A little incident @ the airport

I'm writing this blog from the Imphal airport. The plane from New Delhi is fortunately on time, and considering it's an Indian Airlines flight and given the current fogginess in Delhi, it's a small miracle. Anyways, here I'm in this small airport, which is surprisingly much cleaner and better than many other airports I've seen. The 3 LCD TVs are playing India vs Sri Lanka live on DD National.

Well, a funny thing happened. I thought I saw my ex; she was reading a book. Now, that's an awkward moment, especially so when the break-up hadn't been too amicable. You're also aware of the fact that the sight of your ex didn't extract any emotions from you - neither anger, nor affection, or any emotion at all, except for the awkwardness of the moment, and the hesitation whether to say hello or just ignore her. But it's been more than 5 years now, and you'd kind of think you've moved on, and so, there's no reason of showing attitude or letting ego come in the way. Maybe a little civility will go a long way, perhaps!

So, I just kind of strolled up to her and say, "Hi, ----". She didn't response at first, so I said a little louder, "Hi, ----". She looked up and I saw no hint of recognition in her eyes. I thought maybe it's my new mustache, but a doubt had crept up in me. So, I asked her, "Aren't you, ----?" She said, "No".

Now, if it's not an embarrassing moment, I don't know what is. Especially, if you'ven't been trying to hit on her in the first place. I mean I just sounded like someone who was using a cheesy line which doesn't work anymore (or ever). And this add more embarrassment to my already embarrassing faux pas.

Damn, five years' a long time to forget a face, or confuse someone else's for another one. I know some of you will feel it's unforgivable to forget a face; especially of someone you'd actually felt affectionate to; but funny, all I can think of is, "Thank God!"

[Of course, a tiny little voice made me consider I might be right, and that she might just be trying to pretend otherwise to brush me off, but that's none-the-less embarrassing.]

Smilingly yours,

Bij :)

BrokenNews.com - More CRAP News

CRAP Research surrounded by controversies

From our special correspondent

Blogspace, 8th Dec, 2007: Controversies surround the latest CRAP (Chabs' Research and Publications) research on human's long-term relationships, "Love Marriage vs Arrange Marriage vs Live-in? The final showdown". There has been wide speculation that the research findings have already been rigged by the country's top matrimonial sites. These sites are reportedly paying huge amount of money to CRAP to get a finding which will be more favorable to arrange marriage - a scenario which is important to the sustainability of these sites. It may be worth mentioning that BrokenNews.com was the first one to reveal this news.

This has seriously affected the share price of CRAP which was seen to go down by as much as 25% from last week's closing price. Fearing another Enron-like scenario, Mr. Chabs, Chairman and CEO of CRAP, said, "The allegation is crap. We, at CRAP, will not stoop to such craps. We've a long-standing record of outstanding ethical practice. After all, 90% of our bright MBA minds are hired from the most ethical B-school in the country. They had a whole term of a full credit course on Business Ethics. After undergoing such a rigorous course, no person can be unethical. As we say in CRAP, CRAP is Business Ethics, Business Ethics is CRAP. The two are synonymous." After the chairman's press release, share price started to regain and closed below about 5% from last week's closing price.

Gay right activists protests CRAP research

In another unrelated news, GULABI (Gays Unite Lesbians Association of Blogspace, India) activists were seen shouting slogans before CRAP's headquarter office. Their main grievance was that CRAP's research was only for heterosexuals and so is unfair to them. One GULABI activist (sex unknown) told our special correspondent, "We demand equal rights. With CRAP's research, they are assuming love and marriages and live-ins happen to heterosexuals only. This is so unfair. I thought a reputed and socially responsible company like CRAP will be more sensitive to our cause."

After about an hour of shouting and protesting, a CRAP personnel was seen coming out and took the leaders of GULABI to talk with CRAP's management. When they came out about an hour later, the protest was finally disbanded. Mr. Reshma Pandey, Secy, GULABI, told our special correspondent, "We'd a talk with CRAP's top management and it was a clear cut misunderstanding from our part. They have made it abundantly clear to us that they support our cause." With no way of prying out more information from Mr. Pandey and with threatening looks from sari clad tall activists, our special correspondent got hold of a CRAP spokeswoman. This is what she has to say, "GULABI's concern has been fully considered and taken care of by our GALAXY wing. CRAP has a long-standing history of CSR, and it's our responsibility to take care of each and every member representing our society. As we say in CRAP, CRAP is CSR and CSR is CRAP. The two are synonymous."

Please watch out this space for more news on CRAP's research.

BrokenNews.com - CRAP announces groundbreaking research in sociology history

CRAP announces ground-breaking research in sociology history

From our special correspondent

Blogspace, 7th Dec, 2009: Last night, CRAP (Chabs' Research And Publications), the world famous research organization, announced their latest research undertaking about the pros and cons of long-term relationships. They called it "Love Marriage vs Arrange Marriage vs Live-in? The final showdown". Their research will aim to examine the various intricacies of both forms of marriages and their substitute - Live-in relationship. A spokesperson from CRAP said, "Human beings are social needy animals and so, they have society and needs, and hence, social needs. We aim to give some conclusive answers to one of society's social needs - the long term male-female relationship in the form of marriages and live-in relationships, and the never ending debate of which is best. Our bright MBA lads and ladies will undertake a scientific approach supported by numerous research studies to arrive at a conclusive answer, or at least, provide a breakthrough for more advanced studies."

Teenagers, youngsters , and other unmarried youths are generally looking forward to the result of the research. Sneha Sharma, a dewy-eyed 19 year old student, with a Mills&Boons tucked amongst her Physics, and Chemistry books said, "Finally something is being done about it. My parents are pressurizing me that I get married to this 32 years old old-man. So what if he's the Vice-President of some arbit consumer goods company? If I don't love him, why should I marry him? Now, with CRAP's finding, I can finally give a definitive argument." When we pointed out that CRAP has not published its findings yet and that it can swing anyway, she was nonchalant and replied, "I've always believed in love and love triumphs over everything. Just read Nicholas Sparks to believe me. I already know the answer." When we asked her whether she has someone she loves, she gave us "the look" and walked away without answering.

However, not everyone is happy with the result. In fact the research is met with more opponents and proponents. A much sentimental Retd. Brigadier S.K. Sinha said, "What is the world coming to? Youngsters have no respect for their elders. After all the things we did for our children and all the hardships we faced bringing them up, they run away and get married to some chit of a guy (or a girl). My youngest daughter married against our wish. So what if he's the Vice-President of some arbit consumer goods company? He's from a different state with different culture, language, and skin color. With all the differences, it's a wonder they are even able to communicate. And their children. I shudder to think whether they'll come out with black and white patches. And this crappy research from a company called CRAP will be the final nail to the disintegrating coffin of our society."

Many of the country's top matrimonial sites are also heard to be lobbying against the research by CRAP. An executive from a top matrimonial sites, who wishes to remain anonymous, said, "There's a lot of apprehension regarding this news. If the findings turn out to be against arrange marriage, we might be put out of business or worse, we might have to compete with adultfriendfinder.com. Naturally, the top management is pulling all kinds of strings to shelve the research or at least, get a result more favourable to the future of our company." This interesting piece of revelation has put doubts about the authenticity of the finding even before the research was undertaken. We couldn't reach any CRAP executive for their comments at the time of publication.

Please watch out this space for more news on CRAP's research.

A Love Letter to my Ex

DISCLAIMER: Since my return to the blogging space, I've been writing only serious, deep entries which. I'm sure. are boring my limited audience to death. Truth is I didn't had a single idea where I can write something light and humorous. Then, suddenly, inspiration strikes...

DISCLAIMER 2: The following letter is a work of fiction, and noone, especially my ex-es , should take this as something personal publicly addressed to them. I got inspired, certainly yes, but I'm not addressing to any of you. Honest! Cross my heart! Mother promise!

My love-of-my-life,

It has been three months since we broke up, or rather since the day, you keel-hauled me from our relation-"ship". The experience has hurt me a lot, and left me bruised and completely shattered. I tried hard to forget you, I really did. But I can't, I just can't. Everywhere I go, everywhere I look, I see you and your face only, and it hurts me a lot. Funny, less than a year ago, the same everywhere-I-go-everywhere-I-look-I-see-you-only experience had felt oh so wonderful.

Remember the day when you broke up with me? It was a Friday night. I was so excited that day. I'd just purchased two tickets to the evening show of "The Zombie Holocaust II", my most awaited film of the year, and that too in Gold Class, because I so much wanted to experience the thrill with you. But when I saw you, I knew something was wrong. At first, you told me how great a guy I was, and how I should look for someone more deserving of me. and that you don't see any future with me. I was completely shocked and vulnerable. As an analogy, I felt just like someone's mugged me and took everything including my innerwears, leaving me completely naked with one whole block to walk back home in full daylight. Shocked, hurt, dumbfounded, clueless, and humiliating. I cried for like, 2 hours, until Cyn saw me crying and took me to this bar, so that I can drown my sorrows with beers. When I told him the things you said to me before leaving, he said it's a standard opening move which every girl uses, and told me it's given in a self-help book called "Top 10 ways to gently dump a guy!", which apparently is a best-seller. (Believe me, it was anything but gentle.) He also said there's a counterpart called "Top 10 ways to gently dump a girl!", but it seems it's not so popular. And well, one thing about drowning your sorrows in alcohol. Believe me, it doesn't work. All it does is make you depressingly emotional and give you a bloody hangover the next day, which make the matter worst. Here I go, babbling again, I must have bored you to death. I don't blame you.

Anyway, after a few weeks of self-pitying, I decided to move on and tried really hard to forget you, and get over you. But I couldn't. Whenever I was with my guy frens, and someone pointed out a girl to check out, she would remind me of you. Whenever someone made a ribald comment, I was reminded of our passionate moments. Sigh! And whenever my girl frens tried to console me, I would get all emotional and choked up. The only time I seemed to forget you was when I was sleeping or watching the late night AXN's "Hot N Wild". Everything else just reminded me of you. Hell, even the toilet cleaner reminded me of you. Remember that time when you use it to - sorry, I won't go babbling again.

Well, as it so happens, one night, I was alone in my apartment - brooding and missing you terribly- waiting for AXN's "Hot N Wild" to give me an illusion of momentary peace and relief. But instead of the regular show, they started showing "Shawshank Redemption", which was your favourite movie. So, I started to watch it. I was watching it broodingly and missing you a lot. Then there came this scene when Tim Robbins' character confessed to Red that he had actually loved his wife a lot, only that he didn't know how to express it, and that he drove her away because he couldn't tell her how much he loved her and so, in a way, he killed her. Well, I thought, that's it. That's why you left me. I just didn't tell you how much I loved you. no, I love you. So, here, I'm proceeding to do the same. I hope to the bottom of my heart you'll understand the love I've for you.

Well, I think the best way to illustrate my gargantuan love for you is with a dream I'd bout you, a few days back. You know, I've always liked that word... "gargantuan"... so rarely have an opportunity to use it in a sentence. Anyway, as I was saying, I'd this dream and it was scarily realistic. I mean, it was so vivid and felt so real. In the dream, I woke up (I woke up in the dream, not woke up from the dream. Ok?) to find the world infested by zombies. Naturally, I was pissed afraid, but my first concern was you, even though I knew (even in the dream) you'd dump me. I'd to find you somehow and make sure you were safe. So, I fought/slashed/burn/ran/hide/leaped my way to ur place. But I couldn't find you anywhere, when suddenly, I saw you. You'd become a zombie yourself, with grey decaying skin, blood-shot eyes, bloody mouth and neck, grunting incomprehensibly and smelling like a garbage dump. But you know what? It was the most beautiful sight to me. You came walking up to me with the beautiful evening sun setting behind you in that mid-spring day and you were about to give me a kiss or maybe, bite me. I don't know, I never found out. I woke up (from the dream that is, not in the dream).

Now, the dream was all my subconscious feelings for you coming out. God, I realized how much I love you. Here, let me elaborate...

1. Even though I was pissed afraid, I went to look for you even though I knew you'd dumped me. This shows that I'll never let you down and that I'll always be there for you, no matter what.
2. I fought/slashed/burn/ran/hide/leaped through all those zombies. I would have done that only because my love for you and concern for your welfare provided me an inner strength and courage. In other words, you are the most important thing to me right now, even more important than my own life.
3. You'd become a zombie, but you were the most beautiful sight to me. This clearly showed that my love for you transcends all physical boundaries. No matter how you look, or dress, or become fat, you'll always be the most beautiful girl to me. I mean, how many guys will find a zombie beautiful? Not that I'm saying I've a fetish for zombie girls. Yuck! I don't. I usually find them quite ugly and disgusting and horrendous. But since it was you, it was the most beautiful zombie.
4. The scenery when you came was a glorious mid-summer evening, the kind of day when we first made love. With you in my life, I'm sure every day will be like that.
5. And when you were about to kiss me/bite me, I found myself completely surrendering to you. This is the passion I've for you.

One thing I didn't know was whether you were trying to kiss me because you recognized me and loved me, or whether you were trying to bite me because I'd just become another meal to you. I woke up before I could know. As to why I woke up prematurely, I think it's because you are supposed to tell me what happened afterwards.

I know all the above things must have sound quite silly and weird and unbelievable to you. What to do? I don't have a way with words, and you know I'm a geeky nerd or a nerdy geek. Whatever! But I tried my best and with things I understand the best, like zombie movies. But I know, you'll believe each and every word I've written. Because I know you know I know you know that I never lie to anybody, and you very well know that the world will have been consumed by zombies before I tell a lie to you.

So, please, my love... Think carefully with your heart, and answer me... would you kiss me or bite me, my dear?

Your's forever and beyond,

*(name hidden to protect identity)*

P.S. I still haven't seen the movie, "The Zombie Holocaust II" - my most awaited movie of the year.

DISCLAIMER 3: If you still don't comment to this post, I give up!

DISCLAIMER 4: As I've absolutely no doubt about the intelligence of my limited audience, I'm sure, by now, you must have make out that the italicized comments are the author's own comments, and not part of the fictionalized work.

Your's ever and beyond,

Bij Chabs

Diversity in Unity?

Unity in Diversity - That was the motto and vision (?) of our forefathers when India got independence and as kids, those three words were driven hard into our young minds. It means "a motto celebrating co-operation between different groups of people in a single society and socio-ecological philosophy that describes a sense of oneness despite physical or psychological barriers." (Wikipedia) Well, there are some nice words here - "celebrating", "co-operation". "different", "single society", "oneness", "despite barriers". Wow, whoever came up with that definition must have been an MBA graduate!

Indeed, India is an interesting country - different religions, different language, different ethnicity, different culture, different culinary tastes, etc. As you pass from one state to another, you'll find a marked change in the language, cultural activities and culinary taste. As a tourist, or an academician, it'll really be delightful experience. I mean you get to experience different cultures and more importantly, different foods after spending a bit on the road. But are we a really united country? Today, it's more like a diversity in unity.

Insurgency and separatism in J&K and NER, naxalites in east and central India, regionalism in west and south India, the list on goes on. Then, there's the religious divide, which fortunately, is not a big problem now. But what I'm more concern now is the regional divide, which is more dangerous.

Why is there such a divide? Well, for one, India's a heavily populated country and as it happens, with limited resources. Now, our forefathers had a vision that India is a free country and so, any citizen can go anywhere in the country. But there'll always be people who feels threatened when outsiders come to their place. They feel the outsiders are trying to take what is rightfully theirs - lands, jobs, and other resources. They have a one-track mind, and they are jealous of other's prosperity. At the best, one comes to accept and live with these things. At the worst, violence and fights erupt out. One may think these people have a point because the land is where their forefathers have lived for generations and so, they feel they should protect their "home". Is this justified? Hardly! Look at what Hitler did to the millions of jews and other immigrants who came to Germany. It is this mentality which is very dangerous.

Secondly, human beings fear what they do not understand. At the best, people attribute incomprehensible experiences as work of divine happenings, and faith develops. At the worst, people are intolerant and they try to exterminate the things they do not understand. This is the same with cultural and regional diversity. How many of us truly understand the cultures of other people? Do we try to understand them? From my experience, there are lots of ignorant people in the country. And instead of trying to understand why someone from a certain state behave in a certain way, they make fun and joke about certain idiosyncrasies of people from other cultures. Are our egos so bloated that what we do and what we believe is the "only" right way to do things and our beliefs are the "only" right beliefs?

Stereotyping results. And again, from my experience, positive stereotypes are far less than negative stereotypes. Are we so shallow that we see only the negative points? Can't we see the good traits of others? Even in our own personal relationship, we tend to focus on the shortcomings of other people. Is this a result of our upbringing - with huge expectations from our elders that we should be the perfect human being with no faults? As a child, were we criticized more often than praised? Ve we been taught to look for negatives instead of positives? Why so serious?

Take an example. Crimes against women in our capital state are horrendous. Every few days, there's a new case of rape, molestation, and even murder. And according to one finding published in a reputed newspaper, nearly half of these crimes are met out to the girls from Northeast. These "chinkies" (by the way, it's a very derogative term) are supposedly easy and dresses provocatively (remember the Delhi Police guideline on how to dress given out to the North-east students). Is it true? Yes, some of them do, I admit. But two aspects are neglected. Does only the NE people dress provocatively? Are the majority of them dress provocatively? The answer is surprisingly no to both of these questions. So, what does this say? Why are we so blind? Again, we tend to see only the worse. It is damn sad. And it's the same thing in NE. Here also, there are reported kidnappings/killings and other crimes met out to people from other states. Why? Again, the same intolerance.

And the sad fact is these crimes are committed only by a minority of the populace, but the persecutions are born by the majority. The majority doesn't behave or think like that. They are happy to mind their own business and go on with their lives. But we see only the acts of these minority few and we accept it. We don't stop to question ourselves whether what we see is right or wrong.

What has happened to the visions of our forefathers who have brought the independence of our country? (Again, it's a debatable fact whether it was the effort of our freedom fighters or the changing world politics in the mid-20th century which resulted in India's freedom, but I'll not go into that. I don't want to make enemies here, and well, nor the issue here). Our current set of politicians and self-appointed leaders are painfully short-sighted and they have already forgotten that vision of one free united country. Count the number of truly nationalistic leaders in our country now. You'll find it less than the number of fingers in your hand. But what we need is such leaders only and I don't see that happening for sometime to come, especially when the majority of the politicians are so self-centred and the monkeys are pulling each other down (reminds me of the JJJAXI ppt - based on John Maxwell's famous experiment).

I'm sure I'm not the first one to raise these questions, and I'm sure more eminent individuals have put across these thoughts more eloquently. But should one despair because nothing's changed? Well, it requires a critical mass of right-minded individuals to bring about a change. Hence, this post.

So, what can we do as individuals? As a starting point, we can change ourselves and set examples by being a tolerant, positive, open-minded, thinking individual. But more importantly, we need to instil these traits into our children. As blessed educated, free-thinking individuals, we can certainly bring about positive changes to ourselves and to people around us. Come on, speak out.

Bij Chabs

Of Mayan calendars, Cern Lab, and Groundhog day...

21 Dec, 2012. That's the day, the world's coming to an end.... well, at least, to some people who believes in the Mayan prophecy. And to top it, I just read a newspaper article where nuclear scientists in the Cern Lab are trying to simulate the BIG BANG, with the longest particle collider on earth. Now connect these two, and I quite understand if some people actually believe the experiment will create millions of black hole which will bring the prophesied catastrophe upon earth. Whew, quite a material for a sci-fi flick.

Now, we, educated, scientific minded, modern realists, will pooh-pooh away these ridiculous speculations. But nevertheless, an interesting thought came into my mind. What if the world is actually coming to an end? What if the final moments are here? What if the time finally comes to act out "the 5 things you wanna do before dying"?

Now, that'll be really frustrating for some of us, ain't it? I mean I want to do a lots of things rite now, and you're saying there's only 3 years left, with more importantly, no bank account! Come on! That's not fair! Well, I guess, that'll be the attitude for most of us. Right? Eh!

"Money, money, money, Must be funny, It's a rich man's world!", ABBA sang in the 1970's. Well, there's nothing wrong in aspiring to be rich(er) if you'ren't born rich (or rich enough, different perspective). And after working your butts off for most of your good years to finally reach the step where riches and material comfort awaits, and then, you tell me, the world's going to end in 3 years. Well, I'll be god-damned pissed.

Or, maybe not. Or, maybe, we could do the one spiritual thing which will make the remaining 1000 days or so, very enriching indeed. What spiritual thing? Frankly, I don't know. Maybe getting married, as quite a few ppl are doing nowadays? Maybe, meditating? Maybe, falling in love or if you're already in love, all over again? Well, it's upto you to find out. What bout me? I'll continue on my quest.. and that's all I've to say right now!

Or consider the other option, as what happened in the movie, Groundhog Day! In the movie, the day didn't move at all... I mean, the day was stuck for that guy, with only him retaining the memories of the earlier same days, while everyone else didn't. And the worst thing, he was in a town full of strangers and new acquaintances when that happened. I mean, just see the movie.

What if your world is the same day everyday, over and over again? Again, as of today's situation, won't you be frustrated? (this excludes my juniors at XL rite now)... Or maybe not, you'll say. Well, that completely depends on the kind of day you get. As Bill Murray's character, "Once I was on a vacation in Miami, there I met a beautiful girl, we swam in the ocean, and we dance and we drank pina coladas. Then we made love. Why can't I get that day? Why did I get this day?"

So, my question is, if you know, that time's gonna stopped at 21 Dec, 2012, just like the situation in Groundhog day, what's ya gonna do? Most of us, will, first of all, make sure, we're with our near or dear ones or with the special person. Then, we'll make sure we've enough food/cash to comfortably see the day by. Well, after that? It's upto the individual. But my point is even if we've enough cash to travel around the world, and back, will we find eternal happiness?

I don't know. That's for you to think about. Me, I think the answer is the same, to do that one spiritual action which will make each day enriching.

But right now, I don't know what that action is for me! The quest is still on...

Spiritually yours,

Bij Chabs

Oldboy - A south korean film

I just saw Oldboy, a 2003 S.Korean film by Park Chan-wook (Park is the surname, this's the way they spell their names in S.Korea), and the feeling I got - "outrage". Now, let's get one thing clear here. I admire Mr. Park's movie - Joint Security Area. It's one of the best thriller drama I've ever seen, which is near flawless, and with a beautiful message. And it was the movie which got me hooked to S.Korean movies (even before I discovered My Sassy Girl or Tae Guk Ki or Arahan)... And so, I was naturally drawn to this movie, especially since I read that it's a revenge drama bout a guy who was imprisoned for 15 years for apparently no fault of his.

Also, let me make one thing very very clear. The movie is almost brilliant, and yet this is what I feel after I've seen it... Outraged. Why? Because it's brilliant in it's sadistic tragedy, and yet somehow, it fall flat with the climax. The acting, the direction, and heck, even the plot was brilliantly built up. But clearly, the movie failed to convey any message, or if there's any message, I lost it. Some movies need not convey any message, greatest example being QT. You watch it cos it's a story and you enjoy it. But there are some movies, which tell you something cos of the way it's built up and that is where I'm lost in Oldboy. I don't know what the movie was trying to tell me. That revenge is futile? That love can exist in any form? That human beings fail terribly and all self-respects are lost at the moment of desperation?

And the last scene, bout Daek-su erasing his memory with the help of the hypnotist? Was that necessary? All sympathy I'd for the protagonist flew out of the window after that scene. You'll have to see the movie to know what I'm talking about. I guess that scene ruined the movie for me, and made me feel what I'm feeling now. Outraged!

Recommendation: You can watch it if you've a strong stomach. But one thing I'm sure, you'll either love this movie or hate this movie, but you'll never be indifferent.

Critically yours,

Bij Chabs

Damn, I'm so irregular... An update!

Ok, my imaginary friends who're following this blog, and who've been so desperately waiting for an update as to the happenings of my unique experiences called life, here's a quick update (since my last post)....

Term IV ended and it'd been a good life in XL. But the remaining terms were even better. One special thing about writing bout something that happened sometime back is that you remember only the special and interesting ones...

Term Break: Manali-Leh trip with Clubhouse. What a trip!

Term V... Exchange students out of campus, completing MRS project with 2 project members missing (there's a reason why I mentioned it here), Lehmann Bro bankruptcy, sub-prime crisis, not panicking (after all we're XLers), build-up to junior's Summer Placement, Controls working extra-time whenever there's a group assignment, making the mistake of having 3 control members in a 4 member group, PPOs trickling in, terrace parties, Junior night (what a night!), Brother's wedding, Summer Placement, the controversies, the not-so-fortunate-yet-nevertheless-interesting-after-placement-GBM, juniors boycotting a JLT wetnite (a JLT wetnite??), competitions, ensemble, taking the walk of shame, monopoly games, project submissions, actually studying for a change, long walks after dinner, long walks after lunch, end term... well, that bout sums it up

Term VI: New Year Eve wetnite (what a blast!), getting all prep-up for XL-IIMC, Mandarmoni trip, Bhubaneshwar, getting prep-up for pre-placement and final placement, The-hammer-falling-down-on-our-heads GBM, XL-IIMC postponed, desperation and hope, rolling placements, not getting shortlisted, getting shortlisted not clearing GDs, getting placed finally, working for yearbook, OMAXI handover, getting an F for lack of attendance, the pre-convo wetnire, convocation, and finally, a tearful farewell to a home for 2 years.

April: Goa trip with Clubhouse

May - June: Training at Anand... Making new friends. Break-up in Mumbai. Hard times.

July-Oct: Back in NE, headquartered at Guwahati. Missing frens a lot. July was goddamn hard. Alone, getting over a break-up, don't know how I did it.. Mafia Wars helped!

Oct 17th, 2009: Mr. Big concert at Dimapur. Jumped from 1st storey height, broke my left ankle.

Oct 17th - Till date: Bedridden with a plaster on my leg. Finally got down to resuming my blog with this boring post, which I want to get it out of the way, so that I can write more interesting stuffs.

A little reflection though...

XL was fun, no doubt, and it'd been 2 years of my best experiences. Well, it was a bad year to have passed out because of the bloody recession, and it hit our batch pretty bad. Not a perfect ending to a smooth run. But hell, ya, I feel proud of my batch and we got some of the best minds and most of us got less than what we deserve placement-wise (working for less than a third of the pay of what you were reasonably expecting a year back is heartbreaking). But I think, this experience also taught us never to take anything for granted, things can go horribly wrong. Alright, it's a cliché phrase but it's the truth nevertheless.

Things have been good and not so good. There are things which I, although will not say regret but definitely could have done better. I shouldn't have fraxed so much with my acads, I should have attended more classes and woke up earlier. But I'm proud to have known some of the people that I know and calling them friends, I'm proud to have been both a member of Controls and OMAXI, and I'm proud to have walked on that stage wearing that Black and Gold gown and getting my diploma, I'm damn proud to have been an XLer.

Bij Chabs

A lil recollection and a lil reflection

Today is the last day of Term IV, the first term as a second year XLer. Wow, time passes like anything here... It's been quite sometime since I posts anything here. Believe me, its not because of lack of materials but rather so much happenings that it just whiff past. Ok, a littler recollection and a little reflection...

Last week of March. Finally realizing the seniors are going away. It was a sentimental moment, believe me... The last wetnite before convo, the last JJJAXI game, the last dance with the girl you've a crush on, the last handshakes/slap on the backs with ur closest seniors, the pride they show wearing their black and gold gowns - well, who can forget those last moments as juniors. When we first arrived, the seniors looked immature, arrogant and always jobless doing random stuffs. Ha ha ha. Well, it took our summer placement experience and other events to find out that those immature, joblless blocks are the greatest guys (and friends) you can find anywhere.

After seeing our seniors leave the campus , we all headed to our respective summer's locations. Mine was in IBM, Gurgaon. Nothing much to say about the project or the city (hot, humid, no public transport, power-cuts and what nots) but if it's not for the fellow XLers, life would have been hell - the pub huntings (in this case, hunting for a pub suiting our budget), sharing our office experiences, Fraxing during office hours, lunches with old friends, get-togethers on weekdays, planning for alumni meet, alumni meet, planning for fresher's meet, fresher meet, presentations, the last goodbyes to friends in Ggn... Well, the two months just passed away.

Then back to campus. God, what a feeling that was, coming back to XL was coming back to home. No other institute (except my old high-school) has this kind of impact on me. Can't explain why. It's just that this is XL... JLT... Then, meeting with the juniors. All the plannings for their proper receptions. :) Then, the punch nite, which was a hit...

Then, committee selections.

Then, the bad news or rather the rumor that Jharkhand is becoming a dry state. Not getting booze supply. Police catching our supplier on the way. :)... Panic that our T-shirts are not coming before the intro nite (PD and I painted on our black Tees)... The intro nite... Taking the oath once again...

Then, Ratanjee, seniors drubbing juniors. Well, senior JJJAXI loses to juniors and that was a sad moment for me, but anyway, won the chess games next day. Then one more wetnite. Then five days of mid-term and project submissions. Controls meeting.

Then, the seniors (Shivi, Roy, GK, Suman & Srikanth, Menda, Seema & Rao, Jojo) coming down to campus. Drinkning with them in JLT till morning and then going for breakfast. My foot-in-the-mouth case of "observing"... The Mercer sponsored Independence day wetnite. Moon warriors after the shadow. The last breakfast at Madsam before they leave.

Then, Junior Nite and Clubhouse presentation. The GRAX forums and the wanted and not-so-wanted Graxes and the random stuffs going about. Then, the last week before end term and everyone scrambling to finish their projects, those night-outs with the laptops making reports or presentations. Sleeping during other people's presentations.

Then, end term. Catching a movie or two between end-terms. Cursing and praising profs. And finally, ending up writing this blog.

Whew, the term just passes by... No wonder there is magic in the air.

Au Revoir,
Bij Chabs

Shayari Time

The following shayari is not my original work but rather by a fellow XLer and a good friend, Amit Trivedi Sir. I just love it somehow... Here it goes...

Teri yaad ko bhulane ko
Jalayi thi Cigarette
Lekin, kambakth,
Dhuye ne bhi teri tasveer bana di

Pardon my hindi

Sentimentally yours,
Bij

Hail, Chief

This comes a little late... Three wet nights late, to be precise. 17th Feb, 2008 was the night I took the oath as Old Monk Bijananda alongwith 8 other OMs, 2 Grand Nuns and of course, the Chief.

I can't described the exact feelings as the night proceeded, it became a bit hazy but I remembered feeling excited as my name was announced amidst the (pin-drop) silence. Well, it was a proud moment, of course, which XLer won't be proud to an OM?

The night was spent with the usual party but for a change, we were behind the counters wearing our brightest smiles. Serving, with pride, the best "spirits" of XL... Hmmm...

And oh, for the uninitiated, Old Monk (and Grand Nun, for ladies) is the title given to the members of the famed OMAXI.

P.S. I'm taking a huge risk of writing this post while still in XL in case some profs read this and announcing myself. But what's life without a little risk.

Repackaging the Old Stuffs

Call it a makeover, a facelift, a repacking or a renovation, but you can definitely see the changes.

• The first one is the template. It's more aesthetically appealing now.
  
• The second change is the blog title. I've been noticing that I've been doing all my blogging in the wee hours when I cannot sleep. So, I decided for a more apt title. Well, there's also a pun on the title - I'm leaving it for you to discover it.
  

But rest assured, my faithful readers, the quality (or the lack of it) is still the same. I promise to keep you to entertain with all the creativity and sarcasm that comes to an Insomnia's mind. Do drop in your comments.

Au Revoir,
B(t)IJ Chabs

The Best things in Life are for Free - Almost

Insomnia can be really insightful. I was thinking about the best moments of my life and it didn't involved things like having a conversation with a beautiful lady in a luxury cruise. (Not surprising because I never had that experience). They were actually free. I'm listing my top ten best moments of my life so far...

1. Watching the sunset across the lake, with your gf.
2. The "Finally, mera code chal gaya" experience.
3. Getting a good news of a much awaited academic result.
4. Playing basketball in the rain with your friend (yh, of the opposite sex).
5. Snoozing happily in the back seat of the car while your other friends are watching the sunrise on top of Nandi hills.
   
6. Snuggling up with an exciting novel on a rainy sunday afternoon.
7. Trying out a new dish, your own creation, even though you've to throw it afterwards.
8. Finally finding a small tea shop selling ciggarettes at 3 am after you realized u've run out of stock at 2 am.
9. The feel of the cold night air while riding your bike on the deserted highway at 80 kmph.
10. Watching a really senti movie alone in the room and tears running down your face (and later laughing at your friend because he/she admitted he/she was crying at the movie).

So far, so good. But since i still continued to have insomnia, my cynical persona came out and started asking really insightful questions whether those things were actually free. These were the questions he asked with respect to the above points...

1. Well, how much did you have to spend on the fares to come to meet her to make the event possible? And the std calls, gifts, etc, etc?
2. They say time is money and how much money (read time) have you wasted before your code works?
3. How much did you have to spend for all the treats? (You never realized you've so many friends and well-wishers until this moment).
4. How many coffees and chocolates did you had to buy for her before she finally agreed to play basketball in the rain with you?
5. Ok, it seems you've forgotten the expenses on those beers, the dinner at the dhaba and the petrol cost.
6. How much did the novel cost? And the bean bag you're so comfortably settling into?
7. Hmmm, with sky rocketing gas and vegetable prices, you can afford to do that?
8. Again, petrol for driving for 1 hour? You're not caught for jumping the red light? Or forgetting the DL?
   
9. Same as above.
10. You actually cried? Ha ha ha.

I hate this cynical B&*%ard and I hate him even more because he's right.

Au Revoir,
Bij Chabs

Day 2, Slot 1, 11th hour Signed out

Finally my ordeal is over. I got placed in the last company to come in Slot 1, IBM. I'm won't reveal my feelings right now but let it suffice to say that it's a mixed feeling. There's this relief on the one hand, I don't have to undergo the whole ordeal for two (or more) days. Then, let's just say it's not my dream company but mind you, it doesn't mean that I'm disappointed. I got short-listed in only 4 companies, so there's nothing much I could have done. It's a bad feeling knowing that you're not even getting a chance to fight. Of course, people who got rejects after rejects after being short-listed in most of the companies will beg to differ. I haven't gone through their experience, so I left it to your discretion. A few people are lucky – they got signed out really early from the company of their choice. Some were happy to realize they finally made it to a company of their choice. Many are happy to have got into their preferred area. Some are disappointed they didn't get into their preferred area and many are still keeping their fingers crossed.

As for me, well, when I have nothing else to say, I say, "Everything happens for the best".

Well, I'm looking forward to the whole summer experience. I hope it turns out to be a good experience with a good project, something from which I can actually learn. I'll be going with an open mind and try to extract as much value-addition and fun as possible. Wish me all the best.

And to all the guys, who made it, congratulations.

And to all the guys, who are still to make it, remember u're an XLer, nothing's gonna stop you, it's only a matter of hours. Best of luck, guys.

Now, I'm going to sleep in the happy knowledge that I can ignore those irritating early morning wake up calls.

[Here I'd like to mention that for any details regarding the whole process and the actual numbers, please contact the official placecom cell. Forget it if you think I'm gonna reveal anything right now or ever.]

What the hell! Should I care what the blog title is?

3 bottles of beer and I'm drunk, sorry, I'm Drunk with a capital D. Please don't judge about my limit cos I've not had a drink for a long time. Tonight is a wet night organized by OMAXI, something of a stress-buster before the SIP starts. Talking about stress, yeah, I'm sure stress out. It's a tough thing thinking where u'll get ur SIP call from, the company u like or not. People are serious about the whole thing, forming study groups, reading up on sector analysis, just for those two months where companies make you work for peanuts (it's all relative). I've been talking to seniors and they all made it sound easy. Maybe. I really don't know.

An Ode by a BM - I * nerd

If love is Microeconomics, then you are my preferred bundle and there is no indifference curve
If love is Financial Accounting, then my heart is debit and your heart is credit
If love is Quantitative Technique, P(Me) + P(You) = 1
If love is Organizational Behavior, Job Satisfaction in your heart's organization is 100%
If love is Production Management, my decoupling point was the instant I saw you
If love is Marketing, you're my whole environment, n there's no competition
If love is PMIR... Thank God, love is not PMIR
And your CGPA to me is A+

Amen

*For the uninitiated,
BM: Business Management (An XLRI's Programme for MBA)
BM-I: Ist Term of the BM programme.
PMIR: Personnel Management and Industrial Relationship (HR Subject)
CGPA: Cumulative Grade Point Average (Performance Index)
I'm no nerd but yh, I'm quite crazy....

Back on my Birthday

It's my birthday !!!
Thanks a lot for all wishes!!!

Today's Agenda....

1. 00:00 : Got Bumps from exam weary, highly tensed, frustrated ppl. Thank u guys.
2. 00:05: Cakes all over my face
3. 00:10: Waited for someone spl to wish me. Didn't.
4. 00:20: Still waiting for someone spl to wish me. Still didn't. Sarted feeling blue.
5. 00:30: Went to have tea at night canteeen.
6: 00:45: Back at rooom feeling blue (What a way to start).
7. o1:00: Realized nothing'll happen in the wishing department, opened my accounts notes and started orkutting.
8. 02:00: Accounts notes are still opened and I'm still orkutting. (It's chick to wish ppl in orkut now and it's so convenient, u just need to go to the home page to know whose bday it is).
9. 02:05: Finally backed to accounts.
10. 02:06: Night Canteen again.
11. 02:40: Came back. Saw gtalk mail from friend.
12. 02:42: Put on some music to drive the blue feelings away. And started chatting with friend.
13. 04:02: Finally stopped chatting. (After a long time, from somewhere in US)
14. 04:03: Opened my notes again and started studying.
15: 04:20: Felt sleepy. So, started reading e-book.
16. 05:00: Went to sleep.

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

17. 07:58: Finally, got the call.....
18. 08:43: Writing this post.

19. 14:30: My Basic Financial Accounting(BFA) Quiz

XLRI... Here I Come

Mar 30th, 2007

Finally, the long awaited result came out. And I got through. Am really glad I converted the only call I got. Proved once again I can achieve something I really put my heart into.

I got over my Chicken Pox too.

XLRI PI Experience

8th March, 2007
The Ashok, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi

3.15 p.m. - Reached the venue. I was wearing a black suit with a light blue shirt and a blue tie. Forgive my immodesty but I've to admit I looked pretty smart. There were 3 guys (no girls). All of them were looking very smart (Is there something about suits that makes a guy look smart? Or is it that only smart people have come to give their interviews?). As soon as I reached, I finished 2 glasses of water, that calmed me down a bit. Started talking with the guys. Don't remember much of the conversations except I remembered telling one of them that talking helps in reducing the nervousness and started making remarks which makes other laugh. Well, that's one thing about me, sometimes, I can make strangers at ease with themselves (only sometimes, when I'm in the mood, I'm a moody person). The only thing is - who's going to put me at ease. Anyway, after about 20 mins, the 2 glasses of water started to take effect and I'd to go to the loo. God, the doors to the loo were looking similar to the normal room doors and I almost went inside the one for the opposite sex. Thank God, noone was there to saw me. I came out, chat for another 10 mins and then one of the professor called my name around 3.50 p.m.

3.50 p.m.
There were 3 members in the interview panel.
Left: Mr. Ashish K. Pani, Information Systems
Centre: Mr. Paul Fernandes, Ethics
Right: Mr. Vijayraghavan, Information Systems, Operations Management

PF was smiling, VR has a slight smile, AP was neutral. All three were very cordial and friendly.

Me: May I come in Sir? (Forgot to wish them Good Afternoon but I guess that's fine)
All 3 nods
PF: Have a seat
Me: Thank you (Sat down and adjusted the height of the chair)

PF pushed a sheet to me for me to sign

VR asked for my certificates

VJ: How do you pronounce your surname?
Me: (Looking up) Cha-bung-bam

PF: Where are you from?
Me: Manipur (and not Imphal, why?)

PF: So, your father is a proffesor in the Manipur University?
Me: Yes, Sir, he's the Vice Chancellor right now (feeling proud)

PF: And your mom?
Me: She's the principal of a college (didn't elaborate)

PF: Both your parents are in academics, why not you? Don't you like to be a academician?
Me: (Smiling) No, Sir, it's nothing like that. Our parents have given us the freedom to choose our own professions and I choose computer science engineering because I was fascinated by computers when I was a child.

AK: How many are you?
Me: (waiting for this question) We're 3 brothers, I'm the youngest. My eldest brother is in Kolkata and is an officer in the IRS (should have expanded it to mean Indian Revenue Service and not Indian Railway Service). My second brother is working in Microsoft, Hyderabad as Program Manager. He was also an XL alumnus. He passed out in 2005. His name is Sameer... Sameer Singh Chabungbam

AK or VR: The football player?
Me: I don't know if he played football, Sir. (I asked TaSameer afterwards, he didn't play football).
They were still looking at me...
Told them my bro's 2005 passout, BM.

PF: So, u’re staying in Bangalore. Why did you choose Delhi as an Interview center? Chennai is much nearer to Delhi.
Me: I studied for 2 years in Delhi, did my +2 from Army Public School, which is at Dhaula Kuan. I wanted to visit Delhi again and right now is the perfect time to visit Delhi as Delhi is quite pleasant and beautiful this time of the year.

PF: U studied in Delhi. How do you compare Delhi and Manipur?
Me: (Got confused as to compare which parameter... cultural, education, weather, etc.) Sir, I'll talk about education as that was what I came to Delhi for. The first thing I find is that parents takes more active interest in their child's education. For e.g., there is PTA. This is not the case in Manipur. Secondly, I found that children in Delhi schools can speak English very well. I spoke to children who are studying in Class 3 - 4, they spoke English better than me. Out there in Manipur, it's only in the later classes that students pick up English. (Thought for a while). Beyond these two points, the rest is pretty much similar.

(Silent pause. I hate silent pauses. Although I can out-silent anyone, I'm expected to fill in the void here.)
Me: The other parameters are the same. Students in Manipur are as competitive as in Delhi. They are as hard-working and as diligent too.
PF or AK or VR: And?

Me: And that's it, Sir
(Later, I realized I could have talked about frequent bandhs, strike, not condcutive study environment, blah, blah.)

VR: What do you do in Bangalore? Studying? (Most probably deliberate, they have my profile form)
Me: (Smiling) No, Sir. I'm working... in as a software engineer
VR: What do you do in your company?
Me: I'm a software engineer. (silent pause)... a developer (silent pause, i out-silent them. Well, what do they actually want to know? what's a developer?)

VR: Ok, what do you find is different between Delhi and Bangalore?
(Hesitated a little. Was thinking where to start, from weather? or infrastructure? or job opportunity? VR seemed to read my mind...)
VR: Culturally
Me: Well, both are metropolitan cities so both cities have got mixed cultures. People came from all over India to work in Bangalore, and they bring their own cultures. And Delhi is the national capital, and people from all over the country came here to work as well as to study so I don't think Delhi has its own distinct culture. However, I found one thing that people in Bangalore are more orthodox than in Delhi. For example, pubs and disco are closed at 11 pm. (Stupid, that's me... can't you give a better example)...
VR: Here, they are closed at 7 pm. (All three laughed, I smiled... Didn't argue)

PF: What are your plans?
Me: (Gave my Why MBA answer) wanting to work in strategic unit of a business so as to achieve the organization's goal, blah, blah

PF: So, what will your strategy be to make manipur the foremost state amongts the seven sisters?
Me: Can you give me a few mins to think, Sir
PF: Please...

(Thought for sometime, about 1 min)
Me: Talked about 4 points mainly
1) Insurgency - Solving insurgency problem. Military solution not working, a political solution needed. Hampering development, blah, blah
2) Education - Mainly primary and secondary education. Wants to bring it in par with the rest of the country. Don't want the excuse by a student saying that since "I came from Manipur, I cannot get into IIT" (decided to forego school dropouts thing)
3) Tourism: Manipur is really beautiful, lots of scope for tourism. Wants to promote Manipur as tourist's destination like Kerala promotes it's tourism with "God's own country" line. Needs to develop infrastructure and roads for this.
4)Border Trade: Talked about Moreh. More transparent trading between Myanmar and India.

PF: (Summarized what I just said)
Me: Yes, Sir
VR: What about sports? (Why am I forgetting about sports?)
Me: That's also one area I would like to develop. Manipur is doing really well in sports. Came second in the National games. Heard that Andaman n Nicobar got their first medal... a bronze medal in kayaking and it was by a Manipuri. (Later, I thought I should have mentioned something like Manipur doing very well in the national arena, wants to develop sports to bring it in par with international arena.)
AK: Cultural? Manipuri Dance
Me: Yes, that's also quite famous. Talked a bit about Ras Lila, Pung Cholom (Could definitely answer better)

VR: Ok, tell me 2 things that make you happy, 2 things that make you sad and 2 things that make you angry
Me: Happy
1)Books, talking about books
2)Love, feeling of being loved
Sad
1) Breaking trust
2)Can't think up
Angry
1)Hypocrites
2)Sloppy work, people not doing what they are capable of doing. Mentioned having problem at work because of this.

PF or VR or AK: How did you handle it?
Me: With patience. Talks to the person. Tells him it wasn't only affecting him, it was affecting the whole team. Talking helps a lot.

PF: Are you good at Maths?
Me: Yes, and bragged about my achievements in Maths
PF: But there is no Maths in Computer Sc. so, why did you take Comp Sc?
Me: Although there is no pure maths after 4th sem, the application is still there. After all, what does Maths teach us? To think analytically and logically. While writing a program, u have to think logically, like how data will move from one module to another, blah blah

VR: How will your friends describe you?
Me: The first thing they'll say about me is that I'm intelligent, though I don't know why (All laughed)
They'll also say I'm smart and a little bit arrogant (thought I'll put in some weak points)
VR: Lovely, friendly?
Me: Oh, I'm quite friendly.
AK: Polite, quiet?
Me: I don't think they'll say I'm quiet although that's the first impression people usually have about me
PF: So, u mean u're someone else at college and someone else outside?
Me: Well, sir, I'm an introvert and it takes time for me to open up, so I'm usually quiet and polite the first time I meet somebody. But once I opened up...
PF: you are unstoppable (they all laughed though I didn't get the joke. I just smiled)
PF: From which one of your parent do you think u've inherited your intorvert nature?
Me: I don't know (An embarassed smile)
PF: Which one of your parent is more introvert?
Me: My dad is more introvert

PF: That's it.
VR: Any questions you want to ask us?
Me: Yes, Sir. There is actually one. I've heard XL has got little international connection. I talked to many alumni and they all confirmed this. Why this is so?
(They told me about XL opening up new campuses in Dubai and Singapore. Students exchange programme available. International connection really picking up in the last 2 years. PF asked me where I wanted to go)
Me: Not as such but will be good to have students exchange programme. Students who went there can share experiences with others, blah blah
They thank me for this.

That's it$. It's done.

One of my best poems

Here I lay, thinking quietly
For me, what the coming days hold?
Will they be bright and sunny?
Or filled with days dark and cold?

I cannot say for sure,
What is my destiny?
The future is so obscure..
So big yet so tiny.

But I can say this with confidence,
I can face all the weathers of life.
Only a thing I ask without any pretense,
Hold my hand and walk by my side.

Then a destiny we'll have,
That will be the envy of many.
After all, what do the hearts of people crave?
Something that will make them happy.

With you always by my side awhile,
I have no doubts, no fear.
For I can always look at your smile
Before I close my eyes, my dear.

Poetically yours,
Bij Chabs

[Can't think up of a good title. Any suggestion?]