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

Last post from Pune

I shall be taking the Azad Hind express from Pune Station in about 3 hours from now. The train is scheduled to reach Howrah station at 4 am day after. It is approximately a 33 hour journey.

Packing-wise I have two huge bags with clothes mainly and lots of random pieces of crap that I could lay my hands on. Two backpacks include my XPS and books. (Vernon God Little, Istanbul and Good Omens). Stupid iTunes played havoc with my collection, so I will mainly have to depend on the audiobooks (Dirk Gently and Colour of Magic) and the little music that I could lay my hands on to sync with it.

Apart from that, did a small quiz at the BCQC session yesterday – and endured the long by very enjoyable session by quatrainman with questions from the World Quizzing Championships. The aforementioned Istanbul (Orhan Pamuk) was got as a “thank-god-you-are-leaving” gift from the folks.

A note about that. Most people resorted to in-jokes and stuff that was in their minds while signing the book. Of course, I’m guessing they did not have much time – but still, a personal note to myself would be to remember that the written word is the most invaluable and permanent of all gifts and hence due attention must be accorded to the fact that your message would stand up to the test of time.

Apart from that, folks at home seem cheerful (surprisingly so!) and thanks to a tip from Harish, I presented my first Father’s Day gift to dad! Maybe all these days mean something after all.

Nothing else to report, as I sit here typing amid the bits and piece of paper and other paraphernalia that lies around me. Next piece of reporting when I reach Joka-land!

June 15th, 2008 / 2 Comments / Tags: iimc / Trackback