As far as I remember, I was never a naughty child. I loved biscuits and chocolates a lot and that was proved by my decayed molar teeth. I was very afraid of any noise. I would get frightened by the whistle of the pressure cooker, diwali crackers. I was very curious about small things like every child. Where does papa go to work? what does he do there? What is a school? What does studying mean? There used to be a tuition class in our neighbourhood. A lady used to teach there. I would always go and peep inside. The teacher never shouted at me instead she always sweetly asked me to come inside 'Ye na Pinky' (come Pinky). But I just played hide and seek. I used to love when she called me pinky. I was so crazy about the name pinky. I would think, 'why my parents don't call me pinky'? Though my parents called me by the sweetest of names 'rani' (queen or darling). But I wanted to be called pinky. I guess the reason to peep in the class was the name pinky. I used to feel so happy when she called me pinky.
Later as I grew up I hated the same name and thanked God that my name was not Pinky.
School Days:
I remember my day of admission to school. I had been taught the basic alphabets and numbers 1 to 10 at home and was told by everyone to speak there. I had gone with papa. I just remember that I was crying continuously and did not answer a single question though I knew it. But fortunately they gave me admission. But still I was supposed to give my interview before I entered my class on first day. That day I had gone with my uncle. I was happy in new uniform and school bag. And I was only smiling. The sister asked me the same questions, 'What is your name my child? Say A to Z.' And I told my name confidently and said the alphabets and felt great that I answered everything. The sister also was happy and my uncle was relieved.
And then I loved school so much. If ever I missed a day due to sickness I would take the whole house on head.
In school I was a good student by default. No efforts had to be taken by my parents to coax me to study. I did my studies well and without any tension or pressure. My teachers were also very supportive and encouraged me into other activities also. They had confidence in me. When I was in second standard I was afraid to participate in elocution competition. But my teacher said that I have to take part and she had put my name in the list. I remember the topic 'Good manners'. My dad helped me to prepare a speech though he was not so well conversant with English. When I showed it to my teacher she discarded it and gave me a new one to prepare. I prepared. When the day came I had butterflies in my stomach but once I was on stage I started and went on confidently and got a second prize to my surprise. I shared it with my classmate Swapnil. Coincidently Swapnil and I shared a first prize in elocution competition in tenth standard too. swapnil always competed with me in academics. Whenever we got our answer sheets after checking, his eyes would be first on my paper. Even before I could see he used to ask me what was my score. We mostly shared the first rank in class otherwise he would be second. Once he was ahead of me by 2 marks. He was so delighted. He had calculated everything before our report cards were given to us. When the recess bell rang I was taking out my tiffin from my bag. He suddenly came near me. I was startled. He said excitedly, 'my percentage is so and so, your percentage is so and so. I am first and you are second.' and he went away. I was thinking what kind of a boy he is. But Swapnil was very intelligent.
School days were golden days. I enjoyed a lot in the class. Boys played pranks on each other and we used to have a great laugh. The most colourful days, miss them a lot.
Junior College days
Fergusson college. On of the topmost colleges in the country. I was very privileged to get admission there. I was in the first division of Science stream which was with a cut off percentage of 86. So it was a class of all high scorers but little did I know that it was a class of high class girls and boys, with a trendy lingo, trendy clothes and fat pocket money. There were people like me too from a middle class background and rooted to earth. I could never interact with these girls from St. Helena's, St. Mary's, St. Joseph's-Pashan and some other hi fi school. My first crush, he may have been the first crush of many girls in our college. Light eyed, blonde haired and fair and a style of his own that made him unique. Well but I never had the guts to talk to him. Two years, short time, didn't get acquainted with many people but made some good friends.
Then life moved on to architecture college. It was destiny that we 18 people had to come together here and be great friends till today. Had some life time experiences in these five years. Enjoyed the study tours, monsoon trips, birthday celebrations to the fullest. Then a year of job.
And then the most fortunate thing happened - admission in CEPT for masters in landscape. It was like a dream come true.
Those two years was a different life altogether. Living away from parents, managing your own things, late night working, late night dinners, mid night birthday celebrations, watching movies, trashing from professors and then recovering from that becoming a bit shameless and then ignoring their shouts. It changed me a lot. Got a different perspective of looking at life. And the greatest thing got a recognition for my efforts of not only two years I guess but my whole academic life. Gold medal made people to look at me who once considered me worthless. It was a dream come true. My parents were the happiest, the joy could not stop flowing from their eyes. Their efforts had been rewarded. Education ended on a good note.
Looking back at life until now I feel satisfied and happy. I got the best parents who gave me best of education, best of values and support in every step of life. Then there were few friends, especially my old childhood buddies who always stood by me.
Everything has happened unpredictably in my life but it has always been the best thing that happened. So I never regret anything. Looking back I feel that life has been so crazy and colourful. Could not have asked for more than this.
Indeed life is beautiful!!!
Later as I grew up I hated the same name and thanked God that my name was not Pinky.
School Days:
I remember my day of admission to school. I had been taught the basic alphabets and numbers 1 to 10 at home and was told by everyone to speak there. I had gone with papa. I just remember that I was crying continuously and did not answer a single question though I knew it. But fortunately they gave me admission. But still I was supposed to give my interview before I entered my class on first day. That day I had gone with my uncle. I was happy in new uniform and school bag. And I was only smiling. The sister asked me the same questions, 'What is your name my child? Say A to Z.' And I told my name confidently and said the alphabets and felt great that I answered everything. The sister also was happy and my uncle was relieved.
And then I loved school so much. If ever I missed a day due to sickness I would take the whole house on head.
In school I was a good student by default. No efforts had to be taken by my parents to coax me to study. I did my studies well and without any tension or pressure. My teachers were also very supportive and encouraged me into other activities also. They had confidence in me. When I was in second standard I was afraid to participate in elocution competition. But my teacher said that I have to take part and she had put my name in the list. I remember the topic 'Good manners'. My dad helped me to prepare a speech though he was not so well conversant with English. When I showed it to my teacher she discarded it and gave me a new one to prepare. I prepared. When the day came I had butterflies in my stomach but once I was on stage I started and went on confidently and got a second prize to my surprise. I shared it with my classmate Swapnil. Coincidently Swapnil and I shared a first prize in elocution competition in tenth standard too. swapnil always competed with me in academics. Whenever we got our answer sheets after checking, his eyes would be first on my paper. Even before I could see he used to ask me what was my score. We mostly shared the first rank in class otherwise he would be second. Once he was ahead of me by 2 marks. He was so delighted. He had calculated everything before our report cards were given to us. When the recess bell rang I was taking out my tiffin from my bag. He suddenly came near me. I was startled. He said excitedly, 'my percentage is so and so, your percentage is so and so. I am first and you are second.' and he went away. I was thinking what kind of a boy he is. But Swapnil was very intelligent.
School days were golden days. I enjoyed a lot in the class. Boys played pranks on each other and we used to have a great laugh. The most colourful days, miss them a lot.
Junior College days
Fergusson college. On of the topmost colleges in the country. I was very privileged to get admission there. I was in the first division of Science stream which was with a cut off percentage of 86. So it was a class of all high scorers but little did I know that it was a class of high class girls and boys, with a trendy lingo, trendy clothes and fat pocket money. There were people like me too from a middle class background and rooted to earth. I could never interact with these girls from St. Helena's, St. Mary's, St. Joseph's-Pashan and some other hi fi school. My first crush, he may have been the first crush of many girls in our college. Light eyed, blonde haired and fair and a style of his own that made him unique. Well but I never had the guts to talk to him. Two years, short time, didn't get acquainted with many people but made some good friends.
Then life moved on to architecture college. It was destiny that we 18 people had to come together here and be great friends till today. Had some life time experiences in these five years. Enjoyed the study tours, monsoon trips, birthday celebrations to the fullest. Then a year of job.
And then the most fortunate thing happened - admission in CEPT for masters in landscape. It was like a dream come true.
Those two years was a different life altogether. Living away from parents, managing your own things, late night working, late night dinners, mid night birthday celebrations, watching movies, trashing from professors and then recovering from that becoming a bit shameless and then ignoring their shouts. It changed me a lot. Got a different perspective of looking at life. And the greatest thing got a recognition for my efforts of not only two years I guess but my whole academic life. Gold medal made people to look at me who once considered me worthless. It was a dream come true. My parents were the happiest, the joy could not stop flowing from their eyes. Their efforts had been rewarded. Education ended on a good note.
Looking back at life until now I feel satisfied and happy. I got the best parents who gave me best of education, best of values and support in every step of life. Then there were few friends, especially my old childhood buddies who always stood by me.
Everything has happened unpredictably in my life but it has always been the best thing that happened. So I never regret anything. Looking back I feel that life has been so crazy and colourful. Could not have asked for more than this.
Indeed life is beautiful!!!
