Kota Fever

Every year the city of Kota is flooded with a new set of students. We can understand it's lifestyle once we get in it only. The city gives the country it's toppers each year, and is famous for the institutes for IIT and AIPMT preparations.When I went to DPS in class 11th, some of my friends went to Kota. After completing 12th I had an option to go there for one year for coaching. One should consider to take the review of the experienced one's, right??

The city has lots of students. And when I say lots, I mean more than one could think. Well it's a little wierd to write about something I've never experienced myself. But still it's amazing how the place attracts so much crowd.It has lot more then just studies. Kota has a spark, it's more like a city of infinite business opportunities. 

 

Here's a view that I found on a popular website yesterday:

 " Its very tough to get a good govt medical college. KOTA is very good for preparing medical especially ALLEN & CARRER POINT.

I was in ALLEN for 1 year. There a lot of students nd u will get a good competitive environment there. Things u must avoid are: DO not make frnds who just do masti-majak, ghumna firna and all

Be with good students.They will lead u better. Go to movie and enjoy but only with good students. Frnd circle plays very crucial role.

AND try not to be in relationship and do not waste time in these stuffs.Avoid indulging in bad habits-smoking, drinking etcAnd KOTA me girls boys hostels are very close, evn they share same roof boundary.

Just focus on ur studies. Think of ur parents and ur AIM. "

Yeah, this is somewhat funny but clearly indicates one thing. All things depend on the company we keep. Due to some reasons I had to drop the plan of going there. And then I thought, was I even ready for the 'breakneck competition' there.Cause not only talented teachers are found there, but also the sharp cream competitors.

Choco Delight

Is there any flavor yummier than chocolate, I mean it's so wonderful. One can never thank it enogh for the things it does for us.

•  Refreshes mood in no time.
• somewhat good for brain.
• very very yummy.
• brings happiness in every celebration.
• that's why celebrate chocolate day.

Don't take me as a foodie, cause I previously wrote about Maggi and now this. But just couldn't resist. As I opened my locker yesterday, I found lots of wrappers inside it (yes, I keep such stuff in locker too) . Memories came back alive, and I could recollect events that had happened in last four years since I came to Chattisgarh. Most of the chocolates were earned by me in some bet and all. Those times, they doubled the joy of winning. And I ate those big chocolates all alone, unless I went to hostel where eating anything alone without offering your roomies would be considered rude.

But the sharing creates wonderful memories too. Just want to dive in a pool of chocolate 🍫 when feel depressed. There is nothing better. But I love ppl who don't like chocolates too, the reason, they would give their share to me if asked to ;-) .

Monsoon Diaries

Monsoon was never my kind of weather in childhood...  Coz when you live in a hillstation you can be a victim of landslides anytime. Rains brought lots of troubles with it..  Even if you put your clothes in shade it would take not less than two days to dry up.  And the next thing you could see was some monkeys taking away those clothes and wearing them. Sometimes they even tried walking on two legs and making faces. This irritated me so much. But now I feel a special bonding with this season. It's beautiful. 

 

And this weather has changed people to photographers too (some good ones and some bad :D). I've recently turned one too. Raipur is not the best place to enjoy rain, but it's kinda okay. Cause no place can be spared from drowning in beauty once the drops start falling. 

Repost #dpsb_hostel_days

This poem will give you a sneak peek of our hostel @DPSB.  Srijana is born talented, seriously. No one can act like her, and write such poem. (Teary eyed)

Srijana Dubey > ‎DartE hAi kYA... (Facebook group)

I was ALONE..
when i went there
when i met them
I was not sure,
whether I CAN....
but, ''can & can't is in my hand''
this was what, they made me UNDERSTAND.

For all my tears
there was always a shoulder
for all my fears
there was an advice, ''Srijana,,be bolder''

today again, i met FAILURE
with lots of tears in my eyes
but today, there's no one around
where are you guys???

no ANUMEHA to ask for any advice
no MUSKAN to make me smile
no NEHA to let me revise
& no SAUDAMINI to register my complaint file.

no PRAGYA to say,''i am your fan''
no AKASHITA to have a cat fight
no SRISHTI n SAMPANNA to tell me what is right
i can't handle this man.

there's no more argument between
KAVYA n me
but i am missing it
this is how things are, you see.

things are going out of my hand
no SHALU is here, who can understand
no POOJA to ask for any help
& no BUSHRA, with whose fawad, i can let my mind distract.

All i can see is darkness
everything has become a bloody mess
there's no one to motivate
no APURVA to say,'' be +ve ,things will be okay''

where are you ANANYA
where is MANCHIKA
n where is your srijju
also let me know about your old friend SRIJANA

she is lost
please find her
she is in deep sleep
after 5 min., give her reminder..

I hated you ALL
& never wanted to become your FRIEND
but now , i feel
WHY, our story so soon, came to its END

today again, my eyes are wet
i m missing u guys badly
you all r also missing me n our hostle
i can surely BET

WHY have you all gone too far
come back yaar!!
..............................i am waiting
..............................missing our X-home
.................crying and writing........love you all...
 — feeling nostalgic.

The Right side of... Generation Gap

" Aj kal ke bacche, kitne bigad gye h dekho."

This is what we hear from our parents and grandparents everytime. We all know that the gap between different generations is widening with passing time. The older people keep on telling their children that what should be done, and what not to do. They get irritated at our habits of sleeping late, getting up late in the morning, listening loud music, spending time tapping our phones, partying, going movies and the endless list that is now a part of our routine. But the thing is, " Are these people the right side of this huge gap between generations. "

After getting the results of class X, my parents were very happy cause I had scored 91% (state Board) which none of my cousins had achieved till that time. I went to my grandmother to take her blessings, and she became too emotional and wished for my bright future. Many relatives were there and one of them instead of praising said, "You should have got above 93%!!" I got upset and couldn't understand that why am I getting such reaction, while my brothers get expensive phones and laptops on crossing even 75 or sometimes even 70 percent. Couldn't get it, why was there such discrimination. 

But two years later, I got a better picture of all this stuff. I asked my grandfather for a laptop just to see his response. Still I got acceptable score this time. He thought and asked me how much does it cost. Well he must be knowing that already i guess cause he brought my cousin brother a laptop few years back.

I simply said I don't know. After few days he denied giving me anything. Well this was not shocking as I already expected this. But this is not their fault I guess, cause this tradition of discrimination is not unique or newborn. At that time I wanted to ask them to go and watch " Dil Dhadakne Do ". Atleast they'll get some sense that all this bias is a bullshit. That movie really makes sense, shows the reality, adds up to the point that the older generation can not always be right.

They become over cautious when it comes to their kids. But it's said, " The policy of being too cautious is the greatest risk of all."  When there are restrictions then only one can think of breaking them, otherwise the trust handles it all. Atleast our generation is less narrow minded, knows the difference between what's morally right and what is not. Depends on different views, I guess. But they deserve respect whatever it may be. ( whatever...  )

Struck by the Shiny object Syndrome

It's the story of every common person, we get distracted by the things that cross our way so easily. Go to a mall for watching a movie and end up in a clothing store, trying dresses. Go to the kitchen to drink water, but get distracted by the sight of a packet of choco chips. And then surfing video on YouTube for watching a music  video, but then going through all those useless links given. This is the ' Shiny object Syndrome ' (SoS) which is common.

Okay , now a message that I read on my phone two days back , take a look ,

"A keen immigrant Indian lad applied for a salesman's job at London 's premier downtown department store. In fact, it was the biggest store in the world - you could get anything.
The day was long and arduous for the young man, but he got through it.
And finally 6:00 PM came around.
The boss duly fronted up and asked, "How many sales did you make today?"
"Sir, Just ONE sale." said the young salesman.
"Only one sale?" blurted the boss.
"No! No! You see here, most of my staff make 20 or 30 sales a day.
"If you want to keep this job, you'd better be doing better than just one sale.
By the way "How much was the sale worth?"
= 93300534.00 pounds" said the young man.
"What"," How did you manage that?" asked the flabbergasted boss.
"Well", said the salesman, "This man came in and I sold him a small fish hook, then a medium hook and finally a really large hook.
Then I sell him new fishing rod and some fishing gear.
Then I asked him where he was going fishing and he said down the coast.
So I told him he'd be needing a boat, so I took him down to the boat department and sold him that twenty-foot schooner with the twin engines.
Then he said his Volkswagen probably wouldn't be able to pull it, so I took him to our automotive department and sold him that new Deluxe 4X4 Blazer.
I then asked him where he'll be staying, and since he had not decided, arranged it.
Then the guy said, while we're at it, I should throw in about $100 worth of groceries and two cases of beer.
The boss took two steps back and asked in astonishment, "You sold all that to a guy who came in for a fish hook!"
"No" answered the salesman,"he came in to buy a headache relief tablet and I said to him, "Sir, fishing is best remedy for headache." "

This is what happens , when we fall prey to the "Shiny object Syndrome ". So what are the cons, are there any? It kind of helps us discover new things maybe.

Just after the pre boards of class XII were over, I went to Kwality Walls with Muskan, just to eat Maggi. I needed refreshment badly after so much time of "getting locked up ". They had recently opened up a clothing store which was internally attached to it. As expected, like any other girl would do, we went to the shop too, till our Maggi was made. Though the dresses were not that attractive, we still thought of buying a one. But when you're a boarder, you learn to resist such things. So this syndrome could not act upon us. But still those dresses acted like shiny objects, attracting any customer who comes to eat ice-cream to that shop. 
(that Kwality Walls, of sector-10 is going to close now  )

Big companies keep a post for a person which keeps check on SoS as it decreases the productivity of it's employees, creates hurdles in it's success. Even for us it's a waste of time, we loose focus and make the important things keep waiting. A waste of money as well. I hope I could ever keep a track on this. It occurs so frequently, and we remain unaware of it everytime. And now when I know this and think about it, it seems as if it happens every day. But being a hostler for two years, I have at least learnt to save money and manage time. But then I say to myself, everything happens for a reason.

Finding a Safe place

Students prefer big cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Pune, etc. for further studies after passing the 12th. However these new cities are totally unknown to them, and the teenagers face lots of difficulties while adjusting. For a few days they may have lots of fun enjoying the hangouts and services of the city. But then, parents feel a bit unsure while sending their children to these places. Are these cities safe?
Recently, my friend moved to Pune to get a degree in B.com. It took only few days for him to settle. Yesterday, he was traveling to mall for night show of a movie. Suddenly some transgenders approached him and demanded money. There were 5-6 of them so he took out 100 rupees. But they said they will bless his wallet too and forcefully took out all the money. When he tried to pull it back some of the notes torn out. He started fighting, but they surrounded him in a circle and started abusing. They all were drunk very badly. Somehow he got some money back but they took away around 1000 rupees from his wallet. 

Even my parents are not sure about sending me out to other places for studying. Cause the world seems more unsafe, specially for girls to them. It's true that the world is not a bed of roses, it's not that safe. In some cases snatchers even stab the victims giving them serious injuries, just to get their money. But what I think is that, even the four walls of your house could not make you safe. I heard a story in childhood :
" There was a person who got scared of anything and everything around him. He feared that someday he would have to leave this world. This thought made him over conscious, and he locked himself up in a room. But he had to face death when a heavy painting above his bed fell on his head. "
Misfortune can happen to anyone, anywhere in the entire world. Our government can rarely do anything for our protection against such people and mishaps. Friends just be aware, but don't stop yourself to move ahead. Wherever you are, wherever you go for college, enjoy life.

(PiC - Tejasvita Sahu) 

Thanks Mehul, for the idea of writing this. 

Still in love with... Maggiii

Since childhood, Maggi is the favorite snacks for all children in the whole country. It's not only yummy, but is quite easy to make too. But it's very sad to see that it's getting banned in some states. Thinking about the memories, this product has given me, makes me sad cause we're not able to consume it now. Though in some states like Karnataka it was found to be totally fit for eating according to the standard rules, other states have still not lifted it up. Every student enjoys making and eating it. We found out several other ways to eat Maggi while we were in hostel. 

It landed my roommate to trouble when more than 6-7 packets were found in her luggage that day. Even I was caught for illegally keeping Maggi in the hostel. The warden even called our parents, and told us that we would be expelled if another packet was found with us. At that time I still had a packet left, but my love for Maggi was so much that I couldn't throw it like this. So we opened the window of our room and kept it on the edge of a projection. Anyways, we could never take it back from there. The people in the hostel had found many places to hide the illegal eatables in the building by that time. And now when we're out of the hostel, they have banned it and now the family won't allow us.
We had a small immersion rod, just for making Maggi. Whole hostel would depend on it for their midnight Maggi snacks. But I, when felt too lazy to boil water with that small rod, brought the water from hostel mess. It was not cooked rather left in hot water, to soak, then eaten. How hazardous must it be to our body, but we never bothered about such things. Sometimes on birthdays, a cake was made from Maggi, which was our second favorite after the biscuit cake (To make it we crushed biscuits and mixed some bournvita and water, then shaped it). We had so much fun, eating these cakes and didn't leave a single bit of it.
It was a matter of envy when a girl from hostel was eating a box full of Maggi alone. You realize these things only when you live in a school's hostel, how do you feel when you're hungry, and the dayscholar friends of your enjoyed their lunch. Other students waited eagerly to eat the food that their mom had sent them, and we had to settle with those oily samosas of canteen. And that day seeing that girl eating Maggi alone, other girls wondered where did she get it from. Actually her guy, who lived in the boys' hostel had given it to her. Maggi had made these boys better cook than us. I thought, cause it tasted better XD (I never tasted) .  They, the boys hostel wale, made such good Maggi. So if we had to get good Maggi we had to .... 
*kiddin *
Loads of memories revolve around the hostel and food. Our turn wise chances for eating it, treats from Kwality Walls, and many more. In a way the hostel turned us into foodies, leaving some, exceptions are always there. Few harmful things have been found in it and it has been banned. Well I can take the risk of eating it even now, love it.

How much does Money matter

When I thought of job options while studying at school, the most suitable thing seemed to be working as engineer after getting into an IIT institute. Now when I see it's the money that matters in real life, my mind was filled up with different ideas. I could do B.Sc. and get a PhD degree to become a professor in some college. Another option was to do a course in mass communication and become news reporter, this was the thing I was most interested in. But then, another plan, rather a crazy idea came up.

We are getting into business gradually, and the construction of our new petrol ⛽ pump started at full pace last month. But while observing the process of opening it, in last 3-4 years, I was left a bit frustrated. My mother owns it, and day-night my father struggled hard to make this dream come true. One must be thinking what could be the difficulties, if read the legal procedure. Okay, so first of all the plot had to be diverted. An electricity pole came right near the location so it had to be moved. Then electricity connection and water pipeline and all had to be set up, and several other procedures had to be finished, some without my knowledge. The problem was, all papers had to be signed by one or the other government officials. A conversation with a friend :

Samarth - So what are your plans?

Me - I'm thinking of becoming a politician or government official.

Samarth - Are you serious?

Me - Yeah, they take lakhs for signing a single document.

Samarth - We call it corruption.

Why did the idea came to me, the idea of getting money through such means. Well, I'm not supporting corruption in any way, I'm just a child, we learn what we see. The process of dealing this way became so frequent in the whole process that it seemed quite normal to me. My parents ignored all this as much as possible and managed to get their work done legally.

Recently the movie 'Gabbar' was released and after watching it, I dropped all my evil plans immediately. But no one stands against corruption in reality, isn't it? Hope not to experience such things again, cause young minds get easily inspired.

Looking for shortcuts?

A break was needed after crossing the hurdles of exams, after giving the XII boards. I urged for some refreshment and finally settled with a novel, The Stars ✨Shine down, by Sidney Sheldon. Lara, the main character, was a portrait of beauty with brains. She rose from poverty to become a very rich and successful builder. The story left me thinking, if she could do this after all the unfavorable circumstances, could I be that successful some day.

My mother told me, "Phle to 8th pass krte h naukari mil jati thi logo ko". And how time changes, now institutions keep running after degree and higher education. Couldn't we just start earning without going through the depression of finding a college and then getting degrees. Lara didn't even had to study upto Eighteen years. She had a cheque in her hand, and started getting wages when she was not even twenty one. These stories develop the feeling inside me, like why this college?  Why all of us couldn't just pass school and start earning, and then I blame the education system.
People and their ways change a lot with time. And all this has become necessary, I tell my lethargic side. Cause one can understand that only due to two possible reasons I have such ideas. Either I'm least interested in studies or just showing up my lazy face. Out of which the former is not true. So I decided to leave these ideas in the story itself and face the realityMy mother told me, "Phle to 8th pass krte h naukari mil jati thi logo ko". And how time changes, now institutions keep running after degree and higher education. Couldn't we just start earning without going through the depression of finding a college and getting degrees. Lara didn't even had to study upto Eighteen years. She had a cheque in her hand, and started getting wages when she was not even twenty one. These stories develop the feeling inside me, like why this college?  Why all of us couldn't just pass school and start earning, and then I blame the education system.
People and their ways change a lot with time. And all this has become necessary, I tell my lethargic side. Cause one can understand that only due to two possible reasons I have such ideas. Either least interested in studies or just showing up my lazy face. Out of which the former is not true. So I decided to leave these ideas in the story itself and face the reality, I can surely be successful but, "There's no shortcut to Success ".
(Sketch and PiC - Akashita Sahu)

Phobia Cures

Few weeks back,  I went to the dentist for dental check up. I've got the kind of teeth which are not that photogenic, just a kind of zigzag. Very politely the dentist, observed the structure and told that four teeth have to be removed. This wasn't that much unexpected as they were my canine milk teeth.

What I saw coming up next was an injection, and I saw my face drooping. Over time this small thing has become my greatest fear, a kind of phobia one can say. I almost cried as I didn't expect to undergo any procedure that day itself and that equipment made chills run down the spine.
When the teeth were extracted I felt like crying like a baby and almost fainted there. Ran out, vomited. Well this was just the first part cause two more teeth had to be removed after few days.
The thought of going to the clinic again was haunting. I told some of my friends about it, and all they could do is to wish me best of luck. Finally I was back there and laid my head on that dental chair, which didn't seem less than an operation theatre in which I could die anytime. Then again I saw that small needle coming closer, just could do nothing but close my eyes.
"Are you that weak" a voice from inside me spoke. Suddenly an image came upto my head, an image that I always have in my mind, the person who made me suffer and further made me stronger. "I'm strong, and this needle, hey, look at it. It can't give me that much pain as that feeling, of hope and watching it shatter". Sometimes bad experiences are meant to happen for good. They teach you a lesson for life and make you stronger. Not a sob I uttered this time, couldn't feel any pain, just the sensation. And with a sense of victory I left the clinic and settled for an ice-cream.
You surely must have heard, "What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger".
After few days, I got up with a pain in my neck. They said it's mumps, and I was like, " Dad, don't tell me I would be given an injection, please!!!"
(PiC  Credits - Classmate from dpsb)

Know your Importance

Everyone has a person in his/her life who is important like hell. It's surely you who decide who that person is. But you're not the one who can decide your importance for that person. Many times, we may feel dejected. This is natural as if you give too much attention ...they may think you'll always be there with open arms. As a consequence you become a second choice.. and eventually you disappear somewhere.

      Maybe I say such things due to personal experience. People I considered essential part of life have neglected me at times.
      But I've been on the other side at times too. Lost good  friends as I took them for granted. And the saying, "It's never too late", failed there. Because we're not on talking terms now, strangers have a conversation only when they have some work with the latter.
      But that's how life goes on. Never ignore people who love you, and if the problem has already started, make them realize their importance before it's too late to apologize. Love and have gratitude for what you've got.    
P.S. - I'm sorry, to the friend, who was very close to me.