Brahmaputra and Me

 As the Ananthapuri Express left Kerala and entered Tamil Nadu, it was a moment of joy and nostalgia for the 18-year-old me. On 23rd July 2019, I was to join the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences at IIT Madras. ( I think that's the date, I can't remember it..... Come On, it's been one year since that took place!!!!). As the pastures and windmills of Nagercoil went past me, the good old days in Trichy came rushing to my memory when the first thing we were eager to know was the last day of the Annual exam, so that we could book our tickets to Kerala. That routine went on for several years until in 2013 all got derailed and I ended up permanently in Kerala.

When we reached Chennai and had a day more to the orientation,  my father and I decided to get everything done before we leave for IIT : go to the movie, eat outside, buy some stuff for hostel etc. 

Hostel. Was told to be Cauvery when it was changed to Brahmaputra at the last minute. I didn't know either of them, so didn't make a difference.Came to know that my roommate was also from the same department( Thank God! ) and from Thiruvananthapuram ( O my God Thank You!!!). Name? Akash..... 

That was when it dawned upon me that I'll now have to take care of everything, no one to help or rely upon. On top of that, it has to be done along with Studies!!!! How do I do it? First day difficult second day okay, after a week better and after a few weeks way better than it started off. 

For someone who hasn't used a washing machine in his life, to use a washing machine everyday was a novelty( and funny too) . I think I was my floor's washing machine's most regular customer, dropping in once or even twice a day. Drying them was hard. Monkeys ( They are the kings of the IIT Jungle) like jumping on the ropes we hang the clothes on, sending them straight to the muddy floor. Ugh!! 

Next stop: Mess food. Thank God I have eaten Tamil Nadu Food, so I am used to it though it was in the distant past. Choose a non-veg mess and lo and behold! Kerala Style food served along with other variants! What more can you ask for? 

Topping it off was that there is a Multicuisine restaurant to go to on Saturdays ( I can't be eating mess food all semester long, I'm not that innocent. Also who doesn't like change?). Chicken dishes with either Chappathis or Kerala Parottas my staple( though Parottas were occasional), along with Lime Juice. Saturday afternoon and night ummmmaaaa!!!!! 

And I forgot to introduce a companion I bought: Rodo, my Cosmic bicycle. Took him everywhere inside the campus, got him serviced every month( maybe that proved helpful in the present scenario). 

Used to go to the Students Activities Centre to play badminton, though it's difficult to actually play there..... It's 4 courts for 50 people... How will u ever get a chance??? And these courts can be used only for 30 minutes before the Institute players start entering.... Aaargh!!!! 

For quick bites, straight to the Himalaya Food Court. 5 food stalls, loads of food, eating alone.... What more to ask? Heaven!!! And to buy essentials, straight to Prime Mart.... 

The Best part: Open Air Theatre (almost) every Saturday night, new movies, munching popcorn, screaming my throat out... Memories to cherish, especially during this time...... 

Your hostel changes u as a person, both from within and otherwise. This is my hostel story, What's yours???