Nostalgia

First day. Decided to watch the likes of Fart Box, KD and Nitya play football in the quadrangle. Sat down. A quarter hour later, the seniors join me for what was then going to be my first introduction session. Fortunately or otherwise, an addled Approx, also enters the discussion of his own free will. Of course, back then he didn’t know that he would be given such a name. I was given a short lived nick name which is better left to the imagination.

Night and room number 268 has all its three residents settling in for their first night in the institute when an abrupt knock disturbs them. Opening the door, reveals none other than Torso, also not yet privy to his nick. Torso pleads to spend the night in our room since none of his roommates had turned up. We concede to his request. Torso, as infamous as he is now, spends his first ever night, sleeping on two tables.

Some nights later, in the company of many esteemed seniors, am in the 5^th wing. Many things transpire. Helmet is born. Christened Helmet Top, it reduces to a much more respectable first name alone in due course of time.

Helmet learns about the practice of appreciating one’s achievements or activities through the process of connecting one’s behind and another’s foot.

Muddu is enlightened to the ways of the world, by his roommate Ramani.

OS is banned from the 7^th wing and whenever this prohibition is broken, Pimp is chastised with numerous kicks to his posterior.

PD humours the wing with his unique knowledge which is quickly dubbed the Swamy Rapeananda series. Even seniors are not spared as Santa soon learns how to do things he never would have even imagined. All from PD.

PD vs OS. Man.

Satya and KS. What a lovely couple. Romantic moonlit walks. Endless conversations. Dropping CGPAs.

Muddu gets psyched by our wing or attracted to the inherent geekiness of the 8^th wing. Gets adopted above and is banished from below.

Rami, the most eligible bachelor of our hostel. Only computer of the wing. Mortal Kombat.

CC’s obsession with the CC. Then his subsequent carroms fetish.

Nana and Pimp. The love story of the wing.

Approx’s weeklong nightout for every set of quizzes. His subsequent branch change from Aerospace to Mechanical.

Nana crashing in his room and not waking up to repeated knocking and much noise. Finally awakened by splashing water through holes in the wall.

My first cell phone. Previously had to walk to the PCO booth in Gurunath to make calls and later to the hostel entrance to answer calls from home. Thank God for cell phones.

Muddu’s call from “Sushil”. His long 4 minute telephonic meeting and then his recounting the same to me. His couple of minutes before realizing I was “Sushil”.

Bulb’s call from Workshop claiming his book had gone missing and another copy was needed to put a grade. Bulb almost got started on the job. Approx informs Bulb in time.

NSO Basketball! Those fun morning sessions to which I attribute much of my weight loss.

Bunking my first Shaastra. Goes neglected for the next couple of years.

Torso’s birthday and his cake. The blood clot that ensued after the many greetings we showered on him.

Mess food! To which I attribute the remaining part of the weight loss. But, herein begins my passion for eating multiple ice creams daily.

Night canteen! Yummy! Damn the Dean for taking away all that is fun.

The time when all my possessions were packed into my suitcase and the lock changed. The whole wing knew except me. And I thought Chunni was trying to help me open the lock. Realized later he knew to pick locks well.

Gult songs from Lingo’s stereo. He was my roommate. Subconsciously kindled my desire and drive to learn the language.

Trip to Bombay for Aditya Birla Finals. Movie Twister with TenG. Spent the night together. :P.

My first Saarang as Catering volunteer. Everyone who comes to Saarang needs to eat. Late night maggi for free. Sleep at 5 and wake up at 7.

** (Late recollection) Hardy being introed by Cyber, the swimmer and volley player. Cyber showing pictures to Hardy and Hardy getting disgusted and walking away. Cyber is dumbstruck and literally begs Hardy not to complain (with folded hands). Hardy nods as is natural of him. And obviously, it was just before the situation that he was nicked Hardy.

One of the only three times I have gone to the Institute library. Went to get my duplicate ID card having lost the original.

Vamshi and Badri. The first Crossie couple.

Kabi who enters our wing, leaving the sheltered 8^th wing, and gets assaulted in the name of all that is holy and just. Kabi enjoys the hospitality of a hospital.

KVK, Nitya and their wing.

My first football game. My inability to do anything but scoop the ball. Relentless enthusiasm.

Mallu and his strong, strong legs. And his liking of Torso.

My sprain after stepping on a basketball. Eventually hurting my ankle even further after I kick the ball with the injured leg.

Eric. My first Saarang coordinator! Along with Frenchie and DDT from Godav. Frenchie’s bike and his girl. Their promise of a party.

Sparams! 111. Fundaes God.

Pollock! 249. First known literary stud.

F_ckita and Manu and the rest of that 1^st wing. Baby, also known as, Mad Eminem later on when the quaking was in full spree. Ramsubs and his quirky ways.

Ass Ravi and his room. His wisdom. His computer. His memory. His computer’s memory.

Bluff!!! Amazing cards game. Especially when more than 10 people play it at the same time.

Great guys. Great seniors. Great friends. Great memories.

First year!!! Awesome time.