The best 2 years of my life!!!!

It was a great relief to me and my friends when we came to know that we got over with our masters! It was a long wait for this day, the day when our final semester results would be announced and indeed we all passed out with flying colors

This journey wasnt as easy as it seemed to be, neither for me nor my friends, say my hostel mates! When most of the mba colleges in the state had their own hostel, we had to share space with other UG, Law and CA students from different educational institutions! That was my home for almost 2 1/2 years and it was called Vimalalayam!

Vimalalayam was a girls hostel run by convent sisters and it had a legacy spanning 5+ decades! We weren't allowed a mobile,though we secretly owned 1 (sum had 2) and our curfew was fixed at 6pm! We needed to be inside our hostel compound by 6, at the most 6:15pm, else we need to prepare ourselves for a verbal shootout from Sis. Maggie (our warden).  The worst part was she used to switch of our room light sharp at 10pm, which made us difficult to do our assignments and presentations within our room and had to walk out to the corridor holding sheets of paper or laptop!

Initially all this was difficult and we didnt have power socket to charge our laptops, so in case u needed to do a presentation, u had to either finish ur work before the lap battery shows 7% remaining or else pay 10 rs/hr to charge our lap in  the warden's office! Most of the time we had to ask each other to borrow their lap if they had any charge in it!

Assignment work was great! One among the 11 of us would write it by referring 2 -3 jumbo course materials, and the rest would just copy it down, sometimes forgetting that our faculty knew each of our handwriting, sply the 11 hostel girls! Sometimes the person who took the effort to find and write assignments would get the least mark among those who copied it from her.

The night before exams were horrible, i used to sleep the most! I made it a point to go to bed at 10:30 pm when others would sit till 1am! The reason I had to say was that after 10pm, when the current goes out in the night, studying in corridor wont be easy 'cos of mosquitoes! Yeah, n muttering such a lame excuse, i would be off to sleep.

During exam days, hunger used to be on the top and apart from their respective rooms,ppl chose to study in the study room, terrace, stairs etc. But at a particular point , say 5 minutes ppl used to come to either room 14 or 17 (my room) to munch something. Some days we didn't have a single snack with us and some days, we were in a confusion as to which snack to munch in first! Thats how my friend n myself decided to open up "Alynn's Cafe " in our room serving cappuccino and mocha! One night I even melted my precious galaxy bar (just a small portion) on a spoon with a lit candle so as to top our chocolate drink! Believe it or not, it was yummy n everyone who had a sip,loved it.

We also had group study sessions, mostly for statistics, maths, production management and accounts. i was a regular listener and a member in these sessions 'cos I never could study any figure and number oriented subject or rather something which involved calculations by my own. We would sit out in the corridor blocking other hostelites access either to toilets or the other end.

Another important sight was in the morning, when 11 of us clad in black suits used to have breakfast in the mess hall and how we used to dash to college before 8:30 am! On rainy days, we used to get all wet, cos a single umbrella would be used by 2-3 people … and not to forget the speeding vehicles passing by who used to splash muddy water on us. This reminds me of getting into private buses to get rid of all this hassles. Initially we didn’t have a ST card (student concession) and we used to show our identity cards to those conductors. Those rude khaki men used to mock us in front of all the other passengers and used to kick us out of the bus… and I could many pairs of eyes glaring at us… But it definitely was fun…cos we would cover half the distance in a trip like this…

All this and much more was my experience in Kerala…. And it cant be described in a single post…. !! 2 years of my studies have made me independent and capable enough… and I loved every bit of my stay here!!!! My advice to people living abroad…. And who haven’t got a chance to study and live in India… u surely must.. cos this was the best 2 years of my life :) 

P.S I Love You

P.S I Love You
My brother, Alwyn Christy helped me with the lighting...All thanks to the chap
Finally captured this one after many tries.... !!!
Shutter speed - 8 secs
(n this isn't a graphic...or computer generated image..this was all based on the idea to experiment shutter speed and what a torch light could do on a cam frame)
Location :- My room

Circle of Kindness

I've been yearning to write about this post since a very long time. As the title says, "Circle of Kindness" is something we have lost...!!! Nah... if you do have an opinion like that... read this....

I always thought that words like mankind and humanity never worked out in this era..but I was wrong... these words actually had its importance since the birth of human..and its still there with some people...thus preserving its existence ..and coming out at the correct time..when anyone needed help

One of my friends used to say about a family friend of theirs who had helped them a lot in the initial years of struggle.... This friend of mine maybe wasnt even born that time..when this family friend used to help this chap's parents..!! His parents were new to the town and had problems settling down in a metropolitan city... their source of kindness came from this Family Friend...thus started their circle of kindness.... !!! It went on until this chap was born...until he reached his high school..!! Meanwhile the parents continued this circle by helping their nephew and his family out of the financial turmoil they were in... gave him this chap's room... fed him with warm homely food till the nephew got a job and could stand on his own feet.....!!! The nephew excelled in his job , thus the rewards started flowing into his home...!!! But when the chap completed his studies and was on a lookout for the job... the nephew couldnt help him just like his uncle had helped him out .....!!! The chap was all depressed..he had grown up seeing his parents helping others at their time of despair..but when he wanted a help.... no one actually came forward...!!! The chap had questions like "why did his parents ad to help all undeserving people who wouldn't repay ....." ....!! He started feeling that mankind existed only when a person needed money and not within a person who had a secure life and a great job. The distressed chap lost all faith in life.... and he never believed anyone could actually change anyone's life......

Time passed...The chap got an interview call from a company where he was longing to get in....!!! The D-Day arrived.....!!! While dressing up , his mum comforted him that the interview with the G.M would be fine and he would definitely get the job....!!!! He rebuked her and said...."As long as no one recommends for me..I can't get the job.... Do you have anyone whom you have helped to recommend for me??? " !!! Saying this, he dashed off with his file...!!!!

Gloomy, but well dressed, he boarding a cab.. !! As soon as he got in, a young driver welcomed him saying... "Good morning Sir, you look dashing... must be having a meeting or so.. Best wishes for it sir..I hope you succeed in it"..... That words indeed changed the attitude of the chap...!! He wasn't the same chap ....who had boarded in with a plain and arrogant attitude that people were bad and help never came at the right time...!!!  He felt his heart cooling down... letting out a sigh.he felt relaxed and determined to get the job !!!

The chap reached his destination.. and due to his confidence and luck, he bagged the job. The first thing he did in mind was utter a hundred thanks to the unknown man who had greeted him and relaxed him out, boosting his confidence....!!! Next he rang up his mum and informed the good news. Overjoyed, he boarded a cab to get home...

Feeling happy, he didnt know what to do.. !!!Finally , his home had reached and it was time to get out..!! He sat for a while and talked to the driver...asking about his work ...n stuff!! While paying the money, the chap let in an extra note...!! Bidding goodbye..he also said... "You drove wonderfully.....takecare and have a great day" ... and closed the door.... Though the windows were slightly tinted, the chap could see the pleasantness on the driver's eyes and the impact the words had on the driver.... !!! Giving out a beautiful smile, the driver rode off....

Thus...this is a circle of kindness,,which keeps humanity and mankind afloat !!!! As  M.J's famous song says,.. "All I want to say is that, they dont really care about us"...., we mustnt have an attitude like that thinking humanity and mankind never co-existed... !!! We must continue loving and helping one another..and as long as this continues...the World's still a better place to live...

Check out this Life Vest Inside video....

Ashamed ....

I have never wanted to write a post regarding atrocious acts committed against women..how much ever it is shown...broadcasted out...devil inside a person comes out at certain point of time...and this time it was done against a 23 year old paramedic student in Delhi...

She's named  ...and referred to as Damini...a name inspired from a movie's character...!!! She was returning with her friend when she boarded a bus with tinted windows...

He friend was beaten till blue and Damini was brutally gang raped by 4-5 people who were there in the bus...she was beaten with iron rods and dropped off onto the road to die!!!!

These men maybe were psychics...all they wanted was a pleasure of few moments which destroyed and shattered the life of a girl...a girl who had dreams....a girl who never did any harm to them...!!!

Delhi being the capital of my country...nah our country... there were about 200+ rape cases being filed this year...turning the city into the Rape capital....by certain psychopaths...!!! A single moment of genital pleasure shattering the dreams and lives of umpteen girls...their families....toppling their world upside down!!!!

We would wonder why didnt the girl try to escape or use some self defense mechanisms...but everyone should understand that no matter how much self def. tenchinques you master..presence of mind matters...!!!! She was just a girl...just like me....just like you...!!! She had 4-6 men grappling her... she cudnt scream.... she cudnt be seen due to the tinted glass....!!! she was raped...yeah raped!!!!

A country where we see the rockets developing....science advancing....infrastructures improving..yet there's still no safety for women...!!! she still fears to walk alone after dark....!!!! God created men and women and he treated both of them equally...yet we still live in a male dominated society...where the taboo still exists that woman cant go out at dark.... why is it???? why are we brought up in such a way???? why do we get attacked???? why do we become victims???

As a girl...as a woman...I do feel outraged by such activities...but I feel so helpless...where is the mistake being done..??? are the culprits doing this bcos they know they will be rescued by a criminal lawyer???

The idiot box showed youngsters agitated against such a henious act committed against Damini...youngsters like u and me......!!They had the guts to go out and scream... to do something for the girl who's still in critical condition...!!!! She's battling for her life..and the culprits are to and fro sent out for an enquiry.... in perfect form... with no injuries in or out!!!!!

I know its not a matter of hanging the rapists or undertaking some forms of severe punishments now... but they need to know the pain ...they need to know whats it to be expreiencing physical violence against you..agianst your body....!!!! they need to know the trauma what the girl faced ....!!! they need to know the pain of what their opposite side of sex experiences when a violence is being commited against oneself...without any consent....!!!

Typing this ...my eyes still waters...I still feel ashamed to be a part of the society which couldn't protect its female members from atrocities being commited against them....

I wish for Damini's speedy recovery....!!! Damini...Ur in my prayers...infact..many out there are praying for your recovery...ur friends...ur college mates..ur family...!!! I hope God be with you when you 're in Mt. Elizabeth Hospital, Singapore right now..undergoing major operations...!!!! U may be a complete stranger to me..to many out there...but in a country where we learn all Indians are my brothers and sisters... u definetely are a part of my family... our family....!!! God be with u....

Excerpts from an Interview....

'Aleena,you are a GIRL!'

Yeah,cant you see?

'You appear to be talking nonsense most of the times'

I love expressing philosophically, unlike any 23 year old, and I do have sense on what all nonsenses I talk

'You aim for long term goals which can't be achieved easily'

If it was for you,the goal would have been never ever achievable, and as for me, I know I have a long way to go! I enjoy the feel of striving hard and pursuiung a dream

'Aleena,you can never do it'

How do you  know that I cant? Even if I dont succeed,in the 1st attempt, I will try and try! (In this case, Henry Ford's style of persistance shall be followed.... until I succeed)

'And what if u still fail?'

Arey yaar, be optimistic! You seriously need to learn how to motivate people,encourage them for the dreams they carry,lend a hand if they fall,assure them that they can still do better

'How can you put your heart and soul onto a dream?'

Thats because I have been dreaming of an enterprise since I was an 8 year old child! Its not just a dream for me,its my passion!

'If Im right,why are you so adamant to try your luck in different areas,right  from drawing to singing to acting to cooking to citizen journalism to photography to film making to a career in hospitality sector or armed force! There's no relation between each!'

I know I cant become the Jack of all trades, but there isnt any harm in trying out, right? There's beauty in every job,it just that I would love to try anything new and try to excel in them! There's just 1 life,so im just trying to lay my hand on all odd areas I would like to make a mark

'Why do you take such decisions,cant you just be like any other girl of your age?'

Nows thats a question I would never like to hear! Why should I be like anyone? People are moulded differently! People just develop the talents which they possess,but how many of them recognize their hidden potentials or try experimenting things they could never do! Thats what I do! And I love to be different

'U weren't a bright student,why couldnt you concentrate on your studies more, rather than wasting time on silly stuffs?'

In a class,not all are outstanding in studies! If it was like that, why would there a need be for 'B Grade' or a 'C Grade'! Studies werent put at stake, even if I had compromised a bit on them, there would be other more important things I'd to do that time!

'You always keep justifying yourself'

Yeah, if I know I'm right in what I do or think, then obviously I do justify for my acts! But if I'm wrong, I admit it wholeheartedly

'You aren't a good friend'

Yeah, I knew it long back! I try do justice whenever it comes to friendship, but very often cant try to become what my friends want me to be for them

Now you guys may think that these are excerpts from any interview, nops, I had many people asking these questions fair and square on my face! Not blaming them though, initially it was tough answering cos I was a shy person hiding away in a shell, but I realised that I too need to react, better late than never! 

The only thing that bothers me each and everytime is.... I need to do something for my FAMILY! My appa,amma and my little bro, Alwyn are my greatest assets! I need a job, to buy certain gifts for them, i need to present these gifts before...hmmm....before ...ya...before I get married! Now, you know I hate this marriage thing, but I realise, I need to be tied up somewhere at later point of my life! So what I wish to buy is a Santro Swift car for my Appa; a churidhar and a superb handbag for my Amma; and for lil Alwee.... a Wii Nintendo or an X-Box! I also would love to pay Alwee's school fees,atleast for a year! Now the whole point it, what job I need to get into and where lies my interests and passion! People say 'you will compromise on your desires when your needs are more important'! I exactly dunno about it, but all I wish is to work in a field where my heart resides! As an MBA,i dont like to sit and spend my life within the 4 walls of a cubicle! I want to do something different in life, like getting and exploring the society,doing some social work, getting into film making and bringing out subjects relevant to present day situations, etc etc! But to fulfil my basic wishes for my family, i certainly need a job with a good remuneration!What do I do and from where do I start????.... Im in a fix

How I wish....

There i was,in a cocoon....
Wrapped in, for 2 decades....
Always craving,2 spread out....
My unused feeble wings....
Into an unfamilar world....
And when i made my debut
Never thinking about right and wrong....
I just did what my mind instructed....
Not realising,
That i was in a world....
Where sinners lurk,
Behind the wall....
Waiting 2 make a great pounce on u,
To snatch away,
Your innocence....
And make you one among them....
They tell,its common to commit sins,
Meanwhile they make a pit 2 trap....
While some others coil like vipers,
Around you,
Strangling and choking....till
You have no other way out....
You fall,unable to struggle,
Though you could have tried,but
Never you think about it....
You leave evrything to fate,
But never try your hand,
In diverting your destiny....
Not realising the moment was,
Just an interval,
In the reel of your life story!
And you think, if only.....
If only you tried to escape,
Things would have changed
Life would have a hue to it
Irrespective of certain blackouts,
Depicting the scars etched on you,
You would still look fine
Better, but not perfect....
Wiser, with lot of experiences....
I.... I could have ....
I could've been better and wiser,
Rather than brooding day and night
If only i gave a thought....
If only I listened to my heart,
Just once....rather than my mind
I could be a human and....
Not just a senseless block of flesh

People who have inspired me….

·         A leader who strived hard to get rights :- Martin Luther King

·         The man who was defeated many times yet rose to the apex:- Abraham Lincoln

·         The woman who showed me that “Dance” was not just an art but it was “Portrayal of Life” :- Shobana

·         The man with an amputed leg who ran miles to spread awareness about cancer :- Terry Fox

·         The man who changed the face of the economy (from a desert to a oil producing highly developed area) :- Sheikh Zayed Bin Sulthan Al Nahyan

·         The woman who showed me that even “passionate women” can take up film making as a career  :- Revathi (A national award winner too for the movie –“Red Building where the sun sets”)

·         The woman who showed me what a model teacher should be like :- Parvathy Maam

·         The actress with genuine passion and an urge to do weird things in life (just like me ) :- Nithya Menon

·         The man who inspired me with his poetry :- ONV Kurup

·         The woman who inspired me with her writing and I fell for her flair for words (both in English and Malayalam) :- Kamala Das (Madhavi Kutty)

·         The man who never gave up ( I admire his persistence) :- Henry Ford

·         The maestros who inspired me with their music :- A.R Rahman, Illayaraja, Sharath

·         The director who brought out the movie “Anjali”, “Kannathil Muthammittaal” and “Bombay” :- Mani Ratnam (Hats Off to you sir)

·         The Director who inspired me with his style of film making….(the stunts, the casting, the music, the shot’s elevation) :- Amal Neerad

·         The humble and simple world known sports personality :- Sachin Tendulkar

·          The man who chose Freedom as his bride and left home to save our country :- Bhagath Singh (Inquilab Zindabad)

 ·   The man who dreamt of becoming a pilot in the Indian Air Force, was rejected subsequently and in the end, he became the President of India (the supreme commander of all 3 forces in the country) :- Dr APJ Abdul Kalam

Lastly….

·         The man who told me about his childhood, the hardships he faced, the pain when he lost his parents at a young age, the responsibilities he needed to undertake, the strenuous job he got when he was just 17 :- Saju Koshy (My Father….. The best Father in the world)

·         The woman who is an excellent manager at home (though she isn’t an MBA), who guides me, punishes me when im wrong, motivates me saying “You can”! She’s the best nurse too! :- Rani Saju Koshy ( My mother…. Though we don’t look like mum n child when we walk together…she’s definitely a beauty)

·         The young man who’s 10 years younger to me…who showed me maturity is not about age (n he’s more mature than me)….who’s my best friend to whom I can talk about anything under the sun…. who fights with me….. who makes me cry…. Who taught me sharing is all about caring…. Who convinces my parents to buy me what I need :- Alwyn Christy Saju ( My sweetest Brother)