Lavale, One Last Time

After a short and tiring third semester, we are finally back on the hill, vowing to do as little as possible, with the institute, and possibly everything that we can dream and manage to do, with the group of people called friends. Last semester was where we apparently became responsible, saw relationships strengthening and realized that yes, the next semester would be the last. 

It has begun with an unexpected turn of events, too many things witnessed in a few days itself, has led to finally giving up on the illusion of things being the best and drop the naivety, which had sent me into a frenzy in the first year at the institute. Now we see things as they really are, and they would be in coming future, what benefit we derive out of it; we have grown, in age, experience and heartbreak. 

The picture might look bleak, but there is always more good news than bad. Friends, batch mates are getting placed, we are finally witnessing what we dreamt of when we joined college. There is a lot of time in our hands which has allowed us to pursue our interests to the fullest and spend time with friends like never before. Movie marathons, listening to legendary songs late into the night, endless, warm conversations. Still, time seems to be slipping from our hands.

Another day, a visiting faculty asked us to introduce ourselves. It is quite interesting to see how over the last months at the institute, our bios, introductions, our choice of words to narrate our stories have changed. It is oddly comforting to see others finally deciding what their lives have to become after a few months, for the forces only wished to drag us according to their will, an opportunity we deny them everyday now.

And only few weeks hence, we shall wake up from the dream that Lavale is, step out of the home that was never ours and will be left, only with, silent crying hearts. 

बंबई के क़िस्से (The Internship)

My batch has been asked to submit a blog entry along with the internship report about the experiences and learning during the internship period. I am glad; the task is the easiest thing to do and would make it essential that I recount one part of my Bombay experiences, which I wanted to do over the past two months, but I was unusually lazy about it.

I just happened to be at SIMC, and similarly chose Public Relations as my specialization by a matter of chance. Knowing absolutely nothing about the industry, I sat silently in class while jargons flew and sometimes listened with awe about what the media industry is all about. I admit I took my own trips in class, when things didn’t make sense to me and I repeatedly wondered what I am doing here. I interpreted that the internship period will be a revelation for me. So, with patience, I waited for a company to pick me. Eventually one did.

I interned at Fleishman Hillard – Mumbai. I was very nervous the first day as to what will be the work be and of course, if I would be able to deliver the required. It was my first day in the corporate world, my first day at formal work ever. I was asked to write (post studying about the client) as my first assignment, I happily took it up. During the next few days, the work was slow because I was gradually being acquainted to things. Over the next one month, I was exposed to different facets of the industry, through my work & observations and the stories shared by my manager. I had a bunch of clients but a whole lot of things to do. My manager explained and helped me with every element of PR - the daily deliverables, media relations, documentation and reports, client servicing, budgets, ideas, writing and research & analysis. All these functions were inter-related, we worked according to the plans made earlier and on priority basis that is according to clients’ regular inputs.

The second month was better and livelier. As the team developed the rapport and I was able to understand the work better, the number of assignments increased and so did the number of clients. I was interested to stay back and work, because I knew I would not get to be an intern again, and learn while committing mistakes. There were deadlines, it excited me and increased my interest and commitment. The best phase of the internship was when the team was supposed to do an annual review for a client, alongside we  also prepared the pitch for a new business opportunity. It involved identifying the components that would make sense to the clients and with which the objectives could be achieved. The job was different from the regular assignments and involved my inputs in the process, so I enjoyed it. Also, there were some tasks that were tiresome and monotonous, but essential. The team understood that, so they constantly encouraged us (me and Manasi – she is my classmate and co-interned at FH), to work as we please and take breaks and not kill ourselves doing the job.  Overall the internship period indeed turned out to be a revelation. I now know more about the industry and also aware about my strengths and limitations. I know what I want from my final placement and from the next few months on campus and the months post that. 

It is essential that this post also mentions the people at the organisation, for they are the sole reason for the good experiences. It is a small team, so there is a greater integration and sharing. Everybody in the office ate together; at one o’clock, the Vice President would shout from her seat, “Guys, lets go for lunch” and everybody would badger the person who refused to get up. Me and Manasi, were allowed to participate in all discussions, everybody valued our opinion. There were assignments, where we reported to people other than our managers and they, with patience and humbleness, helped us to finish the tasks and gave their polite opinions and feedback for our work.

Special mention about my manager, Abhishek Vora. He was incredibly humble and patient with me. He explained to me the fine nuances of the business, the company and the industry. He worked long hours, yet he made time to answers all my queries. Once, unknown to me, his wife waited outside, while he sat with me answering my questions.

The last day was event packed, our fun presentation, farewell to a colleague and our farewell. It was hard to believe that while we ate and laughed so much while we were together, it would not be the same from the next week, we would not see them. 

As I write this post, I make another reflection that the amazing experience would not have been possible, if I would have been selected earlier. I was one of the last students in the class to get his internship sorted, the thought never troubled me and the day I got the news, I was more content than being happy. And as it turned out, it was worth the wait.

Thank you FH Mumbai.

Old Love Letters

The first year ends tomorrow, and most of us would be gone before the end of the week. To be in a four seater room, was a blessing in disguise and none of us want to let it go. So with a heavy heart, we started to pack. To bring a smile on our faces, what did happen was that one of my roommates, found old love letters while cleaning. Who that roommate is, I leave that to you to guess.

Lessons, friends, journeys, food, conversations, celebrations, it was indeed a very beautiful love affair (Read earlier posts, too much sugar). The thirty two thousand words that went into my MS-Word Diary would be my love letter that I could read later without any pain or regret, but probably it would bring tears to my eyes.

Click To Enlarge

I am pretty excited about the internship and being in Bombay for two months, but I wish to stay back, even though it could mean a tsunami of classes and assignments, and on the top of it, the campus authorities who refuse to cooperate. But for everything not-so-appreciable, there are small little things that make the time here, but-so-good. It would also mean that another few pages are added to the love letter, an opportunity, always cherished.

A small film that had our batch's first year on the campus, brought the entire year flashing back to us. (The film is not the reason for the post, I wanted to write one for a while now) For like so many of my batch mates, I have nothing left to say, but just that, a thank you. Nobody would ever be forgotten, not because my memory is sharp, but because there would be an old love letter, lying safely with me, where your smile and your words are, for forever, recorded. 

Room No. 428 And Beyond

I have always wanted to be away from my home for several reasons. So, I got into SIMC, Pune, considerably away from Ambala. Hostel life had always fascinated me and I wanted to get into my room as soon as I reached my campus.

Room No. 428, a home away from home, as cliche as it may sound, is the place which will hold a special place in my heart forever, until some deadly disease puts its foot down. My first hostel room, and probably the second last, thank heavens that I have another year of post graduation left. 

I have been completely myself, only here at Lavale Campus, I have been happy before, but there is a serenity in that bliss over here, probably a hill can do that to you sometimes. With friends and family not to bother you, you get to explore your surroundings freely, and more importantly, to discover yourself and life.
I started blogging, I could finally swim in a pool which I need not clean before jumping in, I performed on stage for the first time, I spent an entire day at a bookstore, started regularly jogging, took a train journey with friends for the first time. Recently, became a part of a huge college fest, experienced for the first time a live band experience, embellished with the memory of me jumping and dancing on the stage with friends, topless. Finally, went to a beach after a long wait of eight years.

Click to Enlarge

Also, importantly, met and made amazing friends, talented, with beautiful hearts. Their company, support, and care have made my room and everything on this campus, heavenly. People do not like the fact that I call my room my home, for the definition vary as do the individuals. I call it my home, as it allows me to return to it, as if am going back home itself, obviously there is the bed, which doesn't ever crib or complain. Then there are the wonderful and irritating roommates, bakar, festival and apna himesh, 428 diaries is an another chapter.

Also, there are other friends also; celebrations, conversations, food, classes, everything is double or rather, the joy, with them only. During festivals and drinks trips just down the hill, the entire batch becomes a family, figuratively, we at least at that time, forget everything and dance with abandon. I do not drink, these dance sessions, other than the things that make me happy, make me high and I become a replica of a drunk guy. I become overly friendly, loud and obscene.

And most importantly, there is so much space on this hill, both in terms of hectares and the space people give you. The added incentive of beautiful weather in the evenings almost throughout the year, I do not mind rains unlike my friends; music and smiling faces (I have an affinity to locate smiling faces), make the hill, more than a college campus. A stroll brings profound joy, and similarly, the still-silent campus at night.

All the experiences, mostly good and bad, makes up the magic, the magic which the hill is to my life.

Highway Movie Review - Everyone Has A Story To Tell

My house is located, almost at a junction of three states and three highways, so to go anywhere in the city or outside, I have to transverse on at least two. And I enjoy travelling, exploration and journeys are one of the things, that I value when I look back at my life.

I mentioned this because Highway is one movie that would make you reflect a lot, that too a lot many things and wonder about the wonders of your journey  so far. However, the movie may leave you confused.

The Performances

The review will be replete with such instances and personal memoirs because Highway touches many chords, a different one for everyone. Alia Bhatt is a carefree, flying, emotional and eloquent bird, she does have something to tell, which she reveals through the course of the movie. She says that she doesn't wish to go back, neither she wants to reach the destination, she wishes to relish the journey. Alia, once out of her house, is finally able to express her dream, she eventually could fulfill it, but a lot does happen in between, and that what the movie is about. Alia excels in the performance, there is bucket full of emotions for her to show, she does it commendably, expectations increase hence. 

Randeep Hooda, with his one nostril always flared up, taned skin, rugged look, perfect accent, is very convincing. He hardly speaks, is astounded by Alia's mannerisms and tantrums, something bothers him, (which is never revealed in the movie) and is disconnected from everyone around. Around us, don't we know at least one person who is held back, there is something that bothers him or her, rarely speaks the heart out, and could  break down when shown unexpected generosity and love. Randeep Hooda is that individual, all in one.

I was talking to a dear friend of mine, I said lets just to a village, farm and enjoy the greenery, have cows and pets and lead a calm and peaceful life. Alia had the something similar in her little dream. Highway is about this dream, that we have in all of us, to run away from what we have in our lives, make an ideal home in the mountains or on a beach, away from all the baggage and the pain. Alia wishes to escape from the shackles of the richness and as for Randeep, nobody knows.

The Story

It is a very Imtiaz Ali film, not at all a good one. All his characters break moulds they are made in, they are very random in their acts, they do not hesitate (the girls majorly). Same is the case with Highway. Alia embarks on a journey nobody wanted her to ever take, Randeep obstinately moves to go ahead with the kidnapping and ransom thing. Characters do random things, earlier Alia cries when she is kidnapped but suddenly she is all warmed up, she even refuses to reveal herself to the police, a fact even she is not clear about that why she did it. Yes, people are different and their conditioning makes them what they are, but they must fit into the premise of a sensible plot, which Imtiaz could not achieve this time.

Apart from the unconservativeness of the characters, one word that was in my mind till the very end of the movie was 'randomness', there are many more turns in the story which would make absolute no sense. Also, the movie addresses not just travelling, breaking rules or falling in love, but a lot many other things, which leaves viewers to look for a particular direction for the movie to move in. Script is haphazard and there are very few moments that would stay with you after you step out of the hall. Climax, though not surprising, is still not totally believable. There is little humor too, but it is now a part of every movie, here also, it just breaks the monotonous pace of the movie. Towards the end, you just want to get it over with.

On the good side, the movie is a picturesque journey, all the locations are beautifully captured by Anil Mehta, colorful as our country is, so is the movie. The terrain is remarkably used to depict the fullness of the bond in the lead characters, it keeps on getting fuller and brighter. I have traveled a lot on the similar highways, so the recognition took me home. Music and background score is subtle, it is by A.R. Rahman, it has an embracing effect on the plot and does not over spill.

To put an end to this, Highway touches many chords but the music fails to reverberate for long. Highway didn't disappoint me, but it didn't do anything else either. It is a journey in itself, and a journey, how much ever filled with bumps, is never unyielding. Buy the ticket, and tell your story, if you liked it or not.

Stars of the movie - N.A.

Stars to the movie - 2.5

My Happiness Profile

Recently, there has been a happiness overdose everywhere around. One of my dear friends with whom I share my happiness theory (I would do like to share it someday, this post is not just about it) introduced me to #100happydays Concept. You make a note of the 100 happy days in your year, anywhere you want, be it your paper notebook or a diary, or a word document which I use, I do not do the 100 days things, but every other day note; or the much used facebook wall. Off late, seniors in my college are on a #100happydays spree, they will soon leave for their jobs, so they are hell bent on making their last days memorable. They must, I am not complaining, a happy face makes me happy. One of my batch mates regularly does the same, the facebook posts, and I absolutely love them, he is adorable guy and his posts are full of little things which we miss in our daily routine, which he doesn't and he puts it so articulately that you cannot but appreciate him and his spirit. 

Another cannot-be-forgotten enormously happy moment was the screening of Andaz Apna Apna in the campus auditorium. I apologize that all my recent posts have had their own overdose of films, can't help it, it is my work nowadays like I mentioned in the previous post. So there was a very large number of people who came to see the movie. After the interval, I got lost into the movie just like everyone around me, though students were smiling, laughing, screaming, hooting, clapping, jumping in their seats from the very start. Very few movies have that persona and poignancy that binds people together in similar emotions. Andaz Apna Apna was one of them, I was smiling like a lunatic on the stupid jokes and situations and reactions of the characters, the movie had the simplicity and charm that can be explained into the innocence and innocuousness of the characters . When the movie ended, everywhere around, still stood smiling faces.

These moments go into my word document and what follows is the list which routinely gives me a reason to make entries. A few days back, I along with my classmate were talking about what makes us happy and the list was made (no particular order). I do not why and how the conversation started, but it culminated into something very precious to both of us. The contributions also include my friend's another friends'.

• Smell of mud during rains
• Travelling to new places
• A whole day at Crossword Book Store
• Dancing at a party with a friend who matches your lunacy
• Drunk friends declaring their love for you
• Running with a purpose
• Jogging with music in ears
• Swimming 
• Rain bath
• Seeing people actually in love
• An innocent, genuine smile on face other than yours
• A thank you hug
• Scooter ride, music, wind
• Old friends
• Beach
• Losing weight
• Watermelon, Lassi, Icecream, Chaat
• Meeting a person with the same opinion about a song/ movie/ book
• Two people sharing a smile across a distance
• Movie that makes you cry
• Hanging out with your favorite teacher
• Starting the day with a beautiful song and keeping that smile for the entire day
• Taking an unplanned sudden trip/ outing
• Losing track of time in the library

These were by my friend Shikha (Click and read, she writes really well) and her friend - 

• Sipping tea in tiny plastic cups or kullads while watching the sun go down.
• Happiness is meeting new people, travelling to new places and new countries. Happiness is when the travel is sponsored :D 
• Feel of a new dress , especially if its gifted is happiness
• Happiness is a full body spa (Ahaaaaaaaa)
• Happiness is an aimless conversation
• Happiness is when your best friend sends you more I-love-yous than your boyfriend :D
• Double seat cycle ride with Chuddy-buddy is happiness
• Drunk dancing is happiness
• Beach side shack with a nice sleep and the sea breeze singing lullaby is happiness
• Meeting someone new who makes you feel like the connect is ages old is happiness
• Guitar, empty terrace and jamming session is happiness
• Friends , long drives at 3 AM is happiness
• The glint of pride in mummy papa’s eyes is happiness
• Fighting with siblings
• Spending time with your pet dog
• Playing candy crush during lectures
• Cuddling next to your beloved is happiness
• A hot cuppa coffee, a good book inside a warm fur blanket in winter is happiness
• Doodling/ Painting is happiness
• Failing in a subject with the entire class
• Sharing tote-udd-gaye smile with classmates
• Pretty feet with anklets
• I’m -here-for you smile, a thank-u hug and a go-nail-it pat
• My best friend giving “champi” ( head massage) when i have a headache is happiness
• The feeling of true love  or something even remotely close to it
• Staring at the star studded sky from amphi theatre
• Happiness is topping in the course without even opening the book !!
• Happiness is comfort hug from your best friend when you are homesick

The list was long, and even if you skimmed it, I bet you found that many were similar for you and also that you can add to the list.

Read, reflect and write. :) :)

Movies - A Daily Affair

Everybody around has something to escape to, some call it shelter, others passion, a few obsession and many hobby. For me, it is one of my many loves. And nowadays, am bathing in it, it has become my food, not that am skipping meals. I am talking about 'Films'.

The reason being that I have never seen two back to back movies in a cinema hall, and I have already done that twice this month. The results were vary varied. (The Secret Life of Walter Mitty was a waste of time & money and during The Wolf of Wall Street, I was jumping on my seat. Other day, American Hustle made me clap and Miss Lovely left me numb) Also, I had never seen six movies in a month in a theater, but now, been there, done that. Earlier torrents and desktop were my life support.

Adding to that, I was asked to plan an entire event as a class assignment, I did a movie weekend, called Film Frux. I have started writing movie reviews which are published at mixfruitsalad.com. It is heart warming and gratifying. Also, many others are in pipeline. Just now, I read a friends' blog, she also talked about movies. Movies have become, more or less, like water to me; oxygen, well not just now.

And I have an amazing film club in my college. Almost all the movies screened till date, I had not seen them earlier. These are excellent ones, ofcourse, given the club-heads and members who themselves are movie experts - aficionados- connoisseurs, whatever you may call them. You get to hear inside stories, observe stuff in movies you otherwise would miss, you get know to the reason of the unusual.  Glad to be a member. I heard, Ship of Theseus will be screened next. :)

Suketu Mehta, in his book, Maximum City wrote, "Cinema is an outlaw medium, our flashlight in to the darkest part of ourselves". This is one of the best quotes that describes the movie experience. Both darkest and brightest. How many times, you wish to be in the characters' position, play their part, feel their emotions, jump from the tower or just escape, know not where. How many times, you wish you were the one hitting the enemy, breaking the glass, crashing the car or just lying on the grass or driving away into the sunset. Both the sun and the moon. Movies make you laugh, they bring a smile on your face, they wet your eyes.

I, look for movies that make me feel or do any of the above. Those which do, I watch them again. And these are my favorites. Ever since, I am in a never ending pursuit of these. I found one this morning, The Great Debaters, thanks to the professor who mentioned it in class.

Heart felt gratitude to filmmakers, artists, pirates, fellow aficionados. Life itself is a movie, with infinite maneuvers and appearances, with unfulfilled dreams and cherished flashbacks, however, always ending in a score.