state. I cry for discrimination against my state, when a player is not selected. I want my neighbour to equally share the water but I do not want to spare a drop.....

The list goes on...Where the hell is unity? I see nothing but diversity. People have come to a stage where India is united (to the world) but Indians are not. It's high time we change what we teach the lower grade students...India is a country with diversity in unity.

Happy 60th Birthday India....

Life's a tide...

Yeah...life's a tide....tide after tide. You get to the crest of one only to experience the abysmal depths of a trough, straight after. But, the best part is, there's always hope that you get to see the crests...if not in this tide atleast in the tide after.

Is it the same in everyone's life? As is with any experiment we perform, God's own experiment called life, also has anomalies. Some of us experience lows after lows after lows...only to lose hope. It's easy to ask them to look at things positively; can they? For that matter, can we do the same when we are in that position? I doubt...

It's a real boon to have a positive mind. You can see the light at the end of the tunnel how big the tunnel might be. You see a ray called hope in every aspect of life. But, it is something really really difficult to cultivate. If you ask me one thing I would want, to change my life, I would say "Positive frame of mind". One day, Inshallah, I would get that...Till that time I'm waiting for a ray of hope called crest.

The boss...absolutely rocks

When we planned to go to "Shivaji", the non-tamilians were a little apprehensive. Will I be able to understand? Can I understand the subtle jokes? It was decided that we will have the Tamilians donning the roles of translators. Let me tell you, they were never required.

Shivaji has all the magic of Rajni. Be it his chewing gum bouncing or the 'boomerang gun' (must watch. I'm planning to watch it the second only for the fascination of this), it's Rajni in every frame. Ofcourse, Shankar's underlying social theme, Shriya's beauty and Vivek's comedy (he was awesome..in some of the frames he was bettering Rajni) add up to the tempo.

The movie cost the producers soooo much...but it's worth it. Rajni's fans could see him fair (Yup, he was fair in the movie in some frames. thanks to graphics) and also he looked younger. And the result...it's before us. If it's running to full houses in a Kerala town, imagine the frenzy in Tamilnadu.

"Shivaji" is not for those who look for logic in movies; who believe that movies must be as close to reality as possible. If you are of that type, stay away from Shivaji. Because Logic is Logic and Rajni is Rajni......chumma adiridille

First week @ K

When I embarked on the journey to Kozhikode it was excitement galore. I was thinking of so many things...will I be able to make friends, will I be able to cope up with the pressure, how will the work pressure, how long will it take for me to settle...Come what may I would blog them.

The first day was for acquainting with the institute. It was raining the whole day and I was told by the locals that I need to get used to the rains. I did some shopping and made friends with some of my batch mates ( We were 80 then and it's not easy to know them all on the very first day :)

The preparatory courses started the next day. It was fun being a part of the 80-odd group and enjoying every minute of the presentations. It was school days revisited.

To be frank, I thought that the prep courses would be boring and just to make up time. I was wrong! Not only were they fun, they gave me a good chance of making friends, to get used to the environment here and have that little edge over the ones reaching late.

We went to the beach(Kappad beach, hope I spelt correct) on the next day. Nothing special about the beach but the group was having loads of fun. I was thrown, literally into the sea. We played football (not exactly, because we were just hitting it into the tides and catching it back). The return journey was much more fun as everyone was shaking their legs to the tunes ( would you believe it, everything was in Tamil or Malayalam)

Am still getting used to the rigour of the school...those night outs, assignements...I haven't had a brush with any till now. Can't say if I'm excited or nervous..probably a bit of both.

On top of the world

Yes...that's what I felt like, when I saw it on the net. I was very confident that it would happen, but deep down, some where, there's a little doubt. All that's dispelled on the evening of 27th April 2007. The day when IIM-Kozhikode announced that I am being offered a seat in their premier institute. I tried my best to study in IITs...destiny took me else where. 2 years of work in Software Industry changed my mind that I'm cut out for an MBA and not an MTech. My reluctance to apply to non-IIMs made me look over confident. But, I was always confident. When there are so many seats in IIMs, isn't one among them reserved for me? Yes...it is. Now I'm off to Kerala...to God's own IIM. Given a chance, at this moment, I would love to have an IIM-A or an IIM-B call. But, I'm a strong believer of the adage 'whatever happens, happens for our good'. Let the bells ring... Kerala, here I come

I am...

...an Indian

When I walk on the road, I curse the one who zooms past on his motor cycle, as if the road is his.

When I'm on my motor cycle, I curse the car in front refusing to share the road with me.

When I'm in the car, I refuse to give way to the cyclists...why should I, they never allow my share on the road to vroom past them.

When I watch our cricket team losing, I say they are spinelesss and demand an overhaul of the team.

I stay away from the politics saying it's all muddy and then criticize that there are not enough good politicians.

When it's time ot vote, I stay at home watching news channels criticizing that our country can never improve.

And last but not the least, I do all this and write the same....

.....because I'm an INDIAN