Whats in a name?

It has now been one year since I indulged in some soul-searching, and entered the forays of one of the 'then' least respected cults on campus 'STEX'. The band of 8 who are responsible for helL's external academic linkages. I entered cause I felt the quality of life on offer here would be tailormade. By quality of life, I do not mean endless rivers of potent liquids or members of the 'endangered species' on campus. I loved the culture that pervaded, the people in it and the freedom it gave me.

Throughout my life, I have loved working in teams which have open minds. Open minds do not mean being perverted as is the case attributed to some initiatives. The ability to absorb radical change is what I am talking about. Our USP is not 'hard work' as is the case of many other cults here. Our USP is 'Fun'. We will never win if we compete on the 'work' platform. We DO NOT want people who would slog 12 hours a day. We WANT people who love discussing nonsense on the rooftop at 2 in the night.

STEX does not have labour. STEX has fun. You must know how to have fun, and make money. The money supply from the council remains the same while the initiatives have gone up. We detest people (girls mostly) who come up to us and say "What dirty designs you have put up..... I cannot be seen around wearing such a 'bold' shirt". You HAVE TO BE a Prerna or a Anuttera to be in STEX.

There is a sense of pride associated with initiating change and being a part of it. All four of us are now completely in love with the brand and its new identity. I was admonished last year for sending informal batch mails. We have now taken the 't' into superscript mode.

We are unique, we are cool... we are STEX.

A sustainable competitive advantage. We now recognise the collateral we possess in the form of an exchange program. The process shall now be highly streamlined, and professional.

Lots of people in the batch now secretly wish they were a part of STEX. Animal told me about his desire yesterday.

The broken nib

I belong to a country where education is treated on par with the supreme being. The procurement of knowledge being the path towards the ultimate truth. The reason why I cannot stamp on a piece of parchment without a reflex action inducing my hand touching my eyes apologising for my act.

My parents are both from IIT Madras. They have consistently been toppers of their batch, and naturally thought the genes would pass on to the next generation. It was sad to see dad waiting to see if my brother would clear his boards(he managed a 81%, congrats to him). They belong to the school in which if you work hard, really really hard in your youth.... the results will be there for all to see. The very reason why they cringe, if I tell them that a lucrative contract with SRM, and I would quit my second year at IIM Lucknow. Aah if there were only an altar for the spirit of entrepreneurship...

'Dreams' or whatever we choose to call it will be a legal entity soon. My brainchild. I have no idea if it will buy me the TWO seater Black BMW which I have fallen in love with, but I am sure to get my monday morning thrills.

I am today a completely different person from the apprehensive, and admittingly insolent 20 year old who stepped into the 45 degree heat a little over a year ago.

I have done enough work to merit a PPO at IBM. I started this sentence with "I have done". I does not mean Dad. It never has been. I really would appreciate it, if it stays that way.

The past three weeks have been the most forgettable ones in my life. I broke the nib on something I would have guarded with my life. Yes, my dear I cannot get the 'Sweet Darling' sitting next to you scene out of my mind. Assassins are always given a reason to pull the trigger. We just had to make up ours. Maybe I cannot say this to the face, but some scarring is permanent.

To the great one who missed her train to Madurai....