My Life at iiitb Part 2

Continued from....... My Life at iiitb Part 1

Well, well.. Balki's birthday was celebrated with all pomp and show, the regular traditional way as always followed by a regular and normal iiitb student :).

Now, it’s time to resume the journey.

In the previous post I described how I got selected to continue my educational adventures at iiitb. 15th July 2008, the journey to iiitb started from Baloda Bazar (My home town). The route was to go to Bhatapara, board on to Ahmedabad Express at 12:15 PM which will reach Nagpur at around 6:30 PM. From Nagpur to Bangalore, I had to travel by Sampark Kranti Express which arrives at 10:20 pm. We reached Bhatapara Rly Stn. as per the schedule at around 11:45am, anticipating the train when the notice comes, that Ahmedabad Express is running 5 hrs late. Now what to do, the guy at ticket counter advised me to board on Chattisgarh Express at 3pm. This will reach Nagpur at 9:30pm, a handsome 50 minutes before time. I enquired if I need an extra ticket, the guy on the enquiry counter asked me not to worry, and carry on till Nagpur. A Bolt from the Blue - A (lady) TTE inspector came for a surprise check. I had asked Shailendra Gupta (My friend, who was to travel with me till Warangal) to get tickets for me from Durg Station. The inspection was after crossing Bhilai Nagar Station, and for people from Bhilai, you can estimate the heights of my bad luck. For people not from Bhilai, The Bhilai Nagar Station, and the Durg Station, is not more than 5 kms apart. And I had to pay Rs.250 as Fine, and around Rs.105 towards Fare, from Bhatapara to Nagpur. So, this was the second shock on the day. The Great Indian Railways, I must say. Chattisgarh Express was stopped on the outskirts of Nagpur Station, just to give a clear signal to Sampark Kranti Express. Now, myself, and Shailendra were to spend the night in Nagpur, and then, take a suitable train the next morning. Congo Express seemed suitable for me, as Samarth (also joined iiitb) was coming in that train, and I was also getting time to spend with Sonal. Shailendra left for Warangal by morning 10am train (I don’t remember the train).

Sonal and I burned some 8 DVDs, which consumed maximum of our time (around 30 mins per DVD) that day. It was a day of both joy, and worries that what will happen once I reach iiitb. Some people know the whole of the story why I was in worries, and I don’t want to discuss it over here. Anyhow, as Sonal was leaving for Bhilai, we reached the station at around 11:00 pm. His train was at 11:30, and my train was scheduled at 1:20 am. The Great Indian Railways, I repeat. My train was full 180 minutes late. I sitting almost alone on the platform, dozing every now and then, worried about luggage, and a whole set of things. The late train started becoming later, but covered a lot of time in between. It somehow managed to reach Bangalore station 2 hrs late. Now, it was around 1 am. I was at majestic, and I needed to travel to Marathahalli. I was at my brother's home at around 3am, and the morning, I was at iiitb.

Wait friends, it’s not yet over. Story abhi baki hai mere dost. I’ll continue with the pre-semester tomorrow. I need to sleep now, as I am making more spelling mistakes that Microsoft word is quite likely to start abusing me, on misuse of the spell check facility. Till then, good night to all of you :)

Followed by My Life at iiitb Part 3