Sometime in the year of 1999 I had gingerly entered into a dilapidated looking single storeyed building in West hill, Calicut.
"How can this be called an engineering college?" I had wondered then.
"Maybe this is a makeshift office and the original campus where we ll be studying is somewhere else." I had consoled myself.
But as the admission procedure ended and we assembled in the hall that was supposed to be our classroom, my most profound fears were coming true. In a split second I was pondering over my decision to lap up a free seat in Mechanical Engineering being offered to me at Government Engineering College Calicut. The fact that the college did nt even have a proper building was something I had nt fathomed. I cursed the moment I decided not to opt for transfer to any other college.
But as time passed mood too changed. We as a batch gelled together. Perhaps the very fact that we were the first batch and no seniors to guide us made us learn from mistakes and instilled in us a bonding which wouldn't have been possible in other conditions. What emerged in midst of all this was a fierce spirit, which we called the Mech spirit.
The Mech Bandwagon had started to roll and every function or event in the college was the epitome of Mech unity. The Mech Point came to be seen as the cornerstone of our college life. The very sight of the Royals enmasse at the Mech Point was enough to spend shrills down the spines of hapless souls who had fallen prey to the remarks and comments of the Royals.
Days turned into months and months into years. In the process the whole bunch went through a roller coaster of feelings. New bonds made, older ones stengthened. Life seemed to move along smoothly. Royals were always together sharing the joys and sorrows alike. Four years seemed to pass off in a blink and the numerous escapades we had seemed like yesterday.
Today almost 4 years have passed since the first batch of Royals rolled out from GEC Kozhikode. The young engineering college which had its birth in the hostel of Kerala govt. Polytechnic is now shining proudly in its new modern multistoreyed building.
I wonder whether the Mech Point is still there. I wonder whether guys still gather below the tree with gay abandon. Because for us, the Royals of '99, GECK is incomplete without the Mech Point. For us GECK was all about bunking classes at will, passing chits during examination, cricket matches at East Hill ground, Football matches at Polytechnic ground, the numerous trips we used to organize in the pretext of Industrial visits and much more.
For us life in GECK was all about the principles and fiercely independent views of Seby John, the pleasing demeanor of our Casanova Rafeeque, the unabashed display of love and spirit of Deepu, Jobin's universal brotherhood theory and famous love for Goby cicillia, the "SAB MAYA HAIN " proclamations of Jhonty Kattu, the book selling skills of Anas, the love and affection of Anoop, political principles of Ajaykumar, Susru's charismatic personality, the gentle heart within the huge frame of Kannurian Sunil, the smile of Darvish, the academic brilliance of Rejin, the multiple talents hidden behind Kannaadi of Sreejith, the lazy elegance and simplicity of Ammavan, the legendary charm of Tom, the eternal love story of the Royal Couple,, the unconditional hospitality of Kripal, the textile tycoon Sudeesh, the artistic talent of Rasheed, the unstoppable avesham of Prashanth, the Pazhampuri jokes and chalk throwing skills of Shinoj, the characteristic roar of our Pocket Hercules and Royal Rep Sreesh's bike, Renjith's uninhibited display of singing talent, the unquestionable dependability of Rupesh, the dare devilry of Krishnaprasad, Prof. Kottuli's unparalleled CD collection, the badminton talent of Korapuzha's own Manesh, the unbelievable straight drives and infectious enthusiasm of Mithun, the dancing wonder Asan, the literary genius of Jaykumar, the charming countenance of Joby, the cute and innocent persona of Ajeesh, the football skills of our Stopper Back Faisal, the faithful obsessions of our own valentine Arun, the creative excellence of Anupesh, the legendary precision of Pookaadan's hands, the unparalleled voice of Unmesh, the innocence and purity of Maveli's love, the elegance and batsman ship of Suraj, the complexity of The Per-sony-ality guy, the unbridled love and escapades of PRO Unni, the principles of Achchan, the Vanishing abilities of Panjaara Hari, the never ending Shakir Jokes, the Pride of Trichur Navaneet, A.R Nirmal and his new old version of Vande Mataram, the drinking capacity of Tank-o-man, the silent demeanor of Tony,the unadulterated effervescence of Camaran, the never ending formalities of Laiju, the photostatic abilities of Raees and the born leader in Jisar.
These were the pillars on which our hopes of never ending friendship and brotherhood stood. Today the pillars are far apart yet within their hearts closer to each other.
Swami Vivekananda had once remarked, "True, selfless love is one that is not bound by desires. It is not affected by the distances separating the loved ones. The distances just further cement and strengthen the bonds."
I just hope, that ours too is the true selfless love that Swamiji was talking about. I hope that the distances have not diminished the fierce sense of bondings that we nursed for each other. I just hope that these bonds are just lying dormant beneath the cloud of physical distances, all the time rejuvenating and strengthening itself to face the onslaught of time and reappear with the same vigor which we were once proud of when we meet again sometime down the journey of life.
"How can this be called an engineering college?" I had wondered then.
"Maybe this is a makeshift office and the original campus where we ll be studying is somewhere else." I had consoled myself.
But as the admission procedure ended and we assembled in the hall that was supposed to be our classroom, my most profound fears were coming true. In a split second I was pondering over my decision to lap up a free seat in Mechanical Engineering being offered to me at Government Engineering College Calicut. The fact that the college did nt even have a proper building was something I had nt fathomed. I cursed the moment I decided not to opt for transfer to any other college.
But as time passed mood too changed. We as a batch gelled together. Perhaps the very fact that we were the first batch and no seniors to guide us made us learn from mistakes and instilled in us a bonding which wouldn't have been possible in other conditions. What emerged in midst of all this was a fierce spirit, which we called the Mech spirit.
The Mech Bandwagon had started to roll and every function or event in the college was the epitome of Mech unity. The Mech Point came to be seen as the cornerstone of our college life. The very sight of the Royals enmasse at the Mech Point was enough to spend shrills down the spines of hapless souls who had fallen prey to the remarks and comments of the Royals.
Days turned into months and months into years. In the process the whole bunch went through a roller coaster of feelings. New bonds made, older ones stengthened. Life seemed to move along smoothly. Royals were always together sharing the joys and sorrows alike. Four years seemed to pass off in a blink and the numerous escapades we had seemed like yesterday.
Today almost 4 years have passed since the first batch of Royals rolled out from GEC Kozhikode. The young engineering college which had its birth in the hostel of Kerala govt. Polytechnic is now shining proudly in its new modern multistoreyed building.
I wonder whether the Mech Point is still there. I wonder whether guys still gather below the tree with gay abandon. Because for us, the Royals of '99, GECK is incomplete without the Mech Point. For us GECK was all about bunking classes at will, passing chits during examination, cricket matches at East Hill ground, Football matches at Polytechnic ground, the numerous trips we used to organize in the pretext of Industrial visits and much more.
For us life in GECK was all about the principles and fiercely independent views of Seby John, the pleasing demeanor of our Casanova Rafeeque, the unabashed display of love and spirit of Deepu, Jobin's universal brotherhood theory and famous love for Goby cicillia, the "SAB MAYA HAIN " proclamations of Jhonty Kattu, the book selling skills of Anas, the love and affection of Anoop, political principles of Ajaykumar, Susru's charismatic personality, the gentle heart within the huge frame of Kannurian Sunil, the smile of Darvish, the academic brilliance of Rejin, the multiple talents hidden behind Kannaadi of Sreejith, the lazy elegance and simplicity of Ammavan, the legendary charm of Tom, the eternal love story of the Royal Couple,, the unconditional hospitality of Kripal, the textile tycoon Sudeesh, the artistic talent of Rasheed, the unstoppable avesham of Prashanth, the Pazhampuri jokes and chalk throwing skills of Shinoj, the characteristic roar of our Pocket Hercules and Royal Rep Sreesh's bike, Renjith's uninhibited display of singing talent, the unquestionable dependability of Rupesh, the dare devilry of Krishnaprasad, Prof. Kottuli's unparalleled CD collection, the badminton talent of Korapuzha's own Manesh, the unbelievable straight drives and infectious enthusiasm of Mithun, the dancing wonder Asan, the literary genius of Jaykumar, the charming countenance of Joby, the cute and innocent persona of Ajeesh, the football skills of our Stopper Back Faisal, the faithful obsessions of our own valentine Arun, the creative excellence of Anupesh, the legendary precision of Pookaadan's hands, the unparalleled voice of Unmesh, the innocence and purity of Maveli's love, the elegance and batsman ship of Suraj, the complexity of The Per-sony-ality guy, the unbridled love and escapades of PRO Unni, the principles of Achchan, the Vanishing abilities of Panjaara Hari, the never ending Shakir Jokes, the Pride of Trichur Navaneet, A.R Nirmal and his new old version of Vande Mataram, the drinking capacity of Tank-o-man, the silent demeanor of Tony,the unadulterated effervescence of Camaran, the never ending formalities of Laiju, the photostatic abilities of Raees and the born leader in Jisar.
These were the pillars on which our hopes of never ending friendship and brotherhood stood. Today the pillars are far apart yet within their hearts closer to each other.
Swami Vivekananda had once remarked, "True, selfless love is one that is not bound by desires. It is not affected by the distances separating the loved ones. The distances just further cement and strengthen the bonds."
I just hope, that ours too is the true selfless love that Swamiji was talking about. I hope that the distances have not diminished the fierce sense of bondings that we nursed for each other. I just hope that these bonds are just lying dormant beneath the cloud of physical distances, all the time rejuvenating and strengthening itself to face the onslaught of time and reappear with the same vigor which we were once proud of when we meet again sometime down the journey of life.
