Getting into NID...phew!!!

Now that I am already into NID, I can have the gutt to talk about the experience during the admission procedure. It was quite an experience...one of a kind and very satisfying.

I left my job in March to pursue my hobby as a passion. I wasnt sure if I was following the correct path. It was a tough decision and highly risked. However, when I saw the advertisement of NID, National Institute of Design for Photography Design course, I knew this is what I wanted to do. But I wasnt sure if I would be able to get into it, as NID looks for highly talented people and I wasnt a great photographer at all. So, I decided to have a plan-B ready with me.

My first step was to prepare a portfolio of 45 good pics. So I shortlisted a few pics from the accumulated pics since years. But they werent enough. So for about a month I went about clicking pics. But it wasnt that simple. I didnt have an SLR camera, infact didnt have any camera. So i had to beg and borrow cameras from others. But may be this increased my dertermination even more.

I still remember the day when I went to submit my portfolio. It was a day after my birthday. With my heart pumping as fast as a speed boat machine, and blood gushing faster than the speed of light, I entered the campus of NID and I knew this is the place to be. But I wasnt sure at all about my entry...however I just handed over my work at the office and came back home relaxed.

After 15 days received a mail saying I was shortlisted and had to appear for an interview. Oh man! I was sooooo.....happy....as if I had already got the admission. But I didnt celebrate this. This was just the first step up! I started preparing for the basics of photography, cameras, lenses, techniques, dark room, etc. It wasnt that interesting but then had to....

The day of written test arrived. The hall was full of more than 45 ppl. The number made me feel nervous. It was a tough competition and plus they were all smart people from Delhi, Mumbai, Kerala, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Kolkata...all had their big cameras with them. I had no clue about the photographers they had asked for in the written test, however knew all the basics. But I was sure no one else too must have known about it.

Then we had the interview. The panel included 3 eminent photographers, our course co-ordinater Dr. Deepak John Matthew and a psychologist (hope the spelling is right). I was nervous for sure. It went on for 20 min and I have absolutely no clue what I answered to their questions. As if I was drunk!

Next day was studio test. We had to click 15 pics on a topic in one hour with its description too.

My topic was 'Contrast in NID campus'. It was fun clicking with the film 35 mm camera. After my turn was over, I helped the next batch to load their films in camera.

So finally, all my efforts were over. Now had to wait for another 15 days for the result. But I was pretty sure I would get it. I had performed fair enough in all the rounds. And yuppieeee....!!!! I got it!!!

I really feel this is the best decision I ever made in my life. I could now tell people that I was not a loser. This is the best year of my life...enjoying every bit of it!!! Exploring NID in one year is too short a time...but am glad atleast I have one year! CHEERS!!!

Rickshaw and the rickshawwalahs...

My school was 8-9 kms away from my home. The very popular mode of transport during school days was rickshaw (as rest of the country calls it Auto, but in ahmedabad we call it rickshaw). I was the second person to be picked up and then there were 8 more to be collected on the way to school. Yes thats right, 10 children stuffed in one rick alongwith our huge school bags hanging out of the ricks and some were kept by the rickshawwala uncle near his feet.

I remember the name of all my rickshawala uncles. There was one muslim uncle called Sikander. He had a serious face, though when he smiled, it was so warm. He was the only rickshawala uncle who used to call me by my pet name. I remember one incident very clearly. I was in 2nd std. and my mother was in clinic, expecting my brother. So after my school, Sikander uncle used to hold my hand and drop me till the room where my mother was admitted and he used to talk to me on the way about how i will be happy getting a sibling.

After a few months, suddenly some other uncle came to pick us up and then a few days later, we came to know that Sikander uncle had left the city. It took us time to adjust to the new uncle, Narendra uncle. He had a round face, a round belly, and round cheeks, always full of paan. His teeth always red. After every five minutes, he would spit out the red pichkari. However, a few months later we became friendly with him and we insisted him to leave eating paan and tobacco. He surely did stop eating it atleast before us.

Then there was Nitin uncle, who used to take us to Saibaba temple every thursday. We were always excited about it, since after the prayers, we used to get a packet of pedas to share amongst us and a single rose which was given on rotation basis.

Then in 9th std. there was this Riyaz uncle...errr....wont call him uncle...he was too young to be called that...and infact he used to flirt with my best friend, who didnt come with us in the rick as she stayed near to the school. I was so irritated by this behaviour, but couldnt help as my friend too enjoyed the flirting thinking she was beautiful enough to attract him...

The best part was the day before the dhuleti holiday. After school, all rickshawala uncles drove their ricks to a common place. We were prepared for this and we put on another tshirt to save our uniforms. From under the seats, we used to take out our colors and pichkaris and there goes the color war between the gangs, one rickshaw team worses the other. It was fun!

And then on the last day before summer holidays, uncle used to decorate the rickshaw with the glittering ribbons and balloons. After the last exam, it was an ice-cream treat. Now when i understand what they earned, I really wonder, how they managed our celebrations at their expense? Definately they didnt have big money, but definately had big hearts!!!

After school, the only interaction with rickshawwalas is when we go to railway station or when we are in a different city. I tell you, beware of the Delhi-autowalas. You need to get a consensus from 10 autowalas to get the correct fare rate, if you are new to the place and are unaware of the distance. But i really admire the Mumbai and Hyderabad autowalas. They are really helpful, especially in Hyderabad, they are more like guides than autowalas. Ahmedabad rickshawwalas cant cheat as they go by meter, but again the Baroda ones are another looters.

And then there are these poor pag-rickshawalas in Kolkata. Sometimes you feel pity seeing them pulling huge bodies with so much luggage. But then, if you dont sit after them, from where are they going to earn?

And in Rajasthan, you will find these colourfully decorated rickshaws with dhinchak music system, and flower vases and a clock in it, with comfortable and attractive seat covers.

There goes a gujarati song dedicated to all Ahmedabad rickshawalas -

"Hoon amdavad no rickshawado chhuu...." Thats Naresh Kanodia, the famous gujarati actor, happily singing in his role as a rickshawala.

Morning story...its not like the bed time stories at all!!!

Trrrrrrriiiiiiiiiiiiinnnnnnggggggggggg!!!! Goes my alarm! With my eyes closed and knowing where the noise is coming from, my hand automatically goes to the snooze button. The scene repeats three to four times (and hence i purposely keep the alarm half hour early to my scheduled time).

My voluntary muscles start doing the routine involuntarily. I put on my tracks and shoes, take my mobile, observe the time and here i go Left Right Left Right with my eyes half closed. However it opens with the barking of the dog at the milkman and the school vanwalas beeping to pick up all the battons (children) and reach the finish line (school) in time.

I can see a few uncles with their pot-shaped bellies trying hard to roll down. Some aunties in their gowns, hair scattered going to the doodhwala to fight why he didnt stop at the gate for a few seconds? While some rich fat ladies fitted in their tracks and tshirts (all adoring adidas, nike, reebok tags) hoofing like a steam engine, with a determination to slim down before attending Mrs. Chada's daughter's wedding.

Walking past all this hustle bustle, I reach my favourite lane which is serene and quiet. On one side are magnificent bungalows with beautifully architectured designs and a lovely garden in front of each bungalow. I still dont know who lives in those beautiful mansions, because i never see any resident. All i can see is the servants cleaning the cars or the garden. With peacocks crossing the roads and flying over the roofs of these bungalows, and the smell of flowers from each garden, the cool breeze and the chirping of the birds; its just the perfect morning I wish for.

And then there is a small church, which looks more like an abandoned place. Its only once that i saw an old lady in her frock lighting the candles before Mother Mary. Sometimes I take a few moments and sit in front of the picture and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere, which I miss the rest of the day.

Jogging ahead I reach an artificial lake, which is a multi purpose lake. In the morning its a jogging place around the lake, in afternoon its a place for collegians to spend time, in evening its time for the old people to have a chit-chat, also for kids to play at the park and enjoy the rides, and then at night its for those love birds who are tabooed to meet during the day light. So at this lake, while others are exercising, or jogging, or doing yoga, or breathing exercise; I just sit on the stairs of the lake and observe the tranquility of water. This is the best time for me to plan out my day. I know some people observe me daily doing nothing and wondering why does she come here when she doesnt want to exercise??? hehe...but who cares...i am too lazy to exercise after the walk to the lake and plus i want to save my energy to go back home too...

On my way back home, I see a man standing with a few calfs and heaps of hay to be feeded to them. Its his business to feed these cows only when some one pays to do so...hmm...thats sad. By the time I return back home, the sun has risen enough to take away that soothing cool breeze around. So I rush back home to have my morning tea with the newspaper waiting for me.