Awesome Birthday

November month is generally a very crucial month for any average engineering student of MU. This is the time of studies, worries and exams. From past four years my birthday would always fall near semester exams.
This year it was different. Since I am working now, I did not have much tensions about studies. On 18th nov 2007, sunday. I got a call from my friend (buchi) and was asking me to come out for a dinner in one of the restaurant at sakinaka. I was reluctant to travel so far. Out of all other places in the world, why will someone go to that remote place? Yeah and because of this I wouldn't budge my decision. But later I did agree to come out of my house to "eat". I travelled all the way to andheri and then we caught a rick. After some general talk the time flew and we reached the destination. I asked the rickshawala to stop, but Rucha wasn't ready to stop the rick. She was insisting me to call her another friend who stayed just few meters away from that place. Hence we went over there. We entered her society. It was huge with nice architecture.
Walking down the lane and after directing me to one place she opened the door and went in quickly. I followed, it was dark and as soon as I entered everyone shouted "HAPPY BIRTHDAY". There were flashy colourful lights. My all friends from college were there. Everyone wished me formally and later just pulled me and gave nice bday bumps....

I was really really happy that time. After a very long time my birthday was celebrated. This place was a hall of that society. A nice arrangement of colourful flashy disco lights, and music from heavy duty speakers played by DJ John(dbit and hexaware friend) thruough his synthesizer/mixer was made. Caterers made good food wid starters, welcome drink and dinner. So after the rocking party and dance at around 10:30-11 my birthday cake was brought in. It was a yummy cake which went more on my face than in my tummy.

The previous day it was Milan's birthday. So the way I was directed here, even he was misguided and given similar suprise. So it was a great combine party thrown for both of us. I was told about his story later. His cake was cut at the begining of the party before I was brought in. So it was perfectly timed.

Well tons and tons thanks to all my friends. Special thanks to vineet, floyd, rimL, rucha, niv who went up and down out of their routines and arranged this wonderful party for us. It was the best birthday suprise I ever had and a very good start for my birthday.

Later in the night everyone else called me and wished me. Next day morning I had to rush to the office. I took two boxes of cadbury's to office. We had our training on. So it was like whole bunch of peoplesoft trainees were with me. With loads of wishes in the morning the day started. During training everyone sung for me. In the break time all guys gathered together held me in air and with their leather shoes gave nice massage on my back and a**. It did pain for a while but managed to sit in the class ;). Later that afternoon these guys suprised me by getting a cake, such thing had happened for the first time in hexaware amongst office friends. The entire class gathered in the canteen and I cut the cake. It was my second cake for the day. This made me so happy since I had not expected so many things to come out of my birthday bag. As usual this cake was neatly put on my entire face all over.

Later in the evening when I went home. I spent time with my family. My brother had got another cake for me. This was third for the day. It was end of the most memoriable birthday I ever had.

Out of 4 years of engineering I guess this year my celebration covered all the fun that I missed during my college days. I guess this post has come alittle late but do excuse me for it.

Training for Hexaware Continues...

Its been a month for my training. Our training center was in one of the colleges in Navi Mumbai. Here phase I and phase IIa training was conducted. After these phases there was an evaluation test and we were offered with various domains. I got into ERP-PeopleSoft.
The experince here is similar to the FE. Every person sitting in the class is new to us except for few. Now they were not students but employees. They were from all parts of India. It was really great to meet such people from different places. Since we get to know a lot about their culture which is pretty much simlar to ours. But then what differs is the lifestyle.
Well one more month is left. This will be a boot camp. Wherein we will be thought peoplesoft. This training will be in the Hexaware premises thankfully. I am hoping for the best.

9th Semester Begins

After finishing with 8 semesters and graduating I enjoyed a nice long vacation. Now its work time. I started working few days back. But even if there was a change in the phase of life. I felt like I am back in first year. Where almost all faces are new to you. You make new friends and this time friends are not only from my city or state but all over country.
As the training center of my company is still under construction, we are given training in one of the colleges. College is little far from the place hence I have to start early and do a lot of traveling. But the best part is till now we were paying to learn and this time its reverse as we are getting paid to learn.
Sleepy seminars, last minute studies for the test, pulling legs continued here also. Common food in the dining hall is an add on to my previous life. But its here where we meet people from other batches of the same training.
Last weekend we were taken for an outbound training program to Lonavala. This was another awesome experience I have got. There was more interaction amongst all the trainees and we were thought some team bounding secrets through various games.
Not writing much in this post as I ain't getting lot of time these days. But bye for now.

Govinda Aala re aala

Krishna Janmashtami is observed on the eighth day of the dark half (Krishna Paksha) of the month of Shraavana in the Hindu calendar, when the Rohini Nakshatram is ascendent. Dahi Handi is just a way to celebrate krishna Janmashtami. Dahi Handi generally takes place on the second day of Janmashtami. An earthen pot containing a mixture of milk, dry fruits, ghee is hung around high in the air with the help of a rope. Dahi Handi is an enactment of Lord Krishna's efforts to steal butter from Matka (earthen pot) suspended from the ceiling.

I just got a chance of getting in a group to go around and break dahi handi. As Devrukhe Yuva group thought of celebrating gokulashtami festival together. It was sponsored by Ekmev. Since this was our first year there were amatures as well as pros in the group. 11 am was fixed to meet up. I just got behind the schedule and was delayed to reach the initiation spot. Everyone else had gathered at Yashodhan Web Creation's office in Girgaon. At around 11:30 they left the place, danced through the alleys along with traditional kacchi band with them.

I reached girgaon at 12. It was a kind of difficult to spot these guys as none of them were carrying cellphone and the streets were crowded with huge amount of spectators and various groups going around. But finally to my luck. One of the organizer was heading back at the initial point where I was just standing and wondering 'what to do?'. Well with him I went to his office, slipped in the yellow t-shirt and headed back to the group.

When we reached to our group, they had just spotted one handi and were eyin it. I had no clue of who was going to do what. All that I had decided was just stay behind the person in level-0 and support the person at level-1 without taking risk of carrying anyone. And people just came nearby encircled. Human ladders were formed. Slowly people at the higher level started scrambling on top. Pyramid was formed with a formation of 4-2-1-1 as this was easily managable. Once the pyramid is formed the topmost guy within no time broke the earthen pot and let the colored water fall on everyone. Boys came down systematically. This was followed by dance of joy with the music played by the band. The music and dance was also accompanied by splashing of water from both sides of the buildings.

The pace of the music reduced after some time and group moved ahead. Moving along the crowed everyone was shouting with different slogans like "Aawaj konaca? Devrukhe Yuvanca", "Tujhya gharat nahi pani, ghagar utani re...." and so on. After some interval of walk the music was replayed for more shaking of the body.

Countless number of groups also moved up and down the streets the other day. Few moved on bikes, few in tempos or truck, few had even set up scene along with their truck and the remaining walked. The only common thing by one can recognize them is the uniqness in there t-shirt design and color. We had yellow with red print on it. Our group was comparatively smaller with ametures in it and no mock practice. Hence could target mid-level handi's.

After breaking a couple of them, I thought of moving a step ahead and stood on level-0. With my weight ofcourse no one would have taken me on any other level higher than this. I later realized that this was the first time our group was trying for 5 levels. But it was too late I was already in. We were 5 people at level-0 and caught hands of alternate people. All that one could see was feet of other boys with you and there faces, with dynamically soaring weights on your shoulder. Its like you are totally engaged and can't even move your feet because it would affect each and everyone on top of you. Your body has to be so stiff and still that you cannot even scratch if you feel like. Its a matter of few minutes. Now in this place one cannot see what happens above you. So all you have to do is wait and check if you get a splash of water on you. If yes then your group has got the success in breaking pot. But instead if you feel a sudden pressure of weight from your shoulder to your neck that you can't stay straight it means the pyramid broke and some one has fallen on you.

This was one of the best experince ever. We managed with 9 handi. Our intention was to enjoy. Which we all did. Later everyone had delicious misal pav and dispersed.

Zodiac the killer killed us with the movie

During the vacations when once few of my classmates thought of meeting at the college for spending some time. While chatting outside the canteen we thought of going for a movie. One name that everyone thought it would be interesting was ZODIAC.

So after everyone finished with their respective work. We headed to Cinemax versova. Because of the usual late thinking of gurls for checking out the restroom, we missed our bus. Traveling via rick and fighting for space in the overcrowded train we reached the destination. We got the tickets without any hassle even after the show had started. Thought that it must be second week of the movie hence there was loads of space.

The movie story line goes something like this. A serial killer who of course had some psychological problem called himself zodiac. The Zodiac coined his name in a series of taunting letters he sent to the press until 1974. His letters included four cryptograms (or ciphers), three of which have yet to be solved. His murders started in late 1960’s in San Fransisco. Few murders were shown like couple at Lake Berryessa, taxi driver et al. Then how SYPD starts investigation? Chronicle(news paper) reporters and a cartoonist's intervention in the case. Geologically separated police departments fight for getting the evidence and proof since murders were on the border of certain territory. After murders, zodiac use to call police to admit them or send letters to the chronicle. Then there came many victms and suspects but zodiac remained unknown. Robert researched after the case became inactive and wrote an entire book on Zodiac.

The entire thing was so messy, the names, the timeline which they showed, the explanation people give was not properly understood. Everyone in my group was bored. The subject had become too serious and then I realized though the above story seems interesting why we got tickets so easily for the evening show.

The best part was first year which they showed was 1968 and then they reached to late 90’s and enters 2002. But still Zodiac wasn’t reveled. Then was the funniest part the director gives a message and says the case is still open but the letters stopped coming. Few suspects were also shown and how the life of people continues was written. Then we realize that this was the end. And thus the suspense remains suspense. One thing that came in my mind was WHAT THE FCUK?? We sat there for 2 hours 40 mins to find out the criminal wasn’t caught!!!

After watching this movie I started to encourage people to go for this movie. Its good to send your enemy and kill him with boredom.

Confused ! ! !

What a phase in life? When a big headache is over, after four years of hectic engineering curriculum. Here I stand on the junction who has many diversions? The problem is "CHOICE". What to choose? Which path to take? It is not easy to see far end of the mutating road. This road will lead to another choice, and its variation will not only depend on the time but the entire system. But then it takes lot of guts, knowledge and prudence to see the second choice standing at this junction. It is easy to take whatever seems to be best without looking far. But when you take whatever comes your way, no doubt that tension abates but doesn't guarantee satisfaction. You get satisfied only when you think get what you want.

The clock ticks. Confound mind wonders. After a predefined threshold is reached I get a default choice is choosen and have to walk on it. But till that time what happens next let the mind wonder.

Academic Experience or Industrial Experience. Work as an employer or Work in core research (doesn't mean making softwares).

If I choose to be in Industry then the problem of choosing domain and technology comes into picture. Other parameters like size of the company, training, salary, job location comes into picture. You can't satisfy every constraint. This becomes a simple problem of coding. We can either optimize memory usage or time spent. Both can't be minimized. Similarly I hope I satisfy my constraints and choose a proper path.

Gone are the days

The other day when I was just walking in the corridors of my college I saw a notice "College reopens on 9th July for all ODD semesters". First thought that came in my mind was "WHO CARES...!!!!". This usually wouldn't have happened. I would have calculated days between the reopening of college and last paper. But this time no such worries, no more lectures, no more assignments, no more submissions. Its over!!!

4 years have passed. I still remember the admission day. I was standing in the college corridor when someone directed us to sit inside a class. My dad was accompanying me. Well I got into Don Bosco Institute of Technology. I had migrated from even worse college, hence was happy with it.

We were amongst the late admits, so were dumped in FE-A. New friends from various parts of Mumbai and various colleges. It was obviously first time in professional course, was pretty excited about it. Started making friends there. Jigar was one of the old friend from khalsas. Then slowly I started getting close to others. A small group was formed of peers. We are dam close. Even if there is any activity with any of us, the news would spread to full group in no time. In the right back corner of the class we would have nice time doing mech, BEE, drawing, AS and usual masti of singing songs, eating tiffins. Sagar's chingari song would usually keep us awake. It was fun with all my friends jumping and dancing Su/- to whom I can irritate even by sitting in around her and practically doing nothing, drawing watches on strong niuu's hand, my partner sis shazz for supporting in anti-su club, fatty sri punching bag, Buchi she cracks sad joke the world laughed but i would irritate her by not laughing!hehehe.. batlya vineet (i started calling him this, when i saw ppl with more height than he has), invisible and black man Mr. Matku Rohan well he is now invincible, flirty pin-2 would always toggle between R-S like flip-flop, the leader and the planner Jizzy, Jargon King Shaggy with his Radar Eyes, and last but not the least lazy and bhukad Bhavi Jones.

Workshop was a kind of headache. Lot of physical work. Working physically and me just don't go together. Practicals were pretty fine. It was nothing but another place to hang out in DBIT. Since in those days we wouldn't bunk much, as it was BAN. Bunking use to be adventurous. Going behind the trees and hiding, canteen, secrete place on the third floor which was undiscovered by many were our common places. Getting unnoticed was our mission while bunking. But I remember mech trios use to catch my class people many a times. I was lucky to escape all the time.

Talking about the bunking it reminds me with one incidence of Floyd Pinto. We all forced him to bunk and meet behind "the tree" of the ground which currently has volley ball court in it. But somehow we all budged and sat for the lecture. He was uninformed and also was unaware of watchman taking the round at 11:15. Poor chap was threatened to visit principals office later.

Studying in college had become trend right since first year. Jigar and myself would study all theory subject. Video Conferencing and studying of mech and maths was another attraction. It saved time. Sem 2 many people started coming to study in the college. Drawing was a common subject. It was boring to me as I never liked drawing. Then after I continued coming in the college for studying. Sometimes in library sometimes in class. Advantages were no entertainment, many books available, Profs who would help sometimes, and friends who would share same doubts with you. Thanks to Rucha who gave me maximum support while studying as we would study many a times together in almost all semester. In 8th sem many from BE comps started group studying. Even this was fun. Sri, Shetty, Saurin SA, "THE LOIS", ashok, joan, anu, rucha, Clarissa and ME had formed college study group. Scratching brains to figure out things, learning stuff, lunch, tea and Diamonds were our favorite activities.

Each semester had new subjects, new books, new teachers and same old trend of assignments, test, submissions, journal completion. To beat this we would always organize trips and picnics to refresh ourselves. First year we started with Essel World. We did not know each other then. But it was beigning. Then Matheran, Mahableshwar, Sajan Natures Club, Goa, Saralgaon's Visawa Resort and last but not the least Sandy's Green Paradise.

We had some of the wonderful experiences in these picnics. Travelling, treking(be it in forest, night or plain road), hill climbing, bargaining(we had gujju gang Jigar and Sagar...and ofcourse 20 bucks bargainer Mr.Bhavi Jones alais Bhavesh), police fights, cycling, swimming, dancing, et al. Out of all I really can't forget the food we had in both Matheran Trip. The worst was in GOA. Ofcourse its land of non-veg.
These trips would be during holidays. But when it comes to spending time just when everyone is bored or someone's bday. Then we would explore all restaurants and theaters in Mumbai. Right from Manjunath near our college to Nebula, 5 Spice, Garnish, Bhagat Tara Chand, Urban Tadka, Poptates, Dynastys, Sheetal Arch et al. As far as Birthdays, giving suprises to all our friends going out for dinner or bowling, or anywhere else to hang out would always be fun and refreshing.

Lectures in DBIT were fun sometimes. Especially when there were lecturers like Mungi, Kurusu, Deshmukh, Nasir, Amiya. This is because we could do our fun. Nilakshi with lot of attitude would always waste time in planing things and revealing her strategies. But would always fail to implement them. Data Cable did not survive more than 2 lectures in our class. We all guys entered half an hour late after playing foot ball in Deshmukh’s lecture. Nasir would teach walls and that was a boon for us to do our jobs. Eating tiffins during lectures was one another best part of this life. Mayur, Sagar, Bhavesh and I were the dabba chors. We would ditch each other and steal each others tiffin. Least time once we took to finish someone’s tiffin was 10 seconds. It was one of the fastest times on record.

But now gone are those days. Everyone would split apart. They would go on their respective paths to reach their destiny. Life would be different and so will be the places. Though the thought of “WHO CARES...!!” came in my mind still a feeling of melancholy shocks through my body that life won’t be the same. Responsibilities will mount. We would land in the mean world of competition. The academic competition is any time healthy but who knows what lies ahead.