June’25, 2011 - Get-together of All Turning 30…!

School results are out in the month of June, and students run cats and dogs to become a Bachelor! They run from this corner to that corner for admission to either Graduation Colleges, or Technical/Commercial Colleges. 13 years back, students of Kendriya Vidyalaya N E Railway Samastipur too got their School Leaving certificates and were running for shaping their future.

Some went to Delhi, Some went to Patna, and some decided to shape their career in Samastipur itself. After 13 years, 12 out of 56 students decided to meet at Gaziabad on June 25-26. I wish all 56 kids who started studying together in 5th Standard, would have joined hands together. But, since only 12 decided to make it to come to Delhi, for a memorable time together, I’ll speak of only 12 + 1 people. The additional ONE** is the one who accused me as ‘Disastrous’. I don’t know why!

1. Ranjeet Singh: Ranjeet left us earlier may be before 10th. He is one guy with complex character. But, at the same time, he is the one who writes his own fortune. He is among those, who determine the ways of living life. From a crew member at Air Deccan, to running a chemical factory, and now a small but effective Infrastructure development company – he has marked his signature at every work he has done. Still miles to go, but he knows how to lead life lavishing.
2. Ajeet K Mahapatra: Dr. Mahapatra is awaiting final confirmation from a faculty at IIT Kanpur for him to be awarded a PhD from Delhi University. This budding Scientist is an avid chemistry fan. He wanted to be a doctor in past. Within one month, he shall be fulfilling the dream, with an award of Doctorate in Chemistry. In school, he was popularly known as Kishan Kanhaiya. He still maintains that status quo. Hanging around with girls, or girls hanging around him, is a normal thing and can be witnessed at North Campus. :-P
3. Trinath Prasad: Titti or Bhutta was the nick name given to Trinath, considering his height, compared with average height of the batch. A dedicated follower of Radha Swami ji, Trinath never run after a dream. He lived his life as it came. Got a graduation degree from Samastipur College, then MBA from IGNOU and finally a CA – he went a long way. The best part is the height he gained. With 5’8”+ height, he is certainly not a Bhutta anymore! Can you believe this guy is a hard core vegetarian, not eating even garlic, ginger and Onions! I still wonder how he survived for 5 months at USA!
4. Ranjit Verma: The third member of the DAR group, Ranjit too had a dream of becoming a Doctor – and chased his dream for quite few years. Realizing the truth, Ranjit changed his track and finished graduation and thereafter MBA. Two things didn’t change in him in last 13 years. One, like Ajeet he too has maintained his looks and shapes – Olay guys, come and endorse them for your Ad, and Two, he still has a fascination with Nehru Vihar – the place where he used to stay when he first landed in Delhi. Why Ranjit? Who stays there? :-P
5. Amit Raushan: Popularly known as Michel, he still remains the darling for all of us, as he was during School. Whenever we talk of/about him, we remember and miss Manjari. They were so tagged with each other, sometime we were confused if they are two bodies and one life! Like Trinath, he also didn’t have any fascination with particular career. After finishing his graduation he did his MBA, and now helping HSBC in making Dollars! I rate him an expert in convincing the common public to invest! A very good cook among us, he cooked food for all KVians gathered.
6. Akhilesh Mishra: Son of S D Mishra sir, he carries the same persona and character with him. Only addition is, he has developed some habits that were a complete NO for Mishra Sir. Akhilesh is one guy who has seen the dark days of his life. There were times when even Mishra Sir lost hope that Akhilesh will really do something to make him proud of. But, as it says, after every dark night, colorful morning comes – and brings light and life. So did Akhilesh, by becoming a certified CS. As a Company Secretary, this guy helps running an Infrastructure and Real Estate Company. I wish Akhilesh carries the same charisma Mishra sir was having.
7. Dheeraj Ranjan: Dhajji, is another guy who inherits a lot from his father. Like Sudhanshu Ranjan sir, Dheeraj also sketches and paints well. He is the founder of DAR group, came in competition with MSM detective Agency (Mrinalini, Shweta, Manjari) when we were in 11th Standard. Dhajji too had a dream of becoming a Doctor, but destiny had something else in the Pandora Box. He finally finished with an MBA. He has an avid experience of Real Estate business in Delhi and NCR area. Like all MBA’s, he also plans to start something of his own. I wish he makes me CEO of his company someday!
8. Abhishek Kumar: Lara – this is the name we all gave him, considering his passion for cricket and particularly for his love with the great Brian Lara. For us he was a right handed Lara, when he was playing cricket. In school days, Lara was interested in batting only. Balling and Fielding was something he disliked to do. Like Akhilesh, he too has seen the worst days of his life. At times, he was known to be a budding gunda of Samastipur! The best news I received when I visited his house and get to know that Abhishek has joined VIT for his MBA program. This guy runs Amex Bangalore office on his toes!
“Sun Rubia, tumse pyaar ho gaya, kya karein” – Lare, do you remember this song, from MARD. This song is relevant in many senses. Sumit, Ajeet and some others can shed some light.
9. Mangal Murti: Captain Dr. Mangal Murti, MD., was famous among us as Mangu and Mangal. AFMC guys know him as MaMu. If you want to see someone reading Sanskrit version of Ram Charit Manas with the same ease as Hanuman Chalisa and reciting without opening the holy book, visit him sometimes. He is among those few guys, who fulfilled his dream and remained firm with the decisions he made. He wanted to be a Doctor, and became a Doctor. He serves in Indian Army as Resident Psychiatrist, and helps Soldiers to stay firm with their duties, and helps their family members to keep love and faith with the respective Soldiers. A genuinely Genius among us, he still maintains the art of witty remarks and quick One liners he used to give when we were kids.
10. Rajeev Ranjan: I won’t write much about him, since he came for only few hours. Madhavi was ill, so he was taking good care of his wife. I shall share only one point for him – he was a philosopher and he remains a philosopher.
11. Bhupinder Singh: Bhuppi and Sardar were two nicks given to him, though he didn’t like someone calling him Sardar. If you remember or think of any possible controversy at School, Bhuppi was either directly or indirectly linked with all of them. Bhuppi tried his luck with everyone, be it Rupali, Aparajita, Anjana or Nimisha, Shalini... but alas! He was never too serious with study at any point of time. It was like cutting a cake for him. Live life king-size and enjoy every moment is his moolah for Life. He runs his own business in Ludhiyana, and also works in some government firm.
12. Yours Truly: :-)

After briefly introducing everyone, let me pen down those impetus and memorable moments of June 25 – 26. The intoxicated fever started with late evening. Lara was slated to fly from Bangalore, Mangal to move from Jhansi and Bhuppi to move from Ludhiyana. I was going to land at Delhi airport for the first time, that too in Terminal 3. Unfortunately Lara was landing at T-1. I had no idea of distance between T-1 and T-3. The gap is of approx. 10 Km. Dhajji did all arrangements of our pick-up. Michel’s house at Vaishali, Gaziabad had been chosen as meeting venue.
Lara and I reached Vaishali at 0230 hrs. We met Michel after 13 years. Lara has grown him from many places. I too developed tyres on and around belly. But nothing changed in Michel. He just proportionally grew from every direction. We had a long hour discussion, with sips of ‘Coffee with Lara’ – and we decided to stay awake to receive Mangal at 0600 hrs. Omelets, Corn flakes and Tea was served by ‘Cook’ Michel to all of us. By 1330 all 11 gathered and we decided to have Lunch.

Time was running so fast, and we were racing against time. We wanted to enjoy every moments by staying as close as possible. So we were chalking out every plans of making this meeting memorable one. Everyone was trying to give ‘personal’ time to everyone! Thanks to the power cut in Gaziabad, we finally zeroed on visiting a Shopping Mall nearby. Dilli was full of heat with temperature ranging from 34 – 37oC; we had no choice than to take shelter where free AC is available. Rajeev joined us at the shopping mall.
After roaming around and ‘absorbing lots of Vitamin A in eyes’ till 10 PM, and googling on various hotels for Dinner, we decided to go back to Michel’s house and order something for munching. Ranjeet and Rajeev paid adieus to us. Madhvi was not well, so Rajeev had to go. Ranjeet had some meeting at mid-night! When you own a Honda City and a driver, meeting can happen anytime and anywhere. The Titti sponsored moonlight dinner on the rooftop started at 1 AM, and we 10 engrossed ourselves with a lot of ‘boyish’ talk. We pulled the leg of many among us, and many girls. A lot was discussed on why I am ‘disastrous’ but nothing concrete could come out. We recalled many moments and cherished all of them. All those that were embarrassing at one point of time, were giving a pleasing and sensuous feel when we were hovering our past. Finally we decided to take a nap at 4 AM in morning. Michel, Dheeraj, Lara and I were awake from last 40 hours, though I was taking some 30 minutes of power packed naps in between. Surprisingly, all of us woke up by 9 AM. Don’t know how! Again the ‘cooks’ Michel and Lara were ready with Omelets and Corn Flakes. Mangal loved the evening and night food a lot, so the love converted into loose motion. Addition to it was his allergy with the narcotic smells that were prevalent in rooms. Seems ITC became millionaire in those 48 hours!
Considering the uncalled situations, rice was cooked and 1 Kg of Curd was purchased. We all preferred to eat a simple food comprising Rice, Dal, Aaloo ki bhajiya, and Curd. Did some rest and suddenly sadness cropped up in everyone’s eyes and face. It was a genuine pain of separation. All of us were trying to hide that feeling. Boys don’t cry. So we were trying to keep ourselves busy in stupid things like snapping pics, or collecting and packing cloths or taking rest by forcefully closing eyes. Mangal, Bhupinder and Ajeet left us at around 3 PM. Bhuppi and Mangal’s departure was acceptable as they had to catch their respective trains, I am unable to understand why Ajeet left us. If I am correct, no laboratories are open for conducting experiments on Sunday’s. Well may be some girl friends could be! Finally the cab came to pick me to drop at Airport. I was crying from inside, so was trying to avoid eye contact with anyone. Boys don’t cry you know. So, I shook hands and hugged everyone and sit in the Cab. Asked the driver to move and motioned to friends that keep in touch. I’ll call all of you.
I left Delhi in 2001 as I was selected by IIT, Kanpur. After 10 years, when I got the glimpse of Delhi, I was amazed. The flocks of flyovers, widened roads, modernization of buildings etc. everything was just amazing. I wish I could have stayed longer to experience Delhi also. I was so engrossed with friends, completely forgot that I have to see the new and changed Delhi too. Well, sometimes later… Delhi Wait for me.