I'm better... or am I?

It has been a long time since I've written something on this blog (owing to several preoccupations and laziness) but something I saw today made me want to put this out there, however limited the viewership may be.

A friend told me about a survey in the newspaper today that ranks engineering institutes in the country. Though I like to think of myself as loyal to my institution and normally, I wouldn't go so far as to argue its position in terms of ranking. But the list, which mind you - at this time would affect how prospective students perceive my institution, is full of anomalies, to say the least.

Before I go on about how these ranking, to me, seem unreliable, I would like to say that these are my own views, combined with a couple of discussions I've had with my friends over the last 2 years when similar lists have been published. I am sure that the people making the list have done the requisite research to publish such an 'authoritative' list, but I seriously doubt how valid it is.

The list makes me (and several of my friends) question what I've heard and experienced. It goes against what most experienced people would tell you and yet, somehow, it claims to be well researched. This can only happen in one of two ways - either some of these institutions have improved in leaps and bounds over the last year or the list is not to be trusted.

I was also once a clueless student, unaware (some may argue that I still am) and heavily reliant on what I read in the newspapers to make an important life decision - and therefore, I know what an impact such a list can have.

Anyway.

Saw something, wrote about it. 

I plan on doing it more, probably.

Keep shining!
Keep your cape flying!

Half way there... really?

Hello dear reader,

It has been a while.

I've been feeling different recently. Yes, different is the word. The subtle but eye-opening realization that half of my college life is over has dawned upon me and I do not like it.

When I started college I'd hoped that at the end, I'd have varied experiences, an ocean of wisdom and lots of great advice to offer. I'm half way there, but I could not be farther from my expectations. In many ways, I'm still the same lost kid I was on the first day.

But yes, in small (but important) ways I think (and this is just my opinion) that I've grown. It is a rewarding experience, but to think that half of it is over is, in a word, disheartening.

Along the way I've met some wonderful people (you know who you are :)) and I think that the opportunity to chance upon such people, people who helped me become better, will diminish when these 4 years will be over and that is something I'm not happy about.

However, I am optimistic that life will surprise me as it often has.

So after all the mulling, I hope that there is still hope and the two years to come will be equally, if not more rewarding as the ones that have passed.

Shine on!

Growing up

Hello once again dear reader!
I've been gone for a long time, but I assure you it hasn't been for any reason other than laziness.

Over the past year (when I was busy not writing) I realized how fast life moves. In a moment, and this one just comes along, you realize that you've grown up. It might be a sudden realization, like turning 20 (like yours truly) or passing a certain milestone in life, or simply the weight of more responsibilities. There isn't a definitive yardstick for measuring this, but in your heart of hearts, you just know.

Now this whole concept, in my humble opinion, is subjective. I've used the word "realization" because growing up isn't something that your parents or friends or therapist can define for you. It's a feeling that comes from within.  Again, everyone has a different way of finding out that they've grown up and that's probably for the best.

Again, this isn't a bad thing. Not at all.

You realize that you have a greater appreciation of your life and its gifts and have found some people who rely on you and on whom you can rely. You somehow feel more empowered, more driven to follow your dreams and aspirations. You somehow feel the need to behave in a certain way, which in your opinion is the right one.

My opinions in this matter, I feel, are fairly limited given my age. Most (assuming there are any) readers might just dismiss these as the musings of a teenager who's just afraid to turn 20 and they might be right, but this is how I feel right now and that's why I'm writing.

This "grown up" life is of course filled with bursts of childish wants, those secret jokes you make with the people you care about and the occasional impulsive reaction. But this is all important. All necessary.

This is also accompanied by the subtle irony of liking things you hated, the silent judgement of those you deem "un-serious" and the occasional wish of being a kid again.

At this point I feel conflicted at the thought of growing up, but it's an idea that I am in love with right now. Knowing that everything has worked out. That everything has finally fallen into place.

So this is where I leave you.
Keep shining. Keep growing :)

Transitions

Hola dear reader,
Thanks for clicking another link that brought you to this "article".

Of late I've noticed that my Blog posts have been kinda goey and emotional. Having said that, I acknowledge the fact and do not intend to change that for the foreseeable future. (Insert Smug looking face here)

There comes a time every year in a student's life where things seem to change. The change might be small, unnoticeable, some might not even feel the winds of change, but for some of us who do, it's a time of (for lack of a better word) uncertainty.

Uncertainty about the future, about friends from the present going away, and about life in general. The holidays don't really help much. All that time not spent immersed watching TV shows and movies goes into wondering how life would be different when those close to you move away, and some "new" ones come in, or is it just me?

However it may be, the future holds the potential to surprise us with new acquaintances and those who stayed in touch. Obviously, that's accompanied by the bitter truth that most people will drift away, only with a few "Hello"s and "Ssup"s in passing(sorry for sounding like a texting aficionado, I can assure you I AM NOT).

The scene may look gloomy and depressing to those who stop reading at this point. For the happy/optimistic (your call) take, read on!

The happy angle is that you meet new people.(read "period")

It may be scary, it may be weird, but you are meeting new people, and that has infinite potential. I've probably said (read typed) it before that these new ones might just end up being you "goto" people (pardon my slightly nerdy language).

Plus, the old ones who stay connected, even by that 12 A.M birthday wish, or the occasional phone call (or video chat, to each his own), will be the ones who'll be there for you.Always.(emphasis)

So to those who are going away (for jobs, education, trouble with the mafia or other miscellaneous reasons) - have amazing lives ahead, but let them be riddled with little pangs of nostalgia (Yes, you need to stay in touch). Buena suerte :D

Ending on a happy note.
Shine on!

Some More

Hello dear reader,
Thanks for tuning in (hopefully more than once)

This blog post is directed towards the power of doing things together. We often start our ventures alone, wanting fame (?) and the infinite glory (??) it brings. But in the midst of quenching our very human thirst for recognition, we forget a very important thing - having people to share it with.

I was recently part of a team organising an event, and mind you, I played a really small part. Everyone worked and worked and finally, we pulled it off.

What's so great about it?
Well, we had a lot of pitfalls. A. LOT.

But somewhere between not sleeping and consoling one another about the success of the event, I realised something really awesome.
I realised the beauty of knowing and trusting people. I realised how the big-scary obstacles turn into small, easy things, when you trust others and do your bit.

Talking about the event some more, I was a fresh recruit to the team (duh?), meaning I knew no one other than a single friend. I met new people, learnt new skills, made new friends. Everything was going better than expected.

At one point, this specific event was almost cancelled. Obviously it left all the people I was working (read enjoying) with heartbroken. But again, as the greats have said, sharing one's anguish diminishes it. We all talked each other through it, hoping and wishing for the best and it finally happened. We pulled up our socks and got back to work, knowing we had to do a lot more than before. Again, the spirit of the collective triumphed :D

A lot of times our nervousness got the better of us, but knowing that there were others, others we trusted, made it all very easy.

As I said (read wrote) in my last blog post (I'm being overconfident and assuming you've read it) we keep adding more instances to the class "our people" (pardon my slightly geeky language), we make ourselves slightly more comfortable, slightly more secure.

So coming to the title of this blog post, have some more people to share your life with. Put out some more chairs next to yours. Share your pizza with a few more, because at the end of the day, you'll thank God for them.

Keep shining :D

Our People.

Hello, dear reader!
Yet another wrong click has landed you here!
Nevertheless, read on.

Now this is not an entry talking about how amazing and awesome the Indian people are (Which they absolutely are), but it's about something a little smaller, and on a personal level, slightly more significant.

If you've ever stepped out into the world and interacted with people (Kudos to those who haven't), you know that the human population lives in groups.

When I was in school, they were broadly divided into the geeks, the sports-walas (or jocks, as many years of watching TV has told me), the 'different ones' and lest I forget the popular kids(pun definitely intended). Mixing with other groups was common, contrary to what the numerous TV shows I watched said, but yes there was some truth to it. However hard you tried (or didn't, in my case) you would invariably be close to people from your own clique.

I know it all sounds very dark and "chains-and-shackles"-y, but its not. The truth, in my humble opinion, is that we are all very happy in our own little worlds. No one (at least no one I know) has ever said "I wish I was friends with that guy/girl". And so, we live on in our own different versions of the same world, living and learning together with 'our People'.

Who exactly are 'our People'? We all have different definitions. I won't pretend to know the human mind, but I guess all of us have someone to rely on in our darkest hour.

College presented new opportunities for getting to know people. New people, new opportunities.
Many were instant clicks, many an acquired taste. But all in all, I found more of my people, and they added one to theirs.

It's a long road ahead, and I hope I can find more - whom I can call 'my People'.

Shine on!

Apartheid in a different shade...(Well not really)

Hello dear reader!
I'm so glad you stumbled onto this page.

Now this isn't a "hate" article, but just my take on the state of things. I personally think that people tend to discriminate on the basis of a person's branch. To preface this, I need to state that I'm in an engineering college - NSIT and my major is Biotechnology.

Now, I have personally felt that some people (Please focus on "Some") will immediately change their tone and style of talking once they find out that I'm pursuing one of the "lowly" fields of engineering (their opinion, not mine). Please don't mind guys, but I think you are on dope. I have received many-a lectures on how "the field has no future" or the more common "Oh! you couldn't crack the PMT??!?" by many "well-wishers".

But a lot of people I know, who are crazy enough to have no such problems hanging out with a BT wala. They'll look at the person underneath the tag and try to know them. To them, I tip my proverbial hat!

I'm speaking (read writing) from my own experience, but I'm sure this happens to others as well.

So my humble advice is, don't judge a book by its cover (or any other cliche you can think of) and give people a chance. And believe me, they will surprise you :)

Let the Cape in you shine, always :D