We are one

Sankalpa Basu

There, I have your attention. What better way to start a post in a school blog. I have no reason to write about us in the singular as we are several, not very many maybe, but definitely more than one. We would like to believe that we are united, but I in my heart I know that we are merely a set of individuals who have passed through a time hole called DMS 83 and now yearn to go back through the same time hole, back to the future.

There, I think I have lost your attention already. But wait, I have something I wanted to tell you, I just couldn’t remember it in time. It is all coming back to me now. Yeah.. I wanted to share with you my obsession with fat.

I have been troubled with which I respectfully call as high BMI. I am not unique in having this trouble, it seems to be quite a popular concern, almost as serious as a bad MIL. A life time of indulgence has led me to accumulate. I have managed to turn some of the finest feasts into lipids. Poor me.

I envy those of you who don’t have my problem, but believe me the road to obesity was paved with delights, I have been singularly lucky to be born in this day and age, where people have a greater chance of dying from the effects of overeating than from the effects of starvation. I admit there are still an immense number of people dying from starvation, some of them in our own country, but there is a place and time for such serious discussions. Modern technology has allowed me to have ice-cream every day and not only when I could amass 50 paisa, I can have popcorn every time I watch a movie, that is, If I am not having nachos. I also keep some chocolates in my desk, just because I can.

We are not one, I am fat and you are thin, admit it gives you satisfaction to think how much slimmer you are than me, and you will have taken the first step towards honesty. And honesty my friends is the best policy.   

My friend Geeta

Geeta,  

I don't exactly remember my first conversation with you.  We met as 10 year old's in class V.  Can't even recall when the friendship grew to the extent that we could feel each other presence even after leaving school in 1985.  It was only 8 years of my life with you that made a life time of memory!!

Time went by and after 1985, we ended up in different college then started on the journey of our own lives.  Didn't really stayed in touch that much.  But whenever I took a trip down the memory lane a warm and giggling feeling would fill up my heart thinking about time spent with you. 

Life moved on.  I got married, got busy building my life....my poor husband heard all my childhood memories over and over and over.  We met again after few years and learned that you were engaged to Tridib and will be married soon.  Met the love birds at Chandrama's house.  Was so happy for both of  you.  You both had the spark and the fuzzy feeling you know :-)

Time was rolling and life got even more busier and 1998 on my trip back home, learned that you are a proud mom.  Could not see you or the baby that trip.  Made many  more trips after that and met you and Tridib few times but never got a chance to meet Om.  But always had this special feeling about him. Om is your son, must be very special.....As technology advanced saw Om's pictures and then saw a video of Om singing. Somehow developed an invisible bond with him.  Didn't talk to anyone about but just had that special feeling.

I will never forget when I read Sipra's posting about Om.  I just froze and thought I was mis-reading, so took a deep breath and read it again, then again, and again....heart started racing fast and had the feeling of butterfly on the stomach.  Had your face flash in front of me,

Next few hours was mixed with sorrow, anger, and a feeling of loss.  Wanted to pick up the phone and call you right away then could not gather the courage.  What am I going to tell you?  Felt like there is nothing in the world I can say to make you feel better.  Tried to rehearse what to tell you......and finally gathered enough strength for the call.  Just after saying hello, I forgot all the rehearsal.  You said you were in in Om's room at the time and feeling his presence.  I guess I immediately felt the same because I was not as disturbed any more.  Just listening to you made me realize that how special you are!!  You did talk about Om the whole time and how you had a vision before his birth.  How you knew that he was a special child.  I just listened.....what a powerful and strong personality you are!  Almost unbelievable at times, so calm.  But I salute you my friend, your actions and reactions half way around the world from me has made me realize life.  To accept life....and I am very proud to be your friend.

Om Raja....you are so special.  I love you and your parents.  

Never lose faith in your dreams!

Mrigank Das

A couple of years back I was on a bus tour of the city of Los Angeles. And the tour guide told me something that I shall never forget.
He said, "In LA, even the waiter in the restaurant is only one audition away from stardom." - I always think life is like that too - you are one audition away from stardom - never lose faith in your dreams!

Reflections 1.1

Siddharth Padhi

What makes this whole thing tick in time? We, the People of '83, regrouped after three decades, bringing with us our notions on the others from school days. If course, none of us are the same any more. So, its been interesting rediscovering things about each other; and sometimes bickering in the process. As familiarity discovers the unfamiliar aspects, the bonds strengthen  to create a composite, comprised of the original (not Chinese) bits, but far superior in character. That's what drives it.