Fun - finally

Finally woke up to some fun at the academy - Rock climbing. Although my sore ankle wasn't
letting me take it up, I went ahead. And am glad I did it. I realized how exerting the
activity is and also how little stamina I possess :P The rock was 30 mt long and I could
probably climb halfway when my hands gave up on me. But there were loads of people who
successfully completed on their maiden attempt - I truly admire them.The ITBP guys who hosted
 this event did a good job.
If today was an adventurous outing, yesterday was no less. The DJ night with a live concert
preceding it made us all experience the break free spirit for the very FIRST time
here.possibly the last too as I doubt if we get more chances like these. Music was loud,
dancing full throttle and the crowd simply loved it. I  can't describe the wonderful
feeling I had  after putting on my dancing shoes after such a long time!! I loved it.
Continuous dancing from 7 30 to 11 30. What more could you ask for?
There was a short trek yest morning to George Everest bungalow. Amazing weather, fun and dance
there too :)
My mind is now full of anticipation ( and apprehension) of the great himalayan trek
beginning 1st oct.I hope I get good partners for this 10 day extravaganza.
 

why?

Why is everybody so desperate to flaunt their intellectual prowess out here? I felt I could
never answer this question especially after an hours' 'discussion' with perhaps the
'brightest ' minds out here. Certain stances were meaningless, some mocked at the sheer
disdain towards the reality and others out rightly preposterous. Whatever it was, academy
does provide u a fora to just talk, talk and well, talk more!
Classes are no better either. There might be glimpses of sense once in a while but on the
whole its a mess. I recall that we used to have better things to discuss in schools. And the
 case study was a mockery in truest sense.
I am bored. Ironically, I'm stuffing myself with loads of activities to come out of this
boredom but everything seems to backfire.Somehow, I feel lost in this huge drama.My role
isn't clear and this script unimaginative.
As someone said today, we experience 'compulsive' fun. U play a game according to ur roll
number and NOT according to ur desire, u fill up ur name for 'adventure' sports so as not to
be left out and u increase your library visits so as not be engulfed in this great
intellectual whirlwind.
I don't get time to read a book properly, to contemplate on issues closer to my heart or to
sing my fav songs. btw.. the vocal class is a comedy hour. But it too is getting too
monotonous with the same bhajans ( more like rhymes) doing rounds. Was exposed to Rabindra
sangeet today , so thats something new :)

hope

Touched, moved and awakened.
I saw in  the eyes of Lakshmi happiness, desire to succeed and dream. When she asked me to
sing for her, it was probably the greatest honour bestowed on me..
Sitting in front of her computer in her lab, the machine which spoke to her so as to let her
know what she was typing, she seemed docile at first..I did drag her into a brief
conversation and in due course she helped me see beyond!! The school for visually challenged
was full of Lakshmis.
So, another worthwhile day here. Previous to the NIVH visit, we were taken to RAPHAEL, an
abode for the intelectually challenged. Saw their classrooms, joined them in their dances
and savoured their hospitality. The biggest takeaway was for me the immeasurable patience of
all the tutors there. Of course, I had my favourites too, Avinash from Jammu and Paras in
particular stole the show :) Those hand printed stoles made by the children will stay with
me forever.
There were a few disturbing thoughts in my mind though.. I felt we were intruding too much
in their routine lives. Sometimes I wondered if this is looking staged, like a celebrity
endorsement.
However, I  hope that my fears are unfounded and that they did enjoy our visit.

Lovin it!!

Resplendent day here at the academy. For the first time I felt it worth to be here.
First there was the visual delight and the resounding commentary on Indian painting by Mr. Goswami. I was left speechless, marooned in the flow. Each color,contour,texture filled me with inexplicable happiness. The varied interpretations aroused the artist within me n filled me with pride. Probably the best 2 hrs that I have spent here till now!The themes he took up mostly from the Gita govinda, the correlations with our revered past and the story behind each episode is hard to verbalise.It was an Experience.The journey into the layers of art through subtle nuances of color will stay with me throughout.
Good things do come in at once as I had the privilege of witnessing a wonderful Bharatnatyam performance by Ms Malavika Sarukkai.I went back in time. Each day at my dance class, each reward for a good effort and each scoff for a laid back attitude came back to life.Ah I remembered her!! My dance teacher!! My ignorance and childishness might have caused me to be vitriolic about her but I regret it today.. I am deeply indebted to her for all the artistic visions she and her classes have imbibed in me.
Now coming to the performance, which was pretty good. The vocal by Ms Vasudha was enriching. Starting off with my favorite 'Mahaganapathim manasa' in Naata , the performance picked up. Although interrupted quite frequently by  Malavika in order to get the relatively 'novice' audience on board (which sort of irritated me a bit), I must say I was impressed be her effort to make the viewers understand the meanings of basic gestures. Performance wasn't heavy, no varnam, shabdam or anything related. The balagovinda performance probably was like by the majority. On the whole, I felt nice, better and happy :) Finally!!!

Boring day

Phew.. leg hurts, the day passes.Another ordinary day which I made it up with some very
pedestrian show of basketball :)
Classes are getting nowhere as I try too hard not to doze off. Could have been a lot better.
I expected a decent show here. Anyway, cribbing never helped anyone!!
Friends here are a real source of solace. Im getting to like my very first hostel
experience.Even if thats not the case I try convincing myself that I'm liking it (I need to
stay here till june!)
Btw.. there are too many gossip mongers here.That came as a complete surprise as I think its unbecoming of an officer!! Or is it?

trek 2

Misty morning, no breakfast and 4km trek uphill to get to food.This is how it started today.I was extremely furious at being made to walk on empty stomach.Since there is nothing much any of us could do, we just, well, follow the instructions (rules,more precisely).After filling ourselves with some unpalatable bread and something which looked like a cutlet (potatoes again!! im getting tired of this tuber.. pls give me something else.. or we all are in serious trouble of becoming gas factories :) ) ,we started trekking towards Binog Hill.(cool 18km dist to and fro from academy). What happened next was truly amazing, slight drizzle became heavy downpour and made my day. Slipping terrain, a twisted ankle and fatigue which accompanied it could not deter me from completing the trek on.Of course full credit so some very dear friends for being with me throughout , getting me to sing thus cheering me up. Truly amazing day today!! Will cherish this for a really long time to come.

Have got a really cool councellor here. Truly blessed I must say!!

First week

Week bygone in the coveted academy which trains civil servents(in courses of civility !!!)
and its hard to get everything onboard. Too many activities which might look like they are
going to stifle me but on the contrary I'm getting to enjoy them all. Be it the daily PT
starting at 6(to which we need to get up by 5) to the arduous treks I'm probably having the
best time of my life!! Sure enough I do miss home and friends a lot but am making a lot many
here, probably too many that I find it difficult to remember names :)
Don't think I will have the time to dwell upon issues qtns like 'is this what I eventually
wanted to do ?' as I had been doing in the past.. Hope this IS the ultimate job.. I really
hope so !!

Did have a brush with elections at the academy.. my FIRST election. Lost it.
Strangely, I didn't feel sad or bad :)
Life is running at a breakneck speed.Can't even stop to think or relax.