When we meet each other......

Here goes a small story.There are only two main characters in this story-Anant & Biplab.Both students-school mates , class mates , even bench mates from the past 12 years.They have been partners in nearly all activities at school and outside.They know each other quite well or so they think.This story is not about their lives but about that one winter evening.It was quite windy and Anant had just finished the school assignment that was due to be submitted the next day.Biplap, who lived in the neighbourhood, came to Anant's house to discuss about the assignment.Anant was always among the top quizzers of the school and had represented the school at various platforms and had also won a number of awards.Biplap was the best athelete of the school and he had also won a number of medals by winning various sports events.They were both above-average in academics but were outstanding in these fields.They were no doubt good friends and had a few common interests too.But there were differences, they had completely different backgrounds or should i say economic backgrounds. Anant's father was a government office clerk and saved very little whereas Biplap's family was quite rich.

When they were kids, they could never have thought about such difference and at that time Anant had only one great partner for every activity i.e. Biplab and same was the case with Biplap.They both played and enjoyed with each other without any 'barriers'.But that day when they both met, they were not like what they were a few years back.They were different.Biplap looked down at Anant.Anant also continued his relationship with biplap just for the sake of it.They were now into a relationship that could just be called 'working'-working for both of them.The joy and love that they used to derive from each other was lost- lost into the demands of the present scenario, the society.They both had set their own limits,boundaries,barriers,walls- whatever you may call them.They exchanged notes,books etc but never exchanged feelings as they did when they were children.

Who says 'we still are a child at heart' or 'there is a child in everyone'? Most of us have killed that child or kept it under a veil of ignorance.The differences can be of many types ( not just economic )and hence it is not possible to go into investigating the root causes of such a change in human behaviour as we grow older.The death of that child has led to the steep decline of humanity.Now, we all have our own boundaries,barriers,walls and dont even think beyond them because of the fear of rejection-rejection from society,peer groups etc.

Go beyond these barriers.Break the code.Taste humanity.Experience that child within and you will never be the same again.

DCE Then and Now

I still remember my first day at college.On 2nd August 2005 , after having missed the registration on 1st August and the welcome ceremony due to unavoidable circumstances, i entered the college campus with only one task on my head: To get myself registered for the course( without any further delay).On my way to college, i was wondering whether they will register me or not.Of course i had spoken to some D.C.E. officials on phone before coming and they had assured me that i will be allowed to register after giving a late fee but still i was not sure as it was an entirely new system for me and i had my natural fears.The RTV stopped in front of the gate of the New Campus of DCE and i got off.What was in front of me , was a place that i had only visualised through some of the images in the brochure and this was going to be my first 'real' experience.Yes, i was excited but somehow the registration was all that i could think of at that time.Went past the gate, the beautiful lanes, lush green gardens towards my department i.e Electronics and Communication Deptt and got myself registered for the course.One thing was sure that this is one the most beautiful places in Delhi and i am one of those who is going to live here for the next 4 years.

A lot has changed since then.Someone rightly said "Change is the only constant in this world" and my college is not an exception.Soon before we(2k5 batch) joined the college,Delhi Metro changed the way people used to travel to the college and made it more accessible.Being a hosteller from the very first year, i had my share of ragging and interaction with seniors.This also seems to have changed.The college got a new canteen,student participation in the administrative affairs of the college increased,new SIGs and societies were formed,a new auditorium was built,library was digitalised, many new annual fests came up,wi fi resurfaced and much more.The college became more lively,many new technical projects with new ideas came up and the college became a hub for experimentation & innovation even if on a implementation and design level.The student activities at the college expanded into new areas with new ventures be it the social service society NSS,dramatics society PRATIBIMB, dance society DHOOM,debating society SPEAK,quizzing society 42,photography group SHUTTERBUGS,Madhurima(Singing) or the online journal iDCE.All of them are great initiatives and have given DCEites a number of platforms to show and nurture their talent & skills which inturn would help shape their personality.The veterans like IEEE,SAE,CSI & IET also improved their standards and not to forget some of the most awaited events like inter-hostel Sports meet and Arena.

And there i was at the college gate at the start of this semester when a fresher walked up to me and asked about the registration process after confirming if i am a student of this college.I told him all i knew and he left after thanking me.I instantly began to wonder if he will also witness as much change as i did?

Is this place ever changing?