The blog belongs to four of my seniors, who graduated this year, leaving me behind with bare recollections. With them, I will always be a kid, a fachcha, and someone who has the undoubted right to make all mistakes of life in front of them. Won’t spend much time in ‘bhoomika’, here I go ….
Janmejay Pratap Singh
Janmejay
There must be something that he is always the first person that comes to my mind when I switch on conceiving the most influential persons I have met ever.
And that’s the truth, the unchallengeable fact that whatever the shutdowns, whatever his mistakes and whatever his experiences, exclusive and uncommon, Janmejay Pratap Singh IS influential.
To such an extent that he leaves immortal imprints on your memory lanes; eternal and blissfully motivating.
I first met him, rather I must say, I first ‘saw’ him when I was in my first year. The first time I got his glimpse was in 2008 Rendezvous Auditions, the DnD Rep of Vindhyachal Hostel. Within a few more glimpses, he was my hero.
An epitome of infinite energy. The perpetual and absolute creativity.
Always on his toes.
When he is working, he is a child …… innocent, playful, mischievous and athletic.
He thinks, and moreover, he makes you think too. The whole surroundings start acting like him when he is around.
He inhibits such a characteristic expertise of carrying the world with his flow.
And there was no surprise when I and Polar left the Rendezvous Stage Play mid-way in 2009 for the Street Play, for Janmejay and Manoj were the Directors.
For me, it was a dream come true. And the rest is legacy.
Janmejay creates worlds.
He innovates everything that is existing.
An expressive poet, a prolific writer, an explicit Actor, an unmatchable Director, a pioneer movie-maker and most importantly, a provocative philosopher.
He watches, he observes, he feels and he takes actions.
Yups, he FEELS.
His life is governed by what and how he feels.
The world is fortunate, for he feels for himself after finishing everything else in this world.
There have been occasions when I was the reason for his anguish and pain. My emotions often clash with his. Several things are automatically said. But many remain unspoken …… forever.
Words fall short for the man who taught me everything ……. Janmejay Pratap Singh.
Manoj
Manoj
One of his own Gods, he believes and does what he believes.
Incredible Style Statement
He starts when he feels like and stops when he chooses to.
You can’t question, and you shouldn’t.
He lives and he rules.
Enjoys dangers and misfortunes, life becomes boring and uneventful otherwise.
Lives on the edge.
Makes efforts.
Enjoys in his own symphony. When he is in mood, there is no stopping.
Manoj – An excellent dramatist.
Natural talent in fusion with self-induced genius and mastered sophistication.
Will love to watch him on a Theatre Stage professionally some time, Solo.
In resonance with Kumaon.
As the Street Play 2008 Team Mate …….. Respect, for being the most sincere and talented person I had got acquainted with.
As the Street Play 2009 Director …… Respect, for everything that followed!
As in Rendezvous 2010 ……. Respect, for being a stupendous Coordinator of BRCA events.
And yes, Manoj is someone ……
Who knows what to bother about and what not to.
Who can recognize the upcoming headaches far before, but it’s his own wish whether to enjoy them or avoid.
Who distinguishes between right and wrong in perplex to complex situations with a cup of tea in hand (Milds will work though)
Who doesn’t care about anyone in the world, but then, he doesn’t even care about himself.
The person from whom I have learnt the most as a person.
From whom I have tried to imbibe the best of his qualities ….
…… Confidence
…… ‘Never say die’ attitude.
…… ‘World at my feet’ attitude.
…… ‘No matter the failures and distress, my time will come’ attitude.
…… ‘Everything is in my hand, there is nothing called destiny’ attitude.
If I am asked who would you like to be, my answer is unanimous.
Keshav Agarwal
Keshav
The Pissu
The Miranda
The Role of Honour
Met him first during 2009 Street Play Practices (didn’t know for many days that he was senior to me)
He was ‘tu’ for everyone while the play was on.
The day play was done, he became an ‘aap’.
Immense time spent, thoughts bifurcated, experiences acquainted and opinions shared during last two years
The only person I will be ready to die for !!! (conditions apply :P)
One of those rare commodities who can match me when I am in form (you know what !)
He is always there to help you
He is always there to sort you out
How can a GUY be so caring and fostering, I could never figure out
Call him anytime during night and he is ready to drive through the vast roads in Polar’s gaddi, with music on, with smiles persisting and tension gone!
The basic principle he radiates all around …… “Shaant raho, sukhi raho”
Those countless walks on the Insti roads
The life and works of Chop
The V.V.P. and the Pink Pissu
Those endless lethargic night-outs at Wind-T
Those intense discussions ‘on and with’ Manoj Meena (Zanskar !!)
Those crazy nights when smoke wasn’t ready to terminate
Those insane hours when money was thrown like hell
Those bus journeys to Gurgaon for door to door service, “Fest ke liye paise de do.”
Those Corner-corner games of which me too became a member (though quite later)
Those moments of celebrations at IIT Kanpur
Those lasting satisfactions in ‘Are You Single’
Those days when Noida and Gurgaon became one
And those moments when you don’t think of anything else, except the moment itself.
And yes, Keshav Agarwal is the man ……
Who has so much to say, but will prefer silence and observation
Who will never say a ‘NO’
Who believes in finding solutions, quick and radical
Who is soft at heart but as strong as an unpenetrable aura of being omniscient
Who is an ever-learning player of life
Who learns and imbibes from everyone and anyone
For him, the world and its achievements are very small to achieve.
Life is big, make it large.
Will miss him the most.
Karan Gupta
Karan
His time spent with me won’t be close to even a fraction of that with any of the above three. Still, such has been his impact on my life in such a short duration that I had no other option than pouring out a few words out here !
Karan Gupta – The mind and the brain.
Met him first when he was entering into his final year. (And me in my third).
God knows where the hell he laid himself before that !!!
The Rendezvous 2010 Marketing Team.
Don’t know about Rendezvous, but what mattered more to me each and every time I talked to him was, “Karan Gupta sab kuch kaise jaanta hai !!”
And for the first time I met a person ……………
Who could answer any question I ask him.
Who seemed a purposeful blend of work and fun.
Who was ever smiling despite the suffocating VIP room, despite all disappointments and despite all undesirable surprises of time.
Who was never frustrated when work didn’t go the way he wanted; even if he was, he would never show it.
Who was as clever as assertive.
Who knew what he was doing and why he was doing, whatever he did.
Who impressed me with his decency and command on what he speaks (there aren’t many of such a kind in IIT).
Who speaks with his eyes, they seem to pierce you; you are caught once you meet them and you can never leave them without his consent.
Who speaks even more with his smiles; he would leave the person to ponder, as to what that vivacious and uncomprehending and perplexing smile actually meant !
Who is more hidden than exhibited; you need to clear many a tests (that’s his beauty) to win his trust and proximity
Who is a splendid amalgamation of reason and emotion.
Who is, though, more of a bit lost in the world of possessions and materials and obsessions that may or may not be meaningful for him, yet he will run.
Who isn’t using even a minutest of his potential.
But then, as he passed out, I feel like losing a mentor whom I used to meet lesser than even once a week. I feel his smile throughout. The very mention of the word Kara never reminds me of anyone else. Many a situations I imagine how Karan Gupta would have sorted it out, and I am out of it.
Many a times I have spoken and thought ill of him (the ever dismissing Poltu season). He might have been right, he might have been wrong; how does it matter !!!
Man, he is Karan Gupta and I am proud to have shared a few puffs and seldom of those unforgettable shots with him.
[@Avikant Bhardwaj ……. Wait till next year 😛
@Mohit Agarwal …….. Missed you the most for last three years. Blame it on me, or blame it on situations. The realization came the day we went to Mandi House together !!!]
I am Myself 