Finally my first entry in cyberspace real estate is here !
While cracking my head for several days over the issue of starting a blog, I realized that my first entry had to be on something that compelled me to start blogging in the first place. And that was the circle of friends here at IITM, especially the wing mates in the hostel. So here is my dedication to the glorious discussion sessions that have taken place in my half wing full of '05 batch dual degree students. The title is only to create an effect of awe, I'm not really about to tell you a blood-chilling mystery. The post may seem BIG, but it's my first post so i guess i got carried away with my excitement....
Every student who has ever lived in a hostel for a reasonably long period of time … say, more than a year, will probably agree when I assert that it is an ensemble of very different characters, each with qualities that will, when placed alone seem normal, but when in this ensemble, add a pseudo-unique component to interaction in the hostel. I have been a resident of Narmada hostel at IIT Madras for over four years and the wing(more specifically, the half wing) of students I have come to be a part of sports some very unique specimen of the species Homo sapiens as concerns the qualities and roles these guys take up when wing discussions are held.
One of the most cherished time-passes of all time for us, engineers in the making, has been the wing discussion sessions, to be respectful to the insti lingo, the fart sessions. These intellectually draining sessions are over topics of paramount importance such as “The mess food seems to suck more than usual these days…” and “No, you are wrong and he is right about this funda” and “that movie was a pile of junk” and so on. They are generally held outside somebody’s room, while standing in a sort of circular/oval group, or sometimes, in somebody’s room where the occupants barely fit on the bed, the chair and the floor(the remainders have to stand). As unnatural as it seems, every member of our half-wing has a sort of role in these discussions, which comes out naturally during the proceedings. I shall attempt to, forgive this little lamb my wing-mates, elaborate over these roles and how they so aptly add to the discussion more juice than the topic itself could add.
The author of this blog wishes to make it clear that the following comments are very subjective i.e. how the author has perceived situations and made conclusions. They may be exaggarations to enable the author to gain TRPs for his first blog entry. If any one wishes to challenge the author’s findings, he/she can contact the author, and if found convincing enough, shall be treated to a full cup of coffee/tea between 4 to 5 pm in the mess hall, Himalaya.
The group can be broadly divided into the following sub-groups:
The “We did start the Fire” Crew - Sri-Go and Ork
These characters are critical when starting a discussion for they are the ones that spark it by pulling the leg of one of the other groups to follow, and then quietly disappear in to the background, letting the fire burn until the oxygen seems to be running out, and then again, they are back. Their comments are very sharp and witty and the target to these comments is always spiced-up so much by them that the discussion will then continue on its own for a long long time. You are the pioneers of many successful discussions. Hail Ork and Sri-Go !
The Intellectual - SDK
I dare you to start an argument with this guy and then attempt to win it. His logic for his point of view on any(I mean, any) topic on this Earth is so strong that he is absolutely unbeatable when it comes to debates that often start from the wing discussions. If you ever want to be on the winning side of an argument, just support him with words like “Ya, exactly…” or “Obviously be…” and victory is yours. Of late, the wing has found certain topics or ways that can keep our man from speaking and they are used as secret weapons only in the worst case scenario of an about-to-occur total domination by him. Your presence is essential to maintain a strong logic to the discussion. Hail SDK !
The Wikipedia - Rampy
Do you know when and why the Xth war in the country of Y was fought and with how many men on both sides ? Our man knows. Why ? Because he is the absolute Wikipedia of facts and figures you would not normally remember or try to remember for any apparent reason. He is an integral part of every discussion since he supplies several facts that lead to several doubts in others’ minds, that lead to several long long debates on who’s right. He is the guy to contact whenever you want any info on the latest tennis win or the latest grand prix win or the latest ……the list goes on. But seriously, his memory retention of general knowledge or any other information is mind-blowing. Your declarations and news flashes are so essential to the wing . Hail Rampy !
The Entertainers - Galli and KG
These dudes are probably the reason why so many wing discussions are held in the first place. They have the rare gift of being the scape-goat at some point in a discussion with everyone trying to pull their leg and then suddenly, one of them weaves some magic and the hunted is now the hunter. Needless to say, the reverse also happens and the wanting-to-be hunter becomes the hunted. KG has the simple smile to make your enemies lose funda that is like one of the few classics of the wing that will be remembered for a long time and the guy has taken a lot of heat for it from the mentioned Fire Starters. Galli is well known for his side changing tactics and for his active involvement in almost every discussion topic. These guys make up the real fun part of the discussion, due to their sheer energy and remarks. Hail KG and Galli !
The DJ guy - Dopa
This guy has a gift. A very rare gift. He has gained the respect(is it, guys?) of all the wing-mates due to the totally awesome PJs he can put once in a while and which are so powerful that they have been exalted to the status of what are known as DJs(Dopa Jokes). He is also known for his active participation in the discussions adding to the seriousness sometimes, and sometimes to the humor and fun. Hail Dopa !
The Audience - Raj, Me, Aditya
Every speaker needs an audience. When someone is contributing to the wing discussion, he does need some ears to listen to him, clap from time to time and so on. Do not underestimate the members of this group, though. Raj will give one statement that is equivalent to 10 statements of mere mortals. Aditya’s tech comments are paralleled by none and his sarcasm is off the charts. And well, I am me ….my presence itself is ahem ahem … you get the point.
Hail Raj, Adi and Me !
All in all, every wing discussion is a true delight since every one plays out their parts brilliantly. There are exceptions though, role reversals often take place but what is written above is the mean over several discussions profiled by the author. Now that Arjun Singh is a part of the half wing, the author is confident that he will soon engage in one such role that will add more fun to the wing fart sessions.
