I can't fight this feeling anymore!!!

And even as i wonder,
I'm keeping you in sight
Your a candle in the window,
On a cold dark winters night
And I'm getting closer then i ever thought i might

Baby i can't fight this feeling anymore,
I've forgotten what i started fighting for,

And if i have to crawl upon your floor
Come crashing through your door

Baby i can't fight this feeling anymore I can't fight this feeling any more

Courtesy: The movie - Dr. Seuss' Horton hears a who...

Don't leave me Ajji...

i want time to turn back,

go back to where she was hail and hearty,

taking care of me when i could barely manage to walk,

running behind me with the lunch in hand,

waking me up early for school,

cooking all that i loved to eat,

parenting me when my parents were at office.

but as time went by,

you had become a child,

ever so sweet and innocent,

it was now time for us to take care of you.

you never were any trouble for us,

instead, you were the driving force of the house,

once that kept us busy but happy all day long,

never for once, letting boredom creep on us.

all that now remains are her memories,

as fresh as the morning dew,

with the warmth of the cup of tea,

on a winter morning.

the house now is bereft of its cutest member,

the room is vacant now,

but we still peep in the room out of habit as we pass by,

we still head to your room first after entering the house,

it will take us time to get used to your absence,

but i know, you are watching over us from above,

and will always provide light whenever we need,

i love you ajji...

i want to laugh...

i want to laugh,

buzzing more than the swirling bees,

more brightly than the dancing sunflowers,

more sparklingly than the twinkling stars,

more freshly than the gushing rivers,

more melodiously than the infinite ragas;

i want to laugh,

not at anything or anyone,

but because laughing heartily is a gift,

He has bestowed upon us,

it is only once your forget how to laugh,

is when you realise its importance!

So laugh without caring what the world says,

laugh because it will spread the joys that need to be shared,

and will lead to more joys being created where there are none...

Just Perception...

it just doesn't seem right,

feel's like there is something amiss,

sometimes, it feels so good,

and suddenly,

the faint smile doesn't turn into the fervent laughter,

that i love laughing to my heart's content,

does not help my case,

it just makes me realise how fickle it is,

visiting me at its own convenience,

i know i'm not alone,

but when the smile goes away,

with its aura goes the gaiety...

but contrastingly,

i feel i'm blessed,

compared to the poor, orphaned kids,

dirtying their day away on the streets,

its just a matter of perception,

just plain perception...

the small little sparrow's story

the sparrow didn't know what had gone wrong? all was fine a few moments ago and it was not that the world had come to an end suddenly, but the birds whom the sparrow considered close, suddenly began showing their true colours. the sparrow was distraught. it had always been nice to its fellow birds, helping them whenever they chirped for it, ensuring they got the best nests built and even made sure that the worms they ate were fine and tasty. the rate at which the sparrow lost birds it could call friends was alarming and the sudden vacuum they created was tough to handle. the sparrow was left alone. not only in the physical world but also emotionally and mentally. it was left alone to fly the daily path and walk down the road alone. at every pebble, it remembered the gaiety that once existed and the bond it shared with the fellow birds. could they actually be called friends, thought the sparrow. these definitional thoughts were always futile, knowing well that a mere word or two won't bring back lost friends. the sparrow walked further down the bylane. it realised that there was a pattern to these friendly departures. it now struck the poor little sparrow that these friend-birds were its latest accomplices. it had so happened that at certain points in time, given the prevailing circumstances, these new entities had become very close to the sparrow. so much so that, even the sparrow had wondered as to how stranger birds could become such good friends so soon. they had become friends and had now ceased to be one at the same speed and with the same velocity, although equal and opposite. as the sparrow hopped to further introspections, the road led to a small curve. the sparrow decided to take the bend rather than fly to some other lane. with every hop, skip or jump, more realisations flew in. it seemed like, these were waiting to be unveiled, simply bidding their time, maybe for the sparrow's solitary attention. the birds whom the sparrow had given its time whenever they needed it had moved to greener pastures or rather greener fields where they would get better worms to feed themselves with. but then why had they moved away? maybe they took the sparrow for granted? or was it the other way round? either of them could have felt that where will the other bird go - it has to come to me only for friendship! but that was not to be the case with the little sparrow. friends it had. loads and loads. but it was in search of the perfect friendly birds, birds whom it could trust with the deepest secrets of the bird-world and with whom it would have an assurance of being always there, not for any material gains but for the sheer magic, that is friendship. just as the other birds moved away, the sparrow tried making new friends on the new road it was traversing. the same incidents and similar conditions emerged and once again it made friends in much the same way that it earlier had. but this time the sparrow was scared and apprehensive. it was bitten not only once but many times, and hence was shy to go all out to make the new birds its friends! slowly the sparrow came out of its shell. friends it did make, but it is now left for the forthcoming harvest season to judge whether the new birds also prove to be like the earlier ones. not friends but teachers!

DIPLOMAS IN DEMAND

OPTING FOR A POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA PROGRAMME CAN PROVE TO BE A WISE OPTION FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT HAVE THE TIME AND RESOURCES TO PURSUE A FULL-TIME MASTER’S COURSE. SATSHEEL REDKAR AND RUCHI CHOPDA ELABORATE ON THE ADVANTAGES OF A PGDP

he increasing number of students looking to equip themselves with additional qualifications other than a mere graduate degree has led to a steady rise in the demand for postgraduate diploma programmes (PGDPs). These courses are not only popular among graduates, who do not have the time to devote to a regular master’s programmes, but also among professionals who desire to keep themselves up-to-date with the current market trends. Disciplines which have been a hot favourite among diploma students include hotel management, finance, management, mass media, law and computer application among others. So what exactly are the benefits of pursuing a PGDP? UNLIMITED OPTIONS The sheer diversity of PG diplomas is immense. Consider this - you can opt for a PG diploma in fields as niche as library automation and networking, school leadership and management, folklore and culture studies and even acupuncture! Diploma programmes offered by institutes are extremely niche. This is beneficial for students who know exactly what they want. Thus, if you are looking to pursue a programme specifically in say creative writing you do not have to pursue a course that will train you in all aspects of media where creative writing will be just one module. Your focus will be the focus of the course. DEGREE VS DIPLOMA Unlike a conventional master’s programme, that lasts for a minimum of two years, the duration of a postgraduate diploma programme (PGDP) varies from one to four years. Furthermore, a PGDP offers you the flexibility a normal fulltime degree would not. It can either be pursued via the full-time, part-time or even the distance learning mode. Classes for most of these courses are either held late in the evening (on weekdays) or on weekends. This allows you to gain knowledge in your chosen field without severely disturbing your existing work or study schedule. Another added advantage of these courses which usually aim to prepare students to be job ready is their high placement records. Explains Mohit Gadodia, who recently completed his PG Diploma in Marketing from a well-known institute, “Colleges try to push for the placements of their PG diploma students over their regular master’s students when it comes to campus placements. This, for the simple reason that a PG diploma is offered by the college and not the university. Hence, its success depends on the placements the institute is able to offer.” PRACTICAL APPLICATION Another edge that diploma programmes offer students is the fact that they are usually more contemporary and market oriented than their corresponding master’s programmes which are essentially theoretical in nature. For instance, a PG Diploma in Hospital and Health Management or clinical cardiology involves hands-on training with practicing doctors as part of the course. Similarly, colleges providing professional diploma programmes too incorporate practical training as part of their syllabi wherever it is required. Shares Yashshri Soman, who recently completed her PG Diploma in Social Communications Media from Sophia Polytechnic, “We had to plan an advertising campaign right from scratch. We were required to conceptualise the campaign, make the logo, posters, etc, for the same and lastly present the campaign to a jury that consisted of people from the industry. This exercise helped us actually go through the entire process of making an ad campaign rather than merely learning it from the book.” Thus, a student not only acquires the modern-day acumen essential for getting a job but also gets the opportunity to put into practice the classroom lessons on the job. Concurs Neha Kapoor, a journalist by profession, who is simultaneously pursuing her PG diploma in creative writing from a popular institute in South Mumbai, “Having completed my degree in mass media a long time ago I was at a loss when it came to actually putting the theories I had learnt to practice. The course I am currently pursuing has a mix of professionals and fresh graduates and therefore presents me the opportunity to learn what is going on in the professional world beyond the confines of my office. I put to use all the lessons of my weekend diploma classes to solve the challenges at my workplace. It works amazingly!” LEARN WHILE YOU EARN As mentioned, a diploma programme can be simultaneously taken up while pursing your job. This is especially beneficial for those who cannot afford to give up their jobs for financial reasons. Though the fees of a PGDP are often higher than regular postgraduate degree programmes, the specialised knowledge one gains at one’s leisure more than makes up for it. As Rajas Rane, an ex-student of the PG diploma in business design programme at Welingkar Institute of Management says, “The course helped me to get a job in my field of study and have direct application of my knowledge.” WORD OF CAUTION However, as in every case where popularity often leads to unscrupulous players in the market, the demand for PGDPs has led to a number of dubious institutes offering courses in various fields. Thus, it is crucial for students to conduct a thorough check on the validity of the course and the affiliation/ registration of the institute. The accreditation can be checked from the official sites of the UGC or the NAAC or AICTE or such other assessment and governing bodies. Career counsellor Jayanti Ghose concludes with a crucial piece of advice, “A student must define the purpose of pursuing a PGDP in order for it to meet his/ her expectations. A fulltime professional PGDP helps a graduate in seeking related jobs. However, a parttime or distance education diploma related to the kind of job one is already doing may add weight to the graduate's CV, but may not directly lead to a job. If the diploma course being pursued is not in line with the individual's abilities and personality, then a prospective employer may not give it any importance.”

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Client.asp?Daily=TOIM&showST=true&login=default&pub=TOI&Enter=true&Skin=TOINEW&GZ=T&AW=1277112388609

The Administration of Politics

"The democratic method is that institutional arrangement for arriving at political decisions which realizes the common good by making the people itself decide issues, through the election of individuals, who are to assemble in order to carry out its will." But as Joseph Schumpeter puts it, “The democratic method is that institutional arrangement for arriving at political decisions in which individuals acquire the power to decide by means of a competitive struggle for the people's vote”

Politics is a fine act of juggling, not necessarily between the good of the people and the law of the land, but more often between vested self-interest and the vested self-interest. Although, it might seem that it essentially is a simple task, no one would know better than the politicians and those who carry their orders. Policies are framed, crores are sanctioned in grants and wavers, schemes are drawn, files are made, all this to achieve the common good of the common man. Various forces play on the mind of the politician when decisions are taken. The Political class achieves its objectives by surreptitiously ‘ordering’ the administration to do their bidding in the process to maintain a clean image.

But is it that easy for a politician to make decisions? Wouldn’t the tribulations that plague the society be relegated to unknown territory, decades ago, if these policies indeed worked? And does merely having an efficient administration suffice in the intense job of managing an entire nation? Politics and Administration go a long way in satisfying the “people’s” wishes. But does every wish of the common man get fulfilled? If Nokia were to produce mobiles which would never have any technical problems, would you have gone back to Nokia, ever? A similar logic applies to Politics. Politics is the art of getting people to depend on you, rather than teaching them how to fish.

Political compulsions frequently force administrative decisions which might not be good in the long run, but ‘appear’ good in the short run. Take for example, the Singur plant. Fighting for the rights of the farmers, Mamata Banerjee, forced the Tatas out of Bengal. The administration of that state couldn’t do much, but the Political class of Gujarat rolled out a red carpet for the Tatas. To take a look at the compulsions, we have the farmers’ ‘apparent’ interest on one hand, and the progressive industrialization of the state to create more jobs on the other. The ‘Ma, Maati, Maanush’ cry of the Bengal Tigress, has today lead her to thumping victories in the local elections. But then, could the administration have done anything to stop her? Was it a calculated risk or a farcical silence? It was nothing short of vote-bank politics though.

These are local issues. Similarly, there is the diplomatic tightrope to be managed. At any given point of time, there have been atleast two states or two nations at loggerheads. So when there are two parties a politician needs to please, he would delay taking any decisions and ensure that his popularity isn’t affected on either side of the fence. Take the Canadian Visa row for example – India did not criticize the Canadian authorities and merely expressed a meek displeasure and ‘gave time’ to the Canadian’s to ‘correct’ their stance. For the record, India is to conclude a civil nuclear energy deal with the Canadian’s this year, not to forget the trade balance has been in India's favour ever since 1993. India's total exports to Canada were Rs 3507 crore in 2003 whereas imports amounted to Rs 3336 crore. A curt reply from the foreign secretary would have had far reaching consequences and thus the foreign office feigned initial ignorance.

But why give so much importance to the people or the diplomatic relations? As Joseph Schumpeter describes a politician, “What businessmen do not understand is that exactly as they are dealing in oil so I am dealing in votes.” As mentioned earlier, it is about making decisions which have a profound positive effect on oneself. And why would the executive deny helping the corrupt politicians, if they can fill their own pockets too? According to a Forbes report, in Bihar, more than 80% of the subsidized food aid to poor is stolen by corrupt officials. But this is corruption, just one of the facets of politics and administration.

To exist in politics is a profession in itself. So when you are in power, you need to quickly make your bucks, unless you are 100% sure, you will be back in the seat of power even after five years. Commercially, it does not seem to be wrong. Profit is what should motivate you and it well is. But then are your social responsibilities not of any importance? And should you not be responsible for the amount in salary that the government pays you?

But we do have success stories. Incidences wherein the Political class have formed an intrinsic mechanism with the administrative wing, to rise up to all possible challenges the nation might face, the country coming first and last always, in Swami Vivekananda’s words. We have empirical evidence that when personal goals are subservient to the nation’s pride, there is efficiency and an effective administration, not only of the policies, but also of the future of the nation. We have examples in the nations such as Norway, Switzerland, etc, where even the politicians lead an honest life, quite unbelievable but true. What we need is mass awareness, not only of our rights, but also how to use them. We need to evolve a system of good governance and accountability. As Ruth Grant puts it, “Ingenuity in devising effective mechanisms, and the ability to synchronize their operation, will be more important for controlling abuses of power than a single-minded and mechanical application of the ideals of democracy.” Our objective should be to produce and sustain various kind of accountability systems based on a positive reception of the conflicting and complementary possibilities within the democratic structure.

My 2nd Article in Education Times - this time on CPT

SUBJECT SMART

WITH THE COMMON PROFICIENCY TEST (CPT) ONLY A FEW WEEKS AWAY, ASPIRING CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE BUSY WITH FRANTIC PREPARATIONS. SATSHEEL REDKAR, ALL-INDIA TOPPER, CPT-2007, SHARES SUBJECT-WISE TIPS ON HOW TO ACE THE EXAM

Entering the final few weeks, the last lap, and the foremost lunge towards the CPT? You have prepared for months, all through your Class 12 exams and devoted a lot of time, effort and patience. But what can you do to give your preparations the perfect finishing touch? What does it take to ensure that your name features in that elite list of merit rankers?
The Common Proficiency Test, or the CPT as it is more popularly known, is the entry level ie lowest/first level at which a student can start pursuing the Chartered Accountancy course. Till a few months ago, one could begin their Articleship training right after clearing CPT, however the rules have changed and now one also needs to clear the Integrated Professional Competence Course (IPCC) after clearing CPT to begin the Articleship training. The revamped format should put less pressure on students, as now the fate of which firm they train with does not wholly rest upon the CPT scores.
Nonetheless, it is imperative to put in your best in CPT and to begin with, you need to first assess yourself and understand where you stand. Only once you realise how prepared you truly are, will you be able to move ahead in the right direction. The CPT is made up of four distinct subjects divided into two sessions.

SESSION – I
(Two Sections– Two hours – 100 Marks)

Section A: Fundamentals of Accounting (60 Marks)

Section B: Mercantile Laws (40 Marks)
SESSION – II
(Two Sections– Two hours – 100 Marks)

Section C: General Economics (50 Marks)

Section D: Quantitative Aptitude (50 Marks)

The current guidelines of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, India (ICAI), the statutory body that conducts and regulates the CPT, say, A candidate shall ordinarily be declared to have passed the test if he obtains a minimum of 50 per cent marks, subject to the principle of negative marking, in a manner as may be specified by the council from time to time. In its current format, the negative mark-ing is 25 percent or one-fourth of a grade.

‘SUBJECT’IVE SMARTNESS

1. Fundamentals of Accounting
The ICAI certainly lays more emphasis on this subject as is evident from the marks weightage. Since this is the base of your CA career, you are expected to be strong with the fundamentals. The basic concepts should be studied thoroughly and one should pay more attention to theory, as previous years have seen more weightage being given to theory questions. Manish Modi, a practising CA who teaches accountancy at Pinnacle Education advises, “Students must concentrate on mastering the theoretical questions that can be asked from various aspects of the syllabus.”
Since long questions cannot be asked for one mark, CPT usually has a. One long problem and four-five small
questions based thereupon b. Small questions for one mark each Hence one definitely cannot leave the lengthy questions while studying as that means risking four or five marks at one go.
Apart from the theory questions, areas that could be focussed upon include calculating depreciation via various methods, computing discount/ interest on bills, consignment and joint venture problems, goodwill, and others.

2. Mercantile Laws
Assuming the CPT to be the first time that many students study law, the syllabus covers basic and structural laws. Beginning with the Indian Contract Act, 1872 (Sections 1 to 75); the Sales of Goods Act, 1930 and the Partnership Act, 1932 are included herein. Keshav Thakkar, who secured the fourth rank in CPT-2008, explains, “There are three acts of which, The Contract Act is undoubtedly the most important and complex. Case studies/ illustrations for the provisions are a nice way of understanding the relevant laws. It is best to clear out all of one’s doubts and leave no ambiguity before the paper.”
Dhawal Vora, who had missed the All-India merit of the CPT (August 2007) by merely two marks adds, “Be clear with similar sounding concepts in order to avoid confusion during the exam. The ICAI is known to test you on such concepts.”

3. General Economics
General Economics is made up of two parts – Micro and Macro.
In Macro-economics, expect around four-five questions on statistics. Also, there have always been a few general knowledge questions in relation to economics. So, it would do a student well to start reading the newspapers. While seeming trivial, these marks prove useful in turning average/ good marks into a merit rank-deserving result. Vora, now a final year CA student, from his own experience shares, “It is essential to have a good grip on economics so that you can complete the 50 questions quickly. This will leave you with ample time for Quantitative Aptitude. Prepare yourself to wrap up economics in not more than 20 minutes.” He says he finished economics in only eight minutes but was still just barely able to finish Quantitative Aptitude.
Another important piece of advice from Mahesh Deshpande, General Economics teacher at Gurukul Academy, is, “Although you will not be asked to draw graphs, it is important to practise them to get the required conceptual clarity.”

4.Quantitative
Aptitude
On Quantitative Aptitude, Sudhir Kamath, who teaches Mathematics at Eskays Learner Academy, says, “One should focus on the basics first which have to be strong. Study the entire module which should generally guarantee you a score of 40+ in Quantitative Aptitude. During the exam, it would be better to attempt the economics paper first and to try and finish it within 40-45 minutes. The balance should be kept for Quantitative Aptitude.” He also says that as a strategy, ‘do not waste time on any one single question.’
While the module covers many things, it is just enough to perhaps score average marks. To do better than most, you will also have to put in more effort than is expected of most. Try reading from other sources on certain topics. This applies especially for statistics and particularly the last chapters.
Hrishikesh Samant, Rank 3, CPT (August 2007 ), has a few suggestions for students studying Quantitative Aptitude, “Write down all mathematics and statistics formulae in a book and do repetitive reading. Also get comfortable with using the calculator. It proves a boon in an exam alongwith learning the shortcuts. If you have the time, then practise from other books. Do not forget to time yourself in such a manner that while solving, one problem does not take more than a minute and a half or two at the maximum. This will help you conserve time for the tough questions.”
When one sees the CPT as a whole, one comes across four subjects at a time. Here is where management tactics come into play. So how does one balance time amongst the four subjects?
Again, Samant offers some very important tips.

a. In economics, undertake rapid reading (as many number of times as possible) so that you can make out the correct statistics out of the four options that are given in the MCQs.

b. For accounts, focus on Schedule VI disclosures and scan through Basic Accounting Standards (Chapters 1, 2, 6, 9, and 10) apart from Basic Accounting Conventions and Assumptions.

c. When looking at Quantitative Aptitude, preferably revise only formulae and try solving papers.

d. Review all the important provisions and check if you can recollect its content and a related case/ example when revising law.
In addition to the above Thakkar advises to solve the model question papers provided by ICAI to gain sufficient practice. He says, “Law and statistics are the subjects to focus on in case you want to cross 160. Statistics carry a very high weightage in the 50 marks paper.”

Some general suggestions to keep in mind:

1. Since it is a multiple choice questions-based exam, one need not mug up everything. A general idea on most things will help in answering correctly as after seeing the options it becomes relatively conveni ent to recall the right answer.

2. If the ICAI persists with the 25 percent negative score, the probability is that of every four questions that you answer, one might be correct. Thus, the equation becomes +1 - 0.25*3 = +0.25. On the other hand, if you don’t answer any of the four questions, you straight away lose those four marks. But then, do your own math and this certainly does not mean that you fake anything!
3. If you have started studying only now, start with the basics of accounts and economics and become thorough with it. Study micro-economics first and then head over to macro. In Quantitative Aptitude, practice the statistics part well in addition to probability and permuta tions and combinations. Studying the initial parts of The Partnership and The Contract Act would do you well too.
4. As Thakkar says, “The study material is the primary basis on which the papers are set. Studying from other books should be in addition to and not instead of it”.
5. And finally, get off the internet and concentrate hard on your studies. This one month of hard work will ensure better returns later in your life. Good luck, follow the given tips, and do well!

Tele Tales - My CEB Lead EducationTimes Article

TELE TALES

DID SOMEONE SAY ‘SMALL SCREEN’? THE ERSTWHILE POORER COUSIN OF MOVIEDOM HAS GOTTEN LARGER THAN LIFE, AND IS IN A LEAGUE OF ITS OWN. SATSHEEL REDKAR AND MILI SEMLANI PRESENT DETAILS ON THE OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO TV WANNABES

Lights, camera, action! These words might conjure images of Bollywood glamour and song and dance routines, but as with everything else in the entertainment business, times are achanging, and the focus of a large part of India’s acting talent, has switched to the booming television industry. Saonjivkumar Pahwa, Co-Producer of Baabarr, explains, “Many people are intent on being seen on, or working for the big screen, and are willing to work for less money. As a result, character/ junior artists are paid less in movies than they would be paid for working in television shows.” This is one of the factors that has made the television industry very popular with professionals. According to a FICCI-KPMG survey, the television industry is projected to grow
at a rate of 14.5 per cent over the next four to five years, attaining the Rs 473 billion mark. No longer the big screen’s poorer cousin, the television industry in India (the third largest television market in the world), has witnessed the launch of a slew of new channels in recent years. Whether it’s daily soaps, comedies or reality shows, musical programmes or quiz shows, there are a host of opportunities for aspirants in the television business today.
SURFING CHANNELS
While film may be a competitive, difficult medium to start with, the sheer number of television shows and channels ensure many aspiring actors get a break, and perhaps, later move on the big screen. Besides acting, opportunities in the television industry include direction, cinematography, editing, script and screenplay writing.
PRODUCERS: The television industry offers aspirants with an interest in production, an open platform to step up and prove themselves. After completing a TV production course, students can start their careers as independent producers or executive producers. There is also the option of working with a producer as his assistant. A television producer’s responsibilities begin with making certain everyone makes it to the set on time, to ensuring all production activities proceed smoothly until the end of the post-production stage, when the show is ready to be screened. Pahwa agrees, “A producer has to do everything, right from conceptualising the show, to acquiring finance, and project and time slots from the channel, to making arrangements for food and lights. But he has to start with enlisting the services of a director and writer.” There are innumerable TV channels in India that offer jobs to students trained in the field. You can join a TV channel that is of interest to you, or opt to work for a specific programme.
Actors: If you intend to act on TV, you might need to brace yourself for hectic schedules, with shooting continuing even until the last minute for daily soaps. Tanvi Hegde, who plays the protagonist in Son Pari, offers, “Talent and passion coupled with formal education and a sound knowledge of technical know how paves the way to success in this industry.” Even so, acting is a tough profession, so be prepared to struggle initially, when you queue up for one audition after another.
As Gautami Kapoor, popular television actress reveals, “It is a myth that television is a lucrative field. The struggle period is too long, while success can be short lived. Your initial remuneration can be as meagre as Rs 1000 to Rs 2000 per day. The field is extremely competitive and uncertain, and people in the industry follow the mantra, ‘out of sight is out of mind’.” She also stresses that long, incessant working hours leave little or no time for a personal or social life. The working conditions can be strenuous, and with no fixed job hours, television can be a very challenging work atmosphere. Junior artists get an even worse deal. They might need to report to the set at 7
am, when all they have is a five-minute role at 7 pm. Chitralee Chogle, a college student in Mumbai, is an aspiring artist who has acted in a few television serials, and also worked as an assistant director for one. She suggests, “Actors with talent will definitely make a mark, but you need to remember to work hard and be flexible about matters, keeping yourself ready to take up new challenges at all times.” Directors: A director brings ideas to life. Whether it’s decisions related to set designs, costumes, auditions, or other creative aspects of television shows, a director must be adept at all these tasks. However, to be a director, one must possess the requisite skills and be passionate about creating something. Janardhan Bhende, who began as an apprentice cameraman, and has steadily risen to the profile of a reality show producer for a dance show, explains, “Though there are a few aspirants who are genuinely talented, and these often find success, there are many others who do not possess that talent and come to reality shows, attracted by their scope for stardom.”
Cameramen: Cameramen or cinematographers are responsible for capturing scenes on camera. They need a certain degree of imagination in order to visualise frames and shooting angles. Sebastian Anthony, assistant cinematographer for movies like Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham and Aks, and now, an independent Director of Photography, offers, “As a part of the system, and not the system in itself, a cameraman should only advise or lend support to his director. Initially, one would need to assist a professional cameraman on the sets to learn the tricks of the trade.”
K U Mohanan, Director of Photography for films such as Don and Aaja Nachle, believes that without professional training, a cinematographer will not be able to handle equipment. He says, “Earlier, most aspirants pursued training at FTII, but many more institutes have come up as of late. With respect to skills, handling the equipment and camera are foremost. Also, playing with the light and postproduction work, such as digital analysis, Photoshop, etc, play a very important role in making you a better cameraman.” Editors: Editors decide what stays in the final cut, and what gets canned. An editor needs to rely on his own resources - good judgement, creativity and observation skills. Omkar Patki, an editor, who has worked with leading production houses, shares, “Editing is easy, rewarding and creatively satisfying, provided your concepts and skills are in sync with the script.”
Both editing and camera work are very technical fields, and it is best that anyone aspiring to pursue a career in these areas comes armed with a degree in the subject. Most film and TV institutes have cinematography and editing courses available.
The television industry has more opportunities to offer, including scriptwriter, storyboarding artist, pre-production/ line manager (dealing with budgets, scheduling, location, etc), artist co-ordinator, studio director, studio floor manager, soundman, production assistant, lighting man, console operator, online/ offline editor, visual effects artist (for opening sequences, VFX in shows, etc), music director, props manager and many more.
PICK YOUR PLATFORM
Aspirants can opt to work with production houses, TV stations, product design and R&D companies, the Internet, broadcast companies, companies that set up TV studios and stations, and need the technical expertise, or animation studios working for TV shows.
MOOLAH MATTERS
The television industry certainly does not send you home empty handed. The pay/ wages are earned daily, and not monthly. To begin with, if you are an actor/ actress playing a small character role, your pay starts from Rs 1000 and goes up to Rs 3000 per day. As you progress in your career, and your character is shaped into a long-term character, you start earning Rs 3000 to Rs 5000 a day. Cameo roles for better-known actors can fetch about the same amount. However, once the audience starts to recognise you, and begins appreciating your role, your daily income may go up to between Rs 5000 and Rs 1,50,000. That’s not the end of it. Once you establish
yourself and can command your time, you can adjust two to three assignments in a single day, which means you can earn in the range of Rs 4,50,000 in one day.
For directors, the pay structure is entirely different. A director may earn a salary, some minimum guarantee, or may even engage in profit sharing. Sometimes, a well-known director can be paid simply for lending his name.
Although television is one of the most lucrative industries, the instant fame and accolades that follow are remarkable as well. For most people, television brings lasting reognition and a place in the hearts and minds of millions of viewers. INSTITUTE INDICATOR
Film and Television Institute of India, Pune (www.ftiindia.com) Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute of India (srfti.gov.in) Asian Academy of Film and Television (www.aaft.com) Mass Communication Research Centre at Jamia Millia Islamia (www.ajkmcrc.org) Xavier’s Institute of Communications (www.xaviercomm.org) Symbiosis Institute of Mass Communication (www.simc.edu)

Uday Ravi Koduru
A total cricket freak, I love hanging out with friends and family, and enjoy watching Bollywood movies. I have learnt that going after what you believe in is the key to success.

Aditi Gala
Sometimes crazy, sometimes wise. At times, juvenile, and at times, unbelievably kind. I am a dreamer and a doer. A true Mumbaikar, who lives life by the Hakuna Matata policy. Books, literature and movies are a passion.

Korbo Lorbo Jeetbo Re

Running past flickering crowds wandering aimlessly outside the stadium, we finally reached Gate 2, in the hands of the security. Ajinkya was as usual getting hyper restless. I Amar and Kunal cared more for our throats than the 2 minutes of the inaugurals. So we filled our hands with 5 cans of soft drinks and rushed up the stands. The Captains it seems had returned from the stage and currently they were preparing for the next performance. Our seats were not what one would envy us for. But then that didn't matter at all... Finally we settled ourselves and began texting/calling the entire world that we were at the IPL! How typical! The performances were lukewarm considering the scale at which the event was taking place. But hell... I got to see ABBA perform , L-I-V-E! Beat that! The others were a shade of what their fame speaks about them. Deepika was hardly visible from where we sat but the crowd seemed to be ignorant of this fact as they cooed at her steps. The other performances came and went by, making me quite impatient for the start of the match. The teams made their presence on the field at around 8 p.m. and began practising. Why couldn't they practice before, unnecessarily wasting time now. The captains walked in with Ravi Shastri and the Match officials for the much awaited toss. Gilli won the toss and the Deccan Chargers chose to field. Before the match began, I was quite unbiased when it came to supporting either teams. Who cared if Kolkata won or Hyderabad? Was playing? Then why take borrowed tension? The toss took place even as the other players were busy practising. I didn't get who won but KKR were certainly batting first. The ground was cleared and the players assembled to take their positions.
suddenly a voice spoke, much like Dumbledore, asking the captains and the referee whether they were ready to start the play. This was a new innovation and took most of us by surprise as we soon found out that it was Rudi Koertzen, the on-field umpire. I guess it was Vaas who came to bowl first. Let me inform you that watching a match live is not very amusing for your eyes. It's very tough to identify anyone. Unless of course you are their wives. Anyways, so Vaas starts the run up. The entire stadium went silent. And a collective aaaahh erupts as it's a first ball DUCK!!! Hahaha!!! KKR 1 down for none! And then Dada walked in, with him the stadium went up dada, dada, dada... 4th ball and Dada also got out! It seemed KKR were going to get bowled out in a few overs.
Ajinkya had other plans as usual and I feel he certainly has the leadership instincts. He went to the next level to look out for better seats. He came back to call us and we nervously vacated our seats.
The view from the second level was more spectacular but the guards didn't allow me and Amar to enter and asked for our tickets. I like an obedient chap gave him and was directed to my original place. Kunal and the others managed to sneak in though. We went downstairs with a dejected face. But we weren't going to accept defeat yet. I suggested that we try going to the upper level from another entrance. Alas! The guard here too was vigilant and asked me for my ticket. Maybe he wasn't wearing specs as he coolly allowed us to enter and make ourselves comfortable. The match wasn't helping to make our situation entertaining. It was simply drudging along.
Although, Amar was very happy KKR was losing, I was more worried about the match getting over soon and we not getting our Paisa vasool! The match progressed and KKR got a useful partnership to post a 161er for Dc to win! Meanwhile we had managed to shift ourselves to where the others were located. The match looked livelier from there. The crowd was better and more engrossed, with people having their loyalties set. In front of us was a group of 6-7 guys. What caught my attention was the fact that one of them was constantly eating. And eating not only what was in his hands but also from everyone else's stuff. I found that very funny. Anyways the break went by and the second half resumed. The match got interesting with a few not so early wickets. The crowd caught the electric atmosphere and was charged enough to generate a few Mexican waves. There were a few feeble attempts by a guy straight down in front of us. He was by far the most enthusiastic. Shouting, egging others to shout, dance, dancing himself, drinking, telling the people from adjacent stands to respond to his Mexican wave calls... Rising with the crowd for the waves was an enchanting experience in itself. Amar wasn't enjoying the proceedings though. He was aghast with DC losing wickets after wickets and KKR tightening the noose. Quite a few celebs had turned up to cheer for KKR such as Arjun Rampal, Dino Morea, Juhi Chawla, et al.
The crowd was also enjoying the visible pleasures of the so-called 'cheer' leaders. They seemed to cheer any side which scored or took wickets. Identity crisis!
The people in front of me has already started fighting for every Six or every Wicket! They were visibly divided into 2 camps - one for the Bongs and the other for the Nizams! Swearwords were simply pouring from both ends. The match was nearing its end and it was getting tenser. Every ball counted and every run mattered. Majority of the crowd seemed to support KKR, courtesy SRK. Finally KKR won, not by bowling the other side but by exhausting the quota of 20 overs.
It was a perfect ending the beginning of season 3 with a last over finish! KKR had finally won their first match.
All I could say was,
The Bongs have it, The Bongs have it, The Bongs have it !!!

Aay Pee Yell?

I seriously feel that if you leave me from the count, majority of the world will seem crazy to you~ And that certainly is no understatement! What started with a casual call at 1 p.m. to say hello, turned out to be the day changer for me blessing me with the craziest cricketing extravaganza of recent times. But Ajinkya had different plans and he didn't ask me to come till 4.30 p.m. For general information, the show was to start at 6 p.m. and was to happen at that godforsaken village called Nerul, which is leagues away from my house. They had just left from Lonavala having picked up Amar and that is when they called me and I made a mad rush to Nerul. Now as destiny would have it I got into a fast train at Dadar. You can certainly imagine the sense of pride and satisfaction that an average Mumbaikar has when he manages to get a train which he wants without having to pause at the station. I was so relieved... I was expectantly waiting for Kurla to come... Matunga, Sion..... Kurla comes, Kurla goes.... What ? It went? But... How? Ajinkya was relentlessly calling me to know my location and I had no idea what was going on. I managed to ask a fellow passenger very feebly as to which station will the train stop at? 'Thane'! 'Thane'! God why did I have to erroneously step into a super fast. Pathetic Central Railways cannot even display it anywhere. so Thane it was to be. I kept on calculating the time it would take me to take a Thane fast to Kurla and then the slow to Nerul. Ajinkya would surely would have buried me there itself. Now even Gaurav had added to the 'where are you' party. But then again, was providence would have it, there was a Panvel train waiting, it seemed only for me, at Thane station. I bought tickets and got myself a seat. I was travelling by this route for the first time and I must say the Indian Railways saved my day. The moment I alighted from the train I began running towards the stadium. Huff Puff... Left right... I met Kunal and Amar outside the stadium and we made a dash for Gate 2... I was entering a live stadium for the first time ever in my life!!! Aay Pee Yell here I come!!!

The Foursome Rick-ride!!!

Carter road Bus Stop, 10.45PM, tired of waiting for the Bus!

Any sane person (ignore people from Mutual) would know that 9/3 = 3! But no! Pratiksha had to do her own Maths and force us into one Rickshaw. No not all nine but 4 of us - Manorath, myself, herself and Pranjali. And mind you - all are from healthy families! So what was the need to commit this sin of cramping four people into the rear seat of a tiny Mumbai Rickshaw? A good observer would conclude that in the given circumstances, with Pratiksha making a decision, you sincerely cannot expect a logical reason! Anyways, I hardly had a choice and so before the others could even realise we had hired an auto and already made ourselves amply comfortable within its dark environs. Guess who sat on whose lap?? Ok no comments! :)
The person's legs pained excruciatingly though, let me inform you all. I got this from my secret agent. And yes even his knees became wobbly after the 'healthy' affair. Regardless, of what their camera could capture, however waste it was, our cameraman started clicking Photos. Manorath then handed over his prized possession to one of the G-Sisters, we shall henceforth call them thus to save space and my typing efforts. Coming back to the Photos, they were yuck! I mean, yes, Y-U-C-K!!! I hereby give a disclaimer that the person whose only visible part are his awesome hair ,shall, under any circumstance, human or otherwise, not be deemed, construed or held to be Satsheel!!!

The rickshaw was filled with chronic laughter. Laughter of all sizes and flavours, varying pitches and differing volume, impregnated the rickshaw. Oh yes, we all were carrying balloons, with Pratiksha holding two. We could barely manage ourselves, so taking care of the balloons was a huge task. There was hardly any space to sit so the balloons were all tucked behind, well almost.

I was afraid that a Policeman would catch us for exceeding the seating capacity and fine us. I was mentally preparing for reasons, with making Pratiksha pay topping the charts!!! I don't know why they wanted to click my pics? They tried vociferously to get a glimpse of my face on the Camera's lens making me momentarily feel like a Celeb. :p
Suddenly, Pranjali screamed 'Chirag!' She seemed to have seen a 'Friend" (ahem ahem!!!) of hers and was excitedly showing us. Hardly did she realise that we would have more sinister ideas than simply looking at random people. Chirag had till then gone ahead and I had not got to see who it was. We asked the Rickshaw-wala to 'Chirag ka Paathlaag Karo' and he actually listened to us. Like a maniac he drove to hit a pothole. Our rickshaw barely managed to avoid tumbling to the left and we thankfully didn't get thrown out of the rickshaw. Pratiksha it seems was going to literally fall out. We stopped at a signal and there was a guy with a girl behind him on a bike on my right. I loudly asked "Kon Chirag?" I didn't know it was him and Pranjali, out of shame didn't even enlighten us. We were later informed that he was peeping inside the rickshaw to see who called out his name. The rickshaw reverberated with cautious laughter. People continued their photographic tirade. We even clicked pics with the Ricksha-wala at Bandra Station. He actually pulled out a scarf to pose for the Photo.

It was one insane Rickshaw ride which I doubt any of us will ever forget. If Chirag ever reads this, know that it was Pranjali, the younger of the G-Sisters, who actually was inside the Rickshaw!!!

The Witch Amidst Us?

Ever wondered who steals chicken pieces from your plates?
Ever thought that paying for someone would prove to be the biggest NON Performing Asset?
Ever felt that small, innocent children like me sometimes cry without reason?
Ever had your eardrums pain due to incessant talks?
Ever known a person who does complete DUMMY (ignore Ayushi and Nisha for time being)?

Well then here goes...
Presenting for the first time in the history of Blogspot, the one and only, representing Podar college as its first ever, never captured live on Camera before, the one who no one knew lived amongst us...
Kreesu , The Witch Amidst Us?

Don't believe what you are reading then click on the video above to experience WITCHDOM!!!

Her Highness, the Holy Holi

colours, rang, farben, couleurs, rango, etc... the different ways in which this vivid word can be translated is still less than the variety of hues that it can produce... for artists who literally live colours, it is an everyday affair, but for the common man who has null relationship with anything to do with paints, cordially appreciates the splashing of colours and coloured water as if it were a pay hike or better grades! and amidst the riot of red, blue and green, we take feeble potshots at achieving artistic traits, by effecting colours of many more shades and aspects... begetting encouragement and a certain companionship in this hatred-filled, love-lacking monochromatic world, of tinted vibrancy! he forgets that he has to be tensed for his daily expenses, for his studies, for proposing to his girl, for reducing the flab, for countless aspects of one's life that are simply washed away, albeit momentarily, washed away with the gaiety that rejuvenates itself once in a year, brought in by these very colours which he has avoided for the remaining 364 days... emanating now in a renewed form, he takes a dab at the dry colours and throws them in the air, revelling in the rainbow he has just created in the sky. he enjoys his handiwork and tries his tired, wrinkled hands at different colours, bouyed by the encouragement he gets from spectators. having had his share of amusement he proceeds now to distribute his day's mirth with others. the shagun ka gulaal is applied on foreheads and cheeks alike, invoking similar gestures from those applied. the ritual, he feels is much better than ruthlessly aiming at innocent, undesirable passers-by. why try filling colours in their lives when they are happier with their blacks and whites? he returns his focus at rejoicing one colourful day. he wonders why should he not indulge in water? maybe he should not, courtesy the BMC or maybe he should not for the millions of draught affected people or maybe he should not as a sincere condolence to the Haitians! analysing in depth before acting is a recurrent phenomenon he practices everyday. and even on a day when his regular beliefs have been coloured, he has not lost track of this habit. he decides to use little water, just enough to wash away the colour, lest it bring happiness and sparkle throughout the year. he carefully transforms himself to his earlier solemn self as he ventures from the lively world of colours to his life full of his own colours!

And thus the Local Goons call Policitians to Scare Peaceful Residents of my Society!!!

Living life under Political scrutiny!

It is an annual affair. The auspicious occasion of Mahashivratri beckons much fanfare in my society. And why shouldn't it? We are Hindus and very devout that! But then why would this day and the days adjoining it cause residents of my society, most of whom are senior-citizens such harassment? I wondered why too? Everything has a reason and this had to have too. My society had this Chawl in it's premises and since the past 2-3 years, they got a separate building and are now the owners and not tenants. They have been using our premises to conduct many events, loud orchestras, music, songs, etc For 2-3 days it becomes but only bad for the old people. Not to forget the students who have exams in March. Last year too we tried to ensure a peaceful night for our residents but the Chawl people led by Mr. Arun Potade called MNS people to intimidate us. That helped their cause and we had to relent. But this year we were prepared. The society passed a resolution with all its managing committee members approving the decision to forbid the use of the society's premises. Since we are Hindus and most importantly Humans, we did allow them access to the temple in our premises throughout the year on Mondays and during these days too. But they weren't satisfied. They wanted to claim their illegal right to construct a stage right in the middle of the road of our society, cause nuisance and disruption to all the parked vehicles and their owners as well as the other residents. All we said was you can conduct your programmes on your 2000 sq. ft. terrace. But no! They weren't budging. Last year they had signed an agreement stating that they will not hold such a programme this year. And this year, Mr. Potade very conveniently was trying to tell us that it does not even fall within the scope of an agreement. We had to call in the police. Since we had police protection, the only way they could breach that was to call Politicians. And this year too, they 'invited' them to visit the 'temple'! Wow! Anyways so one by one they filed in. First came Nilesh Rane, son of the Revenue Minister of Maharashtra. He tried to make us 'understand' and he left by promising to grant us audience again. Then came Yashwant Killedar, Leader of MNS Youth Wing. He too said the same thing and for once I liked that he didn't support the illegal side. Then walked in the local Shiv Sena Corporator. He too didn't pass any 'judgement'. I was continually wondering why were we giving explanations to others? Are they adjudicating authorities? I got out my camera and the chawl people asked me are you in the press. That left me impressed!
What I fail to understand is why did the Police not take any action and why did we have to go down?
How can Politicians meddle in these things and what authority do they have?
Is there any solution apart from filing a suit?

Disclaimer: The publisher, writer, blogger, or otherwise of this blog accepts no responsibility of whatsoever is written hereinabove. No claims or suits in any court of law will be entertained. Any similarity with living or non-living beings and/or things is purely co-incidental.

Chicken Biryani LIVE flown from Hyderabad

Piping hot ! picked it up from dhawal at 12.30 am in the morning on his way to his hostel from the airport. it was still hot. it smelled impeccably indian. strong! i slept with hyderabadi dreams! i couldn't wait till i feasted onthe biryani. kuku was to join me for lunch but for unavoidable reasons he couldn't so i invited tanay and bela. bela got veg. biryani for her tummy. the biryani we had was rich in spices, little tangy, with succulent chicken pieces well marinated, and a warm aroma. just irresistible.
i have a few recommendations to make -
1. you must have a very sweet friend like dhawal who although is strictly veg. got 2 large packs of chicken biryani from Hyderabad
2. you must never forget to tell your friend whenever they go to Hyderabad to get chicken biryani
3. and never ever miss a chance to eat biryani from Hyderabad House
4. thank God for 1 to 3 above!!!

Intro - The day CPT results were announced!

I know it’s a bit too late to write this. Actually I began writing almost instantaneously after the results but had time to complete it only now. And since my blog has come up only now, it’s only correct to put it up now. Better late than never!
The series narrates a day in my life, viz. September 8, 2007 if my memory hasn't failed me yet. This was the day when my CPT results were declared. The rest is history!

I have tried to compile the day in 6 parts already posted on my blog!!!! Do read and leave your comments!!!

PART I - The day CPT results were announced! – The day begins!

It was Monday, probably the third or fourth day of ENIGMA. Reached college early at around 8 am or should I say, was forced to reach early. Double tension – Himani and BC tutorials! I wasn’t thinking much about the CPT results, they were to be the next day. I had a bigger test today. I had just finished scripting our BC Tuts dialogue. Akanksha had to still read it and I didn’t have the time to go through it. She had been told to reach the Admin Room around 8.30 am. She came only by 9 am. Relief! We took a bench for ourselves & started preparing. She first wrote the whole thing down for herself. I did Admin duty till then. Nobody showed any signs of tension – results were tomorrow! Still I kept asking people how they felt a day before the results. Akanksha finished copying & we left the Admin room obviously having taken Himani’s permission. WE moved upstairs to ‘my’ class – S5. Took the last seats and started memorising. Some people had walked in & walked out. We hadn’t even switched on the lights. There was no need. We had bigger worries than fighting darkness. We sat lost in ourselves, individually memorising the lines of our respective speeches. After some silent monuments, we felt we were ready for dual practise. We began! After a few rounds of re-scripting our dialogues & then delivering them, I felt that was enough. We left, to meet our ‘destiny holder’. He was busy having Snacks (Poha) in the staff canteen. I told him we would wait in one of the T-floor rooms. He agreed. W left. On our way, other fellow-warriors were seen, some joined us. Others were late!

Slowly the remaining warriors gathered. I as usual was waiting at the door, waiting for the ‘opponent’. Hrishikseh & Kunal joined me on the watch. With his usual self-glorifying insults, Sammit stood tall on the platform, his short frame fighting a losing battle with itself. Then I got THE call. The call which changed the sullen morning, increasing my heart-rate, diverting my focused attention from the looming war to the nearer. More future-defining battle. A battle already fought twice. The first one ending in an obnoxious truce. The second, awaiting its fate!

PART II - The day CPT results were announced! – Results a day in advance!

Nishant asks me ‘kitna mila’? I mean come on, I say, isn’t the result due tomorrow? This line enlivens all those standing around me. They ask which result am I blabbering about. Some fake fright, others try to hide surprise. He still repeats the question. I say, I really have no clue about the results. I am more worried about my BC-Tuts! I ask him his score. He very reluctantly divulged – 178! I am scared. Isn’t 178 too good? Still, I am scared. The hysteria, though, now had to be dealt with. I couldn't. Control myself. No one could actually, though Sammit initially wanted to see his result personally. Kunal turned out to be the quickest. His ‘fairy-godmother’like sister was sitting in front of our fortune-teller. But he was very sad. He had scored 177. I expected him to be one of the merit-grabbers. Expectations shattered sans remorse! Akanksha sat beside me pacifying my uneasiness like water on a hot stove. She didn’t know what was going within me. Nor did I bother to tell. It was an insane thought about to turn les saner.
Suddenly, hands are being shaken, smiles being spread. I catch one; it increased my worries. Behind me was sitting the 3rd ranker from all over India. I am sad. Not because Hrishikesh got 187 – certainly not – but because he got the 3rd rank! (I am not against him getting the 1st rank either but that time anyone getting the 3rd rank was like hell for me.) I expected to get above 187 & if he has got the 3rd rank, that leaves only 2 ranks above him, meaning just 2 different scores left above him. I expected more than 187, but then not the first 2 ranks, or did i? I was sad, dejected, tensed, nervous and morose! I was wishing that that damn tutorial got over in a jiffy. Everyone slowly contributed to my wishes. I was being asked my seat number. I couldn’t recollect. Meanwhile ‘I’ had spread the news. It was burning through the college. Burning aspirations, lighting faces.
Dhawal was informed and told my number. WRO 0274445 I said. He was warned to not blurt out my score to me. Farheen & Sanjana were also alerted. The battle had announced its fortune showcasing the sheer inability of the divinitioneers- for loss of a better word! Akanksha continued to be supportive! Sweet!

PART III - The day CPT results were announced! – In search of my number!

Shit! It was my turn. I and Akanksha got up, moved to the dais and took our pre-decide places. Sammit had created an aura of sympathy and compassion with his sermons. Impressive. We carried out our 3-4 minute miniscule skit. Sir didn’t comment. He should have I felt. Why build up unrequired suspense. We consoled each other. Again not required. Strength remains unspoken.
Sammit wasn’t capable of harnessing his inquisitiveness. He allowed Kunal to do his bidding. Tension surrounded him. And me too. I was eager to try judging the overall report. He scored a serene 182 – 8th All India. I was further scared. Everyone was scoring aces. What if I…?
Feeling-less, uncaring & discretely aloof from worldly cares, people continued with their speeches & more popular dialogues. It was Hrishikesh now. AIR 3! Even I stopped to listen. Sammit was going berserk. Sanjana called to ask how much I had got. She withheld her marks in anticipation of mine. I ended the call. My bag was only what separated me from my Professor’s vision.
Dhawal called back saying we needed seat numbers and not registration numbers to download the results.
I asked him whether he remembered mine. Tough Chance. He said he got 178! Jaie shouted behind him that he had missed the merit list by mere two marks. Congratulations! The call ended. I was more than eager to get out of this class. But the line of people giving speeches didn’t seem to end. They seemed to like giving speeches.
I was being constantly asked my seat number. I said I needed to go home to get it. I didn’t even know my pin code. Later I was told that the pin code was unnecessary. Salomi was 2-3 seats behind me during the CPT. I messaged her to ask her her number. Stupid girl! Didn’t even reply useless! The moment the last person finished his speech, we all burst out of the class. Sir was saying something. His own speech. We were not interested. Sammit rushed to the reading room. He wanted to hug Vaidehi. He was overjoyed. He deserved it after all those long days spent studying.
I glided downstairs; towards Salomi. She was near the main gate. Luckily I spotted her instantaneously, tall that I am, tall that she is. I yelled at her, demanding a reason for her not having replied. She showed her cell to show that she was in the middle of replying. I didn’t believe her. Who cares? The other matter was more urgent. She recited her number. 1604… something. My doubt had been cleared. My number had to be 16047. I turned around in one sweep and rushed upstairs. Direct into the AV room. There were more like me in there. But they had opened the wrong site. I sped up the ritual. I first got it clarified from Shantanu whether they showed our names alongside the score. I was not interested in giving myself false hopes or borrowed grief by seeing someone else’s score. He and Gaurang said yes. Thank goodness.