First Trimester

During the whole orientation programme I learnt a lot (as I knew very less of formal settings). Generally the first class used to be of MANAC and second of QT (Quantitative Aptitude). These two classes used to be ‘trying – to – open – eyes – session’. As usual, guys used to sit on the back benches and girls were on front seats always trying hard to understand or at least showing hard. Sumit, Parikshit, Bharat and I sat together in almost all classes. Akshat and Ritesh were unanimously selected “Class Representatives”. Duty of CR was to liaison with faculty and students’ body and both the CRs were doing it excellently. Students were getting accommodated with the 08:30 schedule by managing it in many means. Some decided to attend classes at the cost of breakfast (generally the most desirable product of mess), some went to keep listening teacher’s lecture converged to them only. We four were having a consistently mixed schedule. One fact was common for whole students’ body that after two days of sleepy, luxurious and free holidays everyone was reluctant for attending the class to the extent possible. At some weekends I went to Sumit’s home which kept on reminding me ‘Ghar ka Khana’. I was told by some batch-mate that Pankaj is from Lucknow so I went to his room and curiously asked about him. He was least interested knowing me from RaeBareli and I found it better to keep myself away from him. Seniors were also on their peak to show us their legacies, sometimes in group and sometimes individually. Ragging was termed as Introduction, better known as Intro. Actually it was literally an Intro because we were provoked to show our skills and these worked as Ice – breaking sessions for juniors and seniors and even for juniors themselves. It was perfect and required for better grooming and for passing of legacy.

A Welcome Party was organized by IIFM management on 20^th July, 2007. We had to show our talent to whole IIFM Family. I prepared a Stand-up Comedy Show with Nitish on the script of Sholay.

I was also asked for Group Dance but somehow I could not manage. I personally found Munish jealous for this much wide participation of mine. We practiced whole night and managed to outperform.

My stand-up comedy show and first play was in Hindi but Ritwajit’s play was in English. I had a short role in the last. Till now people had framed their mind for something entertaining in terms of comedy. Because of this as I uttered my first sentence audience laughed and kept laughing till I was on the stage. Other programmes included a Group Dance, a song from Gitesh on the beats of Ashish Tirkey’s Guitar, duet song from Siddharth and Sharmila etc.

Rekha Singhal ma’am had instructed us to get fitted into the schedule by cutting short our events, and we could manage as well. Post – event dinner was full of appreciation to each other and I was quite satisfied with myself.

Mid – term exam was an unwarranted kind of thing for all of us, except some of the under-discovered. Almost all were new for that grading system and little sceptic. Somehow we managed to study hard and were looked busy during exams; in fact from past one week. I was arranged to sit parallel to Akanksha (from Delhi). Till now I had not spoken to Akanksha. “Do you know something?” She asked me. I replied, “Yes, I know something”. She further asked for a pen also. After exams there was an obvious scene; party, outing, tensionless faces. Seniors were surprised seeing us studying hard and told us their unfaithful stories with study. Post mid-term was little in flow relative to Pre mid-term. One day a considerable group of students was late for the morning class of Prof. H.S. Gupta (I.F.S., deputed to IIFM). He closed the door from inside and we were marked absent. Now everyone was little vigil regarding selected teachers and moulded his routine accordingly. Copies were shown to all and marks were unfavourable to me. Now an invitation came from seniors for fresher party. This was beautifully organized in Hotel Mark. We were overwhelmed with the seniors welcome and it was the first time I hit the DJ floor.

All drinkers boozed heavily and the appreciation-chain-mails were continued for almost a week.

At last we again went busy with our last assignments and end-term exams. Every teacher had kept almost similar dates for their assignments assuming us mechanically-propelled machines. In the assignment from Prof. H.S. Gupta we had to prepare a group presentation on the given topics and randomly selected group. Siddhartha was group leader and he deployed group members for the given task. But when after presentation Prof. Gupta asked for contribution from each of us, he wrote a mail which depicted no contribution from my side. This was, although a professional attitude, a disheartening proposal for me. In rest of the assignment I was with Sumit, Parikshit and Bharat and this let me perform well. End-term exams were looked little familiar and we all were hoping good results. On the last day of end-term exam PFM Cell guys came and distributed feedback forms requesting to fill it without any bias. Again a short length wave, but of higher intensity, filled the whole batch with joy. In between there was 15^th August celebration organized by whole IIFM fraternity. Student body as usual failed to reach in the Flag-hoisting programme.

After flag hoisting there was a Football match between seniors and juniors and we won. The evening was eventful and this time I took Munish for Stand-up comedy show. Other events were group song, play (again written and directed by Anurag Pandey), solo songs, etc. Prizes were also distributed to match winners and for other events organized by SAAC (Students and Alumni Affair Council). Finally a Wall of Freedom was filled with different statements by whole IIFM family.

Dinner was scheduled after a show of posters made by IIFM students in a competition.First trimester was full of surprises and events for whole batch (There were also programmes in which Dr. Abid Hussain was invited and in one Teejan Bi was invited). Now we were no more repenting on the decision for choosing IIFM and we could almost understand the secret behind love for IIFM; it was a system. IIFM was an isolated system and each of us was an important element of that system.

None of us could replace other which created a unique atmosphere that can never be understood without entering IIFM.

Orientation...

The very first lecture was taken by Mr. B.P. Pethiya, Dean, IIFM. A highly punctual person, tall and smart, some notes/handouts in hands and little faster while walking. He told that past 19 batches expressed their feelings (while leaving the campus after their two years successful course) that it was difficult to say how two years flew away at IIFM. “And I am sure this batch is also going to say the same” he added. In the break-time each of us was trying to keep their eyes widely open to show their sleepless attention during the class. Pravir asked me about my wellness and I asked him whether he had seen Sumit. He asked me to wait and sent Sumit outside. We greeted each other and interrogated for some basic introduction. I met his parents there only. He came to our room and shared his personal experience and views. I asked for some habits like drinking, smoking, worshiping etc. This I had asked to almost all my batchmates.

One of the lectures was of Mr. CVRS Vijay Kumar. As told by seniors we found the same expected experience in the class. Munish, an engineer from Moradabad was sitting beside me and trying to solve a problem given by Sir. As I solved before him, he enquired from me some steps. I asked him about his background and gave a weird expression for his inability to solve the problem. Similarly lectures after lectures, we got to know what we are going to learn throughout the two years and how we have to adapt. A feeling crept in my mind regarding job after this course but it slept for time being. Many rules and regulations were being told repeatedly (some of the lines I still remember). The weekend of the orientation was kept for visit to a National Park in Bhopal only. It was a nice experience. Many of us got to know each other’s talent for which many of us were desperate to show to all others. Mr. C S Rathod and Mr. Yogesh Dubey (Chairperson Admission) guided us and showed some bear droppings. A team had already been deployed to instruct us regarding wild behaviours and for some adventurous activities. While returning one tyre got damaged of one of the buses. Doctor Heramba (from Orissa) helped a lot to mechanic, although he had injured his hand in some other adventurous activity.

We took lunch there only and came back late in the evening. In that week there was an event at the boys’ hostel, Daroo Party. Some batchmates had formed Sutta Group and partied. In between we showed our talent in Antakshari between girls and boys. Finally orientation ended with a quiet weekend and schedules were distributed for First Trimester. Akshat, and Ritesh (from Ujjain) were selected as CR, Class Representative. Classes had to be started from 1^st July, Monday. We had to reach by 08:30. One hour class and then a break of 10 minutes, Lunch from 01:00 to 02:00 and then again a class for an hour. This time table was the revised one and an experiment on our batch. Mr. Ashutosh Verma, Faculty for accounts had distributed his notes for MANAC (Management Accounting) beforehand on Saturday – Sunday only. So now after an eventful week, a trimester was waiting for us. Thus we were ready to start. Many of us slept very early that night.

............RaeBareli to Bhopal (via Lucknow)............

All necessities shopped from Super Market, RaeBareli. All documents duly checked and kept safely and so on....

Ready, Steady and Go......., As I crossed Nigohan (A junction 50 kms after RaeBareli and 30 kms before Lucknow) I took my packed dinner. Eagerly I waited at the door of train. Announcements were on their peak at Charbagh Railway Station, Lucknow. I had to board Pushpak Express from Chhoti Line (hardly 50 meters from Badi Line). So I went on platform no

. 1 and checked the status. Train was standing and I boarded the coach. Within next 15 min train started sliding. I lied on my upper birth and started recalling for any left item. As train caught its speed I called at home and informed my comfort in order to sleep there on. It was Jhansi when I woke up to sleep again after checking my luggage. Two hours before Bhopal, at Beena, I woke up finally. Train was little late and left me at Bhopal at around 08:30 am.

As I went nearer the hostel campus, I sited 5-6 guys chatting. Presuming them as seniors I took a wide turn towards hostel after checking my allotted room no. But then only one of those guys called me as if he is senior to me. I reached and Pravir identified me and welcomed me as well. Pravir, Ambar (from Allahabad) and Pawan (from Siligudi, West Bengal) took one of my bags and headed for second floor. Room no. 30 was cornered by room no. 29 and a common bathroom for both the rooms. Pawan asked me for Sutta (an unknown word for me) with identifiable gestures and I refused. He said those who love it are upstairs and left. It was a shared accommodation and from the list with guards I got to know that Sumit Kumar Gour (from Bhopal only) was my roommate. I wisely selected my bed, cupboard and table – chair as if my roommate is Surma Bhopali and is going to keep me deprived of my inherent rights of a roommate. Balcony of room no. 30 opens towards the Road to Classes, Administration Section and Mess (while going from hostel) and one can explore guys going for respective purpose. After refreshing myself I went for breakfast and met many others like Akshat Pathak (from Ghaziabad), Mohd. Aatish Khan (from Jabalpur), Ujjwal (from Patna) etc. The whole day was spent in introduction and matching preferences. My roommate didn’t come that day. I slept early in order to get ready next day on time for ten days of orientation.

Entry to Paradise

When I was called for interview in IIFM on 9^th March'07, I called Anurag Dwivedi, in turn. I was going to talk to him after almost two years. I was little skeptic of his reception, but contrary to that I found him well entertaining. He satisfied all my questions and relieved me of my visit. I caught the train originating from Gorakhpur. Running late was regular feature of this train and it followed the same leaving me at Bhopal Station at around 01:15 o'clock in the night. I came out of the station and haggled with an auto for 100 rupees. At the gate only guard stopped the auto and took some entries followed by my signature. As auto started upside to that campus I was amazed to see the natural beauty spread on that enthralling campus of 200 acres. I left auto at the hostel entry. It was 2 am. Now I was little confused whether to go. I was refreshed by the breeze. Lamps were on and a slow music was increasing the all round attraction towards that place in my mind and heart. I moved my body towards a building but then I stopped my self and went to other building. I entered as gates were open. I had already been told about room no. 4 by Anurag. I took a right turn and found rooms starting from 7. So I returned and went opposite. I could see all other rooms on the ground floor except 4. Then I dared to ask in room no. 3. That guy was my senior and he directed me towards my destination. I found Anurag sleeping. As he woke up he welcomed me and asked about different cases from Allahabad University. I found myself in comfortable zone now and was happy to see Anurag unchanged. He talked with care taker of MDP Hostel and booked a room for me. In the early morning around 4 am, a guy came and lied on the bed next to me. I was free that morning as I had my interview on the next day. That was the first day of interview. I talked to Anurag and he gave me various tips on cracking interview and finally assured me of that. The next morning I got up late at 08:00. Interview had to start at 08:30 am. I just washed my face and put on my dress for interview. I was feeling little dizzy. Some assistants and teachers (about whom I had already been cautioned by Anurag) were doing the paper formalities after which we were called for GD. There were no girls in the group and I was the single guy wearing coat. After GD we shared our backgrounds and CAT percentile. I was confident on that ground. Every interview was taking half an hour on an average. I met with Jitendra Balani and Pravir Jha. Balani was from MP only and Pravir was from Bihar. As I and Balani were talking to each other Anurag came with Manish sir. I asked them about classes and they answered lightly. Balani was little eager to talk to them. I gave him a chance and his first question was CAT percentile and scope in college. Manish sir told him about his 98 %ile and also told him about his interest in IIFM as he had already left many colleges to join IIFM. Balani was shocked to listen a long list of good colleges like IMT, MICA, FORE, LBS, KJ Somaiya and so on. After their departure he discussed me about that answer. I took him in confidence and told him that nobody will leave these colleges to get admission in IIFM. He agreed and concentrated on interview. I was second last in the list. In my panel there were three teachers; Mr. Parag Dubey, Mr. CVRSVijay Kumar and Mr. Yogesh Dubey. After some introductory and academic questions they asked me a case “If you are asked to held somebody on the hint from your boss, will you do that? The favour to your boss will lead to your early promotion and denial will leave you on the road.” After beating their question a lot I replied not to favour my boss as it was not ethical. I really don't know what wonder my answer had done as they selected me in the final list. When admission letter came to my home I was asked to submit a draft of 60,000. I sent that draft via a courier company, but unfortunately it could not reach. Finally Papa and I went to IIFM with another draft and submitted it on last day. Last day was sunday and guards stopped us at the gate only. Somehow we got entry after so many requests. Near the hostel Mr. Siddhartha Basu, one of my seniors, listened our problem and took us to Warden's House. Prof. Biswas assured us for the purpose and called Mr. E. Kuriakosh to accpet my draft the next day. On monday we finally submitted our draft and my original draft reached there after four hours. We collected that and departed to station. Since we were not having reservation, we had to travel back on our toes. But again the experience was very nice and left us discussing the beauty and aura of IIFM for some more days.

Eight months TIME in Lucknow

I could reach LKO by 5 in the evening of 19^th June, 2006 and met my maternal uncle (Munna Mama) to purchase some routine things. While dropping me at my room near Kapoorthala fly-over he invited me to join him on his Marriage Anniversary dinner that night at Aryan (nearby hotel). It was new setting for me in LKO but since i had faced many other such situations, I knew the worst case. Next morning I could feel the challenge I myself had prepared for me. In the first class we were tested and I learned a lot (which means I could not perform upto the mark). All new faces were scrolling each others’ personalities and presenting themselves as if they have already rejected an offer from IIMA. One of the guys sitting beside me was continuously murmuring into my ears. He was not able to attempt the test paper and so was afraid of his money he had already paid in the form of fee. He was loudly counting number of sources he had to get money back. He wanted to confirm this money back policy from me. At my room I met Anshul. He was also from RaeBareli. It tuned very well and soon we started a good friendship life. He was in different room (single seated) of that lodge. I was alone in a double seated room. Three other guys came back to back to stay at my room but unfortunately for them and fortunately for me they left the next day only. Due to some relevant problems we started searching some other arrangement and finally zeroed in on a house in sector B, Aliganj. The upper portion was for landlord and we were given 3 back to back interlinked rooms set at ground floor. I decided to drop my luggage in the middle room. Apart from me and Anshul, we had one more guy Sai Gopal. He was from Varanasi and was in LKO apparently for the same purpose. In the first three mocks my percentiles shoot up and then stabilised at 50 – 60. This was discouraging but I geared up my studies to overcome this. I met with Sudhanshu’s sister also in TIME. She had joined in April itself. We used to have tiffins for all the three times. Munna mama used to visit my room to crosscheck my study routine. In between I had once gone to Allahabad to bring my luggage. This visit was quite secret as I did not want to let this know anybody. But Alok met me there and we shared some good time while analysing career at Prayag Station. In RaeBareli I met Ashish Singh from Mayank’s reference. He also wished to come to LKO but some personal problems were hindering him to go. In class I searched one guy Pradeep Mishra who was from Vikas Nagar, LKO only. We started going to write our mock tests together. By that time Ashish had also come to LKO with us and now we were four in that 3 rooms set. We set a routine. Ashish and I used to study till 3-4 am and then we used to wake up Anshul for his study. This boosted our study. We also used to visit Hanuman Mandir and other temles on Saturday. Papa also visited 2-3 times surprisingly and found me in order. Thanks to God. By then, Papa also started understanding the importance and benefits of MBA. I applied for CAT and other exams like XAT, Narsee Monjee, SNAP and IRMA. To stand on the safer side I applied for MAT also. While CAT was nearing I had got a feeling to prepare one more year in Delhi. I discussed this with Anshul, but he motivated me and told me that I could still excel due to my stronghold on Quant. Then I decided to work more and more on quant. My CAT centre was Kendriya Vidyalaya, Sector J of Aliganj. I was little volatile when I saw a mob outside the centre. Aspirants were ranging from 18 years to 40 years. The upper extreme contains Coaching Spy to heat up the post CAT discussion. I was amazed to see the elegance of CAT and then dipped myself into the paper. Firstly I doubted on CAT test paper makers as there were some silly questions. But actually it was different pattern which ruined so many careers. I attempted well in Quant section and got satisfied in English and DI sections. In the evening we went to Cyber Cafe and Ashish was made sit to calculate his score. He was terribly looking in the space and could not believe his doings and CAT marking. When I sat in front of the screen I got the twist Ashish faced. He had actually not set the Paper Set and worked out on Set A in lieu of C. I calculated my score. It was 99 out of 300. Score was considerably high and I guessed my percentile to come into the range of 90 to 97. I thanked God and called at my home. Papa said my RashiFal was reflecting the same thing. Anshul and Ashish could not perform upto the mark. I find it luck because paper was easy and we all three could have done well. Sometimes destiny does not let you exercise your efforts in order to set you on a destined path which is better for you. This is the time one should not give up. Ashish and Anshul set their minds for other exams specially SNAP. Sai had also left our room to stay somewhere else as he was bored with us. Except CAT and MAT I could not do well in others. In CAT I finally scored 94.59 %le (99.13 in Quant, 81 in DI and 65 in English). I got calls from different good colleges. Pradeep also could not score well in CAT but he did well in XAT. Anshul decided to prepare for one more year. Ashish got a call from one of the Symbiosis group of Colleges. I and Ashish joined BSL for English. Meanwhile we met two other good people, Bhupendra and Ashish. They helped us a lot. I went Delhi for my interviews and stayed with Rajiv (my DJH roomie) who was there for IAS preparation. We shared light moments and finally I came back to LKO. I could not clear LBS interview and very depressed. Now I met with 2 choices. One was to join BHU on 26^th March and other was to stay and wait and finally watch. I convinced Papa that if no college confirms me then also I will get final call from IIFM, Bhopal. And the same happened. I again thanked God and there were happy vibes moving all over in my home. All were happy estimating my salary after two years and outlook towards the society. Ashish finally got 98 %le in MAT and got admission in IRM, Jaipur. Pradeep took admission in ITM, Bangalore with one of our common friends Gaurav Mishra. I met Gaurav with Deepak Jaiswal (my AU batchmate). Deepak, Bhupendra, Ashish and Anshul started preparation for next year CAT exam.

IIIrd and last year

Bhaiya (on phone): You got 308 out of 450. Congrats for this success.

Me: Thanx Bhaiya.

Papa, I managed for overall 60 %.

Papa: Well done my boy. Well done. Now you are free of tension.

Results of II^nd year were exciting. Everyone was happy except some of the toppers due to little fall in the marks. We came back and decorated our room and updated each other.

Manish: Yaar, i think this computer course will add value to our CV. I am serious about it.

Me: Hmmm...Ok then we will go there tomorrow and talk about it.

This was planning to join Computer Classes in AU itself. We were rejuvenated after coming from our homes. We planned to visit some of the important places of Allahabad. A camera was arranged with new reel and we set a day for the trip. We started from Anand Bhavan. I could remember that 4 years ago i had visited Allahabad with family. Once you enter to these buildings of national importance, you realise how rigorous it was to fight for independence. We took some snaps there and moved to Bhardwaj Ashram. It is said that Shri Ram, Mata Sita and Laxmanji had stayed in this Ashram while going for Vanvaas. Without losing any time we reached Saraswati Ghat. It is a man mad ghat, well commercialized and quite happening. We enjoyed there a lot. After discussing among each other we finally decided not to have anything over there as it was of considerably higher side in our budget. Every one of us was thinking of his future (job life) because then we won’t wait that much to order and finish a deal at those kinds of spots. Finally we moved to Naini Bridge on river Yamuna. We can always call it a scientific miracle. It is based on the Howrah Bridge model, though it has three pillars. Actually It does not touch its pillars as usually bridges do, rather it trembles when a heavy vehicles runs on it. These bridges provide it support with rubbers in between and that too after a limited gap. At this spot we snapped a lot and appreciated the science-ultimatum.

So apart from limited study we were always ready for unlimited masti. Movie watching trend was being carried forward in a bigger group. University classes were also very interesting now. This year was full of events as usual, but there was a hidden fear which started coming out as the year started passing. This fear was of next platform. Career. Job. Dreams. Destiny. Every single was in dilemma and everyone decided to accept the challenge because that was the only option. Individuals of same career perceptions could be seen together.

Me: Why my toothbrush is already wet when my mouth is still stinking?

Bhaiya: You need to brush your teeth once again.

Me: I haven’t yet. I am going first time only, this morning.

Rajiv: O my God, probably it was me.

Me: Show me your toothbrush.

A lot of hahe hehe hahaha hehehe filled the room no. 66 of Diamond Jubilee Hostel. We were told about possession into single seated rooms. We were not willing to do so, but nobody expressed his thought. Finally Lalit got room no. 22, Rajiv got room no. 25 and i got room no. 30. Bhaiya shifted with Rajiv. This setup again stretched an unwanted line in between us. We automatically failed to follow common routines and this led us think separately for many of the important things including career. This year we had different guys for tuition. In physics we had Mr. Rajiv and in chemistry Mr. Ashish. Previous tutors got better offers. Deepak Dubey sir went DRDO and Rajiv Mishra sir went to IIT-G. I had always thought Civil Services. Subjects had to be decided. I was sure for chemistry in Pre. But one thought was compelling my mind to think. It was of command over the subject. Sine in AU we had general B.Sc. (not honours course), so we were lacking at some points. This inked my mind to think about M.Sc. I appeared in the JAM Test (Join Admission to M.Sc.) but unsuccessful. Alok Singh and other performed well. So I also applied for BHU. But things were going hopeless. Alok was supporting with different kind of options. Suddenly I got the idea of MBA. Actually there is a rationale behind the strike of this idea. I am eldest one of my parents, so I had an automatic pressure to perform well. Since I could not do justice with my M.Sc. option, i inclined towards MBA. I met with so many people. I insisted Sudhanshu to join me in CAT preparation but he did not agree. He went for MCA coaching. Now I alone had to take decision. Mayank, my RaeBareli school friend, told me to go ahead for MBA. He had already appeared and scored fantastic in CAT. He was going to Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Sciences. That time he was a cult for me.

Me: Papa, I want to do MBA.

Papa: (after a long silence) What about your BHU test.

Me: I collected all the information. There are coaching in Lucknow.

Papa: Shall we talk to some experts? Call your maternal uncle, Rakesh and Rinku Bhaiya also.

.........................................................................

Rakesh Mama: (sitting after lunch at his home in Lucknow) which coaching do you like more?

Me: Both are good, but I was told for Career Launcher (Mayank Singh had already told me about CL).

Mama: Now a day youngsters don’t look at career, they go behind glamour.

Papa: We should go to TIME.

IInd year............Resolution for ‘Movieng’

I was weeping in the second class railway compartment when papa came back wearing sunglasses (in order to hide his tears) to encourage me for my goal. I was at home for more than three months and during this phase i almost forgot that i have to go again to AU to complete my Bachelor Degree. This homesickness was the reason why i was weeping (not my marks, 51.8 %, as Pankaj Yadav had told me on phone). Now the journey for Allahabad was questioning me for my existence. I was jerked inside out. This stroke was sounder because my friends who used to roam with me were quite ahead in digits on mark sheets. I had started counting my mistakes of I^st year. My first mistake was avoiding study after classes. Second was extra social activities and third i listed my movie schedule. I saw Bad Boys II as my first movie without telling my parents. This start accelerated my frequency of visits to cinema hall and i started finding that size of TV was very small. This much addiction placed me in the elite group of movie buffs. So i decided to do something to overcome my Project B.Sc. and achieve at least 70 % marks to make an average of 60. This was strategically goaled as it was eligibility for many entrance and competitive examinations.

Anurag: Kas be, what exactly are you doing?

Me: Nothing man, just trying to show others my relevance to study.

Anurag: Great. Come; let’s have a cup of tea at the University road.

I put a shirt and went with Anurag.

.........................................................................................

Till now I had made some good friends. Apart from Lalit, Rajiv, Bhaiya and some hostel batch mates, I had Ashish Pandey (from Allahabad), Pankaj Yadav (from Allahabad), Manish Rai (from Azamgarh), Alok Singh (from Sultanpur) and Abhishek Singh (from Gorakhpur). They were actually spotted by Rajiv and being a room partner i got to interact with them. This friendship worked as chain reaction. There were so many people who suddenly got written into my good book and eventually i into them. My prime focus was on increasing marks. So i talked to lalit for tuition. Lalit had joined tuition classes last year and offered me for the same. I talked to rajiv and he agreed. We reached to Mr. Deepak Dubey (Research Associate under a renowned Professor of Physics). He was residing 1 km away from our hostel. Earlier he was in Hindu Hostel but later he shifted to that lodge. We were impressed with him. He also suggested us teacher for Chemistry on our request. We joined Rajiv Mishra for Chemistry. He was an inmate of P C Banarjee hostel. Rajiv also could not score well. So we had long way full of difficulties. I and rajiv had decide to keep these classes secret. Now we used to attend only Maths classes and that too of selected teachers. Hence we had jam-packed all the three subjects. This step was hard but it’s tougher to maintain overall 60 % when you score so badly in first year.

Whole year was full of events. There were many ego problems among us for many times. Up to December we enjoyed a lot. Sometimes Manish and pandey used to come to our hostel and we all together made food for thought for all for work and for sleep as well. Similarly we hostellers used to do. I had to make balance in the relationships between me – Rajiv and me – Lalit. Sometimes i used to go to Prayag with Alok Singh. Bhaiya and Rajiv accompanied us a few times. Rajiv lured me a lot of times for free movie. But i had decided, so i controlled my emotions. Finally we started playing under pressure from January onwards. That was the time when electricity starts playing and teasing us for our rest of the year relaxation. This time we got better schedule for examination. There was some movement run by Student Union behind this comfort. In holi this time again i and rajiv rocked and shocked. We went to Rajiv’s friend’s room with some fruits, Parle – G and necessary items to spend a night. That night was supposed to be full of study but.... Next couple of days we strived for food. Finally we decided to cook it ourselves. It was Rajiv who called his mom to ask how to prepare Daal. We made rice and tadka was on the heater. Against my instructions, rajiv poured daal earlier than the desired time. This made daal really horrible. Somehow we managed those days. Exams were academic tests for most of us but once you are far from your house you are compelled to learn a lot of things. After the exams were over, a satisfactory smile was crossing the faces of all friends of that group.

Abhishek: So dhruva, finally where do you zero in?

Me: Sangeet Cinema, Mumbai Express, Evening show.

Abhishek: Ok.

My room was looking at me while i was planning for movies and all. It must have been thinking of human attitude. I was somewhat confident of my marks in the examination. And now i wanted to enlarge my screen view through regular visits to cinema hall. I watched around 10 movies in those vacations. Khaki, Kya cool hain hum, My wife’s murder, mashooqa etc. Finally we all set ourselves to hang out at home with different delicious cuisines and lot of care and love.