Fresher's Party

Freshers Party

It was exactly a week, after I met her. HOD called me for the meeting.

He said, “Any plans about fresher’s party?”.

I said” yes sir. We are thinking the same sir” and I added “I will come with date sir”.

Every year shifting of the position happen. Now this time 3M goes to our junior and we have to take mathematics association etc.,

On the way I met my III year CR Miss. Archana senior. And I discussed with her about the fresher’s party. And she suggested that to some program to include on Fresher’s party. I gone to my class and I discussed with my class mates about the dates and we selected Miss. Keerthi and Mr. Ajay as organizer for that.  I conveyed the same thing with Archana.  

I and the organizer of fresher’s party gone to 1^st yr class of mathematics. 

Nallathambi from Tamil department is in classroom.

I to nallathambi “Excuse me sir”.

Nallathambi, “yeah Harish”.

I said “I need to speak with you sir”.

He excused the class and came out. And he added you have done a great job in 3M. Good strategically approach.

I said “Thank you sir”.

I need to pass small announcement to my junior class.

Time is 11:13. Within two minutes period will be completed. So Nallathambi agreed for that. I have taken this class because11:15 to 11:30 is break. 

And he announce to the class “Harish want to pass some information” by pointing me. And he left the class. I entered into class. The class strength is 30. It is by 15 girls and 15 boys. I stepped into the podium.

I introduced myself as “I am Harish Second year CR” to class. And I have given smile to class. Indeed it’s for tan faced girl, who sits 3^rd bench from last and to my left hand side corner. And she noted that, and given it back in the same way.

“We are heartily welcome you for the fresher’s party which is organized on 18^th Feb 2007 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Mr. Ajay and Miss. Keerthi are the organizer of fresher’s party”. They will be contacting you for the more details.

“Who is the CR?” I asked the class.

She stood and said “Myself”.

She was with pale pink salwar. A small black color bindhi. Pale pink lips again twinkled me. White titan watch on her right hand wrist. She kept her cello pen inside the notebook.

I asked “Your Good name Please?”

She Replied “Florence”.

I asked her full name. Usually mathematics students have lot of assumption to prove (disprove) a single theorem. Just like that, this leads to assumption that I have some interest. (Indeed I have).

She said “Florence Karry Winslet” . And again a dimple smile.

(My Mind Voice: I heard only Florence, remaining name looks strange and complicated)

Ajay said to Florence “We have a meeting regarding fresher’s party today at 5:30 pm”. And we left the class.

Keerthi and Florence are discussing in their room. Myself and Ajay are in library for the question paper Xerox. Ajay left the place saying that he had meeting with jr regarding fresher’s party. 

And I added “oh with Florence rite”.
Ajay “you remembered her name ”.  And he had given a smile.

After 10 minutes I realized that I need pass some info to Ajay which Archana insisted me. So I left the place. Ajay and Keerthi, already into the deep discussion.  I crossed the way, then I remember the thing… 

A Year After in my College

CR Job

           In second year, class selected me as CR (class representative) or Because of my work in the magazine or no one interested in my class for the post of CR. It needs patience; CR has to take care of everything in class room like Chalk and duster. Attendance by student, syllabus covered (or you have to say the lecturer to rush up). Principal or HOD questions only CR is there any mass bunk or misbehave happen. It’s moreover like எடுபிடி(helper) for lecturer and for management; it is a Non- teaching staff without a salary.

On one fine day, I still remember it was around 10:௦௦ AM.

After the prayer as usual I am going to chalk room to collect the chalk and attendance.I have noted a girl, with light green salwar and white bottom. I am interested to see her face.

I am standing in front of chalk room; I am second on the queue. I want see her face so I have given my place to my next CR (from chemistry dept. who also waits for the same reason). He thanked me. I said “It’s ok”.  I exchanged my place with the remaining person in the queue and I gone last. But still her face was not clear. I gone to the chalk room and I collected chalk and attendance. I am in middle of the way to reach my classroom. I have noted that she is searching for something and I can feel her urgency.

“What a pleasant smell.”(Given deep breath)  

And I said “wow” by closing my eyes (I didn’t notice that she is watching me). 

I have crossed her. I heard “Excuse me”. (I whispered to myself “what brand it is”?). 

Again, I heard “Excuse me”.

She ran and stood in front of me and asked “can you help me, how to reach mathematics department?” and she added “I am new to college”. (Many of the people left to class room)

ஒரு வேல junior அ இருக்குமோ. 

I can feel her urgency. I can see the brightness with her. She is fair enough.  Her eyebrows were threaded to achieve bow. A black bindi in pale fair face twinkled me. Eyeliner and eyelashes were perfect. I felt her lips. Well manicured and nail polish that brings transparency effect. Her black watch, titan made more visible in her right wrist. Pale green Salwar with white bottom is embroidery collection. Her gold chain with crossed Jesus Christ in the center was gone nearby collar bone. Her hair had single pink rose and it had single band. She placed her hair behind the left ear. Ear ring is eye catchy.  Salwar has knot at her back around neck and her sleeves were short.  I can see her golden anklets, even though her salwar bottom covers. White sandal with fewer heels really suits to her.

(My Mind Voice: First time I feel great about my CR job otherwise i wouldn't come to collect the chalk)

  

My insight says, she was late on very first day. Hence I said (I remembered the thing which I done on my first day on my college) with smile on my face.

“Cool don’t be tensed, go straight and take left not right”. To be clearer, I pointed out the crotons plants as landmark. And I “added all the best” to her.

She thanked me with smile. I note her dimple which is awesome. 

And she added “by the by spray is D & G”. And she left the place with smile. It’s a good feeling. J. 

As an editor in 3M

As an Editor in 3M

Our Mathematics department had a lot of extracurricular activities for all the three years of students. Department, has monthly magazine designed by 1^st year student. Mathematics clubs and association were organized by 2^nd year. Generally 3^rd year will be busy with their M.Sc. preparation and job search etc. Often they include in their participation in magazine and club. Each activity had faculty for responsible and so on. We are not aware that Mr.Vijayan is responsible for Magazine work.

After that incident, we stood out of the class then we gone to garden. I and Balan were discussing about recent movie. We did not notice that Vijayan seeing us. 

And  "I made you to stood outside to make you feel, not to give time speak about movie".

He came near to us and said “You both meet HOD, if you want to sit on my next class”. 

(My Mind Voice: shit … pochuda ).

“May I come in sir” me to HOD.

“Yes” HOD to me.

HOD said to us “yesterday we had small meeting about your class with Vijayan”.

Mr. Vijayan is a nice lecturer. He is good at pure mathematics you guys really disappointing Vijayan lot. He was travelling around 110 KM daily to this college. He completes syllabus on time. Easy to approach him for the doubt. He has great influence in various universities. Pure mathematics is subject you need patience more than skills; one has read lot for that. Just for 45 minutes class he will read around 4-5 hrs on various books and 1 hr for preparation. You guys not even to put his 10% of dedication. Its Govt. aided college; faculty can be of their wish. But still we are really working. Please, at least respect his dedication. Don’t repeat this. Don’t make that man to loose his self confidence.

By that word from my HOD I really felt bad. It’s like thorn that deeply entered to your heart. I will not feel bad, even they reduce my internals.

HOD said “You may go now”.

I and Balan left the place. I asked Balan” come we will go to Vijayan cabin for sorry”. Balan feels that it childish and he added “Sorry is good for nothing show the changes that enough”.

Balan left the place.

But my mind not allowed me to go. I felt guilty. So I had gone to his cabin for sorry. But he is not available at that time.

(On that night I didn’t get sleep up to 2AM, thinking about Vijayan how we wasted his class? A 43yr old Man, What is the need to work that much?)

On Very next day,

Vijayan asked that “Is there any volunteer to take care of Mathematics Monthly Magazine”?

Myself “Just I raised my hand”.

In spite Vijayan looked me in strange. But he was happy that I am also one among who raised hand in class. He has given me the chance for doing that magazine.

To be honest, I never seen any mathematics magazine before in my entire life. I want to put my best in this. From that point, I have learnt lot in my life. The thing which my school fail to teach.

  

I have changed the style of the magazine like, Last year magazine is like assignment booklet. Now this time I made into single A3 sheet, like folded type. I have gone through the previous issues of magazine around a year back. I made some of the column more visible, like giving biography about mathematicians in a page, is not readable not eye catchy. Hence I made into column type. 

After my incharge over in Mathematic monthly magazine, I have increased the number of copies which is sold. I had a plan to sell these copies in various college and schools.

So it made me to discuss often with Mr.Vijayan. He always happy with me and my changes.  I have reduced the subject level in the magazine. Every article which I selected, I make sure that understand level of reader’s etc. I followed lot of strategy in it. Even though it doesn’t carry about any marks, but I want to do this. Now I given a new title as mathematics monthly magazine as 3M, I increased the praise of 3M into Rs.15. 

Earlier, Editor has to write the whole document. But this year I collect the article from various mathematics students. One has to give only one article in a month. I and Mr.Vijayan selected the best and useful article for the readers. So only best out best is selected. It makes the student to follow the magazine.

  
3M makes me little famous in college. Even other dept. gets some ideas from me for their magazines.  It has given new recognition among lecturer, students etc.

PASC

PASC

Two months over, Now we are in the stage of calling my friend as machan, machi etc.

Pondicherry Arts and Science College (PASC) often challenge all other Private and Govt. college in Pondicherry with their results, Alumni etc. The lecturer takes extra classes to finish their subjects. They motivate the students to participate in various programs. We do have dress code for both lecturers and students. PASC is located on Pondicherry outskirts, and it has got two main gates. The one gate to in and other one to out. There is separate foot path for the pedastrian.Usually I come by walk to college as my house is very nearer to college.

New college, New Dresses, New Friends etc., But I carried my old marks that I obtained midterm. I don’t do great. So professor warned me (us(you are not alone in this world)) that you should perform well or it will affect the internals. (We have been hearing this from school time, perform well otherwise you will be detained).

On many mathematics classes, Lecturer will leave the problem in the middle, saying that

“you know how to do that rite?” (Or) “Remaining is Exercise for you”.

So you can guess me that, many of my class notebooks are empty pages.  Either I will leave the page more than the necessary one. (i.e. actual space needed to solve the problem will be less than ½ page, but throughout my 3 years of college, I never guessed it correctly. I may leave either 1 page or more than that).

In this case Balan is guru(but he too fails some time). Then next morning both sit side by side for Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V from the source notebook (one who solves the problem). Since I and Balan are from first bench, we are always in front of the eyes (eagle’s eye) of lecturer.

It was around 3:30 PM,

Lecturer Mr. Vijayan on strike.

Balan performed well in “Annachi hotel” (Unlimited  Meals Rs.30) which is near to college.

His eyes were red and uncontrollable sleepy.

I said, “Machan sir பாக்காரர் da”.

He said, “thanks, machi பாத்துகிட்டே இரு வந்தா மட்டும் சொல்லு da”.

I have to listen my class (or pretending to listen), I have to take notes, I have to note whether vijayan is seeing Balan?, I have to inform Balan. I have to see my watch when period will get over, meanwhile I have to see my figure too ;)..  How tough is this rite?.

Suddenly wind blows,

Balan did not noticed that his two pages turned over. But Vijayan noticed that.

I said, “Machan sir பாக்காரர்  da”.

Balan want to show that he is not sleeping so he shacked the pen(its very basic trik).

Vijayan said, “By the above lemma 2.4(d) we can conclude the theorem”.

Balan writes the same thing in his note book, but on wrong page. Vijayan understood the scenario as he understands the mathematics, so clear no confusion.

Vijayan came and stood infront of me

Vijayan said “Balan can u read the theorem?”

(My mind voice: machi page a mathu da”)

Balan started to read the theorem which is of 3 days old.

Vijayan said “you two both out of my class”. By pointing finger at me and Balan.

From that time onwards, we both are outstanding students(we mostly spent the time outside itself ;) ).

Though we are outstanding students; we read by ourselves.

So this situation made me to go to library for the books,last yr. question paper, etc.

First day in college...

 கல்லூரின் முதல் நாள்

     It’s started with Morning Prayer, the very first day of my college.  Almost everyone in my row wore new dresses looks like Bouquet of flower. In my instruction slip, they have given the way how to reach Mathematics department? Yeah I have elected my stream as B.Sc (Mathematics). But mathematics மேல அந்த அளவுக்கு intrest இல்ல. Just I need a degree that’s it. Maths படிச்சா tuition கூட வைக்கலாம்னு எங்க அப்பா கூட வேல செய்யற teacher எல்லாம் சொன்னங்க போல (but, Maths degree முடிக்க நானே இரண்டு மூன்று tuition போவனும்). Maths Lecturer கூட வாய்ப்பு இருக்கு. சரி அந்த degree maths irukatumnu  எடுத்துடன். Instruction slip ல என்னக்கு print சரியா ஆகல. So that I have enquired a guy next to me.

 How can I reach Mathematics Department?

 He said, go straight and take left.

 I thanked him.

 I Left the Place, and started enter in to class room.

 My mother always says, வலது கால எடுத்து வச்சிட்டு class க்கு போ னு ஒரு அஞ்சு ஆரு தடவ சொல்லிருப்பாங்க . But I don't know which leg I used. So, I came out of the class and I used right leg, before others notices me.

 I entered to class; I find a place to sit. 

 I said, “Hello, I am Harish “to the guy next to me. 

 He replied, “This is barath".

 Professor enters into class,

 கைகள் வணங்கியபடி "காலை வணக்கம் " என்றார்.

 He introduces himself as Dr.Nallathambi HOD in Tamil. He Interested in Classic Tamil. He published 4 to 5 books. I am sitting on 3^rd bench from the last row. In first two rows no one  sits.

So Nallathambi said,

"நண்பர் உங்கள் பேர் என்ன என்று என்னை பார்த்து கேட்டார்”? 
(Its purely a random pick)

(Later I come to know that, he used to call students by நண்பர் irrespective with their genders and age.)

 I said, "I am Harish".

"உங்கள் நண்பர்கோளுடு முதல் bench L அமரமுடியுமா? " என்று கேட்டார் முகத்தில் புன்னகயொடு.

அனைவரும் சென்று அமர்ந்தோம். 

He has given some general talk, and it motivates me. Within 15 minutes of his speech I got Goosebumps. அவர் தமிழ் பேசற அழக பாத்து. I think I should have taken Tamil as my degree subject.

 He asked class to introduce, (nothing more you can expect on very first day)

A girl with specs from 1^st row started her introduction. She said everything (father name, mother name and their sibling, etc) everything means she includes her favorite pet name too. Her 12th Standard marks too. 

(My Mind Voice: "OMG, shit I have to say my marks too. This is the toughest thing in a class that happens on very first day") 

Once she finished,

நல்லதம்பி சொன்னார், “உங்கள் பெயர்  மற்றும் நீங்கள் என்ன ஆக விருப்பம் ?. இது இருண்டு மட்டும் போதும்.” 

By this sentence, Nallathambi looks like life saver to me and he became a my favorite lecturer.

 (Some said teacher, lecturer, English professor, starting NGO, not decided yet etc., as they wish to be) 

 Meanwhile, I recited “I am Harish and I want to excel in Mathematics and I want to be mathematician" almost 6 to 7 times.

Next is my chance,

I stood up and said "I am Harish and I want to excel in Mathematics and I want to be mathematician".

Nallathambi gave me strange look. I can feel that, whole class watching me and they started to discuss.

Nallathambi said, “Then you should take B.Sc. Mathematics as degree”.

I said that “I am opted the stream as B.Sc Mathematics”.

Later I recognized that I am sitting in BA English Classroom.

 I excused Nallathambi and ran to reach mathematics class.

English Department and Mathematics department are located side by side with no sign board. (or sign board is not visible due to trees). Now I got, what the thing exactly happened to me.

அந்த பையன், சொல்லும் போது left னு சொல்லி right ல கை கமிசிடன்.

(I am thinking about how the mistake has happened... while running to mathematics department...)

I asked “Excuse me sir... May I come in?” to grey headed man.

(The whole class turned to me...)

Then grey headed Professor turned to me and said, "Yes come in ".

Professor asked me, “Are you Harish?”

I answered him as "Yes Sir”.  

"I marked absent in the attendance sheet. To revert back the absence, either meets our HOD or Class Teacher" professor said.

“Yes sir" Myself. 

Only one seat available that is first bench left corner. No other option, to me I have to take that.

The guy next to me asked " எந்த ஊரு ?". In slow voice

(Because, generally students know how to speak in a class without being noticed by lecturer. It’s special quality.)

Me said" இதே ஊரு தான். வள்ளலார் நகர் ".

(I’m also blessed with that quality.)

He said," இதே ஊர்ல இருந்துகிட்டு பத்து நிமிஷம் class முடிகர்துக்கு முன்னாடி வரியே ? முதல் நாளே வா ?"

I haven't answered him.

(In Board full of theorem and axioms.)

 I asked him, "என்ன class? இதுனு கேட்டேன் ?."

(Just to confirm that, I am in correct class room).

அவன் "maths கிளாஸ் னு சொன்னான்"

(My Mind Voice: #@(*@#$@#@#()%*%)

 I asked patiently, "We are in B.sc Mathematics rite?”

He replied me like this,

" எல்லாம் english ல எழுதி இருக்கரதால english class nu நினைசிட்டாய ?" 

நான் அதுக்கு அப்பறம் பேசவே இல்ல .

(My Mind Voice: How I am going to spend 3yrs by having this kind of guy next to me)

First period completes. (Sound of Bell) 
Lecturer left the class

“Hi I am Harish”, I introduced myself to him.

“What is good name?” I asked him.

He replied me as “Balan”.

(My Mind Voice: இந்த pondicherry arts and science college la எல்லாரும் பாலன் மாதிரி இருந்த எப்படி இருக்கும் ...)

I asked Balan "எந்த ஊரு?"  

I am from Coimbatore. I am staying on my sister’s house in Pondicherry.

(My Mind Voice: surely, I have used Left leg to enter into this class.)

(நீங்களே சொல்லுங்க முதல் நாளே இப்படினா ... இன்னும் என்ன என்ன நடக்க போகுதோ ....")