Diwali!

Come Diwali, the festival of lights, it is all about the joy of sharing and having fun bursting crackers. It being my favourite festival, I never missed the celebrations even a single year, even while I was away from home for Diwali for the first time last year. And it promised to be as exciting as ever this time as it fell on the 5th of November.

It was 6:17am and I got a call from Yudha. I suddenly gave a jerk and woke up, "Merlin's beard! What am I doing?!" I was supposed to be there at the central lawns (C-Lawns) at 6am with a part of the crackers that was there with me. So, I hurriedly got up, answered the call, "Ya, ya... I am there in 5 minutes", and then got into my pants rushing into the bogs (common bathroom). Then, I got a call from home as expected. "Take head bath, dear", advised my mom as expected. "Haan, haan", I replied while I was thinking, "Damn it! I don't even have the time to brush my teeth right now. I shall have to rush."

"Jenishta bul hocchey", I muttered to myself and so did Pras as we were playing a sick game called 1up-1down on the eve of Diwali. Apparently it means, "The thing is going wrong" in Bengali and I began using it frequently since I learnt it (not that things have been going fine before I did so). The rule of the game is this: you play it till you find out how it is played. WTH?! Sounds exciting isn't it? But, it didn't for me. And that's why I suck at it.

We decided to meet at C-Lawns at 6am the next day to burst crackers and parted. Judee decided to come to my room and watch 'Enthiran - The Robot' that night. It was about 2:30am when we were done with it. Excited about the coming morning, I set my cellphone's alarm clock to 5:30am and slept off. The alarm rang at 5:30am and I slowly opened my eyes too. I was staring at it constantly, may be for a minute or so. There was a rush of adrenaline inside me. The alarm was ringing... Because, this is going to be one hell of a day. The alarm was still ringing... We had lots of crackers to burst. The alarm was still going on... We will spend sometime in connaught place for dinner. It was still going on... Then we will be bursting bombs that go off in the sky and give brilliant colours. This time I stopped the alarm. The next thing I remember was the call from Yudh at 6:17am.

It was about 6:20am by the time I got into the bogs talking with people from home. My little brother was excited as to what crackers I have. "Is it a flower pot that you lit just now?", he asked. "No, I am peeing", I replied. After talking to the whole lot of people at home, I just took the bag of agarbathis and 600 wala that I had and rushed towards C-Lawns. "This is it!", I thought. "Diwali's here!"

A whole lot of people would be there, that includes people from raag (my club) and all the illads (tamil speaking people are called illads in BITSian lingo). I ran to the middle of the lawns and then noticed that it was deserted. What the hell was going on? Then I called Yudha. He told me that he is on his way. "Damn it! I came here running at 6:25am in the morning. I didn't even shit", I muttered to myself.

I went back to the wing, brushed my teeth, took bath (sprinkling some water on my head too to get the satisfaction of taking a head bath). After completing all morning rituals, I went to C-Lawns. Almost everyone was there. We started off with a mini atom bomb and went on to burst many of them and many others too. Initially, seeing the pathetic way in which the crackers were bursting, Shravan exclaimed, "I can spit louder than them." Even I thought, "Ya, I can fart louder than them!"

Dinner in connaught place in the evening was followed by a concluding round of bursting of crackers, particularly the 600 wala one and the fireworks that burst in sky. Judee was putting enthu with vengaya vedi (literally translates to 'onion crackers' from Tamil). Thanks to Shravan, Nammu, Preethi, Yudh, Neeraja, Judee, Ashwin and Juju, my Diwali was a wonderful one this year.

The night out

BANG! BANG! I knocked at my wingees' doors at 8:15am in the morning. Irritated because of getting rudely awaken so early, they opened their doors to find a smiling me proudly declaring, "I did a night out!" Much to add to their frustration, I asked if they are attending classes that day. Little did I realise in my excitement that their minds would have been picturing me getting thrown out of the Bhawan bashing the grill gates and getting landed right on top of the redi directly opposite to our wing.

My excitement was short-lived, as I sat staring blankly at the question paper after sometime in the exam hall. Then there was a sudden rush of adrenaline inside me as I spotted a few theorems that I had sleepily encountered during the course of the night out. I started writing out the proof and a few lines were over. Then the internal machinery experienced a black out. Working my mind backwards, I had realised that a few hours back I was dozing by the time I was at the fourth line of the proof. “Nah, this is not gonna help”, I thought and moved on to the next question. There was some progress, giving some scope for more partial marks. But yet again it was the same story. “All right!”, I thought. “It would be a nice idea to look into the progress of my night out to kill time.”

It was the last day of Oasis 2010. The feeling of Insomnia which was the theme for this International cultural festival organised by BITS-Pilani was never going to leave the minds of BITSians. But, there was only one day before getting used to the usual college life and to add to my misery, I had a test the first day after the end of Oasis holidays. So, to keep the spirit of Insomnia ablaze I decided to go for a night out that day.

I actuallt set out to ghot at about 10am in the morning with Sandy. Not even an hour had passed when I declared, “Yaar, dimaag kharab ho gaya. I am gonna sleep.” Then it was a long break till the evening. Kesh, my ghot-mate returned from home on the last day of Oasis holidays late in the evening. “Man, we shall properly do a night out today”, said he. How like-minded we were! So, we started after dinner at around 8pm.

It went well till about 11pm. Then the inevitable started happening. Taking turns, as if in a yawning competition, we started opening and closing our mouths at regular intervals. The internal bell rang indicating that it was time to go to ANC (The All-Night Canteen). After having a light snack at ANC, we returned at around 12am. I took out my book and resumed staring at it in regular intervals in between short naps in sitting position. Periodically Kesh poked me to make me realise this. There was a great struggle going on between my eyes and the book. Strange things started happening around me. At one moment I would be staring at my partner keenly going through the study material. My eyelids would close. And when they open again, he would be lying on the bed curled up in one corner. Then I would open my laptop and sign into my FB account.

Then there was this stupid moth that was buzzing around my ears annoying me for a long time. I took time out of my study schedule to corner that pest and have it smashed under my broom stick. Motherjane’s carnatic rock music kept me awake for sometime until food resources came from Kesh’s room. Hungry as we are, we emptied all the packets of biscuits and chips. By this time, it was nearly 5:30am. Somehow, I stupidly opened my gmail account and posted on Buzz, “My first ever academic night out in progress...” By that time, I had lost all hope that I would be able to finish reading the syllabus for the test.

It was 7am then, time to give to a concluding note to the night out. I dozed off.... The fight between me and the alarm clock started at 7:45am and went on till 8:15am, when I finally woke up to freshen myself and wake my dozing partner up as well. I came back to reality and looked at my watch. It was 9:45am, 5 minutes before the test concludes. I scribbled whatever I crap I knew gave the paper and came off...

The accident

"Would you prefer it in the hand or...", asked the doc. "Ya ya, the hand, you are right...", I replied hastily, as I didn't want him to punch a hole in my ass. "Ouch!!!", the tetanus injection pained a bit for a few seconds and then it was alright. With my elbow mummified, I went and took seat beside the doc. He started writing out the prescription of tablets and oinments. I gave him the consultation fees, thanked him and left the clinic.

A few days earlier, I had set foot on the rock city (that is how my hometown Tiruchirapalli is also known as) for my sister's marriage. I am a violinist and was supposed to play for a concert during the marriage reception. So, enthued, I set off with my violin on the TVS scooter and went straight to my music guru's house.

While coming back, I took a left turn after ABC road and entered XYZ road. Not even a single street light was on. It was completely dark except for the headlights of the vehicles that came in the opposite direction and were successful enough in blocking my vision beyond them. I knew that the road would be full of mad curves and bends.

I might have been going at around 50kph. I thought that it would be a good idea to switch my scooter's headlight on. I did and then I was on the ground. Because, as soon as I switched the headlight on, the first thing that I saw was an electric post about a foot away. I should have slowed down earlier. I applied the brakes with full force. The scooter started to skid, as I had turned right while trying to stop it. "Vrrrrrrr...", it fell down along with me. If not for the helmet, hell would have been met, may be!

I got up with great difficulty and felt pain in my left elbow and below the left palm. The elbow was bleeding and the palm was also bruised. I managed to get up and went straight to the doc.

Marks - My Destiny

You all do know the story of Julius Caesar. Given below is an extract of the story - the famous speeches of Brutus and Antony. After that, a comparision with BITSian life is made. Do compare each sentence of the speeches. Read and enjoy.

A point of note to all non-BITSians... The meanings of certain BITSian slangs used in this post have been explained hereby:

compre- semester exam
intrabits- intranet web portal in which bitsians can view marks
ACB- Academic Counselling Board : students whose performance is too poor will be sent to the ACB
I/C- Instructor in charge of a particular course
ghotu- one who studys a lot
CT- Course topper
sac- very easy
rod- very tough
makeup- retest for those who couldnt appear for the regular test

What has happened before:
Julius Caesar has been murdered. His close friend Mark Antony, in danger himself, wanted to revenge Caesar's death. He was able to convince Brutus, one of the conspirants, that they mustn't fear him. He got the permission to speak in public the memorial speech for Caesar:

Enter BRUTUS and CASSIUS, and a throng of citizens

Citizens : We will be satisfied; let us be satisfied.

BRUTUS : Then follow me, and give me audience, friends.

Cassius, go you into the other street,

And part the numbers.

Those that will hear me speak, let 'em stay here;

Those that will follow Cassius, go with him;

And public reasons shall be rendered

Of Caesar's death.

First Citizen :I will hear Brutus speak.

Second Citizen : I will hear Cassius; and compare their reasons,

When severally we hear them rendered.

Exit CASSIUS, with some of the Citizens. BRUTUS goes into the pulpit

Third Citizen : The noble Brutus is ascended: silence!

BRUTUS : Be patient till the last.

Romans, countrymen, and lovers! hear me for my

cause, and be silent, that you may hear: believe me

for mine honour, and have respect to mine honour, that

you may believe: censure me in your wisdom, and

awake your senses, that you may the better judge.

If there be any in this assembly, any dear friend of

Caesar's, to him I say, that Brutus' love to Caesar

was no less than his. If then that friend demand

why Brutus rose against Caesar, this is my answer:

--Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved

Rome more. Had you rather Caesar were living and

die all slaves, than that Caesar were dead, to live

all free men? As Caesar loved me, I weep for him;

as he was fortunate, I rejoice at it; as he was

valiant, I honour him: but, as he was ambitious, I

slew him. There is tears for his love; joy for his

fortune; honour for his valour; and death for his

ambition. Who is here so base that would be a

bondman? If any, speak; for him have I offended.

Who is here so rude that would not be a Roman? If

any, speak; for him have I offended. Who is here so

vile that will not love his country? If any, speak;

for him have I offended. I pause for a reply.

All : None, Brutus, none.

BRUTUS : Then none have I offended. I have done no more to

Caesar than you shall do to Brutus. The question of

his death is enrolled in the Capitol; his glory not

extenuated, wherein he was worthy, nor his offences

enforced, for which he suffered death.

Enter ANTONY and others, with CAESAR's body

Here comes his body, mourned by Mark Antony: who,

though he had no hand in his death, shall receive

the benefit of his dying, a place in the

commonwealth; as which of you shall not? With this

I depart,--that, as I slew my best lover for the

good of Rome, I have the same dagger for myself,

when it shall please my country to need my death.

Now, it is time for some fun. The BITSian story:

The comprees are going on. There was answer sheet distribution of a particular course. The paper correction and grading were tough. Marks Bantony was very much worried about the marks, because his friend Fulius Boozer had screwed the paper (he had seen marks on intrabits) due to which he becomes the first ACB candidate in BITSian history. Bantony had copied from him during the compre. He senses danger and wants to avenge his friend too. He was able to convince the I/C that he will address the students after the I/C does so.

Enter I/C, one more prof and a throng of students.

Students : We will be satisfied; let us be satisfied.

I/C : Then follow me, and give me audience, students.
Professor, go you into the other room,
And part the papers.
Those that belong to my section, let ‘em stay here;
Those that will follow the other prof, go with him;
And public reasons shall be rendered
Of the paper correction.

First student : I will go to the I/C’s room.

Second student : I will go to the other prof; and compare their marking schemes,
When severally we hear them rendered.

Exit prof, with some students. The I/C goes into the podium.

Third student : The useless I/C has ascended: silence, or else...

I/C : Be patient till the last ID number.
BITSians, college students, and ghotus! Hear me for my
Cause, and be silent, that you may hear all ID numbers: believe me
For mine honour, and have respect to mine honour, that
You may believe: censure me in your wisdom, and
forget your thoughts that you may apply for recheck.
If there be any in this assembly, any dear friend of
Boozer’s, to him I say, that my aversion towards Boozer
Was no less than any other I/C’s. If then that friend demand
Why I alone rose against Boozer, this is my answer:
--Not that I hated him the most, but that I loved
My course the most. Had you rather Boozer were to clear the course and
Send you to ACB, than that he were to be sent to ACB, for all
To clear the course? As Boozer hated the course, I weep for him;
As he was unfortunate, I rejoice at it; as he was taking it lite, I
Screwed him. There is tears for his attitude; joy for his
Misfortune; mockery for his attendance; and ACB for his
Marks. Who is here so base that would be an
ACB case? If any, speak; for him have I offended.
Who is here so rude that would not be the CT? If
Any, speak; for him have I offended. Who is here so
Vile that will not love this course? If any, speak;
For him have I offended. I pause for a reply.

All : LOLz... not at all dude, go on...

I/C : Then none have I offended. I have done no more to
Boozer than I may do to you. The question of
His probation is enrolled in the ACB; his grades
Withheld, wherein he wasn’t worthy, and his offences
Enforced, for which he was failed.

Enter Bantony and Boozer, with Boozer’s answer sheet

Here comes the answer sheet, mourned by Mark Bantony: who,
Having allegedly copied from it, shall receive
The benefit of it, a place in the
ACB; as which of you might not some day? With this
I depart,--that, as I failed the worst student ever for the
Good of BITS, I have the resignation letter for myself,
When it shall please the institution to need my resignation.

Ok, had a good laugh? Now, it's Antony's reply in the actual play:

Citizens discuss how true Brutus was. Brutus announces that Antony shall speak and asks the mob to remain silent till the end of his speech.

ANTONY : Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears;

I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him.

The evil that men do lives after them;

The good is oft interred with their bones;

So let it be with Caesar. The noble Brutus

Hath told you Caesar was ambitious:

If it were so, it was a grievous fault,

And grievously hath Caesar answer'd it.

Here, under leave of Brutus and the rest--

For Brutus is an honourable man;

So are they all, all honourable men--

Come I to speak in Caesar's funeral.

He was my friend, faithful and just to me:

But Brutus says he was ambitious;

And Brutus is an honourable man.

He hath brought many captives home to Rome

Whose ransoms did the general coffers fill:

Did this in Caesar seem ambitious?

When that the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept:

Ambition should be made of sterner stuff:

Yet Brutus says he was ambitious;

And Brutus is an honourable man.

You all did see that on the Lupercal

I thrice presented him a kingly crown,

Which he did thrice refuse: was this ambition?

Yet Brutus says he was ambitious;

And, sure, he is an honourable man.

I speak not to disprove what Brutus spoke,

But here I am to speak what I do know.

You all did love him once, not without cause:

What cause withholds you then, to mourn for him?

O judgment! thou art fled to brutish beasts,

And men have lost their reason. Bear with me;

My heart is in the coffin there with Caesar,

And I must pause till it come back to me.

Back to BITSian speech now :

Bantony : Friends, BITSians, college-mates, lend me your brains
I come to screw up the comprees, not to crack them
The grades that students get live after them,
The ghoting is oft interred with their graduation,
So let it be with myself ... The noble I/C
Hath told you the paper shall be sac:
If it were so, it was a grievous fault,
And grievously hath I answered it ...
Here, under leave of the I/C and the rest,
(For the I/C is an honourable man;
So are all the profs; all honourable men)
Come I to speak during compre paper distribution ...
The course was tough, rod and hostile for me:
But the I/C says compre was sac;
And the I/C is an honourable man ...
I hath brought biscuits and snacks to the profs,
Whose tummies did the coffee and tea fill:
Did this in me seem like ghotitude?
When that the tests have come, I hath wept:
Ghotitude should be made of sterner stuff:
Yet the I/C says the compre was sac;
And the I/C is an honourable man.
You all did see on the eve of the test
I thrice applied for make-up,
Which he did thrice refuse: what the hell?
Reason the I/C says is the compre was sac;
And, sure, he is an honourable man.
I write not to prove what the prof taught me,
But here I am to write what little I do know.
You all did hate the course, not without cause:
What cause withholds you then to tear the answer sheets off?
O paper correction! Thou art fled to brutish profs,
And students have lost their marks... Bear with me;
My heart is in the answer sheet there with marks,
And I must pause till it comes back to me.

:)

The Survey

Knock! Knock! "Who's that?" "It's me. Let's go for lunch" "Okay. Just a min..." Ani emerged out of his room quite reluctantly. Getting interrupted while watching a movie is one of the primary things that he hates in this whole wide world. "Why so early?", he said. "It's 1:15pm, man. The mess closes in about 15 minutes. Come fast..." "Wait, I shall call Chacha." "Okay. You call him and I shall call Kc." I went and called Kc. He was singing, "I like to move it, move it... I like to move it, move it..." "Ya we are gonna move, man - to the mess...", I reminded him.

So, me, Kc, Ani and Chacha marched to the mess at full speed, because it was about 1:25 when we started from our wing. There was that usual queue of about 20 to 30 people in the mess that was overflowing with BITSian junta who had just returned from classes. "Ya, great... My appetite's gone", I said.

Slowly, we managed to crawl through the hustling horde of students and got a plate. A mess worker served us the usual and boring dal and vegetable. I went lazily and peeped inside the hotpack to see a few burnt chapatis stuck at the bottom of it. I pulled one out of it. I took a cup of curd too.

We settled down at the last table in the mess hall and started tearing off bits of the so-called chapatis and eating. Chacha was lost in thoughts. He was processing something in his mind, surely upto something.

It was quite a hot day too. So, jugs and jugs of water were being consumed in the mess. Kc drank some from the jug which was there on our table and upon Chacha's request, passed it on to him. By this time Chacha was definitely upto something fishy.

He suddenly told Ani, "Take the jug of water and drink from it." Ani didn't trust Chacha in any manner that time. So, he refused to do so. "Arey, what is there in just drinking water from the jug, man?", smirked Chacha. I too found nothing wrong in it. "No, i won't", repeated Ani. He conveyed something to Kc secretly in his ears. And then Kc too smirked. Then Chacha turned towards me and asked, "Please, drink some water from the jug." I too had my doubts this time. Why on earth would he so dearly want us to drink water from the jug, given the fact that there was limited water inside it and it was closing time for the mess, due to which it is difficult to get one more jug of cold water?

I told Ani, "You can trust Chacha second to none" and drank water from the jug. Then, Chacha gave a bright smile. Now, I seriously felt that it is some sort of a prank I have fallen for. So, if I have got to be the clown, why should I be the only one to be so? I assuringly told Ani, "See, nothing happened to me. It is perfectly safe." So, he finally drank from it.

"Now, I shall tell you the results of my survey", told Chacha. Results! Survey! What the hell was going on around? "Basically, I conducted a small survey to rate the four of us starting from the strongest to the weakest, by means of observing the way they lift the water jug and drink water from it. Apparently, Kc turns out to be the strongest as he lifted the jug by its neck with a single and used a single hand while drinking water too. I turn out to be the second strongest amongst the four of us though I held the jug and drank water from using only one hand, I did with relative difficulty. Ani is the third strongest as he lifted the jug with one hand, but gave some support at the bottom of the jug while drinking water from it..."

I didn't want to hear the name of the weakest person, as it became obvious that it's me! I took my time, lifted the jug with both hands comfortably and drank from it...!!!

The Intruder

It was about 12:30 at night. "Aargh!", came a sound from Ani's room. He came running towards my room and knocked at the door. I quietly opened it and looked at him puzzled,"What's up, man?" "He's there... in my room...!", panted Ani. I thought that he might have been kidding. But, I could see the terror in his face. It must be something serious.

I rushed to the scene of the incident, Ani's room. The room was big enough for the intruder to go into hiding. I searched for about five minutes all alone (Ani didn't dare to enter his own room as the intruder scared the shit out of him). After five excrutiating minutes, I spotted him. Big, black and disgusting, he was lurking behind the bed, silently watching all the hustle going on around him.

I went back to my room, assuring him that I will safely exterminate the intruder from his room. The intruder was still unaware of our presence. He was too busy jumping here and there flapping his wings. I returned, well-equipped this time with a necessary weapon. I slowly lurked into the room, trying not to draw his slightest attention. I was all set to attack him and then he suddenly turned to my side. We exchanged anxious looks.

Thud! Too late... He had already jumped away from that place and sat comfortably over the bed. I didn't give up. Thud! - over the bed... He was sitting on the book rack... No over the metal trunk. Oh, my God! He had got company! Thud! - again... He had already teleported to Ani's head! Thud! followed by "Ouch!" and then "Oh! Sorry..." I was determined to finish them off that night. I dropped the broomstick, removed the chappal from my right foot and took it in my hand.

As the intruder's companion was trying to move silently under the trunk, I threw the chappal at him. Bull's eye! My chappal proved to be a more lethal weapon as he got trapped under it. Anger still burning in my eyes, I pursued the intruder with more confidence now. It was a one-on-one battle now. He was flying with more vigour than ever now. Soaring high in the air, he reached for the electric fan and suddenly, thud!, he hit the fan when it was running at full speed.

That's it, he was injured. Now was my chance to take revenge for the precious time I wasted on him and his stupid companion. I raised my chappal high in the air and was about to smash him, when Ani who had returned from the bogs (bathroom) came in shouting, "Noooooooooo........."

It was too late. The chappal was over the cricket which twitched for one last time and died. "I asked you to just drive it away and not to kill it", said Ani. "What the hell man?! I took so much pain to drive these insects away and you are cribbing that I should not have killed them, now." "Remember the term!", said he. "Oh! For God's sake, not PETI again...", I exclaimed.

PETI (People for the Ethical Treatment of Insects!) is an insect rights organisation based in Pilani, India led by its international president Mr. Ani. It is a non-profit corporation which is the largest (and the only!) insect rights group (!) in the world. As the founder of the organisation, Mr. Ani had sworn not to harm the intruder, eventhough he had been bothering him for quite a long time since he got back to his room.

"Anyway, it's all over now", I said. "Thanks, buddy!", replied he. "Oi! How about a game of counter strike?" It was about 1am, but who cares? "All right, let's rock and roll!"...

The Dark Age of Krishna New Wing

BOOM!!! The lights and fans suddenly got switched off. I heard the distinct voice of D, in a very tense tone, "Do you have power in your room?". I could sense that something was not right. Why the hell would he go on asking that to everybody in the wing? Then there was the knock at my door. D repeated the question which he put forward to Babe to me. I said, "Yes. Why what's wrong?". I turned to the other side of the wing to verify if it is the same state, but it wasn't. Ani and Kc were entertaining themselves in their rooms sitting in front of their laptops. There was power in their rooms. Then D turned towards me with a clumsy smile and said, "I did nothing." Apparently that was more than a confession.

"Explain", I demanded. D said, "I just plugged this spike box in the socket and it gave out sparks and... the power went off." Only me, D and Babe were like stranded in the middle of nowhere. It was about 12:30 in the night. Being budding engineers(!), we could figure out that the fuse wire got burnt due to overloading. But we were too afraid to touch the mains and change the wire. So, we decided to manage the first powerless night of the sem. It was hell, I tell you, particularly with all those bugs and other insects swarming the rooms. I couldn't even protect myself from the insects with a blanket, because I would be roasted if I do so in that heat. "Damn you, D", I muttered to myself and spent a sleepless night.

The next day went on normally. D had called the chowki to fix the problem. He changed the fuse wire and put a new one. A few days passed without much ado. Then, it happened again. BOOM!!! The same voice from the same person. This time I seriously thought it was a genuine power cut. I just tried to taunt D, but later on realised that you-know-what had happened again. Again it was about 1:00 in the night. D tried to justify what he did by saying that he atleast didn't get sparks this time when he plugged his charger, or whatever, in. This time we went to the chowki hoping that he would help us out and save us from spending another sleepless night with all those bugs and all. But, it was in vain. The chowki declared that nothing could be done at that time of the day. But, it was time for action from our side.

D wanted to prove himself right. He took out his chair and went to the bogs (common bathrooms). Anxious to know what he was up to, I followed him into the bogs. He opened the electric box above the switchboard. I warned him not to meddle with the switches, but he was determined to get power back that night. He surveyed the main switch of the wing with a what-does-this-button-do look and pulled it up. BOOM!!! "What the hell!", came SB's voice from a distance. Knowing what D was up for, Kc and Ani had already arrived at the place of incident. Seeing some activity in the bogs, SB too came. Knowing what was happening, he started swearing on D. D started taking out the fuses one-by-one and examining them, trying to find out which one was burnt. The fuses were so strongly plugged in that he called SB to pull them out. "Ah-ha!", he exclaimed when he found out which one that was. He also figured out the fuse for the bogs electrical line and exchanged that with the burnt fuse. CLICK! He switched on the mains and there was light in the whole wing.

We had to celebrate, not just the three of us, but also others of the wing, because if D had screwed it up, there would have been no power for the whole wing that night. But now, the bogs had no light. Babe particularly suffered a lot because of his frequent visits to the bogs every night. Even D realised that he couldn't pee in the dark every night. So, this was brought to the notice of the chowki and there was a happy ending to this episode of "The Dark Age of Krishna New Wing."!

Practice School - I at BHEL, Tiruchi

"You will all be cursing me throughout the course of this programme!", exclaimed Dr. P. Srinivasan on the 24th of may, 2010. It was regarding the PS-I programme with BHEL being operated for nearly the most number of days among all stations.

Some of you might be wondering what I am talking about. Well, for starters, Practice School - I is an industrial exposure programme organised by BITS - Pilani. It is mandatory for all regular first degree students (U.G.) who completed two years of education at this institute to do PS-I during summer.

BHEL, Tiruchi being one of the PS-I stations was naturally opted by me, being a native from Tiruchi. Nevertheless, it was a great experience.

Let me introduce to you my project mates. Firstly, Nama, who missed her PS-I in her second year due to illness and returned in her third to complete it, actively participated in the project. Secondly, Breezer, the comp sci guy with an ambition to ditch the technical side of comp sci and do an MBA, who tried to learn formatting text documents during this course! Pardon me, he knows a lot about many other things.

7 am- Had to wake up get ready and stand at the bus stop at 8. Thus starts a routine day during PS-I. I would catch some good-for-nothing bus at 8:10 am or so, reach BHEL, Training centre at 8:45 am and start walking towards the Valves department where I had to do my project. It was almost a one-and-a-half kilometre stretch thronged by BHEL employees wearing dull grey ("It's no use... He looks like a driver even if he drives his own car in that uniform", says Breezer) or trainees in their white shirt and brown trousers. Trucks would be stationed on one side which have products from the industry ready to be dispatched. I would reach the valves dept. at 9 am, walk through the shop floor looking at the sincere employees who started their day-shift in building 6, climb the stairs near the conference hall and reach the destination. Damn, we three are in one way the most unluckiest ones, because among all the 15 students doing PS-I at BHEL, we are the only ones to work in a department without air conditioners :( . I would go sit in front of my boring computer which shows its true colours if disturbed. Actually, it truly shows 'colours'. It would rarely be normal. Pink and red are the most frequently seen colours on the display screen. Either Nama would have come already or she would follow me in a short while. Breezer was always late. He would come in his usual informal shirt and a jeans pant, though we are not supposed to come in such attire. Wiping out sweat from his forehead, he would come sit near me and entertain and give 'moral boost' to me. While me and Nama would be busy programming, he would be busy chatting with other employees in the department. Now and then the employees would be distributing sweets to everyone for reasons ranging from "I am promoted" or "My son joined the air force" to "I have got a new bike" or an almost nothing-just-for-fun. Another important disadvantage of the valves department was the absence of fuel to our body machines. While, the people of other departments and also other people of our department would be receiving tea or coffee everyday, we would be greeted with a hostile look from that guy for rejecting his offer on day one. So, sad...

The post-lunch assembly in front of the gannawallah would include a drink at the sugarcane juice shop or a bite from the chikkiwallah's candy. The visit to the library would unleash the chatter boxes inside us. Gossips about our campuses would be fun during that time. Now and then, we would be visiting different shop floors to know about the different facilities of BHEL and gain knowledge about the manufacture of boilers. Unfortunately, I missed the trips to Pondicherry and Madurai, where the others had gone during weekends.

Our work was very much appreciated indeed and it was a happy ending. And we got certificates for completing our projects too from the senior manager. Hoping that the next season of practice school would be a more eventful one...