It’s finally that time of the year when we bid farewell… This past year has been very eventful. You gave us a very warm (?! J) welcome and I remember trying to match faces with the names I found on Orkut… successful in some attempts, fumbling with others…
Telling us how to bend around rules, warning us against strict faculty, encouraging us to brave everyday chores, lending us your experienced hands and grey cells in managing the two most important events- UTSAV and Pragati 08, those little important things about hostel wardens and their rules, the good ( :P ) hang outs in the City, the pending placement treats, the jokes, the leg-pulling, the selection of members for the different committees, the stress interviews for the forum selection...
True, life at Amrita has not always been rosy. There were times when there was panic, worry, grief and sorrow. It was all bearable because we could come to you at anytime. You were there for us when we screwed up in our many tasks. We have enjoyed being here and a major part is because of that extra mile you went to make us feel at home.
I would like to mention a few names here…
KK, the first in your batch I met on Orkut. We chatted often. He was then interning at Hyderabad. Then there were Anu, Anju, IMX (I remember, Ivan Michael Xavier), Anson, Sujith… they were my first seniors frens at ASB.
The memories are still afresh. Deepak, Anson, Sajith, Sujith Anand and Sujith were just outside library… they called me to have a talk… ( no ragging, remember? J) They asked me questions after questions… it was a tougher panel than my interview panel to join ASB! Amardeep walked by and said- “Arre bechari ko chod do yaar.. poor thing…” I felt so grateful then J But the session was fun in a way and I felt happy! :P
My professional advertisers Jake and Bitu… the pains they took to get my shampoo campaign going… wow, thanks guys… the number of takes and retakes… the publicity… Jake’s coffee days out always ended up in half a glass of coffee for me!
Darshan and Prashant… the duo love pulling my legs… they counsel, joke, play pranks, tease and help… I have learnt a few tricks from them too. Thank you, teachers! J Btw, I was in their BAC project as well… J
Anu, Anju, Jyothi, Raji chechi… thanks for the movies… and for always being there in rough times. I remember my early visits to Anu’s room… I met Reshmi also there. I remember the first bet I won was with Anu… she still owes me a treat for it. J
The counsellors- Navneet, Bikash, Prejith… I personally want to thank you guys for standing by me through rough patches during UTSAV and later. Those were times I desperately needed a sense of direction. Thanks for being there. It’s a small word… but is meant is all sincerity… Thanks.
I know I talk 19 to the dozen… but I didn’t think I’d find competition… Jeevitha broke my belief…! I have the right “vaayaadi” match now! J thanks. I remember the infinite times she has asked me to visit a doctor. I assure her now that I shall visit him sometime… er.. soon..! J
Prejith is almost the mobile mind-reader! He’s always found out when I’m down. He’ll just walk up and say, “what happened? It’s ok,, come, let’s have something in the canteen”. He calls me a cry baby… which we still argue upon!!
Rajamadhuri, Amardeep, Rachna, Jeevitha, Raji chechi… my lunch mates… J They are usually there at the mess when I’m there for lunch or dinner. They filled in my MR pretest questionnaire… thanks a bunch for being there… personally and officially... J
Harish, Kalyan and Dinesh (my mentor.. he came to know that a few days ago.. J)… the trio at different times asked me the same question- “You know Telugu? How come? ” (déjà vu?!) Thanks for talking to me in Telugu now and then… you have helped me er… improve my proficiency in the language…! J
Nishi and Sharath, the CV experts helped me better mine… and here I thought I hadn’t done much with life… and they made my CV look like I’m the most creditable person around.. J thanks.
Shruthi and I are similar in some ways… the way we look at life, for example… I believe she’s some kind of a good omen. If I see her early in the day, my day goes good… J And I got her to believe that about me as well…! (manipulative, eh?! hehe) J Thanks for giving me extra time to submit my testimonial…
Sonya, the soft spoken, always smiling, friendly and cute senior… J yeah, she is one of the cutest ever. She’s rare. She always tries saving some coffee for me in the canteen.. from the evil clutches of the Villains who just wait for me to place my order… Thanks! J
Binny, Bishwesh, Nilesh, Hardhik… they have been my hindi gurus… er.. hindi, proper and mumbaiya, the mamu language, punjaban hindi… you name it! The daily dosages of one funny msg… J Gandiva’s star voice, the diamond merchant’s promise… the good morning mamu’s… thanks guys for all the things you do! Hum aapke aabhaari rahenge… bole toh, apun ko tumse thank you bolne mangta hai J
Poornima and Rajeshwari- the two most inspirational writers to me at ASB… the media avoiding, camera hating duo…! J The celebs avoid the paparazzi… (I am the paparazzi with the hated camera.. for those of you who didn’t figure it out! J ) Awesome writing… do continue to write on the ASB blog… J
I think I’ve written too much already… I’ll try to conclude now… I have had an amazing year with you guys. I have learnt how to enjoy life and work… You are one of the finest batches… I don’t have any other to compare with! :P No, on a serious note, Your batch has always stood by us… taught us many things, reprimanded us when there was need, leant us movies, videos, assignments and shoulders when the pressure got to us…
I want to thank everybody in your batch for the wonderful time you gave us. I will remember the times we spent for a long time to come. I wish each and every one of you a very happy, prosperous and successful future. May everything you wish for come true J One special mention- Rajeshwari- Wish you a very happy and blissful married life. J
Stay in touch everybody and join our Alumni on the 10th of May, 2008. J Good luck for everything you do… Until later, take care and don’t miss us too much…! J
(PS: Sincere apologies to those whose names I’ve missed… and to those who I might have hurt unintentionally in the last year… )
Toast: Here’s to the health, wealth and success of batch 2008 at ASB
Children IS going to school
Let me begin this piece of writing with the original piece that inspired me into writing it!
A student who scored 100 in CBSE Class 12 English exam in an email to Outlook:
“It all depends on how one pen down the ideas… The flow in the language helped me fetched marks.”
An English teacher to Class 12 students:
“Keep the language simple and yet so crispy… Do not get deviate from topic.”
I am more than just astonished. Such spectacular usage of words has reached me a zillion times before. But not really from a student who is considered THE BEST at the English language by the Central Board of Secondary Education in India!! And an English teacher!
Well, I have been lucky to have been taught by excellent English faculty throughout my School and College. And let me not leave out the most important contributor to my English speaking and writing er… (skills?!) My mother. Mrs. Mythili Kesavasamy. She won the President’s Gold Medal in her M.A and has been a brilliant faculty all her life. She got me the reading habit, she made me listen to the news, and it was she who made me read my lessons! :)
I don’t speak great English myself. But I would like to understand others who speak the language! The least I can expect is teachers to speak decently well. But am shocked that the faculty standards could be so low! It feels like I’m waking up from a pleasant dream to nightmarish reality! I have mostly interacted with people who spoke decently well English but to think that more than half our nation has to struggle with the language is almost unfathomable! I have always believed that it is the teachers who make students fall in love or well… hate subjects.
Now, here is something to test you… where are u likely to find a board that reads:
--- “Butter Scoch Shek” and what would you think it meant?
Answer: India, Butter Scotch Shake.
--- “Child Bear” and what would you think it meant?
Answer: India, (hold your breath…) Chilled Beer!
I recently read in a magazine which reported that a 2nd year degree student committed suicide for not being able to cope with English (He left behind a suicide note to that effect). He had had all his education in Hindi medium. And the fact that he studied English as the 3rd language till 10th standard did him no real good for his career prospects. It truly is alarming to see how a language might affect the lives of youngsters and old alike. When I think of this case, a thought hits me in the face- what a waste of life! He would have been a great engineer, a designer an architect… We lost him because he didn’t know English!
Well, one thing is certain. There is a way of life. English today doesn’t remain just a means of communication any more. It has become an essential part of survival and the medium that ensures earning bread.
Proficiency in the English language is considered the passport to better lives, at least, in India. But Indians are taught rubbish in schools and colleges. I can’t blame the students! Every street has a small outlet which “sells” dosages of easy English speaking courses for the thousands of wannabe Angrezi-ispeaking Indians. And what do the outlets sell? Simple:
“Childern is going to school”
“I am also English speak”
“My hobbies means, I used to go to cinema”
“They is coming soon”
I am appalled and sad and I don’t know what else. I remember the days I used to teach my “mohalla” street kids in Bellary district, Karnataka how to read words and construct sentences. And how well they were thrilled! Now, I’m not saying I am a great teacher… not at all. I was barely in 4th standard then! But the kids- they were so full of life and curiosity to learn new things, new languages. Incapable teachers ruin it all. If only we had the right teachers, I think the Indian youth will be a much awaited upon lot. And right teachers are not just born. Well, some of them maybe. But others are made… they become.
China has realized how important a role English is going to play in the coming years. It has started pooling in English speaking taltents across southern Asia to get its youth the best available. The world is changing and with it, we must too. There really isn’t any choice.
The only way I see now, is to find really good English teachers from schools and colleges… (Am sure there are quite a few of them. Atleast everybody who taught me are simply great! ) and get them to train at least 5 others. And then each of those 5 can take up 5 others. I know 5 is a small number. But it’s high time we made a difference. And like that starfish story we all know, every move of ours makes a difference. And the time to start could not be better than NOW.
PS: The Starfish Story (For the benefit of those who haven’t heard the story and those of us who’ve heard it and don’t mind reading it over and over again!)
A little boy was walking on the beach early one morning when the speaker of the story finds him. He wonders what the boy is doing. He sees the boy picking up the starfish that got washed ashore by the waves and throwing them, one by one, back into the sea. His curiosity aroused, he walks to the boy and asks, “My dear fellow, may I know what you are doing?” The boy replies “Am saving lives of the starfish, Sir” “But don’t you know there are thousands and thousands of starfish washed up along the beach and it would take you years to throw them all back into the ocean? How do you think you’ll save them?” To which the boy simply picked up another starfish and said politely, “I don’t know about others yet Sir, but I saved that one.” The speaker is suddenly ashamed and stunned. He soon joins the little boy in his mission and starts picking up starfish and throwing them back into the sea.
I carry your heart
This is yet another poem that has a lot of depth and meaning. It's very close to my heart. However, I make no claims on it. It's credit goes to Ee cummings.
"I carry your heart with me(i carry it inmy heart)
I am never without it(anywhere I go, you go,my dear;
And whatever is done by me is only your doing, my darling)
I fear no fate(for you are my fate, my sweet)
I want no world(for beautiful you are my world, my true)
And it's you who are whatever a moon has always meant
And whatever a sun will always sing is you
Here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(Here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
And the sky of the sky of a tree called life;
Which grows higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)
And this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart..
I carry your heart(i carry it in my heart) "
It also featured in a movie called "In Her Shoes". It's read beautifully by Cameron Diaz..
