Sunday, December 5, 2010

85th FC - some reminiscences



Between a quarter to five and five thirty in the morning, hundreds of cell-phone alarms go off. Somewhere near Happy Valley grounds, a shrill whistle sounds repeatedly. Along corridors, doorbells ring as room boys greet us with the welcome “ Chai Sir/ Chai Ma’am.”
One by one, hooded Officer Trainees file out of their rooms, down stairs and slopes, on their way to the Polo Grounds. Bells hung around the necks of cows tinkle gently in the darkness. The rhythm of sports shoes on asphalt is matched by the jangling of hostel keys in track-suit pockets. We begin to recognize one another and speak sleepily.
P.T. progresses, with exhortations from Rana Sir and Gokul Sir. Dawn breaks. On clear days we can see snow peaks in the distance. Finally, Rana Sir calls out “ Bisar – jan!!” Rows of coloured flags atop Dalai Hills flutter gently in the sunshine. It’s another new day at LBSNAA.

Rain, rain and rain. Rainwater rushing down the slopes, dripping off umbrellas, down our necks, getting in our shoes. The first month at LBSNAA, the skies were as weepy as the most homesick Probationers. Mint-fresh Probationers in Bandhgalas and starched sarees. Eating delicately and self-consciously with forks and spoons. Salt = salt + pepper. Excuse me. Please. Thank you. Ultimate Shishtachar.

We looked frantically for short-cuts to the Mess and classrooms. In a haze of confusion, we found Kendriya Bhandar and Ganga Dhaba. We discovered Mall Road with its seemingly endless possibilities, and later, Landour. We discovered one another…. and ourselves.



My tracksuit still smells of smoke from a wood-fire at Dodital. Or so it seems. It smells like the hot water our mess staff gave us on Dharwadhar. The night sky looked as though some primordial being had scraped out clumps of darkness from a carpet of brilliant stars. The ice-covered peaks of Bandarpunch and Dharwa Top surrounded us – silent sentinels blacker than the darkness. Some of us tucked torches into our monkey-caps – the only sources of light for our dinner. Mess food never tasted so good.
How we dug into our sleeping bags, shivering as the icy wind tugged at our tents! Those of us who had been drenched by hail during the climb up from Hanumanchatti, were the worst off. Not many of us slept. How hard it must be for our soldiers who spend three months at a time on Siachen at -30 degrees. I had known it for a fact, but had never felt it so acutely.
Freshening up” was basically ‘Jhaari ke peechhey, khule aasman ke neechey.’ The ground, the shrubs were all covered in patches of snow. Far from the tents, the black ice-peaks loomed closer, witnesses to a history that I would neither know nor comprehend. Before their ominous silence, the powerful torch-beam seemed to fade. It was not the fear of ghosts, nor of bears or leopards but something else – it was not just the cold that made me shudder uncontrollably.

Hillsides red with the flowering Ramdana crop. Lovely red roses. Agora was where DIG left us. He was a black dog who accompanied us from Dharwadhar through Dodital to Agora, plodding beside us over ice, rocks and grassy bugyals.

No mobile phone towers, no television, no electricity, no running water – the best opportunity we ever had to know one another.

Evening came on peacefully beside the Bhagirathi. Lights came on in Joshyara and Uttarakashi on opposite hills. The suspension bridge connecting them swayed in the breeze.
We sat on the banks, soaking in the contrast between the wide, tranquil river and the bustling towns. The priestess of the riverside temple sang us a song, blessed us and advised us all not to have more than two children.


Jeera, turmeric, tomatoes and deghi mirch. The patented spice mixture that goes into nearly every dish – dal, sabjee, paneer or chicken – at the LBSNAA Mess. For us it is “ Ghar ka Khana”. It lures us out of Ganga, Kaveri, Narmada and Happy Valley , along a mini-trek . The Mess throbs with activity. Languages from Tamil to Bhutanese, Marathi to Nagamese mingle with the universal sound of laughter as nearly three hundred of us celebrate being together.


In my teens, I was fascinated by the Troubadours, bards in medieval Europe who composed romantic songs. These were sung beneath the windows of fortunate ladies at night. The bards of LBSNAA reach the peak of their creativity around one o’clock at night, with help from Ganga Top and The Tavern. Thereafter, we are treated to their musical(??) efforts. Finally, silence prevails as the last of the troubadours crawls into bed. Only the soft moonlight stays awake, treading over the faraway hills.

JOYOSHI DAS GUPTA
B 32
85TH FOUNDATION COURSE

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

India Day photos



India day celebrations were held in the last week of october.. here are the pictures.

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Stupidest feed back ever

The picture says it all. Reviewing the 'Content' and 'presentation' for a cultural programme ? :)

When the only tool you have is a hammer, every problem resembles a nail !


-Random guy

Saturday, October 16, 2010

Qawwali - a dispassionate analysis


      I asked many of my friends from the audience about that “one word” which sums up the Qawwali performance by Nizami Bandhu in Sampoornanad Auditorium on 15th of October 2010. The choice of adjectives used was not that expected. ‘’Magnificent, awesome, best-ever-evening-so-far, elating, life-changing-experience, tremendous, great and many more” were a few of the responses. My personal experience was somewhere between “the sky and the sea-floor”, given the rapidity with which the main vocalists were diving from poetic excellence to lyrical absurdity. The appetizer that is Amir Khusro’s, Man Kunto Maula was so wonderful that for a moment I thought of bartering myself against the every line sung. It was a pure display of the artistic perfection that is more potent than a dope, more spiritually elevating than the greatest ritual any organized faith can have. But soon afterwards I felt being jettisoned from those heights as the main vocalist began adulterating Khusroos pearls of wisdom with rough gravel of “cheaply humorous” poetry taken from here and there. I do understand  his tragedy that he knew he was catering to an audience who by the virtue of being young were expectedly ‘’too cool’’ and too hostile to the idea of classical and serious spiritual music. After a while it was his compulsion to eulogize drinking to an unreasonable extent. He had no choice but to crack jokes on baldness of frontbenchers and his own dark-complexion. Then the fits of sycophancy were coming again and again when he seemed to be securing his future by singing paeans in praise of Sanjeev Chopra and Director Sir.

            I am not against comedy, no mentally-sound person can be. But the problem is that we need not be carrying that ‘’air of clowns’’ every time inside us. Entertainment is much-needed but someone who is meant to play the flute, need not amuse us by talking about ‘’ten un-common uses a pipe can be put to”! There are moments of seriousness and moments of fun. Spirituality has perhaps little to do with the riot of senses. There are times when we better be more discrete about our idea of enjoyment, when we need to nurture something else inside us that too without laughter and noise.
            But in the larger analysis it was an evening well-spent. Nizami Bandhus had a great connect with the audience, something that made this performance very special. The section of audience from non-Hindi belt particularly the south-Indians had a difficulty understanding the lyrics as well as the jokes and perhaps they were the only ones who didn’t have much to say about this performance. In fact it did  up-set me that they couldn’t enjoy it ‘’fully’’ perhaps although they had their share of joy as well.

            I must conclude by saying that let art not be just a source of gratification of senses. Entertainment isn’t just about laughter and comedy. Art has to be appreciated for sake of the art. Agreed? No? I know. I know what happens when mind is applied to matters of the heart.  Dum Mat Qalandar Mast Mast.

-Ibn Batuta

Friday, October 15, 2010

Birthday wishes to Ms Kadambari Bhagat

Friends,
Our fellow OT Ms Kadambari had her birthday on 14th of this month. A birthday party was arranged in the hostel OT-lounge. Here are the photos.

P.S Do send photos of birthday parties happening in our campus. We'll post it in our blog.



birthday cake
at 12'0 clock

is that really her? :)

the gang



Monday, October 11, 2010

The multitasking Indian woman

An eight armed Goddess!! With a ladle in one hand, while a laptop adorns the other, a diaper blooming on her open palm as she cradles her little child in the crook of her other arm. A watering can dangles from those deft fingers, as she balances the tray of cookies and other goodies, and tries answering the phone call of her boss, with one gloved hand making its way for the cake baking in the oven.
No, its not an animated movie with special effects, nor has Goddess Durga, the primeval feminine "shakti" condescended to grace thee with her presence!! Its the image that conjures up in my mind almost magically, the minute the phrase "multi tasking indian woman" is mentioned.

Being a woman in India is as challenging if not more than being one in another country with tons of laundry to be done, shopping to be shopped, that delectable sumptuous platter to be presented as per the preference of pizza loving billu and pinki, "dal roti" sasu maa, "mughlai" hubby, and thai curry- ardent guest who had chosen to make himself "atithi deva" that very day and would very much like to encroach upon bhabhi ji's hospitality.. :-)

And to top it all, imagine those incessant calls from the boss ( even when the leave has been duly taken), for this and that and this!! while the little "slice of her heart" clamours for attention and the darling husband playing romantic by losing all his shirt buttons!!
India, a society in transition, still has to wake up to the idea of fair divison of labour as with the educational and economic advancement of the woman, the "best" of both the worlds is "blessing" her with the windfall.

Therefore, the multi-tasking "superwoman" goes round and round, using all her wits and not to mention every ounce of her energy to complete her Sisyphus- tasks only to find many more springing up as from the little droplets of evil blood in ancient lores, many headed Hydras gestate!! the demons which need a goddess with her eight arms to combat and to be finished!!

Having proven their mettle in ever field, Indian women have to crusade against a more formidable foe. Having conquered prejudices, which doubted her capabilities, she now has to conquer "heightened expectations" which prove a more arduous task than any of those given to Herakles himself..

The expectation of being an exemplary leader or a helpful team mate at the work place, along with being an equally dexterous housewife on the domestic front... the expectation of being an understanding peer and following the ideals of being a perfect wife, which as per Indian tradition are "to counsel her man like a judicious Magus, to run errands for him like a slave girl, to feed him like his mother would and to pleasure him like a courtesan"

But the question that arises is whether any human being - especially the one that has been called "the weaker sex" for such a long time, really capable of accomplishing all these tasks, while maintaining her cheery benignity and not to forget her makeup- those waxed arms with french manicured nails??
Is it humanly possible for her, "the weaker vessel" to swim among the sharks just like her man does at her work place and yet must come home all smiling to do a sink full of dirty dishes and basket full of laundry clothes?? Is it humanly possible for her to bring out of her cornucopia horn (or akshayapatra if u prefer), toothsome food which would please the varying palates??

If its not humanly possible and yet she accomplishes these herculean tasks, then the epithet - "eight armed durga" is hardly a misnomer!! :-)

--
happiness always:

neha bansal

Thursday, September 30, 2010

We are not complete without U and I

Today the Allahabad High Court, in the Ayodhya case, ruled by a majority verdict that the disputed land in be divided equally into three parts among Hindus and Muslims and that the place where the makeshift temple of Lord Ram exists belongs to Hindus. 

Considering the long and winding course our judiciary takes, this is an important judgment which has come out during the term of our foundation course. Certainly, we can remember our FC85 for more than one reason. 


I feel the following picture aptly depicts the spirit of secularism in our country. We are certainly not complete without U and I.

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Poem in Hindi - Ajnabi


check out the poems written by Ajnabi in Hindi.. (click to enlarge)


Red tapism

Government of India
Ministry of Human Resources Development
Department of Culture
Films Division
New Films Subdivision
No. B1452/234/2003, dtd. 15/01/2000

To:
Shri B.R.Chopra,
Film Director,
Mumbai

Ref: Film story submitted by you, regarding financing of films by Govt. of India; Your letter dtd. 23/12/1997.

The undersigned is directed to refer the aforementioned letter and state that the Government of India (GOI) has examined your proposal for financing a film titled ''Mahabharat”. The VHLC (Very High Level Committee) constituted for this purpose has been in consultation with the HRC (Human Rights Commission), NCFW (National Commission for Women) and LC (Labour Commission), in addition to various Ministries and State Governments, and have
formed definitive opinions about the script. Their observations are below:

1. In the script submitted by you it is shown that there were two sets of cousins, namely, the 'Kauravas', numbering one hundred, and the 'Pandavas', numbering five or six. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has pointed out that these numbers are high, well above the norm prescribed for families by them. It is brought to your kind attention that when the Government is spending massive amounts for promoting Family Planning in due earnest, this indiscretion will send erroneous signals to the general public. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that there may be only three 'Kauravas' and one 'Pandava'.

2. The MPA (Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs) has raised an issue whether it is suitable to depict kings and emperors in this democratic age. Therefore, it is suggested that the 'Kauravas' may please be depicted as Honourable Members of Parliament (Lok Sabha) and the 'Pandava' may please be depicted as Honourable Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha). The ending of the film shows the victory of the said 'Pandavas' over the said 'Kauravas'. The ending may be suitably modified so none of the Honourable Members of Parliament is shown as being inferior to other Honourable Members of Parliament.

3. The Ministry of Science and Technology has observed that the manner of birth
of 'Kauravas' is suggestive of human cloning, a technology banned in India. This may be changed to normal birth.

4. The National Commission for Women has objected that the father of the 'Pandavas', one Sri 'Pandu', is depicted as bigamous, and also there is only one wife for the 'Pandavas' in common. Therefore suitable changes may be made in the said script so that the said Sri 'Pandu' is not depicted as bigamous. However, with the reduction in number of 'Pandavas' as suggested above, the issue of polyandry can be addressed without further trouble.

5. The Commission for the Physically Challenged has observed that the portrayal of the visually impaired character 'Dhritarashtra' is derogatory. Therefore, the said character may not be shown as visually impaired.

6. It is felt that showing the 'Pandava' and the 'Kauravas' as gamblers will be anti-social and counter-productive as it might encourage gambling. Therefore, the said 'Pandava' and 'Kauravas' may be shown to have engaged in horse racing or cricket. (Hon. Supreme Court has held horse racing and cricket as not to be gambling).

7. The 'Pandavas' are shown as working in the King Virat's employment without receiving any salary. According to the Human Rights Commission, this amounts to bonded labour and may attract provisions of The Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976. This may be corrected at once.

8. In the ensuing war, one character by the name Sri 'Abhimanyu' has been shown as fighting. The National Labour Commission has observed that, war being a hazardous industry, and the said character being 16 years old, this depiction will be construed as a case of child labour. Also there is no record of his being paid any compensation. This may also be deemed to be
violatory of the provisions of The Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986 and Minimum Wages Act, 1948. Such references in the film may be removed.

9. In pursuance of the Memorandum of Ministry of Finance regarding austerity measures, it is informed that in the battlefield sequences only ten soldiers may be allowed for each side. Also, all the characters may be shown to have obtained a valid license under the Arms Act, 1959, as well as  the Indian Arms Act, 1878.

You are, therefore, requested to modify your otherwise meritorious script along the aforementioned lines and resubmit it (notarized in triplicate) to the undersigned at the earliest for the Government's consideration.

Sd/-
Under Secretary

- submitted by M. Mitrabhanu

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Sahab Chaai? THE TALE OF A TEA-BAG!


What is similar between a tea-bag and the young-boy who brings us the dawn-time cup, I asked myself?

A fortnight had passed but all that I could gather was a faint idea of the grueling routine that Gopal used to go through as part of his job. I would always see him around as if someone had embedded him in the detail around me. Others were around too, but somehow he became a focus of my attention. I was careful, not to let him know about my observations though, much like a cautious bird-watcher.      

Meanwhile a strong voice from within began to disturb me. I wanted to ask him something but somehow I was not able to. So dinner-time, while I sulked in one corner of the Officers-Mess, I called him near.

“Gopal, morning time you gave me a cup of tea around 5 a.m, and its 9.15 p.m now. For so many days now I have been thinking about your working hours, but…..ok tell me when do you get free finally”, I asked? “Sir, morning time I have to start at 4.30 am, and we usually get free by 10.30 pm”, he replied rather grimly. “Twelve….no, sixteen…no eighteen hours of work…, and while I paused to use my mental-calculator, he drifted away towards my fellow Officer-Trainee. I had always found a complaint on his face and his eyes used to shine, whenever he felt I might ask something. There was a feeling of weightless in him, as if he had just had his moment of catharsis. I felt as if he had also been waiting for my questions the way I had been struggling to peek into his little-world of great-suffering.

        A few days back, one of our faculty members had been praising an OT  from the previous-years batch for having done some innovation in the management of Officers-Mess. Precisely, it was about “saving a lot of money” by contracting-out and getting rid of the excess man-power in the mess, I recalled. Did that innovation have anything to do with Gopal’s eighteen-hours, I asked myself? Stop this exaggeration and extrapolation, I pinched myself. But then why not, it is quite possible!      
I was not thinking like an economist, I knew because I was thinking “about” the margins. I was thinking of exploitation. Of the desperation that forces a Gopal to accept a job where he has to work for 18 hours a day without being paid adequately. I was not thinking like an economist for I had no regard for the innovations that over-burdened a poor-mans shoulders so as to safeguard the rich-mans pocket. I had no under-standing of the cost-benefit analysis, no appreciation of the rules of business. I knew I was more of an idealistic moron than being a man bestowed with practical wisdom. I exerted hard but somehow I was still unsuccessful in thinking like an economist to plot Gopals life on a supply-demand curve. How could it be about a “curve” for it was clearly about that “line” between the haves and have-nots of our country, I wondered.
        Now I realized that Gopal was him-self not much different from a tea-bag. He was also being dipped and squeezed, day-in and day-out. “Law, administration, justice, IAS, IPS, sensitivities, change, choice, voice, training, development, all this jargon  upon that we are  fed upon, appeared so meaningless and distorted when I tried to see  through Gopal’s spectacle.
                Gopal personifies both tragedy and triumph. Triumph of the man and the tragedy of a society whose scaffold and steel-frame we are about to become. We need to do something for the millions of Gopals around us. At least notice them, if nothing else. 

by
Ibn Battuta

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Cultural programme 23/sep/2010

Friends,

I'm attaching the videos shot with my amateur camera. For the entire coverage, you can contact the archives section, or you can contact our fine arts secretary.

Most of the videos are between 30 seconds to 2 minutes. I am sure you can revisit the fun moments we had by watching these videos.

It was an amazing day of fun, frolic and entertainment. Here are the videos

Backstage coverage before the start of the programme.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YakdFpOUkAg

Fusion dance part I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YMYbImEpMA

Fusion dance part II
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnlJdwijq1Q

Fusion dance part III
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAr1hIXBmP0

Dancing between the lines
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Btcj8dMou-o

Solo malayalam song
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vxK68GO6CI

Dancing on the table
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5ecU1GaSQc

The trio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6nZSUZKNSs

Regards,
V. Vikraman

P.S:  I request all to send the photos you have shot to voiceoffc85@gmail.com. we'll come out with the photo gallery asap.

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

The Jungle Book


Prelude 

We guys are totally bored with the routine work for last 22 days. Monotony has started to creep into the lives of many, including me. So I feel, I would tell the story of a jungle to kill the boredom of everybody here. If it happens to kill your boredom then please give credit to me and if it does not then you are all welcome to curse yourself for reading this magnum opus (of mine).

Background
There is a jungle, away from the hue and cry of human civilization, on a hilltop. The jungle is purely multicultural with every species of animals and some beautiful birds living in it peacefully, though the jungle is often termed as the bird deficit jungle. There is a peculiarity about this place. All the animals and birds have migrated to this place on the same day from distant lands. There was no specific reason for that, but as the insiders say they have come here to search for peace and serene joy; some kind of holiday home. By holiday home we get a mental picture of laid back attitude, laziness and slumbers all over, but quite unnaturally this happens to be a super active jungle. The jungle is abuzz with activities, events, romantic stories, gossips and what not. In the next few posts I would be telling you the anecdotes from the jungle which may make you smile for a split second. A word of caution I may put here; the first three posts may be purely devoted to the introduction of the various prominent personalities of the jungle. 

Episode-1: The tiger club
Aristotle says, “He who can live without a society is either a beast or a god”. But our fellow animals in the Jungle are hell bent on proving Mr Aristotle wrong. There are too many groups, in-groups, outer groups, fringe groups etc in the jungle. One such group is the group of tigers. Of course a few cubs are included in the group too. That happens to be a truly socialist group as we don’t find any single leader. There are 5-6 regular members of the group who are real majestic tigers. But many times they are accompanied by a group of cubs too. These majestic beasts are the most important group of the jungle in the sense that they are seen in every nook and corner of the jungle doing anything and everything under the sun (as they may like) even sometimes mingling with the beautiful birds of the jungle.
However, what distinguishes them from the other beasts, and mind it there are at least hundreds of beasts, is that they frequent to a place every single evening. That place is actually the bank of a nice river. These majestic beasts sit there, and enjoy the evening with the elixir of life. Yes, one can say the knowledge of elixir and the knowledge of optimal usage (of it) has been one of the most fundamental characteristics of these beasts which provide them the manly vigour and grace. These beasts can gulp any amount of the divine liquid and discuss the issues that happen to affect the jungle and the world outside including the human civilization. They discuss topics ranging from the green feathered most beautiful bird in the jungle to the stanzas of the great epic Rashmirathi. They are the actual power nucleus of the jungle.
Special mention can be made of one particular tiger, which is arguably the most famous beast of the jungle. He is a great connoisseur of the elixir and one of the regular visitors of the river bank. He is famous amongst the birds and beasts alike because of ready witness and jokes which most of the times border foolishness. But my personal favourite is one huge and robust tiger, looks innocent but with real killer instincts or shall I say killer basic instincts!! He is powerful at the same time adorable; in short we can say beauty and beast personified in one body. And no doubt he is a good lover of elixir. Besides him, there is one white tiger with great masculinity, a huge tiger with special facial features and other tigers nothing lesser than the illustrated ones described above. And last but not the least there is the maverick all rounder, a huge beast who happens to be one of the most important creatures of the jungle. These great beasts are generally surrounded by cubs of lesser progeny.
So much for today, for mere introduction will bring too much boredom amongst my readers who must definitely be feeling like killing me at this very instant. So to save myself, I will narrate a small incident which happened sometime back in the den of the tigers near the bank of the river.
That day was somewhat special day for the river bank meeting, as all the majestic beasts and many little cubs were present. The quantity of elixir was unlimited and so also the sidekicks. In the elite company there was that silent and not so elite blooded cub. By nature he is introvert and silent all the time. But that day, he drank a lot of elixir that even put the big beasts into shame. And that made him too loquacious and he boasted bravado, (of course false one). But little does that poor chap knew, too much of everything, even if it is the elixir of life, should be avoided. All the bravado of that cub vanished in utter vain when he vomited in front of most of the creatures of the jungle, even some beautiful birds were present too. From that day onwards, the cub is avoiding the bank of the river, but it is very doubtful if he can keep himself away from that place for too long. However, one gain for the poor cub is he got somewhat famous in the jungle. Yours truly heard somewhere that a beautiful bird asked the poor chap, “You take a lot of elixir right?” and that was the first time the cub and the bird talked that day.
Enough of nonsense for today; if the blog owner finds this write up any worth and allows me to continue further, will introduce some other facets of the jungle to my readers. But I doubt if he would give any chance further!!

Disclaimer:
The above piece of artistic marvel is purely fictitious in nature and if there is any resemblance to any person living or dead, the writer doesn’t care!!!


- jungle_reporter

Trek despite lashing rains

It was September 18th. We woke up to the sounds of incessant rains. Nevertheless, we were supposed to report at the Admin block at 7 AM. We collected our Breakfast packs and reported at 7 AM. It was decided by the organisers that we would take an alternate route around Mussoorie (instead of Lal Tibba) due to rains.

It was a stroll along the road for most of the time. It was raining intermittently and almost all enjoyed the trip. A welcome break from what was initially in store! "

Here is a better description of the trek through my camera.





- Mohammed Safirulla

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

A Tribute To Rajamurugan Jayachandran IAS

Some unfulfilled dreams...

Some incomplete tasks

Amidst tears, cries and screams..

Every voice, your name asks…



hills,slopes,LBSNAA greens..

anonymous friends,familiar strangers..

gatherings and somber scenes..

chant for you the holy verse..



In our memories, you shall for ever thrive..

Our Officer, for us,you are alive...

- Dr. Shah Faesal

Monday, September 20, 2010

Is it real 'espirit de corps'?

Only good thing about the Bhawani Singh episode was that it exposed the kind of hypocrisy that we all have come to master. In fact when OTs started condemning him to please RA Sir, it was obvious that all that hollow-talk about esprit de corps is nothing but a farce. All those greetings, those smiles, that etiquette which we display in front of each other, everything seems so fake now. So artificial!

Someone has rightly said that it takes courage to stand up and speak but it also takes courage to sit down and listen. Here the question is not whether Bhawanis conduct was appropriate or not? Was it a demonstration of the strength of his character or the reflection of some unseasoned thought-process is a question that better be left to the higher-ups. The larger issue is the kind of bickering and split that was in our ranks regarding this whole issue. All of a sudden two of our colleagues are publicly humiliated and ostracized although they had not committed any gross violation of the discipline and instead of standing by them we demonize and ridicule them further!shame.

We need to do some introspection. We must question ourselves. Do we have to work in cohesion or at cross-purpose? Why should we need a dictat to display the quantum of decency expected from us as grown-up officers, why can’t it be spontaneous? Where is that fellow-feeling and where are those unpolluted sentiments of togetherness? RA sir has the duty to do “emotional atyachaar” on us but it is our duty to show emotional maturity and act in a manner that suits his expectations from us.

Today every OT was feeling assaulted and upset. Lets resolve that we won’t let it happen again. We can surely create an atmosphere where the faculty is proud of us and we feel indebted to them!!

On a lighter note, lets shout,

“BHAWANI KI JAWANI KO HAMARA SALAAM !!!”

-Anonymous

11 PM, OUTSIDE THE GANGA

descending fog..

rising aspirations of some anonymous people..

tepid conversations but chilled laughters..

hissing beauties and the howling beasts..

some hopes for tomorrow..

and some lamentations of the past..

a nightly rendezvous with the dreamy future..

a way out of the crossroads??

and the sky watched in silence…

FIRST STIRRINGS OF ROMANCE

silhouettes of wandering fairies..

and shadows of captured mindsets..

all gathered into poetic diaries..

amidst hesitation, numerous threats..

some complaints of neglect..

some quiet advances..

and the silhouette bares all intellect..

she plays sings and dances..


Dr Shah Faesal

SLANTED THOUGHTS..

Some twisted steps uphill..

they did teach me walk..

but to fly n d needed will?

like clouds or a spring hawk..

why polished my body while my soul corroded?

Why stiffened my limbs, while my wings atrophied?


Dr Shah Faesal

WITHOUT MEANING

“And the tragedy is that would-be servants of the people with shovels n sickles r being taught to play with forks and knives!!

“A good trek is one where you don’t find anyone ahead and behind, but only someone beside you!
“The tragedy is that we want a perfect democracy but without conducting perfect elections!

Dr. Shah Faesal

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Visit to RAPHAEL/NIVH

Friends,
I feel privileged to be writing the first post of the voiceoffc85  blog, which would serve as a forum for all of us to voice our thoughts. It has been conceived to provide a nice memory of all the wonderful things that happen around us in the campus.

I would like to begin with my experience of visiting RAPHAEL AND NIVH. It was a humbling experience looking at the innate talents of the physically challenged. For a moment, all concerns regarding service/cadre seemed really trivial. I am posting some of the photos/videos taken there.

videos (click on the links below to view the video):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NXm9dMxYT8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SOcDpMwyUQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsXpRvxJVes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgCW360_eyo


Photos:
Photos taken at Raphael/NIVH


Regards,
V. Vikraman