first day of Dashak

Date: 22^nd August 2003, Time: 9-9.30 AM. (Tithi: Bhado Krishna Dushmi)

His sister’s friends, with whom he stayed at Dalmia, suggested that he instead of going here and there, get a rickshaw and go directly to the department. So He first went to the Geophysics department to meet his sister and then randomly got a rickshaw. The straight short road took the vehicle towards the Vishwanath Temple, the heart of the university. The life there was without any barricades, and chai-samosa was still there fulfilling the needs of the life, that was more than alive. The Vehicle just gave the glimpse of this and took the usual speed to show him the first official welcome, a big board saying “Welcome to Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu University”, then as suggested by a pedestrian, they  took a left turn where few more boards gave directions, department of Electronics Engineering &department of civil engineering.  A short right turn showed the desired destination ‘Sanganak abhiyantiki vibhag’ .

The rickshaw-wala charged Rs 20 for this distance, as he was in no mood for bargaining/ fighting, he just gave that and went inside the department.  Bicycles and bikes were parked outside the department.  An old Fiat car was at the portico, a vespa and a bajaj were at just entrance. The car belonged to the Head of the Department, Prof. K. K. Shukla, Vespa belonged to Prof. A .K. Tripathi and Bajaj Prof. A. K. Agarwal.  He didn’t bother for many things as he can hear his own heart beat than any other sound.  Couldn’t decide that was it the hot humid weather or the palpitation that was making him more sweaty.  Dressed very formal, a file in his hand holding all his certificates and his appointment letter which he received a week before, He went to the HoD chamber, which he found to be empty.   Stood there for a minute or so, remained undecided. The office was full of students and so he waited for another minute.  As the last few students walking out he walked in the office and asked the clerk (Mr.RajendraSrivastava) who was dealing with the students, “Head sir Kahan Milengay” ,

 “Kya kaam hain????” was the reply

“woh mein yahan join karne aaya tha”

 “aare Sir, aap hi hain!!!WELCOME SIR…” big smiles and warm hand shake.  “aaiye sir, head sir wahanhain” .

Then he guided him towards a lab which says “AIVC Lab” and also “Malviya suchana prodyogki Kendra” the Head was seating in a simple lab chair on the entrance. He recognized the head as HoD was also a member of the interview board which took a rigorous interview for this appointment letter.   The clerk introduced him to the head “Sir, aap (indicating him) join karneaaye hain….” The Head stood up as he could also recognize him and a gave him a warm welcome. The Head took him  to his chamber and asked with some uncertainty “ aap vastav mein join karne aaye hain!!!!”

 “yes sir, koi problem hain kya??”

“aare nahin, koi problem nahin,  (towards Srivastava-ji) inke joining ka formalities pura kare abhi”

 And within no time He joined the department.  The prof, when came to know that He knew nothing about the city and the university, went out of his way to arrange the other ‘un-official’ things also. As Head, The Prof. gave him all the introduction of the department and introduced to the other colleagues.  A glass of ‘sharbat’  along with some krackjack biscuits was the welcome snack. 

21^st August 2013

A decade gone, many things changed, people changed, attitude changed, even some part of his changed.  10 yrs before Mr. was added to his name, now officially M is changes to D. Confidence and attitude he gained. A child with simplicity and innocence is still there trying to survive, He sometimes help the child to survive. He knows that it’s good follow the rule, so he always follows the golden rule: “Follow you heart, make your rules, and break rules”.

Now he knows that he belongs to this city of light, Kashi, Banaras, Varanasi and this belongs to him. This  city completes him in all aspects, Banaras gave him his best “friend” SankatMochan and “Bhairav”, who stands for him without any conditions, even he do not ask them for this.  Cooking was the necessity, now its passion.  Photography was just a hobby, and still remains the way of his expression. Music is in life of Banaras and how the city spares him from this.

List of gains are always more than what he had lost in last 10 years.

STILL

He is waiting to get some more things, He do not want to be king or so, He is actually searching for himself.

10 years before, the Ex-Director, Prof S. Lele, asked him his first interview question, “ what you want from life?”,  He without giving a second thought, answered, “I want nothing, only PEACE”

And That want, greed and lust for peace is still there.