IN & OUT OF LH - Part II

MAIN COURSE

Life in LH... What to say.. It had been a wonderful period of my life. The best thing about living in a hostel is that you get to share both joys and sorrows with those around you & know that they care for you...that even small things like a frown would be noticed...a sort of a support net develops without you being aware of it. One of the most memorable things (of the many to follow) about LH is the surprise B’DAY PARTIES and all the stunts one has to do before the party. It is the effort and the care behind it which brings tears to the eyes. Certainly made me a wee bit emotional during my first and only B’day party in LH.

Another thing which I’d never forget is the level of camaraderie and competitiveness during the ARTS WEEK. Man!! The corri spirit comes out in full force during the time whether it be getting ready for the numerous events or booing the other corri participants or even lashing out at obvious partiality in judgements. On almost all the days during Arts week, it is absolutely inevitable that one goes to sleep only around 2 or 3 in the morning.

After living in B-Corri, how can I not mention the mad scramble for FOOD which later came to be known as one of the identifying feature of LH-ites? Be it Maggi (mmm...all those midnight snacks still make my mouth water!!!) or food sneaked away from the mess, when you are hungry, kuch bhi chalega yaar!!!!

Something which keeps all LH-ites on tenterhooks months before the event is the LH DAY. Tensions do flare up on the days leading to the finale and emotions run high when the expected level of perfection is not reached... I’ve got to hand it to the LH-ites for creating a mix of thought provoking as well as entertaining programmes on the day. The LH day passes are hot commodity among the guys though from my point of view, they do miss out a lot on the late night DJ party... People, the energy is absolutely AMAZING!!! It doesn’t matter if you are a good dancer or not, the sole aim is to have fun & letting loose is what is done best during the time. Around 5am or so after the late night movie, everyone walks like zombies to any room and falls asleep within microseconds.

MESS DUTY- Initially you think it is a chore, but truly it is one big bore.. a waste of time when you could do more useful things like sleep or (shudder!!!!) attend classes. It is an inherent part of the LH memories repertoire so I guess it should deserve mention.

Now, how could I not mention the GB (for the unknown, the General Body Meeting) where the G.Sec (General Secretary) and her minions get bashed from one end to the other by the more experienced and respectable seniors. Forgive me, if I may seem a bit forward, but here I would like to add the suggestion that the Hostel Union should include a couple of the Final years (to supervise & guide the union) as giving complete authority to the 3^rd years after 2 years of almost total silence can be a heady thing which some may not be able to handle (due to lack of maturity, I suppose). Whatever is said during the GB should be left at that, not spill over into friendliness in the different corris.

The basic purpose of why we all joined such a top college is for the ACADEMICS. This is visible only on the day before the series or a couple of days before the university exams. Hostel life, particularly B.Tech hostel life really helps you to make the most out of time – be it multitasking (like chatting on the phone & completing records) or last minute study before an exam. Time management as well as sleep management begins here. Rushing to the bathroom just 10 mins before 9 and still reaching class before attendance is taken at 9.15 is a skill the hosteliers can say they have honed to perfection J (me included, lol).

Studies aside, I should mention all the various FESTIVALS celebrated : Onam (i love the oonjal), Deepavali, Ramzan (fasting is fun, if you are one among many) & the numerous parties like Corri parties, farewell parties, the occational outings, all of which helps in bridging the senior – junior gaps. When I was in LH, I made a lot of friends, both seniors and my batchmates and all the memories, both good and bad are dear to me..creating a feeling of apnaapan...