The Train...

Now here, a little about the train itself. 

I'll begin from the last compartment, which was a storage car. All our supplies etc were in there. This was a compartment u couldn't access from within. U had to go from outside. There was also a bathroom (!!!) in a similar compartment. Then was one compartment that was accessable from within the train which was a bathroom too... It was one of the most well designed innovations i'd seen!! It was a usual passenger train compartment. Each section of six seats was draped into a 'cubical' made of tenting cloth. And within it, between the two sets of seats was a plastic tank-turned-tub. We had to carry water from one of the storage tanks which was stationed in a combined space of two seating sections and one right at the end of the compartment and have a bath here... Only thing was... Yeah u guessed it... NO warm water!!!!!!!

Well, we got over that pretty soon.... Then was one compartment for the staff, and the security etc. Then were two girl's compartments, and then two a/c chair cars, these were the 'common rooms'. We met here for our discussions, presentations and spent a lot of our spare time here... There were these LCD screens in each compartment that showed us what was happening in the other compartment when we had our presentations. 

Then there were three a/c compartments where the team, media and others stayed. Then there were the three guy's compartments and then the pantry... 

About a billion times a day, we've pranced about the train, from one end to the other. By the end of the second day, we'd become experts in walking in jerking, moving wobbling floors!!!

Such was the expertise that for around a week after our return, we felt funny walking on unshakeable ground.... Wouldn't you say the yatra made us ready for unsteady grounds..?? In more ways than one, I'd say...

Getting Acquainted...

Date: 24th of dec, 2008

Time: 11.30 P.M. 

Place: Jagriti Yatra Express

The night we left behind Mumbai Central station, all on cloud 9, all excited, all with stars in our eyes and all set to take on the world....

I had been just a few hours since we'd all met for the first time at IIT Powai. Well, First time meaning first time physically. We'd been meeting up online for ages before we actually met that day. 

So there we were, as the dust settled and it really started sinking in, we started looking around the train compartments with new eyes. These berths, our room for the next 18 days.... these girls around me, my room mates... Wow.... I was on my way..... 

Then once the cheering had died down and the noise of the train, which was soon to become our companion started taking over, we looked at each other. Then began the "Hi, I'm So-and-So from XXX. " and the "Nice to meet you's ". It was amazing to watch everyone getting our of their shells and getting to know each others.  For some time, it was just the girls getting to know (or trying to remember) all the names around, settling on the berths, getting ready to change for the night, etc. It was later in the evening that we met in the 'common room' for our first session on the train... 

It was after this that we really started getting to know the team, the people around us and in all the chaos that errupted in our minds, a slight sense of order began to form. Within hours of meeting each others, we'd started understanding each others. Only time was to tell us how deep our bonds were gonna go.... and not till we left each other at the Mumbai Central Station 18 days later that we acknowledged that we'd tied ourselves in these inextricable, deep and marvelous bonds that were to last us a lifetime.....

From the beginning...

Ok, From this blog post on, i'll be talking of the Tata Jagriti Yatra.

Date: 24th of dec, 2008

Time: Early morning

Place: Outside my building

I'd spent the earlier night ensuring that I'd packed all that I could possibly need for the 18 day Tata Jagriti Yatra. There was still this air of disbelief all around me. Right from the time when I got that mail saying that I had qualified for the yatra and that I had also gotten myself a full sponsorship, I'd been pinching myself a fare few times a day to make sure that it wasn't all a dream. (there still is a pink patch on my arm) And now finally, after all the packing and unpacking, the thinking, planning, announcing and declaring, the time was here to leave. 

Mom had to leave in the morning for her school so it was dad who came to leave me. we took a rickshaw to Goregaon and a bus from there to Powai ( I love my Mumbai! Everyone from the rickshaw fellow, the bus people and everyone around took a look at my bags and gently directed us to the right bus stops, etc...) 

Reached IIT Powai and the fellows at the gate directed us to the Convocation Hall where we were to gather. We took the internal bus. My heart was thumping so loud, I thought they'd bring in the bomb detection n disposal squad to check for a time bomb!!!!

Then finally we reached!!

And there they were!!! All those splendid people who were going to be with me on the train and who had been in constant touch with each other (including me) via e-mail sharing the pre-yatra jitters!! So it was NOT a dream, finally!!

I went in, registered, got my group and cohort details and came out again to see if I could find anyone from group 'R'..... No-one.... :(

Well, then I spent some time with Disha and the other girls who'd come there before me. We introduced ourselves, had breakfast and some time later, I heard someone talk of group 'R' and I bounced up. "Did you say Group 'R' ?"

"Yes. Those guys out there were looking out for people from group 'R'. Are you in group....."

I'd already dashed away in the direction that he's pointed out. 

"Hey. You guys from group 'R'?"

"Yes. You?"

Thank God!!!!!!

"Yes!!"

And so gathered the first few members of group 'R'. Then one of the people from within came to ask us o get into our respective groups. What followed was a cacophony of calls for all the alphabets!! I'm sure I heard someone yell for Group 'Y'!!! 

Even we began our full throated call for our group, barely knowing that we weren't calling for random other travellers but people who we were going to become fast friends within a question of hours!!

And sure enough, by the time it was time for the initial ceremony, we'd become great friends!

The ceremony was another thing!!

We were told about the last Yatra and other details about this Yatra, but the most interesting part of all, we were taught the Yatri Geet with the actions!!

had fun learning it...

We then had our first Role Model Session with Jyoti Naik of Lijjat Papad. It was amazing and inspiring to see how the organizatin had come about and how they had reached where they are today..... 

Well, then we headed for the Flag off ceremony to the Ravindra Natya Mandir. after a series of one of the most inspiring talks by a representative of the Dabba walla association of Mumbai and Mr. T.R. Doongaji  :-) of Tata Services, we performed the Jagriti Geet!!!

It was a brilliant experience to see the "Train" being "flagged off" at the ceremony and then, from there, we headed straight for the station, to board the real train and really get going....

And after all the running around, finally, the train took off from Mumbai Central station at 11 in the night on a journey that was to modify all our lives......

So Sorry!!!

i've been off for like ages!!!!

but there has been reason enough!!!!

i've been on the Tata Jagriti Yatra  ( jagritiyatra.com )from the 24th od dec to the 11th of jan. and on my return, there was so much of stuff acumilated that i took time catching up... but now i'm back in full form!!!

and there's so much to talk about!!!

there were a billion and ten things i wanted to blog about!! now that i'm back, i'll re live every moment of the Yatra (which i miss too much, by the way.....) here, on the blog...

i promise that i'll write in every day and try to bring out some special mments of the yatra, as they happened.....

but have t shut up now....

have to go for a lecture with Sudhakar Sir... I Know I know... he calls us even on sundays... 

but that's cool!!! he's a nice person and i won't mind going for the lecture...

will write some day about him too.....

ok leaving now!!

bye!!

22nd, Dec 2008

You know that feeling, when you feel really really realllllllyyyyy pissed off???? well, that's how I'm feeling right now!!!

There doesn't seem anything, absolutely anything that I do that pleases everyone around me and just for a change, keeps their traps shut!!!

Almost everyone wants a part of me, wants me to do something for them or just wants me to do something that I don't have the time to finish!! and since I don't finish it, they sulk!!

I'm so sick and tired of this that I really don't want to do anything anymore. Was reading 'Atlas Shrugged' and could identify a little with Hank Rearden. How the hell does one live with people who have a totall disregard for one's work most of the time?? I love my work but these people just don't let me enjoy it in peace!!! Oh, when will I grow old enough to move out into my own studio appartment??? When will I get the peace of being in my own company for a change? Whenever it wil be, It can't be soon enough....... 

Talking of nice days...

16th Dec, 2008

It was a beautiful day, to say the least about it... Firstly, began quite late (I think I'm getting into the habit!!! BAD!!!) went to college at 10.30 and attended but one lecture. Reena Ma'am's lecture in Organisational Behaviour. Then did a little work. I've been a little guilty over the last few days cause Rashmi has taken so ill, a lot of it being due to stress and that made me do a little more of my job today. Poor her... I hope she recovers fast.... 

Then went around the town with Nikita and Nidhi. Went to Jai Hind college with Garima and Nikita first to get our certificates and stuff for Detour. Then went to have fresh sliced strawberries with malai ice cream at naturals... was awesome!!! 

Then Garima went to her hostel room and I went with Nikita to Roopmilan cause she had to select a saree for her bhabhi. Once that was done, (and nidhi joined us there) we went out to Nikita's hostel room and spent some time as she showed us around the hostel. Then after loitering around for sometime, we left for our respective places. And I came home... well, that was about all that I did. came home and did a little work online. So here I am now... 

well, some notes for the day: Nikita's hostel seemed brilliant!!! I will try to live in one someday... And Fresh strawberry slices with malai ice cream taste heavenly!!!!!

so more at a later date...

A Whole New Week.....

15th Dec, 2008,

There are good days, bad days, and then there are 'mix bag' days. Today was a 'mix bag' day. I had a pinch of problems, a dash of fun, a pint of sleep (!!!!) and little spoonfuls of almost every other things that life has to offer. That included some pain, a little anguish and anger too. But I guess that is what makes the day worth living. It is days like this one that I will look back upon and think... 'Man! What a life I've lived!!' 

You know, people think falling in love is beautiful..... I found out at my own expense (twice) that it isn't. Especially when the person that you are in love with is not in love with you..... So the only way to be out of the heart break that results from such a thing is to fall in love with someone who already loves you.... and we all have that one person.... Ourselves!!! So the best bet is to fall in love with yourself and do everything that the 'self' wants you to!! Can you think of a better relationship?? Well, I can't and I think I'll keep it up this way. Safe. And Beautiful.....

Beautiful Sunday....

14th Dec, 2008

If you would have told me around two years ago that there will come a time when I'll be so packed with work that I won't have even sundays free, I'd have laughed at you.  And if you'd have said that despite all the busy schedule, I would enjoy it, I'd have asked you to apply for a stand up comedy contest. And if I would have done any of that, I'd have had to eat my own words and laughter...... Not only are my days jam packed and my sundays more eventful than ever, I discovered that I'm actually thriving on all that! I'm enjoying every part of the life that I'm now leading. Simply because all that I do makes sense to me. If all the work would have been studies, like some doctors-to-be and engineers-to-be do during a day, I'd have either killed myself, or someone else. What I'm doing is much much more productive and satisfying. and I love it. 

Another day...

13th Dec, 2008

Another day is here and gone. Another page turned. Another lesson learnt. 

Began with a lecture in 'Print' by a new professor who told us of the syllabus and it seemed technical but interesting. Then I headed for the Nirmala Niketan college for Social Work with Rachel and Vallari. The students and staff there had come up with this thing. Volunteers would connect with victims or families and understand all their needs. Financial, Psychological, Emotional, etc etc etc... Seemed a more pro active way of handling the sort of anger that I was feeling post the attacks along with the fact that I'd be able to make someone a little more comfortable with their life. So I volunteered. I am looking forward to working for this. Then again, I will be working with another group of people as I think I'd mentioned earlier. We are working towards coming up with a few solutions as far as governance is concerned. I hope all this goes somewhere....

Well, then after that we headed for some work at Andheri. We were thinking to do our project later but we were so tired, we decided to do it later. So I came home and tried to sleep for some time. However, my parents were back from a family function and had the usual family news so I heard them, gave my comments and then was too restless to go to sleep. So then i came online for a while and checked my mail, Facebook, etc... 

But then all of a sudden I felt so drowsy, I got off and went to take a nap. When I opened my eyes, I realized it was 9 and for a wild moment thought it was 9  the next morning. Which would mean I'd missed the sunday lecture at college and I rolled in my bed, upset. Then i looked out the window and saw that it was still dark and registered that it was 9 in the evening!! Then my sis told me that the movie download that I'd started was complete. It was Cinderella that I'd been trying to get for sometime.  Finally, I saw the movie tonight after almost a decade. I remember, I had seen that one around a billion times when I was a kid. I loved seeing it today!!!

but somewhere, a skepticism, or whatever it was, lingered. It was this movie that had brought the idea of the 'Ideal' man into my head. And as of now, I haven't come across any one who could play that role in the movie of my life and it suddenly filled me with a sense of sadness... hopelessness. I will never have a fairy god mother who will wave her wand and make life so easy for me. I will have to take the hard way. And about Prince Charming, well, the little I spoke of it, the better.... 

And now, as I'm getting ready, this is the though that I'm carrying with me: There are those who's life has been really unfair to them. My time is better utilised trying to get them to come to terms with it and cope. That is what I will do. And as for Prince Charming, I'm not too desperate but not too hopefull either. Let him come in his own sweet time if he ever intends to make an appearance, that is. Till then, I'll be on my way....

Good Night!!

A New Beginning...

Well, i've neglected blogging for a while now.... and since i've not been writing too much, not much to put up either. however, since i've called this blog 'penning it down' thought i'd convert it into a sort of online diary..... and since a lot has happened and a lot is about to happen in my life, thought this would be a lovely time to start....

i'll be tryin my level best to put on something every day...

beginning with today.

12th Dec. 2008

well, a few things that happened in the last few days. 

 On the 26th of last month Mumbai was held at gun point by a hand full of men yet again... 

that sort of changed a lot. In me and in the city. Nothing is the same anymore. Even those who say 'kya farak padhta hai?' know somewhere deep in their hearts that something has changed and something new is coming. I just hope, that this time, that feeling of change is not a hoax call. I hope that we do something this time. 

Anand Sivkumaran, The scriptwriter with whom I worked for a short time recently, was one of the people who wanted to do something. So I've joined him and all his colleagues, friends, associates and random others to try and figure out where do we go from here. It is interesting to say the least. We meet, we plan some work, disperse with some homework to do and come back to pool in our information. 

We've come to one agreement though. It is all nice and fancy to talk about wanting to change, to do something, to bring about a revolution, to change the system etc etc etc.... it feels good to hear..

but if we really intend to do something, then it is with ourselves that we must begin.

Remember the story we were told in our school? About the man, in order to keep his son occupied, gives him pieces of a world map and asks him to stick them together. The son returns in minutes with the whole thing in place and held together by sticking tape. When asked how did he manage to get it so fast, he said that on the reverse of the map, was a human body. He put the man together and automaticaly, the world made itself up. 

This story has a ressonance in my life today. No matter how hard boiled my determination is, it can't counter the shreads of life that we have inherited. If there is something that I can change, it will be myself. if I change and do what i am supposed to, then everything else will fall in place. If I am clean, so will my country be. The change begins from me. 

So here I begin, to declare that I know that I have wronged at several places but from now on, I will be clean.