It was a normal Saturday. Everything was a at ease, when I alighted from the train at Trivandrum. Had a suitcase at one hand and a letter in the other. The letter said that I was to report to Hotel Philips International, near Medical College. Well luggage in tow and spirits high, I set for 'Philips International'...I was to check into an international hotel ...expected at least 4-5 star ! Took an auto and asking folks along the way finally found my way to the Hotel. But, wait must be some mistake - from outside the Hotel did not look of International standard at all ! It was a *3-star !! Well, welcome to Trivandrum.
Well, such was the case...went in and checked in at the counter. A choice was given on whether I wanted a road-facing room (lots of sunlight and fresh air) or an inside room (no pollution). Well..i took the more brighter room. Lo and behold..the sun was beaming into the room ! All the other rooms in the aisle were closed and Not a living soul around on the top two floors ! Well, refreshed, made the call home, had a lunch and had an afternoon siesta.
Evening, still all the rooms on the floor were not occupied ! Did I arrive at the correct place ? Stood at the balcony watching the lazing Saturday crowd stroll by (I was on the third floor). Then saw a living soul from the lookout. Was in a typical lungi (at half-waist) standing near the Hotel entrance. Looked a typical mallu thinking what to do next, but wait I looked closer. There on the T-Shirt was printer "IIT-Chennai". Thus I met Bala - the first person of my batch. Then in the late evening 3-4 more trickled in. We had dinner together and shared who's who late into the night.
Sunday...well, nothing much to do. We lazed out way into the restaurant opposite to the Hotel Philip's International. It was called - Chincoo's...we sat down to have a late brunch of appam-egg curry and a tall glass of team. Ahh...From that perch we say, more folks arriving in auto's. Some had the same surprised look on looking the Philip's International. We had to hide our grin's later in the day when we introduced ourselves...1 day seniors to the Hotel. Sunday noon, my hotel rommie arrived...with the opening intro "My name is Munaff, Abdul Munaff" :-) By Sunday night, the Hotel was full...we had folks from all part of India, an eager and excited lot.
Monday, we dressed to our very best - formal was a must. Certificates and the joining letter in hand we took the shuttle to the Training camp. We were duly showed the way to the Training/Induction hall. The clock stroked 9:00 AM. Col. Nair walked in, looked at the eager crowd and gave a huge grin, and said "Welcome to TCS". That day was March-22-1999.
Time does fly. Project came and project went. Got to know people, new experiences, new friends were made, old friends were lost (though the search is always on). This week, we the batch of T-75 complete 9 year(s) on Mar-22-2008.
Three cheers to that ! Time does fly....
Well, such was the case...went in and checked in at the counter. A choice was given on whether I wanted a road-facing room (lots of sunlight and fresh air) or an inside room (no pollution). Well..i took the more brighter room. Lo and behold..the sun was beaming into the room ! All the other rooms in the aisle were closed and Not a living soul around on the top two floors ! Well, refreshed, made the call home, had a lunch and had an afternoon siesta.
Evening, still all the rooms on the floor were not occupied ! Did I arrive at the correct place ? Stood at the balcony watching the lazing Saturday crowd stroll by (I was on the third floor). Then saw a living soul from the lookout. Was in a typical lungi (at half-waist) standing near the Hotel entrance. Looked a typical mallu thinking what to do next, but wait I looked closer. There on the T-Shirt was printer "IIT-Chennai". Thus I met Bala - the first person of my batch. Then in the late evening 3-4 more trickled in. We had dinner together and shared who's who late into the night.Sunday...well, nothing much to do. We lazed out way into the restaurant opposite to the Hotel Philip's International. It was called - Chincoo's...we sat down to have a late brunch of appam-egg curry and a tall glass of team. Ahh...From that perch we say, more folks arriving in auto's. Some had the same surprised look on looking the Philip's International. We had to hide our grin's later in the day when we introduced ourselves...1 day seniors to the Hotel. Sunday noon, my hotel rommie arrived...with the opening intro "My name is Munaff, Abdul Munaff" :-) By Sunday night, the Hotel was full...we had folks from all part of India, an eager and excited lot.
Monday, we dressed to our very best - formal was a must. Certificates and the joining letter in hand we took the shuttle to the Training camp. We were duly showed the way to the Training/Induction hall. The clock stroked 9:00 AM. Col. Nair walked in, looked at the eager crowd and gave a huge grin, and said "Welcome to TCS". That day was March-22-1999.
Time does fly. Project came and project went. Got to know people, new experiences, new friends were made, old friends were lost (though the search is always on). This week, we the batch of T-75 complete 9 year(s) on Mar-22-2008.
Three cheers to that ! Time does fly....
1 comment:
Oye!! Padhke mazaa aa gaya yaaaaaaaaaaar..but tu mere barein mein kuch acchi batein bhi likh.. u can write a whole book on the good things i did to you and how indebted u will be for life - Munaff, Abdul Munaff
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