Herein, I have tried accounting some of the memorable events
of 2012 that go down my memory lane; the chronology might not follow though. Its a little lengthy, reader's discretion required :) .Let
me know of what you feel.
2012, the most debated topic of the year was undoubtedly the
‘Mayan’ prank of the millennium, we saw many hoax theories coming in support of
the Mayans, I would say we had way too many conspiracy theories at our disposal.
The end of the world as was told to us, obviously, didn’t happen. For me, 2012
was filled with mixed feelings/emotions, a bit more towards the sad part for obvious
reasons. Here is a recap of what all happened.
‘A LITTLE RECAP’
The year started with an overwhelming joy, had recently met
my good friends from school Pooja and Karan in December during my visit to
Delhi. Had a really great time with old friends, hanging out with both of them
refreshed me back to school days. Delhi Metro, Cannaught Place, KFCs, Subways
and much more, was a complete delight. The 2223 also had a bash, Collector’s
MMS, a collector’s item for sure, Gobinda’s death
defying ability to walk great distances, the visit to Paranthe Wali Gali with
Devanshu and Puneet and later to the legen....dary Karim’s. Even the train
journey was fun-filled, travelling without tickets some of them and occasional
sipping of the ‘Old Monk’ helped cut the chilling winters .Not to forget, at
first place, I was there to attend Nitin Bhaiya’s (Sachin’s elder brother) wedding,
joyous baraat, great food. All in all, a ‘Big Fat Indian Wedding'. I, on behalf
of the whole 2223, wish him a happy first anniversary and a prosperous married
life.
A strange looking Rohit(from left),Pooja and Karan look cool.
At the wedding, Dec 2011
‘RAISEN FORT’
Come 20th Jan, with not much time left and
knowing it would be ages before we shall all see each other again, we planned for a trip to
the famous Raisen Fort in the outskirts of Bhopal, approximately 50kms from the
New Market area. Photos, bhasad, bread-jam and more photos were the highlights.
Barring AnkurB everyone else was onboard, I think. And, who can forget that not
so fancy yet sumptuous meal at the roadside dhaba while returning.
Looks like a still from 'Reservoir Dogs', Nitin bhaiya said.
more photos
even more..
After the meal.
‘BIHU’
We have had BIHU celebrations in the mid January and man..! That
was the pinnacle of epicness, who can forget that night at D-Top, food, music,
dance and loads of masti.
About To Begin,Bihu celebrations.
All thanks to the people from the North-East :)
This had to be here, the dancing star of the group showing his moves.
more from Bihu.
‘BLESSED PLACE’
Then came the most blessed of them all, my 2nd
trip to GOA in March 2012.That was all planned in not more than 5 minutes
(round n round) on a certain badminton court. Mithilesh, Tarun, Ankur, Puneet,
Gobinda and I had undergone what we can call, a pilgrimage, if I had to put it!
Each one of us had taken something or the other when we were returning back
with Tarun having a little edge, those ‘stares’ and that ‘mai ****** nahi hun’
thing I am talking about.
Baga Beach,the night we reached.
Next morning, at about 7 am.
Near Basilica Of Bom Jesus,South Goa.
Having a good time,Gobinda, Palolem Beach.
‘THE ATTEMPT’
Meanwhile, after returning I had the chance of attending
GD-PI sessions of SIMS Pune, not a very good MBA college but I should not
complain, could fare only that much. Visit to Pune was again fun-filled, the city
seemed quiet, nice weather and polite junta makes it for a happy living. Even
the return bus journey with Puneet is worth mentioning, 500 bucks each. Unfortunately
or fortunately, don’t know how to put it, did not convert the call.
'KASHMAKASH'
Its a short movie that we attempted, based on real incidents with a little modification the story is inspired by my good friend Shiva.During production of the movie, we had a great time as a team.Shiva,Sachin,Akhil,Abhinaba,Mithilesh,Prachi,Suhani,Kiran,Reema hats off people! Enjoy the movie friends,I hope y'all like it.
‘VAN VIHAR’
May 2nd trip to Van Vihar is another attempt to
recapture a few last moments together as a group. Waking up at 5, cycling 10kms
at stretch was never so much fun, that too in excruciating heat, not to mention
more photos here. Had a short haircut back then.
On a hot summer morning,Van Vihar,Upper Lake.
AnkurB was there that time.
'VAN MAHOTSAV'
What do we do so that it stays for a long long time ? We can plant trees, that was a good idea. So, it was decided that 2223 would plant a few trees in the hostel's garden area to mark our friendship and as a token of remembrance of our stay in Hostel No - 05. We bought plants from the nursery by the Link Road, se7en of them. Unfortunately, my plant died because of insane amount of heat during summers, I tell you it can be real trouble for us in that heat if not careful.Rest all of them are safe and growing !! *happy*
Planting Shrivastava's Mango.
Dada's Nimboo
Again with Mango plant.
Our dear Mali Bhaiya helped us a lot with all the plantations and made sure they were watered regularly and received manure. This one is for U, Mali Bhaiya :)
‘HIGHER MINDS’
Meanwhile, we had final results of CAT, GATE being out and many
of my friends converting theirs, would like to mention about a few of them. Niraj,
a real out of the box guy, scored an unreal 99.82 percentile in CAT
2011,converted MDI Gurgaon, knew he would do it, was always there for me when I
needed him, a real gem if I may say, Tarun, one-man Army, people close to him
know what he is made of, in the top 250 in the country in GATE, now pursuing
higher studies at IIT Bombay, the best technical college in India, Vikalp is
one guy whom I had interactions but in bits and pieces but lately we are in very good terms, he had an offer
from IIM-Indore, way to go man, proud of YOU, Shujata, a topper throughout her
academics, is in IIM-Shillong along with Amrita, another good friend. Well,
cannot mention the entire friend’s list over here, I really hope to but! Best
wishes with you all people, rest assured.
‘KURTA DAY’
Somewhere, in between all this merry making and stuff, we
had a Kurta-Day of our own, donning Kurta and visiting places for the one last
time together, were done in all masti but the experience can only be lived if
you are really really close. New Market, Upper Lake, Hotel Amrapali – place for
the first ever group treat by our very own
chubby Premanshu Das aka Baba, Juice shop, Banarsi pan ki dukan, Top n Town,
Mata, the list is endless.
Upper lake in the background.
In front of Amrapali restaurant,New Market.
New Market area.
'WINTERY CRICKETEY AFTERNOONS AND NIGHT FOOTBALL'
The
basketball court witnessed many games of Cricket in the evenings and night
football games, though I could not play football as I had a twisted right ankle
surely I played Cricket. Hell lot of fun, Puneet's run outs and then the team
huddle (deliberately teasing him) to celebrate his wicket, winner takes the bat,
direct hitting out of the Basketball court out by default, 2 runs declared beyond the 2nd
pole, Bhaskar's bowling, Upadhyay's craze of hitting Pranjal out of the court
everytime, Dada's stylish wrist work, Gobinda's attempt at scoring at an insanely high
rate and getting out in the process,Akash's cameo, Akhil's single/double
running,again Upadhyay's 120-130 :P , Pranjal's leg spin and above all Tarun's
one of a kind catching style 'NAAGIN'. Will miss them all my life !!
And,..... wait
a minute,its not over yet, the final game of Cricket was won by my team and
guess who was man of the match,......... Devanshu Rathore, came that evening
only and Puneet was his bunny the whole time :)
The Artist, a match winner on his day.
That steady head, all that he scored was compensated of his bowling.
Flighted deliveries, the leg spin. Dada was my bunny initially :)
Tapash, got a hammering that day!
Night football was equally fun except for the fact that I
used to be the referee, sadly twisted ankle, thanks to an earlier game of
football at the same venue. Shrivastava's attempt I must say was inspiring,
that guy I tell you haven't moved in like ages and HE PLAYED FOOTBALL just to
keep his friends, that is selfless service! OK
.
Ankur, tired of all the running.
We had a player playing in bade-bade joote, Paritosh Lokhande in Woodland :D
‘CAN YOU TAKE IT: 2223?’
Come 6-7th April - ‘Talk The Talk’, we decided to
have a hot-seat of our group, 2223.Huge preparations for the mega event, some
were busy with the arrangements of food, some with somewhat poetic skills got
the invitation prepared and some were busy warming the couch...! Ouch. Just
kidding, his RIDE was of great help. Mithilesh, in the meanwhile was busy in
his makeover for the all important day, this particular intel was supposed to
be classified :D . The party was one of its kind, we talked all night. Talked
of each other, future plans, opinions on anything-everything and most
importantly the ‘THE QUESTIONS’ when in the line of fire - the ‘HOT SEAT’. Everyone
participated but for one, our dear one, the one and only Shrivastava a.k.a
Collector, he preferred to lay and rest his case. There may be admirations, disappointments
many times but I can proudly say everyone gracefully accepted what was the
majority opinion prevalent in the group.
About to begin : Hot Seat 6-7th April
All through the night.Talking.
Akhil's turn.
Something for our dear Shrivastava aka Collector, Rotaract celeb.
Akash and Collector are responsible for these.
‘SEE OFFs’
This perhaps is the hardest part, we had to leave Bhopal and
start a new chapter in our lives.The most dramatic was of our dear Ankur Upadhyay, was set to leave for Mathura on the 7th May, train was scheduled to arrive at 11:00 pm but was late by a few hours and never came till it was almost 3:00 am.Long time, we didn't want him to leave and were grotesquely bored. Pranjal took one of his bags and returned to hostel and poor Ankur had to leave one short of his luggage that had to be sent with another friend from Mathura Gaurav Agarwal.I think, Pranjal came back just a few minutes later but was a little too late.
That is one *BIG* group, my wolf-pack.
Not sure of when we will meet again, seeing
off friends was an everyday customary, hard to get over with. Everyone left
with a heavy heart and with the thought of meeting again sometime soon.
‘SCHOOL DAYS’
If I don’t mention my school friends, it would really make
no sense, incomplete infact! Jittu Paji, Sumedh, Animesh got placed in good
companies, had to be good if you are studying in one of the top IITs, IIITs. I
am sure they are also happy with the way things turned out for them. Abhay is
already working. Cheers GUYS!!
Didi ki Shadi, (from left) Jitendra,Abhay,Tejinder bhaiya and myself with Potu(bhanja
) in front.
‘BHOPAL-HYDERABAD-BANGALORE’
Come my birthday, 12th June. I was back in Bhopal
for some work, Shiva was already there, I think he lived there, Ankur also came
from Hyderabad. And in the evening, we suddenly bumped into Akash. One hell of
a coincidence, it rained that day, heavily! ‘Mata Ki Chai’ was as always
comforting, had one of my best birthdays ever with them.
Short haircut,birthday with Akash and Ankur,ICH,Bhopal.
With Ankur and Akhil in Hyderabad
I left for Bangalore on the 11th June, via
Bhopal. Did not get tickets, lucky for me. Took to Hyderabad with Ankur and
Dheeraj. I lived at her sister’s in Hyderabad for 2 days before leaving for
Bangalore via road. I felt at home, lovely food, welcoming couple blessed with
a cute boy, he speaks now, a few words maybe, I learn from Ankur, make me even
happier. Met Akhil in Hyderabad, by then he had already joined his company. Was
lovely meeting with him, what now was beginning a new phase of his life. Best wishes
to him and Ankur as well, the whole of 2223 infact.Good luck guys.
'BANGALORE ONWARDS'
I reached Bangalore on the 16th June, bus dropped
me at Marathahalli, and Nalin picked me from there. Got to his flat, Puneet had
already joined his company. The other boy Pranjal, was also scheduled to join us
in Bangalore but not before a month’s time. P.G (paying guest) would do it for
a month, two of us thought, and then we can move to a rented apartment. On that
very day, 16th June we moved to a PG in Kundanahalli Colony (Sri Venkateshwara
that’s the name I faintly remember) for a month. After a forgetful experience at
the above mentioned PG, shifted to my cousin’s place in BTM after only 9 days.
This is where I currently live, have made a few great
friends. Priyesh, Rohit, Ankit, Tapan all are my elder brothers, great to talk
to, very friendly, not to mention my cousins Bharti Didi and Manoj Bhaiya,
dominos every other day, movies, a little laugh at the end of the day is the
life cycle here.
Manoj Bhaiya's Bday 26th Aug
Ankit Bhaiya's birthday.
The one with the IndNZ Test match,Chinnaswamy Stadium,Bangalore.
Club Cabana, outskirts of Bangalore.
Have had had a somewhat different experience with the Teach
For India campaign, had applied for the 2013-15 Fellowship, reached to the
final interview round but unfortunately could not convert it. Sad about the result but memorable
experience nonetheless.I would suggest you to atleast apply for the 'Fellowship', no amount of time,money can get you that kind of experience.Well, I have a detailed account of that here.
Also in Bangalore, met Urvashi and Akhil, my friends from
Army School Bhuj. Never expected I could meet any of them in this lifetime but
hey, You can be lucky! Kirtana was busy, otherwise would have met her also.
Back when I was a 6th grader,2001.Army School Bhuj.
‘Kisne Socha Tha Ki Bangalore Mai’,like Tapash best puts
it,Devanshu might be having a hard time reading this, not his fault :P .Small
parties with him, Gobinda, Puneet, Pranjal, Devanshu, Raghav, Abhay,Paritosh, Abhinaba,
Akash, Mithlesh, Shashank are the highlights of the latter part of my stay here
in Bangalore. Got to meet Neha also, one of my good friend. She is great as a
person, was always excited to meet her and loved it whenever got the chance. Also,
Mohit aka Chotu paid a generous visit to his friends in Bangalore, was lucky to
meet him and witness his stunts, his attempt at getting on a bus was heroic.
Bam!
Good times.
That concludes my ‘Timeline 2012’; majority of what happened
may still not be mentioned, deliberately done so!
Heres wishing everyone I know, a happy new year, full of cheer!!
