saswatnanda1

[saswatnanda1]

Reflections of MBA- The River We Crossed

A journey which cannot be described in a few words. But tried to pen down some reflections of it. I will elaborate it in upcoming blogs:- I set my boat upon a restless stream, Pushed from the shore by winds of dream, The oars were new, my hands unsure, Yet hope was strong, and thought was pure. The river spoke in many tongues — Of laughter bright, of sorrows sung, It danced in sunlight, stormed in rain, A mirror clear, a whip of pain. At first I fought against its will, Tried mapping charts with sharpened skill, But maps grew soggy, truths unmade, And every bend, a new world laid. I found companions on that ride, Whose laughter lightened storms inside, Their hands would steady trembling oars, Their songs would mend my weathered sores. Wise mariners in distant towers, With patient words and hidden powers, Taught me to listen, watch, and feel — That not all treasures come by zeal. I shed the weight of knowing all, Unlearned the walls I'd built so tall, And learned instead to sail by trust, To let the questions stir the dust. Some nights were still, some rapids wild, Each tide reshaped the inner child, Till I, the boat, the river too — Became a whole I never knew. Now, from the bank, I turn to see, The course that wove and wakened me; Not gold, nor fame, nor final shore — But faces I will thank evermore. For in their eyes I caught the gleam, That set the course and fueled the dream, The journey's end was never far — It pulsed within the friends we are.

[saswatnanda1]

How Would A Twinkling Dream of Freedom Look Like?

"At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom...". It is 78 years since this historic moment in the sacred Central Hall of the now Old Parliament building. Seated in the speaker's chair, as Dr. Rajendra Prasad onlooked, the then Prime Minister of India, Pt. Nehru spoke of India's Tryst with Destiny.

Many years later, as a child reads about this iconic day in his History lesson, he tries to imagine and bring the entire frame of that historic midnight of August 15 to the best of his ability. For this is the way he has been taught to learn about history. As he portrays his teacher in front as the Speaker of the house, his fellow classmate reading aloud as the Prime Minister of the moment, he looks above and tries to find semblance between the blades swirling in a rhythmic fashion above his head and the ones which breathed in fresh air of freedom into everyone present in the Central Hall of Parliament on that day.

We might have read and witnessed countless depictions of the day of India's freedom, in books, paintings, and movies. However, the first time when we pictured this day in our minds, as a child glancing through the images of our school textbooks. How would a child have imagined that particular day. This is an attempt to bring that twinkling recollection in the form of a short poem:-

A Child's Dream Of Freedom

I’ve read of days when darkness reigned,

A nation bound, in chains constrained.

Of heroes brave, with hearts of fire,

Who fought for freedom, their one desire.

I picture scenes of struggle, strife,

A nation yearning for a better life.

The moment grand, when flags unfurled,

A newborn nation, in a wondrous world.

I’ve seen the joy on faces bright,

As fireworks paint the evening sky.

A day of pride, a day of glee,

My heart swells with a sense of free.

I dream of India, strong and vast,

Where every child can reach the mast.

A land of knowledge, peace, and grace,

Where freedom’s torch forever stays.

I’ll hold this day as precious art,

A flame of love within my heart.

I’ll grow and learn with all my might,

To serve my country, shining bright.

[saswatnanda1]

Where Words Fail, Pictures Speak...

Scrolling through the phone gallery, or flipping through the photo album which had been treasured in a safe at home used to be the favorite past-time for elders earlier. One day, I asked my grandmother, “Why do you regularly check on this album? What is so special about these pictures, some of which are decades-old, some worn off at the corners ?” She replied with her usual smile,”These are not just pictures, these are like the scenes of a movie. A beautiful movie which flashes before my eyes. This movie contains all sorts of drama, emotion, comedy and memories”.

Time passed on, and that movie shifted from a photo album to our smartphones. The reels of the film shifted to reels on Instagram. But the essence remains the same, all these tiny fragments together, replay a time of our lives that we cherish, which we wish to keep close to ourselves. Glance through your birthday picture, where the cake has been violently smashed onto your face, and an instant smile radiates on your faces. Have a look at that childhood picture, when you accidentally put on your elder sister’s skirt, and that would be a joke that would never get old( even though you wish no one saw that except you ).  A video where you and your sibling danced wildly to your favorite tune. A picture of you graduating, and that would bring a sense of pride in one’s own progress in life. A picture of your corporate farewell, retirement, or final college days, and each time, it would not fail to moist our eyes.  The picture with your best friend(s), your sister or your brother pulling your leg, or a successful prank, might annoy you then, but will never fail to leave your memory ever.

So, what are these pictures, videos, albums all about ? They weave stories. Stories about us, stories about our own. Our school books used to have illustrations in them, which helped us visualize whatever we read. Even today, during our lessons, we are taught that visualization is the best way to remember a concept. There are other aspects to it too. When one brims with complacence, someone might be tempted to point to a picture that shows him crying for failing at school. The impact would be seen immediately. These memories act as our treasure-house, which impart invaluable lessons during times that might seem unthinkable. These memories remind us constantly where we come from, and help us align ourselves. These moments constantly remind us of the fond times that we spent with our loved ones, who speak to us, “You are never alone. We are there with you always”.  

It's said that people are not immortal, but moments are. The moments that we create, that we capture through those tiny lenses stay with us for a lifetime. Where words fail, pictures speak. So, the next time you create a beautiful memory, don’t forget to capture it “candidly” !!

[saswatnanda1]

What Makes Our Festivals Special ?

It is that time of the year when we all gather around to celebrate the advent and stay of the Holy Mother Goddess. Rituals, traditions, chants, and grandeur all revere the source of energy, the source of power, the source of knowledge, and the source of life. The depiction of the victory of truth over evil becks the festivities up with the brightness of hope and optimism.

              The land of festivals comes to life when festivals are blended with its most important ingredient- Emotions. Lights dazzle colorfully all around, but the illumination brought about by the homecoming of our loved ones shines brighter. We may be served the best of delicacies, but the taste just grows richer by the reunion and gossip at that “chaat-waaala” shop, with friends meeting after a long time. Adorned in the best of attires, our smiles become our best ornaments which reverberate wherever we go and whoever we meet. The surroundings echo with rhythms and drumbeats, but the noisy squabble between sisters and brothers over “who wore it better”, adds life to the festive cheer. In addition to that, there is one more emotion that makes the festive season even more special.

All of us have a personal touch that makes the celebrations memorable and special for us. It is this personal touch that personifies the supreme being, the Goddess herself, as a special member of our families. This personal touch is the depiction of the arrival of that special member of our families who visits us once a year, for a period of ten days, starting from the first day of Navaratri. Lights, sound, clothes, ornaments, cuisines and delicacies, all are sorted for the arrival of that special member. In fact, I believe, all our festivals gain the charm with this very feeling of attachment, where the supreme being, the source of our existence, herself, is welcomed and treated as a member of a family. Our guardian who visits us once a year, or our favorite sister or our best friend who makes it a point to celebrate these ten days with all of us, taking her time off from official business. It is this excitement of welcoming her that makes us rush for the best of attires, the best of sweets, the best of decorations, the best of music, and the best of our moods. Come what may, these ten days should be made memorable for her!!! And so quickly they pass, that we don’t realize when the time beckons for the goodbye !! And the wait resumes for her next visit…

  Heartiest Greetings of the Festive Season to everyone. May God bless us all!

[saswatnanda1]

CELEBRATING CONVOCATION

19 August 2023…this date takes me back to May 8, 2019, when I, standing in a queue of hundreds, was waiting for my name to be called out, apprehensive of whether I would get my preferred stream or not.  Cut to about a month and a half…June 25, 2019…when I was officially inducted into an Institute which could overwhelm anyone at first glance. A week later, amidst the pouring showers, was I, wary of my formal outfit, looking out for my classroom for the very first Engineering Chemistry lesson…

              I could go on and on, to no end…As I walked through those roads leading to our classrooms, stadium, food courts, KSAC and our own Campus 15, memories flashed like motion images before my eyes with a tinge of a green shade with each. The journey which spanned from a Fest to a Karnival had every emotion one could feel. The journey which began with nervousness culminated with satisfaction and joy. The journey which began with apprehension reached its destination with confidence and pride. Proud of the place which I could call my home for the last four years. Proud of the people who grew from classmates to friends for life. The memories associated with every campus in this sprawling University are etched in the minds of every KIITian as batches of students are turned into brand ambassadors of KIIT each year. But the Class of 2023 has a different story to tell…

              The class of 2023 will be known for its journey through trials of time. When we all wished each other our goodbyes for the Holi Vacation in March 2020, little did we realize that when we come back, our worlds would have changed forever. For slowly spreading its feet within us was the invisible enemy which exploded just as we thought it was over. As the batch woke up to the news of our college being shut down indefinitely, the roads began to look foggy. But amidst the fog were our teachers who became our torchbearers, firmly holding our hand as we walked through uncertainty. When the prospects looked bleak, my college decided to stand by its students and decided to try something which had never been thought of before- the Online Mode. We were probably one of the first institutes in the country to resume our academic year in the online mode. The situation was new even for our teachers, and probably we are one of the few batches which not only learnt FROM our teachers but also learnt WITH them.  One might laugh it away when I say that we belong to the online batch, but the Class of 2023 knows the life lessons that we have learnt in the process. The four and a half semesters are a tell-tale legacy soaked in legend. Social distancing connected our batch more than ever before, and as we battled the pandemic, we stood with each other through thick and thin. The pandemic didn’t spare any one, however the Class of 2023 learnt about unity by facing this menace together.

              I can never forget the days spent after we returned to the Campus for our final year. The year 2022 could probably not be better in terms of the Grand Finale, for it was the year our KIIT celebrated its journey from Soil to Silver, our Silver Jubilee.  An institute which rose from a rented building to a sprawling 25 sq.km city, was gearing up to celebrate its milestone in the most unique way possible-a four month celebration involving all stakeholders of its growth story.  And adding to the glory and grandeur was the majestic silver “Karnival”. Decked in gold, the elegance and grandeur post sunset throughout the campus was a sight to behold. Every corner was active with some sort of activity. And there is not a single day that we haven’t enjoyed being amidst the queues for a magic photograph, or one amongst the crowd at the Momo Stall, or just being awed at the hues of gold.

              As I look back on the journey today, I realize that this four year journey has gifted me some people who are the pearls of my treasure-house. Friendship is more than assignments and work, it’s about emotions, ones who understand your emotions, ones whom you know better, ones with whom you don’t hesitate to share and be yourself. Over the span of these four years, from being a student to an intern, I was blessed with such people who grew from batchmates and colleagues to friends forever. Any occasion was and still is, considered incomplete without their presence in some form.

              As I walk through the message which KIIT delivers to the world, there is a satisfaction as well that our journey as KIITians has given us a lot to cherish and lot to ponder. When we took the pledge on the day of our Convocation, there was a feeling of responsibility towards the prefix added before our names.  Being trained for four years, we are now the brand ambassadors of our alma-mater.  We now belong to the network of those proud alumni who spread the message of “Poverty Eradication Through Education” with the same warmth as they have received from their University.

              Friendships do not have goodbyes. The transition from “What’s-Up” to “Whatsapp” has given everyone a way to be closer to people than ever before. However, it is possible that being tangled in the activities and commitments at hand, one may find it difficult to stay in touch. I am sure in those moments, the cherished memories that we all had created together would be the preferred means of unwinding oneself. At least it is for me. I will miss my friends, my closest companions. However, I know that we are never apart, there are no goodbyes for us. Yes, we won’t be meeting on a regular basis, but the bond which we have created will only grow stronger from here.

              I could just go on and on….perhaps, a series write-up would be a better option for a detailed tour. But at the end of this journey and the beginning of another, there is a feeling of gratitude that is prevalent. Gratitude to be part of a family, of a home that I can proudly call my own. Thank you KIIT for everything !!!!

[saswatnanda1]

It’s a Wrap!!

It is a weekend…No, it is a month end…Actually, it the the end of a year. Time draws its curtains on yet another year, it signs off another book of 365 pages, it wraps up another of its directorial, called “2022”. A movie where each one of us played their part. Some of us had their parts in a comic role, some had a more intense character, some saw the best while others waited for their best to come. But what remained constant throughout is the change, the transition from one phase of life to another.

  This year was special in its own ways. Not just because we embraced each other once again, after fighting against the invisible enemy for two years, but this was a year propagating hope. This year was another reminder that humanity always wins at the end. Because we have the power which the enemy doesn’t have- the power of hope. The hope to succeed, the will to fight, not just for ourselves, but for our loved ones, for everyone whom we care. And with this realization, we dawned into the 75th Year of Independence. Our Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav. The celebration of everything our nation is about. The celebration of our own selves- the people who we are, the style which we follow, the lessons which we have learnt over the years and the way of life which we lead. And this year, 2022, was a pledge to rededicate ourselves for the next 25 years, the time when the golden bird reaches its golden centenary.

  Wars have started with misgivings and misunderstandings. The loss of human lives on both sides is a war waged against one another. It is unfortunate that even after fighting together for the last two years, some of us chose to believe once again that wars result in wins and losses. The repercussions of the war, unfortunately, are always borne by the ones who were least involved in it, let alone even thinking about it.

 2022- A year of changes, a year of realizations, a year of transitions and a year of life…A year

Of transition from the old to the new- from college to corporate, from University to Office, from classmates to colleagues, from teachers to bosses, from notebook to Notepad(++), this year saw a massive overhaul in the way of life, in the personal front as well…But….changes, while introducing some new members who have turned from colleagues and seniors to good friends, this year is also the time for which one can never prepare himself/herself. The feeling of bidding adieu to the ones who have to now go ahead and serve their life’s purpose is never pleasant. But emotions, however heavy they may be, cannot stop anyone from moving ahead and learning new lessons that time teaches us. We are all actors bound by the same rules of the director- who decides who comes on camera at what frame and at what scene.

  While all said and done, today before signing off, it is time to be thankful to everyone who has made this journey special, memorable. It is time to reminisce all those beautiful memories with some amazing people who have made this year , a year to remember. And it is also that time of the year when we say our sorry, to apologize to anyone whom we have hurt unintentionally, by our words and actions. Tomorrow is a new day, a new chapter of a new book awaits to be written…and for 2022, it’s a wrap…

[saswatnanda1]

A TRYST WITH THE FUTURE

“Long years ago, we made a tryst with destiny”- as the Central Hall of the Parliament echoed with these very words, India awoke to life and freedom. 75 years ago, on this very day, every Indian began to walk with his/her head held high, in their own free nation, with their own government, with their own way of life, and with their own sense of duty for their nation. In this diverse nation, full of different festivals and colours, there is no bigger one than that of our Independence.

  Those glorious chapters of history, which testify the immortal sacrifices, the bravest of valour, the greatest of uprisings and movements and the strongest of resistance against oppression has been the source of guidance, inspiration and motivation for generations. It was this lamp which illuminated the floor where the Constituent Assembly framed our Constitution, and when WE THE PEOPLE adopted this as the supreme law of our land. It was this legacy which was supposed to be carried forward, when our brave soldiers fought in the past and still fight, when the call to serve beckons. It was this vision which led to India’ leap in science and technology, right from transporting rockets in bicycles and bullock carts, to putting satellites in orbits around Mars and the Moon. It was the pride of this national flag, which has led our athletes to overcome all obstacles and perform their best whenever they play for the nation, right from the World Cup of 1983, to the Commonwealth Games of 2022. It is the rich and vibrant culture of this nation, that has led to our artists, musicians, actors present some of the finest works, music, movies, literature in history.

  Perhaps, the greatest challenge of the present, which had tried to submerge the whole of humanity, was the COVID crisis which showed its full might in the years 2020 and 2021. Amidst doubts, apprehension and fears of the unknown, it was this realization, that when people unite as a single force, there is no way one can lose. As the nation united to help their fellow Indians in their time of need, and as our frontline warriors led the way, India fought, bravely, patiently and stood strong on its feet.

  The path to greatness is never full of roses. Neither was the road to 75 years of pride and greatness.  Many significant events had splintered the path to this day. Those events required enormous pain, sacrifice and bravery. And there is no promise that such events won’t occur in the future. We might have to face them as well. There might be crossroads- we can either choose to face it or flee away from it. Our leaders in the struggle to freedom had faced these choices too.  However, it is an undeniable fact it was their choice that led to our freedom. This nation, which we proudly call our home, is just not a combination of fertile soil and natural beauty, it is the home to one of the most ancient civilization of the world, it is the home to diverse colours, culture and beauty and most importantly, it is the fruit of the bravery, sacrifice, and pride of every braveheart who had fought for a free nation. We are heirs to a legacy which is filled with dignity, knowledge and pride. As a great poet had once said,

  यह धूल नहीं है धरा हमारी,

यह सदियों का अभिमान है |

सौ जनम भी जिसपर न्योछावर,

वह भारत देश महान है |

  As we celebrate Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, let us all pledge to ignite the same flame within ourselves which illuminated the minds of those, whose legacy we are all entrusted with. To work tirelessly and to give our best in whatever we do and to be united in times of adversity, for this great nation.

  Happy Independence Day to all of you!

[saswatnanda1]

INDIA’S OWN VOICE

Deriving from the reference to Mahatma Gandhi, if I could slightly modify it, I would say: Generations to come will scarcely believe that such a lady, in a silk, white saree ,a childlike smile and a divine voice existed on the face of this earth…

      There are times when one is confused how to express his/her thoughts and there are times when there is a dilemma if one is capable enough of penning down thoughts in words. This is one such occasion, this is one such dilemma. But at this instance, it suddenly strikes to the mind that the personality whose greatness is beyond description, has been the voice of one’s own emotions for decades…

        For the rest of the world, especially for the new-age, it might be an astonishing event that a national mourning and the flag representing a billion Indians flowing at half-mast for the last two days, tributes and obituaries from heads of states is for a lady, maybe of Granny’s age, who is seen in a white silk saree on social media at times with an innocent smile. But for India and Indians, it is much more than that. For three generations and more, this innocent smile has been the voice of the nation. The voice which has boosted the morale of the soldiers is the same voice which has reminded the nation, countless times, of the sacrifices of these bravehearts. This voice heralds the dawn of a new life and the wails of an infant and the same voice declares the end of life’s journey. If this voice reflects the pain and agony of one’s heart, it also glitters the happiness and shine of the heart. India and Indians have expressed their emotions through her voice and that makes her beyond the great legend, the Nightingale of India, the Bharat Ratna. It makes her the elder sister, the “Didi” of every Indian, Lata Didi, as the nation loves to call her.

        Musicians and lyricists might pen this down better, but for me, who has grown up listening to this golden voice, whose parents and grandparents have savoured her melodies since their childhood, I am not ready to believe that such a voice has fallen silent. I have grown up reading, hearing and eventually believing that Lata Mangeshkar Ji is none other than the incarnation of the Goddess of Music, Maa Saraswati herself. The voice which resounds in nature, the voice which echoes from the hearts of billions around the globe, can this voice ever go silent ? If this is not enough, let us just remind ourselves of the lines, “Meri Awaaz Hi Pehchaan Hai”…. such a voice can never go silent. For me, such a voice is immortal, the past, the present and the future. 

      Let us all bow in gratitude to this voice for being the voice of everyone’s heart, for being India’s voice….

[saswatnanda1]

At the end of a rollercoaster ride named 2021, which ran high on emotions, one can just be in awe of what a wave we are leaving behind. It seems as if we are all different people from what we were on January the first this year. From an unprecedented COVID second wave to India's historic performance at the Greatest Show on Earth, what we had felt,witnessed and experienced was completely unexpected.

It sends chilling shockwaves even today if we are reminded of what happened between April to August this year. The incidents which unleashed, the scenes which unfolded shook the nation to its very core. However, even in the midst of pessimism and darkness, there was hope, radiating from angels on Earth. From the frontline warriors who risked everything on the line to fight , to the people who turned angels by their help in arranging hospital beds, oxygen, medicines and other requirements. When we look at everything right now , despite what happened, India's fight against the pandemic is a story of courage, hope and the best example of how people from various walks of life come together in times of crisis.

Speaking of hope, how can one forget India's stupendous performance at the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympic Games. From India's first ever historic field event gold to India's first ever woman to win a gold, from India's first medal in hockey after 41 years, to Indian women's team's best ever performance, from exceptional performances in gold and table tennis to debutants in fencing..all our athletes gave India the reason to cheer and smile even after a tragic summer.

At the end of an eventful year, I have learnt a lesson. And I want to share it with everyone. We can't control time or what is in store for us. But even in all this, there is something which keeps driving us to move ahead, despite all tragedies that we go through. And that is hope. None of us know what is in store for us, but we can certainly hope that tomorrow is for the better. If today is a bad day, then tomorrow will certainly be a better one. And this helps us to work, to go on tirelessly to better ourselves each day. With this hope, I wish you all a very Happy New Year ahead ! May God bless us all !!

[saswatnanda1]

The Festive Cheer

Heartiest greetings of Mahanavami and Vijay Dashami to all of you! It is that time of the year when we all gather around to celebrate the advent and stay of the Holy Mother Goddess. Rituals, traditions, chants and the grandeur all revere the source of energy, the source of power, the source of knowledge and the source of life. The depiction of the victory of truth over evil becks the festivities up with the brightness of hope and optimism. Is it all that makes this festival special?

       On a personal note, it is more. All of us have a personal touch that makes the celebrations memorable and special for us. This personal touch is the depiction of the arrival of that special member of our families who visits us once a year, for a period of ten days, starting from the first day of Navaratri. Lights, sound, clothes, ornaments, cuisines and delicacies, all are sorted for the arrival of that special member. In fact I believe, all our festivals gain the charm with this very feeling of attachment, where the supreme being, the source of the our existence, herself, is welcomed and treated as the member of a family. Our guardian who visits us once a year, or our favourite sister or our best friend who makes it a point to celebrate these ten days with all of us, taking her time off from official business. It is this excitement of welcoming her that makes us rush for the best of attires, the best of sweets, the best of decorations, the best of music and the best of our moods. Come what may, these ten days should be made memorable for her!!! And so quickly they pass, that we don’t realize when the time beckons for the goodbye !! And the wait resumes for her next visit…

           However, the last two years have been different. Despite the wish and desperation, there is no way to welcome that special member with the best of all. There is no celebration, no cheer, no sound, just silence and veiled darkness. At these times, I tend to think, “Come what may, what would the Holy Godddess feel? Would it not be sadness, after surprise?” In times like these, it never comes to me naturally that the one whom I am referring to as a member of our family is actually the omnipresent. This is an excuse, I feel. Last two years have been spent with this very thought….And I felt that in such times, the only way to welcome the Holy Goddess is through a smile, hope and optimism. It is impossible to conceal the reality we are faced with, but we can try our best to at least minimize the shock that she would receive upon arrival.

  Vijay Dashami, the celebration marks the end of celebrations. I am sure, by this time, she must have been aware of everything. But, this feeling always remains at the back of my mind, personally, that being our guest, we could not give her that welcome, that stay among us, that she would have expected !! But after all, we bow before the omnipresent Mother Goddess !!!

  May the Holy Mother bless us all!!!

[saswatnanda1]

FROM STRUGGLES TO SUCCESS...

"At the stroke of the midnight hour, as the world sleeps, India will awaken to new life and freedom..."

It is 75 years, since these words were inked in history..75 years of a pledge which we all had taken, at the stroke of midnight hour on this very day. 75 years since the sun dawned on a free land, ruled by the people themselves... it is 75 years..

         75, it is a special number..And even more special is its significance. It is not just because our road to freedom was paved after we cleared several hurdles, it is also because the road after freedom was not also a bed of roses. From the bitterness of the partition, to the hostilities which turned into offensives and wars, from the sacrifices of our brave soldiers to the sacrifices of our COVID Warriors,from darkness towards digitization, from bearing the brunt of terrorism to answering them with substantial force, from illiteracy towards moving ahead with a scientific temper, our road has not been easy.

75 years comes at a time, when we celebrate the achievements of our athletes at the Tokyo Olympic Games. When we talk about India's best performance in the last 121 years of participation, the nation does not celebrate just the 7 medals, but the achievements of India's largest ever contingent to the games. The efforts, the perseverance, the optimism of our athletes competing with the best of their field, itself is a matter of pride for all of us.

     We, as a nation, enter our 75th year, at a time when we actually see the virtues of sacrifice around us. As the nation planned for the milestone celebrations, the greatest tragedy of the century struck us, with its strongest might. And, as we stand today, the fight is still on, with full force. Perhaps, there is no one amongst us to claim that they have not lost a loved one, or someone they know, to the pandemic. Yet, we Indians, have risen time and again, to challenges, fought battles with the strength of more than 130 crore Indians, led by our frontline COVID Warriors. This is a day to salute the indomitable courage and tireless efforts on their part, risking everything they enjoy on the line, to fight, as our commander-in-chiefs.

  75 years is not just a milestone, it is not just a celebration,it is not just an occasion to rejoice, it is much beyond that. It is a responsibility to be responsible, it is a duty to do, it is a pledge to redeem and a transformation yet to be transformed. The dreams are yet to be transformed into reality. The India that Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, in his lines, "Into that heaven of freedom, my father, let my country awake!" envisioned, is yet to be realised. As we celebrate the Amrit Mahotsav of our Independence, we are yet to step into the Amrit Kaal. For there are mindsets which still need to change, our thoughts which still need to reframe and our actions which still need to be redone. And as Pt. Nehru said, "How amazing is the spirit of man!", there is nothing that Indians cannot achieve if they are together. We just need to realise that unity is our greatest strength. This strength had led India to freedom and this strength will make our nation proud of its children.

India at 75, the journey has just begun...

JAI HIND!!

[saswatnanda1]

DPS KALINGA- MORE THAN A SCHOOL !

Boons gifted to me by God, that is exactly what I would describe my schools.

 Strange and difficult to believe, but it is two years now since I stopped going to school. The white uniform which defined me, became an inseparable memory and the campus , which instilled a new life, became a part of my most cherished photo album. But, what remains always is the fact that I am a “Dipsite”, not an “Ex-Dipsite” but an “Ever-Dipsite”. And today, 13 April, is a special day for my DPS Kalinga. For it is my school’s Foundation Day.  And there could not have been a better day to cherish my memories, and take myself back to those golden two years.

  The first thing I could associate DPS Kalinga, before I could be a part of it, is my long standing dream of travelling in a school bus. Coincidentally, the bus driver and conductor uncles of my school became my first-friends at my new school. Every morning for those two years, began with the first Good Morning to them at 6:30 in the morning and the last people to bid goodbye for the day at about 2:45pm. Driver Uncle was generous enough to grant me the first seat on my request, and there is not a single day when I enjoyed travelling in my school buses. No matter even if it’s a dreary sunny afternoon after a tiring day, or a chilly winter morning, when eyes don’t seem to open at all, there is not a single day when I missed my bus. Instead, all the tireness and the sleepiness seemed to vanish magically, the moment I stepped into the bus. The tension of exams used to flee at the smile of my driver uncle and also he would be the first person to hear my story after every working day at school, with the same question, “Nanda Babu, aji school/exam re kan hela?(How was your day at school/exam?). I didn’t know how, but that very question seemed to clear my mind of all confusions and tireness. Conductor Uncle knew exactly that the first thing I do in the morning is to read newspapers. So, sometimes, whenever available, he would offer me the newspaper to read, in the morning. My visit to Puri was incomplete without my prayers for them and getting some Mahaprasad for them. I could not afford to sleep for those 45 minutes of my bus journey, lest I would miss the fun.  To be honest, it has also happened sometimes, that we could just go on travelling…

  After those 45 minutes, we would reach school.DPS Kalinga has an ever-welcoming campus that appeals to all.  It doesn’t seem at all that the place is new to us. I remember, my first day, 1 May, 2017, when I entered Class XI-’C’, for the first time, as a Dipsite.  A mixed bag of nervousness and excitement, when eyes frantically scan for known faces, at that time, for a student, it is important that someone gives the confidence to relax, ease out and feel calm. My new class teacher did exactly the same thing. A teacher’s words have a strange magic in them. They act like a strict vigil at times, and soothing like a best friend as well. I don’t know what happened, but when she said these very words ,”Saswat, this is your new home and family.From today you are a Dipsite”, I don’t know what happened but the hesitation of a new place fled. From that moment onwards, DPS Kalinga was not a new place anymore, it was my second home.

  Perhaps the biggest role played in this journey and the people with whom I liked to spend the most of my time at school were my dear teachers. Holding my hand at every step, guiding me at every step, helping me out during every slight turbulence, this journey could never had been possible without them. I was just a mediocre student, and whenever my performance did not match my expectations, they were the first people to stand behind me and remind me of my strengths. Yes, I did commit mistakes, unknowingly, but I had always been corrected by the right people at the right time. No matter they were with me or not, the moment I entered the campus, it seemed as if my dear teachers were always there around me to guide me and take me in the right direction. They were the ones who took the shyness of me , when they pushed me to attend the Activity Period, instead of sitting back. At the same time, they allowed me to use the labs during my free time to clear any sort of confusions or doubts which I had. For some reason, if I would be absent, never was I denied extra time to clear my confusions and make up for my lost work, even though they would be extremely busy at times. Recess used to be the time which I would use to go to them and clear all my doubts. I don’t know what, but my dear teachers’ words were magically useful for me at every step I took during those two years. I know that I could never thank them by words, because the role they have in my life, even now, is beyond any sort of expression.

  School is incomplete without friends. Another important part of my journey. I must confess that I am shy at initiating conversations. So, it often takes time for me to make friends. But, once I call someone a friend, the least I try to do, is to be a close companion, who is a part of all their goods and bads from there on. At least one who could just listen to them.  Though I took some time to convert classmates into friends, I did that. Not just friends, but good, no, very good friends. I had mentioned earlier about the bus staff, who were my first friends. There were quite good friends, who travelled with me, in this journey of two years, and they too form an inseparable part of my journey.

  Even today, the tag “Ever-Dipsite” instills a sense of responsibility in me. This tag stops me from taking any careless step. It is the blessings of my teachers, the love and affection of all my friends and the emblem of my school which always stands with me in every situation. If someone would say, two years is a short span of time, I would sternly disagree. For I am a person who had enjoyed every moment, every second of these two years, turning two to infinite memories. I could just go on and on, and on, and the story would never end. I will, for sure, narrate some incidents, which are really close to my heart, but those are for a later date. But yes, DPS Kalinga is not just a school, it is a whole new life for a student. For this I thank all my teachers and everyone who has been a part of this beautiful journey.

         Happy Birthday DPS Kalinga !!!

[saswatnanda1]

20 YEARS AND ONWARDS

  Rarely is it found that emotions are so attached to a TV show. And it just grows with time, with each passing year, with each passing day...What makes us so attached to a TV show? There could be just one reason. That is not just a TV show, it is much much bigger than that. It is such with which you can relate yourself with it. The day it ends for the season, it feels as if a member has left after spending some of the most cherished moments. The day the first promo is aired, celebrations begin across family lines from that day onwards answering every question for the registration, irrespective of whether you get selected or not, waiting for the telecast date and ensuring the world’s most important task doesn’t disturb you during that time...Kaun Banega Crorepati(KBC) is the one and only show which has connected me with itself in such a manner...

17 weeks may seem like a long time, even I had thought that perhaps I would not miss KBC this time, but trust me, how it just flew is unthinkable...Everyday, all my duties were discharged till a minute before the iconic tune starts playing on the TV, and there it is the“ Aadar, Aadab, Abhinandan Abhar.....”And after that, one doesn’t realize when the duration of one and a half hours just ends...I won’t say I am glued to it, but it engages us so much that one forgets everything that is around..

This time, the show was different, different from all others...unthinkable...COVID-19 crisis had forced some changes into the show as well. There were no audience this time, so no question of the “Audience Poll” lifeline; instead of the usual 10 FFF contestants, there were 8 this time; instead of the hugs and greetings, this time, it was the elbow bump; and this time, most importantly, it was about the contestants, the participants who, by their game, gave a COMEBACK to all their SETBACKS...And AB Sir, the most loved host of the country was more welcoming and energetic than ever...

         As far as I remember, there is no one in my family who doesn’t try and attempt every year to be on the hotseat. For the last two years, I have been added to the list. And the interesting part is that, for the last two years, I have made it till the auditions. Yes, auditions this time were also another interesting and notable aspect of the show. It was completely digital this time. Audition from home. This time, there were two people from our home taking the audition(at different days though). Me and Mummy

     Awaiting for the call and the beginning of call has a different taste of excitement, nervousness altogether. But, more than that the wait for the show to begin has another sense of fun and excitement. In short, KBC is not the name of a show, it is the name of an annual festival that takes place in our family, beginning with “Adar Adab Abhinandan Abhar....and ending with Shubh Ratri, Shubh Ratri aur Shubh Ratri”, with the sum expression, each day. With time, I also learnt to catch the sum at the right time!

    The images are not a copyright issue, I have borrowed them from the respective owners, but these pictures will always be close to my heart. KBC finale celebrated our heroes at the border, with the Karmveers being the Param Veer Chakra Awardees of the Kargil War. There was a lot to learn and lot to be inspired from. The bravery is clearly visible when the stories, which were even difficult to imagine, were narrated by the Veers’ with such ease.

       For me, KBC is not just a show..it is much more than that. There is an invisible bond like a member of the family. It is something that we all wait for every year. It is something, which brings the entire family together at 9. And since, everyone was at home this time, we enjoyed each and every bit of the season, trying to answer the questions, laughing and enjoying with Big B.

I could not make it this time as well, but as it was said, “Ade Raho!” I will do the same, maybe next time....But, letting KBC go every season is never easy. Even when everything is around, it suddenly feels that something very close to you has bid you adieu. The day I wrote about KBC-11 , was also a day after it ended, and as I write this today, a day after KBC-12 ends, it is also an uneasy feeling. But, for me, this is not the end of KBC-12. It is the beginning of KBC-13

IMAGE COURTESY: @srbachchan​

​#tagsClose

[saswatnanda1]

   Rarely is it found that emotions are so attached to a TV show. And it just grows with time, with each passing year, with each passing day...What makes us so attached to a TV show? There could be just one reason. That is not just a TV show, it is much much bigger than that. It is such with which you can relate yourself with it. The day it ends for the season, it feels as if a member has left after spending some of the most cherished moments. The day the first promo is aired, celebrations begin across family lines from that day onwards answering every question for the registration, irrespective of whether you get selected or not, waiting for the telecast date and ensuring the world’s most important task doesn’t disturb you during that time...Kaun Banega Crorepati(KBC) is the one and only show which has connected me with itself in such a manner...

17 weeks may seem like a long time, even I had thought that perhaps I would not miss KBC this time, but trust me, how it just flew is unthinkable...Everyday, all my duties were discharged till a minute before the iconic tune starts playing on the TV, and there it is the“ Aadar, Aadab, Abhinandan Abhar.....”And after that, one doesn’t realize when the duration of one and a half hours just ends...I won’t say I am glued to it, but it engages us so much that one forgets everything that is around..

                             This time, the show was different, different from all others...unthinkable...COVID-19 crisis had forced some changes into the show as well. There were no audience this time, so no question of the “Audience Poll” lifeline; instead of the usual 10 FFF contestants, there were 8 this time; instead of the hugs and greetings, this time, it was the elbow bump; and this time, most importantly, it was about the contestants, the participants who, by their game, gave a COMEBACK to all their SETBACKS...And AB Sir, the most loved host of the country was more welcoming and energetic than ever...

          As far as I remember, there is no one in my family who doesn’t try and attempt every year to be on the hotseat. For the last two years, I have been added to the list. And the interesting part is that, for the last two years, I have made it till the auditions. Yes, auditions this time were also another interesting and notable aspect of the show. It was completely digital this time. Audition from home. This time, there were two people from our home taking the audition(at different days though). Me and Mummy

      Awaiting for the call and the beginning of call has a different taste of excitement, nervousness altogether. But, more than that the wait for the show to begin has another sense of fun and excitement. In short, KBC is not the name of a show, it is the name of an annual festival that takes place in our family, beginning with “Adar Adab Abhinandan Abhar....and ending with Shubh Ratri, Shubh Ratri aur Shubh Ratri”, with the sum expression, each day. With time, I also learnt to catch the sum at the right time!

        These pictures will always be close to my heart. KBC finale celebrated our heroes at the border, with the Karmveers being the Param Veer Chakra Awardees of the Kargil War. There was a lot to learn and lot to be inspired from. The bravery is clearly visible when the stories, which were even difficult to imagine, were narrated by the Veers’ with such ease. 

        For me, KBC is not just a show..it is much more than that. There is an invisible bond like a member of the family. It is something that we all wait for every year. It is something, which brings the entire family together at 9. And since, everyone was at home this time, we enjoyed each and every bit of the season, trying to answer the questions, laughing and enjoying with Big B

I could not make it this time as well, but as it was said, “Ade Raho!” I will do the same, maybe next time....But, letting KBC go every season is never easy. Even when everything is around, it suddenly feels that something very close to you has bid you adieu. The day I wrote about KBC-11 , was also a day after it ended, and as I write this today, a day after KBC-12 ends, it is also an uneasy feeling. But, for me, this is not the end of KBC-12. It is the beginning of KBC-13

IMAGE COURTESY: @srbachchan​ 

[saswatnanda1]

REFLECTIONS OF BRAVERY

Chacha Nehru had rightly said,”How amazing is the spirit of man!” When faced with adversity, a seemingly weak person can move mountains with determination, courage, patience and restraint. An example was set in the last one year which for centuries, would go down as one of the greatest struggles of the modern world. As India and Indians get a year older with experience of the crisis, it can be argued that there have been errors, blunders and mistakes. There is no reason to counter that. The fascinating part is the magnanimity of the entire fight against COVID-19. Right from the commander-in-chiefs, the Frontline Warriors, and under their instructions, our governments and the executive, to the people associated with implementing swift decisions to the citizens, who were at the harsher end of the receipt, the entire machinery of India’s fight was full of courage, energy, and determination, that come what may, we are not here to lose.

 Right from 30 January, when the first case was reported in the country, to 19 March, when “Janta Curfew” was announced, the days in between saw growing temperatures around the world, raising concerns in India itself. It was advised to practice personal hygiene and sanitation. As the cases started soaring, an active participation was needed. At a time when countries were imposing lockdowns and curfews, it was on 19 March, that Indians were geared up to fight, with the declaration of “Janta Curfew”, a curfew for the people and by the people. And then began, what was termed as the world’s harshest “lockdown”. There are and will be questions raised, debates raged on the implementation, but today is the day to recognize and bow down before the bravery of each and every person who took it upon himself/herself to fight. Each and every Indian turned a soldier the very day they “accepted” the lockdown. Our commander-in-chiefs were not to be let down under any circumstances. Time and again during the battle, the nation stood behind the Frontline warriors, in unity and solidarity, in respect and in gratitude for their services. There were people for whom lockdown was challenging, but they took it upon themselves to be a support to someone else in their time of need.

 India has a long and glorious history of winning struggles by the collective strength of the people. Whenever the nation has been through a grave crisis, Indians have taken it upon themselves to steer through the turbulence. This fight against the pandemic saw an altogether new version of a “New India”. Let us all remember that this was an evolving situation and we had no remedy in hand. For our governments and the decision-making institutes, this was a situation, where there was a need to defend, and not to attack. To shield the people and to make them aware of the emerging situations, and there was a dark tunnel ahead. The entire mechanism had to be swift and dynamic. There was no time for long-meetings, lengthy paperwork, and the swiftness with which our entire administrative system swung into action is spell-bounding. When we speak of administrative system , we talk of the entire mechanism, starting from the top ,at the national capital, to the ones at the states, to the executives, to the people who ensured delivery to the people. Yes, there are political differences, but during the time of crisis, when the entire political system was kept aside and leaders came together, India set an example for the entire world to follow.

 While our frontline warriors worked tirelessly, there were scientists and experts who had already begun working on the cure. Humanity will remember this incident as this was the shortest possible time in which a cure for a pandemic was found and implemented. We cannot even imagine the sweat that was put in these efforts,with the entire world’s expectations mounting and desperation rising for a remedy, for holding on for long was difficult.

 Yes, it is undeniable that there might have been errors, mistakes, there might be criticisms. Despite all efforts, lives were lost, losses which cannot be expressed in words. We understand that we are all in a war, and war never has winners. But, we must remember that we have never let the guard down even in the toughest of times during this fight and we cannot do it even now. But, as India stands at the brink of the world’s largest vaccination programme, with indigenous vaccines, this is a moment to thank each and every soldier of this battle, especially our commander-in-chiefs. Now, it is important that in this decisive phase, we all cooperate with our experts, trust our scientists and welcome the cure. Let us not fall prey nor be a part of rumors regarding the vaccination programme, and follow all guidelines by the concerned authorities. This also calls for patience and restraint on our part as the SHIELD reaches the frontline warriors and the vulnerables first. We are here to win! Reflect the bravery of the brave ones and march on!

[saswatnanda1]

New Hopes, New Beginnings

 I am sure you are all in the best of spirits and ready to welcome the New Year with all enthusiasm and optimism. This year has not been short of a roller-coaster ride, just like a 20-20 cricket match, where every moment , we face a new challenge, a new opportunity, a new dilemma and we need to take decisions that suit time’s requirements. This time the bowler was TIME itself. This 20-20 game tested our patience to the limits. This game pushed us beyond our comfort zones and put the entire world on a trial. This was quite unknown on January 1, 2020, isn’t it? We all must remember that we all are in a war, war against the unseen enemy. The enemy has the advantage of invisibility and we were all in a state of confusion initially as to what our strategy should be. But this year also was an eye-opener. This year showed us that whenever we rise beyond narrow mindsets, whenever we rise beyond minor differences and disputes, whenever we unite as a single force, humanity has the power to fight all challenges. Remember, how within a short span of time, science was used as the weapon to fight this battle. And under the leadership of our commander-in-chiefs, our Frontline warriors, we have all fought this battle with bravery, determination and courage. This was only possible because we rose above our mindsets, we rose above our differences and we united as a single force, irrespective of who we are. It is said that the united force of people is the power of God. This power was shown this year. While we all were at war, and our eyes saw, our ears heard all sorts of negativity, there was also unprecedented examples of compassion and kindness which were shown. These were the real-life angels who braved all odds to wipe someone else’s tears, to console them in their times of despair, to hold their hands when there was nobody to do so and to make them stand when there was no support. Today is the day to thank all those real-life heroes and angels who reminded us time and again that we are not here to lose.   31 st of December each year is a day to thank all those forces which helped you improve yourself. We understand that 2020 was a year which was not-so-historic for most of us. But let us think, is 2020 not an eye-opening year? At times, when advice falls on deaf ears, punishment teaches us the lesson. 2020 exposed us to our weaknesses. 2020 reminded us of our strengths. 2020 asked questions. 2020 also gave the hints to solve those questions. 2020 brought all of us together. 2020 taught us the most important lessons-”Health is Wealth and Unity is Strength”. It is a fact that war doesn’t have any winners. The damage caused cannot be undone. The losses cannot be recovered . But, collecting all the lessons that 2020 has taught us, can we not stand up once again? Humanity has faced crises earlier as well, and it faces today. Each time, we have fought it unitedly and rose again, unitedly. We must all remember that unity is our greatest strength and we must get up onto our feet once again and continue our journey towards knowledge and excellence. Let us all remember, people’s unity is the power of God. We cannot lose from here…We have to rise and win this war! May all be blessed with knowledge, and the virtues of hard work, determination and patience. May God bless us all!

[saswatnanda1]

ILLUMINATION AND REJUVENATION

     While celebrating the Festival Of Lights, seldom do we realize that actually Diwali is a no-moon night. Not just that, Diwali is considered the darkest night of the year. Then, why do we all celebrate the darkest night of the year with such joy, such enthusiasm , such energy and such happiness? Well, we all know that according to the Ramayana, this festival was celebrated to commemorate the arrival of Lord Ram, the most loved son and to-be-king to his birthplace, Ayodhya, after a span of fourteen years. But, it could have been celebrated with colors, with flowers, with music, with dance. Why was light preferred over these options?

     This is perhaps because the people of Ayodhya wanted to depict symbolically that the country which was pushed into darkness has regained its dazzle again. They wanted to depict the fact that the negativity of the last fourteen years has finally given way to new light of hope and rejuvenation. The people had finally found their long lost sparkle. 

   We all know that light is the destroyer of darkness. When there is the darkness of negativity, when there is a darkness of hopelessness, when there is a darkness of problems, when there is a darkness of fear, of uncertainty, in this darkness a small source of light , a light of hope, a light of optimism, a light of determination to solve those problems, the light of fighting the fright and the light of knowledge can overcome the pall in our lives. This realization could not have dawned upon all of us at a better time. The past few months of our lives have been full of negative news, has been full of disappointment, negativity. The pandemic and its side-effects has pushed the world into uncertainty of what is to come. Efforts are in full swing to fight this battle, but the attacks on the mind have to be fought as well. And perhaps the best vaccine for this attack would be a small light of hope, which rekindles our expectations, and our aspirations. 

     As we all unite to celebrate this Diwali, from the safety of our homes, while following all guidelines and precautions, let us not keep our house in the darkness and gloom. Let us not keep ourselves away from the enthusiasm. We can maintain social distancing , we can be masked , but still we can celebrate Diwali in its truest sense. Let us light a lamp of hope , of positivity, let us rekindle our paused journey with the bright candle of determination, let us decorate the path towards excellence with the brightest of lights of determination and faith and let us march ahead with the torch of knowledge, patience and hard work. As the most-popular saying in recent days, goes, “Keep The Faith Folks, we will Win This !We will come out on the other side!.