Evolution I

Its been 5 years.. It was early December in 2003.. I was busy with exams for my Masters degree at CEG, Anna University, when the telegram arrived. I was selected to join SAIL as Management Trainee.

With no second thoughts, I took a break from study & headed for Bokaro, Jharkhand for the induction ceremony! It was the first time I was going away from home so my parents wanted to ensure that I would be comfortable with everything there.

Things were on a roll there. There were about 300 of us, raring to go! The induction programmes were eventful! Corporate jargon from the distinguished speakers & personal anecdotes from my colleagues seated beside all day. Evenings were reserved for a walk to the ‘Sector’ market, always abuzz with activity! And for that occasional sumptuous dinner at the Sher-e-Punjab! Late night activities included singing bouts & volleyball matches..

Imagine… Winter Nights, Floodlights &Volleyball!

Conversations used to be energizing and I made a lot of friends there; more than the number I had in college! Dinner time used to be the most eventful! I hated thoses parched rotis & aloo sabzi(potato curry) that we used for dinner! I still remember the bewildered look, that little boy who used to serve us food, gave me, when I asked for a chashma(spectacles), actually wanting a chammach(spoon). Those were early days for my spoken Hindi! P.S Thanks to Kamleshwar for all that Hindi vocabulary he taught me in quick time!

Then came the most interesting event of all; The Personal Introductory sessions! We were all required to introduce ourselves & perform on stage. I chose to sing Venmathi Venmathiye.. (Minnale), the first half in Tamil & the second in Hindi! I was glad people liked it. Moreso because my Hindi diction was pathetic! Those were early days for my singing too!

15 days flew by thus! Truly memorable times!

Then, we had to move on..