Toast: Here’s to the health, wealth and success of batch 2008 at ASB

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… )