Engineering Dreams

Living in the past - year 1996...

Today I got admission papers for my graduation. After my results I got my mark list from the school after a week. I scored 84 each in physics & mathematics and 78 in chemistry. My parents & friends were shocked when they came to know. All they thought was I would fail my 12th standard or even if I pass I would have scored only just pass marks. Only after sometime they realized all these marks were out of 200 and what they predicted was right. I was happy atleast for one reason that is of living to their expectation.

Like any middle class Indian parents dream, my parents also wanted my sister to become a Doctor and myself an Engineer. My sister went for all the tuitions dutifully and even wrote entrance exam for medicine. Fortunate for me she also scored lesser marks. My parents were content that though she couldn’t do a five-year medicine course why not a course for same period and she joined a law college. So all their hope rested on my shoulders. I was already over burdened with my subjects, friends, broken proposal so I couldn’t do justice to them. But trust me I had the conviction to say that I will not join for engineering entrance coaching or will write the entrance exam.

I had my own plans for graduation. I wanted to join in one of the colleges in Chennai or Banglore and do business administration. I was hell bent that I will not join a college in salem itself. Because I know if I join here I cant bunk classes or go on trips as I wish and moreover Salem is such a small place for me. My parents were behind me to join in salem itself and they promised me to get a car to got college if I join here. All my demands went for a toss when my marks came and I had no tool to fight for my right.

I could see my parent’s dream of making me an engineer collapse after seeing my marks. But my dad is more determined than me. He was hell bent that he will put into one engineering college come what may. He used all his contacts to get me an engineering seat I any college paying whatever capitation fee. He was not ready to hear my reasons. 2 days back he asked all of us at home to get ready. I thought he is going to take us for an excursion but after 2 hours journey we reached an engineering college on the outskirts of a village. I leave it to your imagination of how that place would look like.

We entered the principal room and informed about my dad’s wish. He asked 3 basic questions 1. Do I have eligible marks to apply for an engineering seat? 2. Whether I have written entrance exam 3. Whether we have money to afford the education? Since we were accompanied by one of the college trustees relative he excused for asking us the last question. I believe that guy would have cursed all gods for putting him in a position like this and seeing my marks. He straightaway rejected my application. Except for me everybody were disappointed. But because of strong recommendation he agreed to give me a civil engineering seat and asked us to pay 5 lacs.

As soon as we left the room I fell on dad’s feet and pleaded him not to put me in an engineering college and particularly in this hell of a place. I also gave him the reason of why I would not join for engineering. I said if I join then it will take minimum of 1 decade for me to complete the course. He accepted my request. But my happiness was short lived. Soon he checked whether there is an arts college with the same group. We went to the arts college principal room on knowing that they have an arts college too. There I was asked to fill up a form with all details and my preferred course. I dutifully filled up for Business Administration. The principal looked at my marks and then suggested rather ordered that all I could join is only for a course called Corporate Secretaryship. I looked at my dad he was in no mood to request him or use his recommendation for getting me the course I preferred.

He informed us to pay meager admission fee of 10K and join the college immediately as all seats are filling up already. I came out and told my dad that the course what he offered was of no use to me and if we ask for this course in other colleges the principal will fall on our feet and give us admission. But this time my words were falling on a deaf ear. He didn’t hesitate for a minute and went straight to the payment counter and paid for the course.

Now I realize the cost of getting such marks. I see myself in a remote village in India studying for a course that I haven’t heard in my life. All I now pray for is a good set of classmates with similar mindset and some colorful girls.

Oh god please save me….

On Cloud Nine

Living in the past - year 1996...

I’m on cloud nine today. Its not because of I got another girl or my love got accepted. Today is even more special. I cleared my 12th standard. What an awesome feeling it is.

After my 10th standard all the people whom me and my parents knew asked me to join group 1 for my higher secondary course which is a combination of Maths, Physics, Chemistry & Comp.Sci saying I can join an engineering college after that. But none listened to my argument for joining commerce group. With no choice left I joined the science group aspiring to be an engineer and fulfill my parents dream.

In the first 2 months itself I realized its not my cup of tea. And for these 2 years I have been trying to figure out how to clear my 12th standard public exams. But I was confident taht I will do it somehow. So I went all out to enjoy the final 2 years of school days in my life. This is the phase where I started bunking school and going for movies, had my first peg of rum and did what all a teenager could do except for sex.

Public exams started and unlike others chasing for answers I went chasing for question papers. I was damn happy when I got the question papers of mathematics, physics & chemistry. I was shocked to see the actual question papers didn’t even had single word of what was there which I had bought paying through my nose. I was left with nothing but to copy from my fellow classmates. Believe me copying in a public exam is tougher than usual school exams. I managed it for my physics exam. For chemistry exam the supervisor who came in was reincarnation of Mahatma Gandhi, she didn’t even allow anyone of us to breath. So I had to manage with my own equations which I knew if experimented would lead to explosion of the chemistry lab. Somehow I was confident because all I had to score was 20 marks in the theory exam. Mathematics is a subject where I have to score 70 marks through theory and that’s a very tough ask.

I still remember that day and I’m sure that particular 3 hours will not erase from my memory till my death. I entered the exam hall hoping the question paper what they going to distribute should be the same, which I got from black market. To my dismay this time also I was cheated. I called all the lords on earth, heaven and in the universe to help me clear this exam. My prayers was answered, my classmate Singaravel gave his answer sheets to copy and the supreme god for me that day or for that matter rest of my life will be the supervisor who allowed us to copy. After the exam like a true devotee I went and literally fell on his feet thanking him.

For the past 2 days I didn’t sleep properly fearing the results. Today morning when the results came in my number was there in the list of candidates cleared board exam in second class. I was damn happy and thrilled. Straight I went to my dad and said him I cleared my 12th standard. He was so excited like me and said, “ If passing the board exam is this easy even I would have done my 12th “. He gave me the permission to take my friends to the club for treating them.

I want to enjoy this success for another 2 days and then look forward to my college admission. I’m on cloud nine is not only because I passed but today is the first time I finished quarter bottle of rum all alone. What a wonderful feeling to be here…wish I could be here always…

First Heart Break

Living in the past - year 1995...

I wish I could change my face from tomorrow. I feel so awkward because today is the first time ever a girl said no to my love. Padmapriya is couple of years junior to me. She is in her 10th standard, fair, good looking and have all the attributes of a tamil Brahmin girl.

She is sister of my childhood day’s classmate. I don’t know when I started liking towards her. The entire stuff started because of peer pressure. Most of my classmates have a girl friend and me alone with none made me felt like left out in the gang.

We both use to go for physics tuition to one place. I started observing her from then. One day I decided yeah she is the girl for me. From then I started following her in my moped. One day I started speaking to her and she also responded. How foolish I’m to think that she likes me.

This was going on for 6 months. I decided today I would let her know my feelings. Before meeting her I told to my fellow classmates who encouraged me to go ahead. Couple of them accompanied me till half way. My heart was pumping faster than usual. I did not know how to start the topic. I went straight to her and said I LOVE YOU…

She was damn cool and replied “Sorry, You are like my brother”. Oh god I felt as if someone had hit me so hard on my face. I left that place and straight headed to the hotel where my friends were eagerly waiting. All of them made fun of me hearing what she said.

Sitting in my bedroom now I realize I shouldn’t have told her at all or for that matter to my friends. How come I thought she also loves me? I don’t know how to face her and my classmates tomorrow. I know my looks will not change over night. Hoping there is someone made for me let me go to sleep…

Going Back

All I blog is only on the current events. I was just wondering how it would be if I go back 12 – 15 years in my life and start blogging from that phase of my life.

Bye Bye 2008...

Smoking Ban – Amazing Initiative

It’s been 2 months since my last post. These 2 months I was absolutely free but because of laziness I haven’t updated my blog. There were quite a few incidents that hampered me like serial bomb blast, community clashes, ganguly’s retirement and much more.

But for me to write now is on the latest rule on smoking ban in India. What a noble initiative by our health minister. Hats off to him for coming up with such an idea. With over 40% of the population into this habit and the remaining 60% of people getting affected is a crime. Even though I’m a frequent smoker I want to show my sincere gratitude to our health minister atleast through my blog.

Being a politician I would appreciate if he says that anyone smoking shouldn’t vote for him. If he does like that then the entire world will applaud him for such an initiative. But Im sure he will not say that in his lifetime. All these initiatives are just eyewash to get more votes in the next elections.

Ideal Husband

I have been married for 2.5 years now and for all this while I have been trying to figure out what makes to be an ideal husband. The same question I have raised with my fellow colleagues, friends and whomsoever I have met. All they say is please let me know when you figure it out.

I believe the below mentioned elements make one to be an ideal husband

· Say good morning honey as soon as you wake up and say she looks beautiful (even though she is not)
· Have a cup of coffee/tea with your spouse.
· Share the early morning work of cooking, bathing your kid, feeding them, getting them ready to school, help yourself to have breakfast.
· Give a hug and plant a kiss on her forehead when you are leaving for work irrespective of whether you are late or not for work.
· As soon as you reach office, give her a call and inform about it. Do not forget to call her asking whether she had lunch and how you liked the lunch, she prepared and call twice in a day to say I LOVE YOU and how you miss her.
· Stick to the law of 8 hours working and finish your work by that. The travel time back to home should not exceed an hour. Keep her updated on the time you have left office.
· Pick up a bunch of roses (preferably red) on the way to home and say you missed her and longed to meet her.
· Notice the changes she has made in house however small it might be and compliment her taste on interiors and house keeping.
· Inform what all happened at office including whether the printer was working or not, what is the latest gossip in office. Never think this will be relevant to her or not.
· Play with your kid and help them in finishing their homework.
· Whether you like it or not watch the tv soaps and reality shows together and never ever think of switching to sports or news channels.
· Compliment her on the dinner she made and the efforts she has taken to make it.
· Hug and smooch her before going to bed.
· Weekends are a strict no no to work. So join a company which has 5 day working pattern..
· Saturdays are for picnic, shopping, amusement parks, movies and should end with a dinner at a hotel.
· Sundays are holidays, so no early morning coffee or breakfast. Order lunch from outside and watch a movie at home. A candle lit dinner is a must on Sundays.
· Every 3 months a trip to a holiday spot and if possible an abroad trip once in a year is compulsory.
· Surprise her with gifts every now and then. Birthday and anniversary dates should be on top of your mind and should accompany with lavish gifts.
· Drinking and smoking is sin. Your friends are her foes. Workplace will have women’s but you should not speak to them.
· Her friend’s family is your family friends. A visit to one of their house every fortnight is mandatory.
· She should handle finance

I hope most of my friends who are trying to be an ideal husband would agree with these guidelines. I have tried some of these guidelines at some point in time and have seen favorable results. Nevertheless, I find it difficult to follow the entire set of rules/guidelines. If anyone of you are following this or going to try this, please let me know the changes in your marital life. So that I can also try this and be an ideal husband.

I’m sure any woman sees this will disagree with me saying don’t restrict our expectation in these 20 points. All I would request from them is first let us follow these guidelines and later on raise your standards.

Salvation Ground

Any mallu will not be a complete person if he hasn’t gone to the gulf at least once. Such is the hype for that place and dubai is the destination for any keralite. Therefore, because of sheer pressure I had to go to this place and get my passport stamped to get my salvation. Being in sales the only advantage is we get incentive trips to across the world and I was waiting for one such opportunity to grab.

Exactly 45 days back when my company announced such a trip, my only goal was to qualify for it come what may. I traveled across tamilnad to meet clients and convert each one to reach my final destination. Thanks to my teammates, I qualified for the event and got my tickets booked.

Coming from a middle class family boarding a flight to any location itself is a great thing, and I wished at some point in my life I have to travel by Emirates. Its just because I had heard from others that’s the best airline in the world and I was fortunate enough to get booked in that. My wife coming from an airline industry she gave me lectures on how they do the check in and baggage. After a period of 45 days my dream came to reality when I boarded the flight to dubai.

It’s a city, which is not even half the size of chennai, but everything is world class. High rise buildings, shopping malls, pubs, high end cars and the list goes on.I had a fabulous time out there and had loads of fun activity which deserves another blog.

Now that I touched the land of salvation for a mallu and have become a complete keralite, I can make visits to kerala with pride. However, the buzzword now is US and that doesn’t seems to be far away. Hoping to meet BUSH soon.