Ever since I left the realm of BHU, I always had a deep urge to go back there whenever I got an opportunity. So, it was pretty much decided from my side that come what may, I'll be attending the convocation.
But God always likes to test your decisions. So, he decided to keep my interview for IIM-Kolkata in the afternoon of the 13th of March, just a day before the convocation which was scheduled on the 14th. Now, the IIM interview and the journey to BHU was a separate experience in itself which I'll definitely post later.
As we were entering Varanasi, the four years that I had spent there came rushing back to me - the chaos on the streets of the city, the bad and over-crowded roads, any vehicle carrying at least 2 times its capacity and a lot more. As soon as we entered the gates of BHU, it was a completely different picture as expected - the quiet roads, the greenery all around and the hostels in yellow and red resembling old palaces. The view of our very own VT(Vishwanath Temple) from a distance brought back fond memories.
I got down at Raman hostel to dump my baggage. Meeting old friends and my juniors was very nice. Me and Neta got ready immediately and left for our favourite Hangout spot in college the Limbdi Corner or as it is famously known LC. Nostalgia filled me when i saw the same old people working there. I was even happier when all of them recognized us and told us how it was never the same without our group sitting there all year round. It may have been something they say to everyone but it sure does make you feel nice. Our juniors had kept our convocation robes ready for us so that we could drop straight into the ceremony.
We went for the ceremony and realized that a very large number had turned up (about 70-80 considering the fact that we just had one week's notice and also the fact that only 20-30 people had turned up from our senior batch last year). The ceremony was nothing too special but I must tell you that when you get that degree in your hand on the stage it surely is a proud feeling. Everyone was happy with the fact that no one can take it away from them now because frankly speaking none of us had worked too hard for it. All of us were reaping the benefits of the hard work we put in during the years of preparation for JEE. After the ceremony I met a couple of Professors I really wanted to. The ceremony could not be over without the traditional throwing up of the hats. Somehow, I really was fascinated by those scenes and once you are a part of it, your fascination is truly justified. It is one of the best feelings in the world.
I had a great urge to go o the volleyball court and just play a couple of sets. I really had very fond memories of that place and to my delight, it was my friends who took the initiative to go to the volleyball court. Though we didn't play even near to the levels we achieved in our times, but we enjoyed nevertheless.
All of us planned to visit the places where most of our college life was spent (no not the college department :D) but the famous Dhaba, the world famous ghats of Varanasi and Shivala. We had a GREAT time sitting there and just talking about our memories and what everyone had done after getting out. Although all of us were partying and laughing around, everyone was filled up with emotions. I know I totally was. Without an iota of a doubt the four years in college were the best years in my life. None of us slept for more than a couple of hours each day we were there. We did not want to miss even a single moment.
I must say, the IT culture where there is junior-senior bonding is one of the best things. We never faced a problem during our entire stay. We also fulfilled our duty by treating our juniors to a nice lunch. Since it was also the Holi season, we also played Holi with them (though not the original Banaras style with mud etc. as all of us were leaving the day when holi was being played). I don't think there would be a single soul in college who would not have criticized the Hostel Mess food but as you get away from college to the real world , you really understand the importance of that food. Even I had a couple of my meals in the hostel mess and even without saying anything, the Mess Maharaj brought out food in the same way that I used to like (frying the veggies to the same level and my favorite in mess the Rasam).
Slowly came the time to leave again. One by one people started leaving and everyone's heart became heavy. The same old memories of last year came back to haunt us. Finally came our time to leave. We left for the Cantt Railway station. We were about 10 people who were catching the same train. As we sat down in the train, a feeling swept across me "How can all this be over so soon? I had been waiting for this for the entire year". As the train slowly started chugging off the platform, I realized that I am leaving Heaven behind me.
