FUMBLE AT 20!!!(SUSHANT GUPTA)

Although it is been said that life after school becomes kind of free  but the reality turns out to be a greatest challenge to face. It seems “PRISONERS ARE MADE TO LIVE IN A BIGGER CAGE “but the fact is this only in today’s era.

This fumble of life mainly arises in at the age of 20 due to exposure to the reality of life which turns to be race for living, earning, career building and setting the momentum for future. This exposure is not new for every one because everyone has to face it but calibre is how eagerly one faces it.

The practicallity really looks a difficult part. The words “Patience, Resilience and Self belief “said by Shahrukh khan at an end of a match. But in reality if these are followed blindly turns to be major weapon to overcome such a fumble.

The fumble in form of hardships arises when the two paths are ahead and one has to choose for the better one so as to prove the selected path as a true worth for future. The problem is not how to choose but it is what to choose? And the selection depends on what a person dreams of his future and how much he is ready to take responsibility for the future.

Main reason for the fumble arises due to pressure of achievement of success in shorter span of time and this pressure only give ways to making of wrong decision at times and these wrong decision  only lead to confusion chaos and blunders.

 These hurdles are also necessary because only these shows the true testing of one’s patience, self devotion and dedication towards future and life and when one develops all these aromas in life all the problems for life get resolved with minimum efforts. These hurdles also show true fusion of practicality reality problems and the most important how to overcome these.

Now the question arises what are weapons to overcome such hardships so that a proper and rightful decision can be taken and experiences in form of decision taken can be earned.

if anyone is made to think from the beginning what he wants to do then only he dedicates himself for the future and select the path for life although it’s a tuff task but it is only the sure weapon to overcome such a fumble because it creates a mind set for future as a result of its kind and planned thinking takes place which ultimately proves worthy and proper justification is done to one’s life.

This weapon proves worthy because its success mainly depends on the base which is laid down from the earlier age “STRONGER THE BASE ,STRONGER THE BUILDING “and this only come into action thus leading to “REFINED, MATUERED AND TRUE SUCCESS....................”

LOVE STORY(CLASS IX):(Anurag Omer)

She was the new girl in our section at that time. I was just an ordinary boy among other boys, who unlike me were more handsome and dashing. The only gift I received from god was my brain and that too I spoiled myself. Anyways, i was fifteen at that time and had never thought of falling on love with anyone(recently caught by 8th grade class teacher when i fell in love with a classgirl). But I don't know how it all happened.


The bell for the start of first period was about to ring when she entered.First glimpse of her and i knew my heart had skipped a beat.I dont know if there is any connection between the heart and the eardrums because then i could hear guitars and violins play in the background(big fan of romantic bollywood movies).I checked her out from the corner of my eye.She was Dreamlike.Angelic, Gorgeous, Delicate,Delightful, Eccentric, perfect and last of all "beyond words"(though i used a lot of words).Her smile was like a sunshine.Somehow the feeling waslike life would never be the same again.At that time, I saw her eyes(i still wonder how did i see her eyes through her spectacles) – the most beautiful eyes I could have ever seen. And, I was just lost into them for a while.Suddenly, the bell rang. I was back from those heavenly eyes, back in that hell – my class, my school.


Everything was still usual. Days went by, but nothing happened between us.Always tried not to look upon her that way,but she was like a magnet attracting every drop of my attention.Every time i looked at her there was an automatic sheepish(basicallly lame) smile on my face.She had a lunatic charm that was quite engaging.I couldnt sleep in the nights.Romantic songs were the new craze!!.seemed like the sad songs were written for me only.It was all melodramatic.I was dying to talk to her.




A month passed and my train was standing at the same platform haulted by the red signal of my own timidity....
Trying to find a way to talk to her,i tried out the lamest one(project work).Though our first talk was quite cold,I was just trying ways to talk to her, all the while.Gradually things picked up.Slowly we became friends and then best of friends.Sitting at the back-benches,chatting the entire day,periods came and went(never knew what was going on),playing games at the back pages of our notebooks,laughing and crying together,sharing our lunch,sharing our deepest secrets(except one),even punished together.She liked my company(i guess) and i died for her company.She could see through my face,if i was in a bad mood and i could do the same.I liked her attention and she liked helping me.With her being around i felt that life was so easy and happy.It was like i could face any challenge in this world.I lived in a world where it was just me and her. (quite melodramatic again).


Two months passed.Class-mates had started talking about us.But we were clear(not me) that we were only good friends and made it clear to everyone.Then came the school-trip to Lucknow.Of all her friends she chose to sit with me.Most of the trip we were together..and when we weren't my eyes kept searching for her.At the end of the trip,i could see the sadness on her face.I went to her.I had an eerie feeling she wanted to say something.I asked her what the matter was .After a little hesiancy,she thanked me for my company and shaking my hands said "Friends Forever".My heart skipped a beat.Those two words crushed my entire hopes.my heart sank like a boat with a hole.I stood there staring into those captivating brown eyes thinking to myself, will you ever know, and if so, will you ever love me the way I love you".I turned away to hide my numb eyes and went back home..

All this made me love her even more than before. I could not sleep. I could not concentrate on my studies. Neither I liked to play games, nor I was interested in eating my meals.
Few weeks passed.All this time i had decided every day to tell her about what i felt.But our friendship stood in the way....tHough i loved her she was my Best friend and i was afraid i might lose that.I had turned quiet and she saw through it again.All of a sudden one day she asked me if i liked some girl.Hesitantly i replied "no'.But she saw through my hesistancy and kept on bugging me for the truth.To escape out i asked her if she liked some boy.She too became hesitant but then she replied "Yes".My heart was beating at the rate of knots.I asked her the name of the boy.she replied"You know him well.He was in eight grade with you".I was shocked. The school bell rang and she told me that tomorrow she will tell his name on one condition if i tell the name of my girl.The deal was set.

Entire day i kept thinking who was he.i kept recalling my eigth grade class mates and none of them seemed to be the one(except one) because i never saw her talking to them ...i was her only good friend from my eigth grade section.Questions kept popping up.May be its me,may be its someone else.What will i do if its someone else.. no its not possible i am the only one very close to her.Did she play a word game,may be to know my feelings first.Was she going with the same dilemma as me(No.absolutely wrong was I)...the night felt like an endless nightmare....

The morning came...there she stood right infront of me...dont know how it was decided but she spoke first,"i love ________"(it wasn't me).My heart tore apart.Tears were about to make their way out when she asked about my girl.controlling myself i said "no one".She didnt enquire further and left.Those 5 minutes were like hell.Throat choked,eyes soaked in tears i sat down at my desk with my world shattered into pieces..I never knew until that moment how bad it could hurt to lose something you never really had. It hurts when you have someone in your heart but cannot have them in your arms......The imaginary,unlived story had ended....

Sometimes the cards we are dealt are not always fair. However you must keep smiling & move on.......

FRESHER(ANURAG OMER)

The joy of joining a prestigious college(hard to digest the fact ) ; the sorrow of leaving home, family and friends; the thrill of going to a new place; the uncertainty about hostel life and the fear and excitement of what's to come, those were some of the countless emotions that kept swirling in my head, like any other fellow freshie, on the day I joined MIT!!!!!
THE only thing i heard about manipal before coming here were hot chicks(no offence intended) and the immense fee structure,though i was intersted more in the former part.Seeing the brochures and the website one of my friends commented "bhai,tu to ab five star hotel main rahega",felt good to hear but deep inside i knew the setback my dad's bank balance went through for all this.All said and done the first day started with the Orientation lecture by the Director (dont even remember the name,who cares) and many other management guys.After the orientation the only thing i could remember was "MIGHTY MIGHTY YUMIT"(in south india 'm' is 'yum' and once again no offence intended).
As the evening sun faded it was time to bid adieu to my dad!!with numb eyes i accompanied my dad to k.c and soon in the darkness of the dusk was lost the assuring figure of my dad.You never no with tears they may pop out anytime.Deserted and alone i turned my back to see the glowing F.C.Everything seemed philosphical that day. 


I returned to my hostel (16th block,which according to my friends if MIT was India,is built in PAkistan). With expectations soaring high and inspired by the events of the day, I planned a daily schedule to work towards my goals! The schedule included things like getting up early, taking a bath regularly, studying for minimum 4 hours, etc.Little did I know that in the days to come, the entire exercise would be rendered futile, not to mention ridiculous!
Soon bonding with room mates and others started.I was quiet in the initial days(home-sickness).My roomate used to tell  his friends"saala mera roomie to dulhan ki tarah hai,shant sharif and all" (Though in a month to his utter shock i showed him my true colours).The best place to bond with new people was F.C and the best way was to curse the quality of food there(maa ke haath ke khaane ka asli importance pata chala).Soon there were groups made and dinner was the time to come up with your class stories (hot chicks,boring professors,sleepy lectures).Studies took a back seat(though they never were at the front seat).Soon, things caught pace. Visits to the Central Workshop in a ridiculous Workshop Uniform became a pain. Considering the vastness of the campus, attending classes looked like an arduous task in itself. After just two days of following the timetable, I had made, I gave up and it remained a theoretical concept, henceforth!!! front seat pe the "rummie or poker ke lambe rounds" or "late night chit chat with your new made groups"or "the brand new interests in t.v series".Perm time was limited so didnt get much time to go out .Soon "saiba","C.C.D"and "dominoes" became the new hangout points(daaru ke adde to baad main pata chale).Sundays were reserved for malpe beach ,turtle bay,MANgalore visits and all.Sessionals aye aur gaye.kuch ki phati,kuch ki bahut jyada phati  lekin kuch*****acha kar gaye.Depression main aa kar socha"ab to padhenge" aur papers ki"***-*****"ek kar denge.Do din ka josh, then back to our normalself and since then ye kahaani har semester ki ho gayi.EXamS ki raat padhte and somehow saved our asses from the most dreadful word of college life"back".Attendance was alwyas at stake.8 bje ki class ke liye 1 bje uthana was the new fashion.Students with more than 80%attendance had to face a lot of abuses(they deserve it though,saalon ko neend nai aati kya).


Then one day something happened that changed my college life completely.one of my friend(i dont remember who he was) came to my room and said"chal be aaj DEETEE chalte hai",didnt know what it was.ek woh din tha aur aaj ek din hai.Deetee became my temple. To this day Venugopal temple doesnt even have 1/3 of my visits to "DEETEE".visits to places like T-spirits,BigBoss,China Valley,opium became frequent.Nights passed in semi-conscious states and frequent passouts.Still remember the "legend (wait-for-it) daaarrryyy" night when i performed "Sheila ki jawani"with a pole outside DeeTee(drunk as a skunk).Standing on the floor of my room telling my frnds"saala mera room kho gaya".those moments were fun(for my friends).i wiil drop in some knowledge here,it is easier to make friends over a beer ora cigarette(true story).


Soon lan gaming became a new addiction.counter strike,fifa ,AOE were the new words.The entire floor could listen the game being played.Mothers and Sisters were mentioned in intervals of few seconds(but in this case offence used to be intended from their side).Second sessionals came,the story was same but no more hard-work promises made.The day the sessionals end marks a revolution named"DeeTEE bharo andolan".


Sharing and inheritance are amazing characteristics of hostel life.dusre ke room main sone ka mazaa hi alag hai.Gone were the days when clothes,shoes,perfumes and deos were a private property.The motto was"aaj jo uska hai,kal woh mera hoga, parson kisi aur ka hoga and jiska tha uska to ab kabhi nahi hoga".


Being a first year and not being ragged ,highly improbable.The ragging procedure was very monotonuos ,lack of innovation(yeah ,i was cool about ragging).basically included your intro in hindi,saying few lines about something with an addition of a slaang at the end,singing songs and dances.Ragged few times,i kind of remember the one which i went through in "MANGLA EXPRESS",coming back after the winter break when i bumped into an entire compartment full of seniors with exception of but one.I was made to sing and dance simultaneously on"munni badnam hui".That was quite humiliating but i guess i nailed it.That night taught me that unless you are friends with a senior:
Rule 1: A senior is always right. 
Rule 2: A Freshie can never be right. 
Rule 3: If you are confused, refer to Rule 1.


The Publicity Team,how can i forget,which gave my college life a new dimension around which my life at manipal revolves,something which brought me to the most amazing and caring seniors,gave me friends to cherish for the lifetime.......all the fun n stupidity that anyone  can imagine,the  all-night perms, road paintings, banners(climbing n clinging on to the most peculiar locations,here also sisters and mothers were thoroughly remembered ), entry into MIT girls hostels(something which people were ready to pay me if they can go on my behalf), late night dinners at opium,tasty bites and all,and above all the most happening parties, the boat party was amazing.Never in my wildest dreams i could have imagined drinking a vodka in the middle of the sea.In the words of Bryan Adams.....THOSE WERE THE BEST DAYS OF MY LIFE.(this is a stolen line via surya bedi).


Time really flies past us fast.The first and the most beautiful year of college life thus passed away.

ANURAG OMER: I NEED YOU!!! (ANURAG OMER)

ANURAG OMER: I NEED YOU!!! (ANURAG OMER): I need you like grass needs water like the sun needs to be hotter I need you like clouds need the rain like the mental house need...

I NEED YOU!!! (ANURAG OMER)

I need you like
grass needs water
like the sun
needs to be hotter


I need you like
clouds need the rain
like the mental house
needs the insane


I need you like
a sweet tooth needs candy
like a beach
needs to be sandy


I need you like
a heart needs a beat
likes hot cars
need the street


I need you like
people need church
like a map
needs you to search


i need you like
the rich need cash
like a druggie
needs the hash


I need you like
a criminal needs jail
like a boat
needs a sail.


I need you like
a car needs gas
like a girl
needs sass


I need you!!!!




Me without u is like
a camera without flash
a car without gas
a stripper without an a**
a pimp with no cash .

Its d beginning of the end....at Manipal....(SURYA BEDI,E.E.E,MIT)

Its 4am in the morning, n d feelin is, i got placed 2day, not in my dream company yet, still im happy and suddenly i realize....its my last 90 days in manipal.....n a shiver goes straight through my spine......its all gonna cum to an end very soon.....

d hostel frnz grp dat i made in d first yr, d goa trips, road trips, movies, birthdays, cricket, d unlimited non stop fun......n how v stuck 2gethr in difficult circumstances, all dese years in rooms next to each other from 6th to 17th to 15th n to 6th block back again. Undoubtedly v hav been much more than a family for each other, n d real meaning of a lifetime relation vich is not blood relation, i learnt wid u guys. To call ourselves as best friends wud belittle our bond.....d memories of time spent wid u guys will last more than a lifetime...cuz d tales of our frnshp will b passed on to atleast our grandkids.....!!!  For d past 3 yrs v hav seen each other thru happy n sad times, sessional n non sessional times, rich n poor times, I'm so used to seeing u guys every morning n spending d day wid u.....the very thought of being in different cities in a span of 90 days, just doesnt seem real to me....

frm d 1st yr J section(d most lively n amazin n notorious class in first yr, vich cud only b tamed by Phaniraj) to section B, EEE 2nd yr onwards(d most silent class ever, vich improvd upon communication as time went by, but still d most disciplined n liked n most appreciated by all d teachers)......i dont remembr if i made soo many frnz soo fast in my lyf b4.....wid whom i studied, partied, had end less all night sessions....planned trips dat cud never happn......d journey from CR to SCR(thnks to Power Electronics) of d class has been truly fantastic.....2day almost every1 is lyk a desk away, i text every1 almost everyday.....but in time to come.....who knows wat.....?

The Publicity Team, now Publicity n Printing team, sumthn around vich my life at manipal revolved, sumthn dat introduced me to d most amazin n caring seniors, d most innovative, respectful n full of life juniors, n of course d always fighting but no less dan brothers n sisters lyk batchmates.......all d fun n stupidity dat any1 can imagine v did it.....d all night perms, road paintings, banners(climbing n clinging on to d most peculiar locations), entry into MIT gals hostels(sumthn no 1 othr dan us has had d privilege to do), dinners inside ATMs, flooding d restaurants wid our stuff, bikes inside d campus n wat not......n above all d most happening parties.....!!! in d words of Bryan Adams.....THOSE WERE THE BEST DAYS OF MY LIFE....OH YEAH......!!!

n all d other people i met and made frnz wid, in d college, outside d college, in d mess, during fests, during random events, sum whose names i dont evn knw till date, but v smile everytim v cross each other.....havin to live widout d very sight of MITians around, feels soo eerie......

time really flies past us fast......feels as if it was just yesterday ven my parents left me in manipal helped me settle my room.....n soon it will be time to pack up n leave.....

its 5am now, n i sadly wonder.....its almost time to bid adieu to d rains, d campus, d annas, akkas n bosses, late night oreo shakes, d sun sand n beaches, the dude-ism....these 90 days will pass in a blink....

One thing that i now have to cherish my entire life is that, I've been lucky enough to be a part of a culture called MANIPAL....!

THE CAGED ORNITH-the best policy(BY UDIT SRIVASTAVA H.B.T.I,KANPUR)

As they say: "Don't judge a book by its cover" .Please don't be mistaken that I am a snake oil salesman trying to sell you an insurance policy.Let the salesmen fraternity not be offended.I am writing about the best policy in life(and not life insurance).No prizes for guessing."Honesty is the best policy" the quote that you often see in children's story books in the moral of the story column after the story 'The Honest Woodcutter'

The first story  I am going to share with you is about honesty(No please don’t grump .This is not about the woodcutter who lost his axe).It is  a rather mundane one and is based on real life incidents which, in a way, transformed the life of the person who went through the incident . I hope you too find it inspiring.

This is the story of Vibhu. This Incident helped him to understand the meaning of honesty and the inexplicable  joy that one derives from an act of honesty which blossoms right from the heart(Not the heart they teach in the circulatory system ,which I could never understand).Today he is a successful working professional and a man who abides by simple ethics of life. He considers his father as his hero and his guide in the tough journey called ‘life’.

 Vibhu had a modest upbringing. His father was a Government employee. His earning was sufficient to satisfy the basic needs of his family. He was highly regarded among his colleagues as a man of principles. In his workplace(which was notoriously famous for being one of the most corrupt government departments),he never compromised with his principles. He was like a lotus in the marsh.He was a humble man who believed in the age old principle of “simple living and high thinking.”

It was the last week of march. In Northern part of India, sun had already started to shine brightly in the plains and the knocks of the sultry summers was audible as the spring was  gradually  transmuting into summers. Ten days back, The results of the final in home examinations of the school  were announced and  Vibhu had secured third rank in his class. He was happy but at the same time, he felt disappointed for having missed the second spot by 3 and first rank by 8 marks. The sixth grade student vowed to secure the first position in the next class.( we all do that!! J )

With the report card, the academic calendar for the upcoming session was also handed over to the parents. The school had set up the book  purchase stall within the premises for the convenience of the students for a duration of three days, starting April 1^st. The bookseller had a monopoly in the city as far as the business of school books was concerned. He was the official bookseller of almost every school in the town and so he charged very high prices. The books were sold at M.R.P.s with no discount and the notebooks with the school logo were priced more than double the price of similar notebooks in the market. Since, the price of the notebooks was unreasonably high(wrongly),vibhu’s father decided to buy only books from the school stall and notebooks from the market. The books were available only  at the stall so they had to get them from school.

Vibhu went to his school to purchase new books for the upcoming session with his father. As they had decided, they went to the counter and asked for a set of “only textbooks for class 7”.His father paid the amount and handed over the receipt to the person who was delivering the packed ‘sets’. He handed  over a big packet to his father and  the transaction was over. They started moving towards the gate. Father was holding the packet and Vibhu was supporting it from bottom.

As  they were moving out of the school, Vibhu felt a sudden rush of joy. He realized that the packet was heavier than what it should have actually been. It took him no time to realize that the bookseller had mistakenly handed them a set of books as well as notebooks. The small boy made some calculations in his mind and smiled thinking “A profit of Rs. 800.Wow!! “

He softly said” Papa,move fast.I think he has handed us the notebooks too by mistake”. On hearing this, his father’s face fell. He thought “This is not what I want my child to learn.”

He suddenly about turned and started moving towards the counter. Vibhu was surprised and didn’t understand what was going on. He said ”Papa!why are you going back ?”

Father didn’t reply and went straight to the counter and said “Mister, your delivery assistant has mistakenly handed us the notebooks along with books and we had paid only for a set of books. Please take the notebooks back”

Vibhu was enraged at this action of his father. He decided to stay quiet then and as they both moved out of the gate he couldn’t control his tears and started crying at this apparent loss. He scowled at his father and shouted” why did you do that? The bookseller is himself dishonest. What do you think you are doing? Trying to be the greatest of the great”. Vibhu was weeping uncontrollably and at the same time he was furiously yelling at his father. Father had a calm expression on his face. The subtle smile on his face could be noticed.

He took Vibhu to a nearby confectionary shop and bought him a Coca-Cola, Vibhu’s favourite soft drink. His tears stopped but the anger was still visible on his face. In a voice affected by the retreating tears he angrily said “What you have done cannot be compensated with this soft drink. I am not a small child”(children always think they are big enough to take on the world)

Now it was the father’s turn to speak. He said “ My dear child. It was wrong on our part to take the notebooks for which we have not paid. I have lived my life with honesty and I would not like my children going on the wrong path. Today you may think I am wrong but someday you will realize that I was right that day. At this moment you will think that I am talking about idealities and trying to be Yudhishthira, but it will take you some time to realize the importance of being truthful and honest. As far as the bookseller charging monopolistic rates is concerned, let us leave him to God and moreover,  if he is being dishonest, why should we come down to his level. If the other person does wrong, it doesn’t mean that we should also start to follow him. Somewhere in your heart, you know that you are doing wrong but you are trying to justify it by convincing yourself that if the bookseller is dishonest, there is nothing wrong in taking the notebooks(acting dishonestly).Isn’t it what you are trying to tell me?”

Vibhu nodded his head in the affirmative. He had agreed some of his father’s words but was still not convinced.

Father said” Then tell me, If you too act dishonestly, then what difference will remain between you and him?”

Vibhu had no answer.He had got his lesson. He sat silently with a calm expression and looked at the road outside. He saw a cyclist whistling and pedaling swiftly. In a minute the cyclist disappeared into the horizon.