The Big Foodie

Talk about Ani and a whole world of Food and restaurants open up. Ani was (I hope still is) a very big foodie. It was through him that we came to know many of the otherwise little known eating-joints in Bangalore.

He introduced us to the numerous “messes” run by individuals in and around NR Colony, Basavanagudi – simple yet delicious home cooked food – they could make simple yellow dal taste yummy yum.

Midnight Food Gaadis at KR Puram – My God… I did not know they existed!!! Dosas, Chinese Noodles were top favorites…

And who can forget VV Puram Food Street? On my first visit, I was like a girl given a room full of toys.

Which shop to visit first and what dosa to have and in what combination? Who will have what different item so I could get to taste each piece.

“Hey you take this and I will take that.. so we can share…okay?” – the discussions, negotiations were endless…

Come to think of it… in the name of joint studies.. all we did in those days, was joint hogging

Thanks to all the cramming and walking, I seldom gained pounds.. else, by now, I would have to walk with the help of an earth mover

Suspended for Ragging

Yesterday I was reading a news article about 12 college students being suspended for having invited juniors to one of their houses for a get-together. A case of ragging had been filed against them although all were denying the charges.

Reading this news item time travelled my mind, in a roller coaster ride, back to 1997. I was in my 2nd Year MCA when one fine morning, on the notice board there was a note from the administrative committee “MCA 2nd year students suspended from classes for 2 weeks on account of ragging charges”.

We (class of 60) read, re-read this message to our utter anger, disbelief. There was chaos and mayhem everywhere with half of us shouting for justice and talking out how unjust this decision was. For, we truly did not know what had happened and why we were being suspended.

What happened in the next 2 weeks changed our destiny and relationship. Ani became the unelected leader (without opposition, though) and voice of the entire class. He took charge of the situation, met up with seniors to decide future course. He even made sure entire class was united in this effort.

And after series of discussions with the management committee and seniors and students who stayed in the college hostel, the whole story was out. Apparently couple of guys who stayed in the hostel were involved in the ragging incident, which had occured in the hostel premises. However, despite several tries, the college mgmt failed to identify these individuals. Hence, they had decided to debar the entire class… Phew !!!

Ani, thanks to your leadership, this story was found and the suspension was revoked within 1 week. We all became good friends… And this did change V’s course of life …. 3-4 years down the lane, she married Ani

All in all, this incident did have a Happy Ending