NAAZHIGAI Part 1

“Stop crying now and tell me, where did he go? Prathi asked.

“Nowhere to be found”, I repeated again.

Prathi: Did you call Maya? Ask her if she knows, or call his parents they will know where he is off to.

I went to my room. My eyes were filled with tears

The memories of the last seven years appeared before me. I picked up my diary to travel through the last 7 years of bliss 

September 1 2008

“It’s already late, wake up, else you are just going to be early for your last hour in college on your first day", shouted my sister, as she was packing her bag for school

Yes it’s my first day at college, I had made all the preps, right from what dress to wear to which bag to carry and for a girl you exactly have no idea on the things that go into her bag

So thought I would get some comfy and cozy time in bed a little longer until my mom said, ”We are all ready kanna. See if dad’s shirt looks fine”

I woke up in haste” What! Mom this is college and I have my bus from here, it’s not school anymore”

Yes! My dad dropped me in school for about 12 years and I was so happy for it. But not now. The spirit of entering into college already thrilled me and I was floating in my dreams since I got admission into college.

“I would be more than happy to see my kid in college when I dint have a chance to go to college” said mom kissing me in happiness. I said okay, as I got flawlessly ready for “THE DAY”

Though my answer to all my friends and relatives was “to become a doc” when they asked me what I wanted to become, I was happy on staying with my parents as I dint get a medical college in my hometown.

Hi I’m Subhu, Subathra Balakrishnan, hailed from the same city. I wish to pursue engineering and I’m here to chase my dreams. Hope we all have fun time learning and exploring together.

I practiced along the way when I was in the car.

“Vignesh joined the same college isn’t it? “, dad asked. Mom said “Yes he is coming by bus; I asked if he wished to join but then he wanted to take the bus”

Vicks, that’s how I call him, is my closest friend ever and he is my cousin. We used to play all genera of games, cricket; when I always used to field, badminton though we both were pro in it, and all sorts of indoor games as well. He is the one guy whom I think I could easily approach to at any times.

We reached college. “Dad stop, I’ll walk from the gate” He said that’s okay Subhu. The secretary is a friend of mine I’ll meet him to invite him for a cup of coffee. I said okay and I left.

I met Prathi; Prathiksha, who was my schoolmate and quite popular too. She looked cute but we dint have a chance to get close. I said “Hai Prathi, do you remember me?”

“Heyyy Subhu, wow you joined the same college; happy go lucky I found you” Come lets join the orientation meet and see what these guys have to say.

The orientation was over and we were divided into different sections based on the alphabetical order, the sections would be intact for a year after which we would then be amalgamated based on the streams we opted for.

Prathi and I glanced the names in the sheet that was pasted in the door who would be potential friends for our lifetime. We shared certain common things but she was little more to know who the guys in class were. She did her schooling in a co-ed school till 10^th and joined in our school at 11^th grade. We glanced from the bottom; Vignesh was not in my class. Shiv, Subhu, Sindhya………. Rithika……..Prathi………Hey Nithin is here Prathi exclaimed.

And who is he Prathi? Your friend from school?

Yeah, Nithin, fondly called Nithi, believes that fairy tales are actually made from small and sweet happenings between people in earth and nothing related to fantasy. He enjoys each moment of his life, pious in religious life, smart in academic profile, loving in relationships and popular in school. There he is.

Okay now! I just forgot to submit my certificates in the office, give me a minute before classes start, deliberately to avoid an unanticipated scene with “THE NITHI”. Yes he was smart and cool but I was quite introverted to meet new people particularly guys, particularly good-looking guys

We went to library as we were taken around the college to take a look at the facilities there.

I loved the library. It was hushed and peaceful. I took a look at all the big sized books and breathed a moment thinking those were all the subject matter volumes that I would need to master in.

Excuse me Mam, are you Subhu? The librarian shouted. And everyone turned back though I was the only Subhu there.

Nithi was standing there, I was like Oh! What now! It’s definitely destiny playing its game. I intentionally avoided a scene with him as I felt he had something that could change the rate of my heart beat.

“This guy assumes that you are Subhu and that you have lost your ID” the librarian said. Nithi was almost perplexed and tensed as I walked towards them! "Oh no! she doesn’t know me, no no no" he said to the librarian. I then realized I missed it in office. Oh yeah Nithi, thanks much. I’m Subhu :)  as we shook hands.

To be continued………..

This is the first time I’m writing a story. Please bear with me. Will ensure that you live the storyJ

Kamsahamnida

Bred and grown up in an environment of business entrepreneurs I wanted to excel in business and entrepreneurship as well, though there wasn’t much sustenance from the inner circle of my family. I felt I should create history just like my uncle who did his project on Vision/Navigation for Blind which attracted the interests of the Indian Government and got an offer for 50 lakhs. Though not to that mark, I wanted to become the second most popular kid in the family to be a social entrepreneur animating my academic gen and first girl to be so.

I was determined to achieve all this independently though there were many compromises to work collaboratively. But I was sure I want to have my own identity and not to bask in the shades of my family. Maybe this spirit inculcated in me was simply due to the fact that I was named after the great leader who fought for women liberty; my heart throbbed to the same beat of thoughts. In fact this was my theatrical dialogue on one of my stage plays

நிமிர்ந்த நன்னடை நேர்கொண்ட பார்வையும்,

நிலத்தில் யார்க்கும் அஞ்சாத நெறிகளும்,

திமிர்ந்த ஞானச் செருக்கும் இருப்பதால்

செம்மை மாதர் திறம்புவ தில்லையாம்;

அமிழ்ந்து பேரிரு ளாமறி யாமையில்

அவல மெய்திக் கலையின்றி வாழ்வதை

உமிழ்ந்து தள்ளுதல் பெண்ணற மாகுமாம்

உதய கன்ன உரைப்பது கேட்டிரோ!

சாத்தி ரங்கள் பலபல கற்பராம்;

சவுரி யங்கள் பலபல செய்வராம்;

மூத்த பொய்மைகள் யாவும் அழிப்பராம்;

மூடக் கட்டுக்கள் யாவுந் தகர்ப்பராம்;

காத்து மானிடர் செய்கை யனைத்தையும்

கடவு ளர்க்கினி தாகச் சமைப்பராம்;

ஏத்தி ஆண்மக்கள் போற்றிட வாழ்வராம்;

இளைய நங்கையின் எண்ணங்கள் கேட்டிரோ;

Here are few testimonials to institutions which equally have made contributions to bring me up to the position where I am now 

Testimonial—St. Josephs Anglo Indian Girls Higher Secondary School Batch 1995-2008

14 years Convent education has made me no lesser than a Thasavathar as an orator, writer, sketcher, dancer, artist, math lover, Basketball player, confidant, blogger, and a maverick indeed. My school had been with me during three stages of my life: infancy, childhood and adolescence. Convent will you take me back as your student?!

"An awesome school to explore and discover who you want to be. 

It not only teaches you academics but other extracurricular activities and gives you opportunities to bring out your skills that are dormant in you 

“If you are from Convent you must be good in English” is not just a stereotype. 

They encourage kids to speak English even at home and when conversing with friends. This makes us a natural in English Communication which many colleges and companies do training for.

Thank you Sisters of the Chavnod, Excelsior"

Testimonial-- Saranathan College of Engineering Batch 2008-2012

I completed my engineering from a not so famous college called Saranathan engineering college of Engineering. But I got the best pick of friends in my college life. Had fun, learnt few academic concepts, Fortunate for the field, unfortunate for me – my heart said to my brain “Please, you don’t want to be a pro in it!” So I dint chose a masters. Just wanted to be a Bachelor in it. I liked MBA instead and it liked me back!  Saranathan this is for you.

"The college has a current annual intake of 600 students for the 6 branches offered at the undergraduate level and 174 students for the 5 courses offered at the post-graduate level.With a built up area of 200000 sq ft, 8 seminar halls and a state of the art library with more than 40000 books and 225 periodicals and journals (both national and international), the college offers the ideal environment for the students to absorb and assimilate the top class technical education and professional training offered.With such amenities in the college and with the students entering already with good cut offs there is no doubt that it produces university rank holders easily every year. Came across department Symposiums organized by students, clubs and sports but missed few aspects of college life like Culturals and theatrics

Hats off Saranathan"

Testimonial- SSN School of Management Batch 2012-2014

 I was an avid fan of getting into one of the A, B, C, K, L, R, S, T, and U’s of the times. I dint take my CAT that year for which I had placed my hearts and soul into. But the place I ended up to be dint make me regret for it at any instance. All the professors had a very good impression on me and I kept up to it. I topped all the semesters, with the title of best outgoing student and my name inscribed on a board in my college. I saw the best in myself there Here goes the testimonial for SSN

"Whether it’s the palpable vibe of an alma mater, having tons to do, or the fact that my college is a great place to learn and explore, I have a lot of experiences to share about SSN School of Management, few of which I would like pen down in my testimonial"The facilities at the SSN are 

impeccable; a beautiful and historic campus setting, classmates from many different cultures and backgrounds, lecturers with interesting insights into current best industry practice and academic thinking, an intimate class-tutor environment, a focus on individual personal development, and multiple company projects offering the immediate opportunity to apply academic learning; all of these made the SSN MBA program a truly stimulating experience, and a very worthwhile investment in terms of both personal and professional development. My experience at SSN has meant career advancement to a highly responsible and strategically challenging position in a leading-edge company. Along with that goes an increased sense of  self-esteem and a feeling of accomplishment and personal satisfaction”

Thank you SSN"

Testimonial- HCL Technologies 2014-Engine still hot

 I joined HCL 2 months after graduating. I was the youngest among a team of 8 members and I was the only fresher in the team. I worked hard and sincerely, thanks to my boss and colleagues, my learning curve was exponential.

"HCL helped me to achieve what I wanted to be along with accomplishing  its organization goals. HCL is one of only eight 21st century listed technology companies in the world to cross $1bn in Net Profit, $6bn in Revenue and $15bn in Market Capitalization. Our business philosophies are pretty popular, “Relationship beyond the contract”, “Employees First”, and “Ideapreneurship culture”. We operate around 31 countries with 24% women in global workforce. Offerings include product engineering, custom & package applications, BPO, IT  infrastructure services, IT hardware, systems integration, and distribution of information and communications technology (ICT) products across a wide range of industries.If you want to work in an environment which encourages your dreams then HCL is the place"