Chasing the Monsoons

This past sunday I had the opportunity to talk to Som and Biswanath after a very long time. It was good to reminsce on the good old Kharagpur (affectionately known as KGP) days.

We discussed everything from the latest crappy movie we had seen, to the latest trend in school and business. We even had a big discussion on Quixtar and the never ending debate of Ph.D vs. M.S. advantage.

But just the fact that it was friends from KGP which got me going on a nostalgia trip. Been too long since I smelt the earth there, or ate at the horrible yet fun filled Harry's. Can remember very vividly the first and last time I went to Cheddis for a Maggi and a chai. Remember all the birthdays that were celebrated at eggies in the dead of the night.

I even remember very vividly the rickshaw ride I took for the last time to the station after convocation. I almost had tears in my eyes when I passed out of the gate I had entered 4 years ago for the first time all wet behind the ears and apprehensive as to what lay ahead.

A line from the song Purani Jeans seems apt here:

Aisa yaadon ka, mausam chala,
Bhoolta hi, nahin dil mera.
Purani jeans, aur guitar,
muhalle ki woh chat, aur mere yaar.

Some photographs to complete the nostalgia trip:

• The Institute at night - Truly dedicated to the service of the nation (JPG, 48KB).
• The Tagore Open Air Theatre (TOAT) in 1977 (JPG, 124KB).