Dear Diary#4 Antardhwani,2015, Day 2

The Annual Fest of the University of Delhi was held from 20-22 February, in the North Campus premises. The theme of this year was 'Meeting the challenges of India'. As being busy on Friday and Sunday, I was able to attend it only at Day 2,i.e Saturday. But to be honest, as this was my first Antardhwani, the experience was over the charts. And I promised myself to visit all the 3 days the next year.

I,along with my friend, reached the 'Rugby Sevens' by 1 O'clock. The fest was at its full hustle. Stalls were set, and so were the volunteers. Just at the entrance was the stall of the 'Department of English', and had a marvelous poster of Shakespeare's head over Arnold's body. The stall, like the other departments' stall, was there to introduce the visitor about the courses offered by them, and also the advantages. Do you know that the ranking of department of English of DU is among the top 100, in world, as per the QS world university rankings? Well you do now.

After this, we visited other departments' stall too. All had worked really hard to make the stall look attractive and appealing. The Psychology department has prepared a 3-D pyramid, explaining the causes, which effects the human psyche , categorizing them personal, social, national, and international. It really forces you to introspect. 

After the departments' stalls, we moved on to the individual college's stall. As we were in the last, Zakir hussain college's came first, and so on and so forth, we reached our college's. The old familiar Cyril was there, with his team's innovative idea,'Fountanium- a hybrid of Fountain and Aquarium'. Basically it was a fountain like structure. And amidst the center pool was a cluster of live tiny fishes, e.g guppies and goldfishes. The idea was to keep the fishes in a natural habitat kind of environment by creating continuous ripples by the fountain. This idea was really initiative and appreciable. 

We moved to the other colleges' stall, but suddenly, an announcement made us look sideways. The central ground was prepared to be the imitation of Kargil war battleground, an act by the NCC cadets. The show was true heart-taking. The precision and the music and the ambiance of war it created was truly admirable. The cadets dresses as soldiers, with guns and grenades defeated the opposite side's soldiers, and captured the base, at the end of which teh tricolor was hoisted, and everyone watching the show was truly feeling patriotic. 

We then made a brief visit to the college's stall, occasionally looking at one or too, whatever took our eye. Soon we were at the other side of grounds, at the multi-purpose hall, where the performances were being continuously held, one after the another. We were right in time to enjoy ourselves a little of local dance styles of Maharashtra's Kuchi-Pudi, Lavani,Koli(fisherman) and Marathi. Also the powerful dance of Punjab was just on the track, and I can literally guarantee that everyone's feet was stepping during it. 

After a heart-full of day, we enjoyed some food, and after relaxing for about half hour in park, we were en route to home. This experience truly awakened our 'Voice Within', the literal meaning of Antardhwani. We will surely visit it next year too, and will cherish the memory we made today for lifetime. And I can't literally end it without a quote. So here it is.

'Life is a journey with problems to solve,lessons to learn, but most of all, experiences to enjoy'- Ritu Ghatourey

Dear Diary#3 Gyanodaya IV- An Educational Trip: We Are One!!!

I first came to know about this from my close friend just prior two days before the selection date. I searched about it and got myself selected in the lucky fifteen students(YIPPEE) chosen for this trip from our college. On 11th march, we were flagged off by hon'ble vice chancellor Dr. Dinesh Singh from the safdarjung station. We were told that the theme of the project is "Urbanization- Now and Then". We are to visit five cities, which once used to be small, but today managed to be one of the best urban models of the country because of their various attributes. We chose our project topic as 'Temple, Trade and Urbanization', as the cities we are to visit possess these aspects. 

Ganga bank in Kanpur

Landfill, to be processed

IIT Kanpur

Our first stop was Kanpur-The Leather City. After visiting a bank of Ganga, which was so polluted by the human and animal waste (GROSS!!!), we visited what seemed to be the mountain of waste. It was a Waste treatment plant, which daily process 900 tonnes (GASP!!) of waste and recycle it for further purposes. This was an impact of the rapid urbanization of the city, as these numbers are increasing month by month. Later, we were shown a presentation in the auditorium of IIT-Kanpur (YEAH!!) about how one classroom grew to be one of the premier institute of technology of India. There many industrialists also made us familiar with the various industries connected with this development. That was for Kanpur. 

Banaras Hindu University

Sarnath Temple, Varanasi

Bhainsasur Ghat, Varanasi

Next stop was the spiritual city of Varanasi. After visiting the BHU, Sarnath temple and Ganga Ghats and various museums showcasing the ancient treasure of the city which promoted so much tourism, as tourism is important for urbanization and growth, we came to know few things. First, that the city is of national importance because of the Ashoka Pillar, secondly the buddhist monks though appreciative of the culture, still wants the city to be further developed. And lastly, that the city is itself a portal, through which you can look on the past, and have a glimpse of future. You should visit this city once. (I should left out the great BEE-ATTACK, which gave us a bitter memory, and also taught us that we should not interfere with nature) 

Bhoj Lake

Sanchi Stupa

Bhimbetka Cave Paintings,Bhopal

Bhimbetka Caves of bhopal have brought the whole early men era right in front of you. These caves have paintings on wall, of cows, sheeps and horses, made by early men. These caves were on mountains, and such construction at that time at this height left us amazed. Sanchi Stupa was the best place according to me, as the serenity of the place penetrated right through my heart and needless to say, others' too. Bhojtaal, which was believed to be build by the King Bhoj, in 'OM' shape, though distorted now, was something to observe that how well has the city authorities maintained it. There was not a single waste product in the water, and again TOURISM!!! 

Lothal Desert, Once a port, Gujarat

Lothal Signboard

Then we entered the Gujarat. The Ad in which BIG B always say,'Kuchh din to gujariye Gujarat mein', flashed. Oh and that was the HOLI day, and yeah that how the day went, you can guess. Full of fun, joy and dance. I realized that my team-mates, as well as of other colleges', we became more than just friends in this trip. We were FAMILIES, and when you are with family, you are right at home. This trip taught us that no matter where you came from, and what may have been the conditions of one's birth, it's irrevelant. What we do as a part of community, that what matters in the end. 

Diamond Industry, Surat

Sabarmati Ashram

Well Surat's diamond industry really sparkled our eyes. The process of diamond making from rough ore to the final product was truelly amazing. I am sure you all now wanted to experience it too. Well, better luck next time. (HAHAHAHAHAHA)

The last visit was one of our prominent freedom fighter's house; the Sabarmati Ashram. Yes, you guessed it correct, Mahatama Gandhi. Whole premises of Ashram was decorated with artifacts of Gandhi. Whether it was his spectacles, his staff, or his charkha. River Sabarmati, one of the cleanest rivers in India, was constantly chanting the great words; Satya, Ahimsa, aur Tyaag. With these teachings of Gandhi, we wrapped up our bags, it was time to make the return journey.

Jokes apart, what I really want to say that the return back journey from the Gujarat to Delhi was something which really taught me something. When I was sitting besides window, and gazing at the vast emptiness of the desert, the scarce settlements and when I turned my head and saw my friends having enjoying themselves, the one who hardly knew each other despite being in the same college for months, I realized that this is what life is about. It is like a journey, on which you meet new people, and complete tasks with them. And at the end of the day, you sit back relaxed and looked across the window over the mountains and think that these all was WORTH IT....!!!!!! I can only end this by my favourite author's few lines.

"I was sad yesterday. I may be sad tomorrow. But today I know that I am happy. And this one lifetime, however long, cannot satisfy me." - RUSKIN BOND

Treasure Hunt

There is a little market.
No, it doesn't open everyday,
Only when the god rests,
these little elves, in their heavy satchels,
carries, drag, roll, tumble, unload,
gems; gems of bark and ink, sometimes cardboard.

From the gate of Delhi, to the Main Mosque,
No, it doesn't decorate both sides of roads,
Only left, left only to them.
They bring their carpets, rugs, 
or sometimes sit upon bare spine of earth
and pour out their gems out, waiting for buyers.


"It's too expensive","What's bulk discount?"
"Other one is giving cheaper","Oh!! its too old"
chatters, murmurs, hustle-bustle all around,
and a few good gems do found
praising hands, and full wallets
Oh! It's all business.



Hardcover, or Paperback, these gems,
don't discriminate, that's left to us.
Some are discarded during great shelf's rearrangement
other just read and done.
Oh, but they will find someone one day
'Cause in that market, nothing change.

A girl I knew

Very sweet girl there was,I once knew,
(It wasn't a 'was', when this poem I drew)
Brave, kind, simple, funny, no fear
Hundred worries, still she lend an ear,
And proposed solutions new.

Wise she was, no doubt,
And when all the friends were about,
Dare to say,
Happiness wouldn't stay.
And when I hear her cry
Welling up in whisper,
All the world seemed a dark place to try,
Nice she was, my little friend-sister.