Time Tables

Here I am..
thinking abt end terms, abt grades
abt the schedule that should be followed
over the next 2 weeks..

yet there is someone else..
over a 1000 miles away..
thinking abt another schedule..
the one that schould be followed
over the next 40 years.

This time that year..

night, long, cold, hazy
still some hope of warmth..
empty resto, almost
pizzas, cups of coffee-bitter but likable
the forlorn six string in the background..
very few fingerprints on the frets..
'hazaar' complex conversations..
concealing the simple story..
glances, anticipating looks,
eyes saying something, meaning nothing
walks, to and fro..
nagging questions, unconvincing answers
the point and the uneasy silence
the long cold ride back, alone

unforgettable..

In the end.. I wud ve given just abt anything to just get out of the process.. the stipend didnt matter.. neither did the company or the project!!!

the last 3 days were the most demanding ones of my life.. and the life of every IIMCian who got placed late in day 1 or still waiting for day 2!! not that the firms that come at this time are bad or anything.. the whose who of marketing n IT come... offering decent stipends n work et al.. its all abt peer pressure.. abt seeing ppl getting placed left rite n center.. n u not even given a chance.. no short lists.. no interviews.. no nothin!! u report at 730 in the morning.. n then keep on checking shortlists after shortlists to see whether ur name is there or not!! and finally, u get 1 interview call.. n u gotta wait till 730 in the evening to get done with the interview.. u dont convert it.. u get back to ur room.. n the realization dawns upon u that tomorrow wud just be like today!!

Finally, however, u do get placed.. n when u do.. that day becomes the most memorable one of ur life!! its relief... its freedom!! n to commemorate the situation.. the ritual is just as distinctive!! the entire batch gathers at the Placement block.. the PlaceReps read the list of ppl who have got placed in that round.. u sign the official OOPS register (thats Out of Placements).. amidst the deafening sound of 300 odd ppl clapping for u!!!

n next day.. its not done.. by now ur in love with the process.. so u the need to give something back.. u volunteer.. u fetch, track, feed n help out ur batchmates who r not already placed!!n ensure that the process is just as smooth for them as it was for u!!

unforgettable!!

Cliches..

1. Good Interviews dont necessarily translate to successful ones
2. Somethings r just not meant to be
3. The more you want something, less likely u ll get it
4. The less u want something, more likely u get
5. Today was just another yesterday..

baawra mann

Baawre se is jaha mein
baawra ek saath ho..
is sayani bheed mein
bas haatho mein tera haath ho..
baawri si dhun ho koi
baawra ek raag ho..
baawre se pair chahe, baawre tarano ke
baawre se bol par thirakna...

baawra mann dekhne laga ek sapna..

-Shantanu Moitra