First Post from Calcutta

Got to Calcutta after the long (33 hour) train – The Azad Hind “Super Fast”. It was 3 hours late, but I’m guessing it was better than landing here at the unearthly hour that it would have normally.

Got to the campus via a Sumo (Satwik and Yusufi got on at Nagpur, an I thankfully had some company.) The boot was reekingly full with luggage, and it was raining like crazy. The poshest areas, the driver remarked with some glee, were the most under water.

The first view of the Howrah bridge came unexpectedly quickly, and it was much much larger than what I thought it would be. But you dont really “see” the bridge while trvelling on it. I still need to get a proper view. The first view of the Eden Gardens was excellent, and the Victoria Memorial areas were very very nice. Reminded me of the Vidhan Soudha area in Bangalore.

I guess I did not really see the “bad” Calcutta that people had warned me about, but then as the driver said, while it is raining, most people including the thugs, perfer to stay indoors.

The first view of the campus gate is not the greatest, with a smallish concrete rectangle greeting you. I had seen how the entrance looked, so it was not so bad. But once you get in, I personally found it extremely pretty.

They tell you about the famous “7 lakes”, but forget to mention that 130 odd acres is not really that big, and the lakes are literally next to each other. In fact it is not uncommon that a particular road is flanked by lakes on both sides. And since it has been raining here pretty hard, nature’s green is particularly cheerful – and out in full force everywhere you look.

The room allotments etc were very peaceful and devoid of any sarkari-ness. Apart from that, there is not much to do here apart from lounge around. LAN connections are not supposed to be used due the ban from the “LAN Squad”, a nomenclature I find extremely amusing. I’m writing this from the Computer Centre, which inexplicably has very few PCs that work and I have had to lug my Laptop all the way upto here.

Two more days will be relatively peaceful before the 20th when we have a day packed with activty, ending with the fresher’s welcome by the chairman of Procter and Gamble India. Should live up to the reputation of being a Yawnathon as most such functions go.

Here is Video goodness for all of you. The IIMC Room Tour (with White Noise in the background.)

UPDATE: Apparently I was not allowed to upload vidoeos of college. Something which I find extremely frustrating. But what to do?

More observations soon!

June 17th, 2008 / 0 Comments / Tags: iimc, firstday, calcutta / Trackback