Of Excellence, and Longing
I often find narrating experiences a daunting task. It pre-supposes a certain degree of awareness of one’s condition and of the people one meets. To form a cohesive narrative, one has to bring in line every action and nuance with the general as well as individual ambition. And before we reach a cohesive whole, we are all individual stories- some waiting to be discovered, other waiting to be told.
Our journey at CoE (Centre of Excellence) began with a single, unanimous gasp: some were struck by its stately granite-and-marble built, the green open spaces, sports and cafeteria rooms; while others were just excited to spend 4 weeks with people from different parts of the country. It was hailed as a celebration after a long period of draining studies, taxing work-life and nerve-wracking exams.
The first day began with much enthusiasm. After a nervous, formal introduction, everyone got over his initial hesitancy to some extent. Team activities further helped people bond better. In a simulated corporate-like set-up with people dressed in best of suits and ties, the whole classroom with its young, bright future professionals buzzed with energy and cheerful optimism.
Sessions on public speaking enabled people to self-examine their lives and articulate about their golden memories, greatest achievement, and turning points. Often in the hard-grained corporate world, and the anxiety-ridden prevalent work culture, one may not feel liberated at times. Talking liberates people; it provides catharsis for those who’ve long yearned for empathetic ears to listen to their suppressed thoughts. Though the primary focus of the sessions was on building effective public speaking skills, it witnessed people trespassing the areas of mental conflict and speaking with passion, courage and enviable confidence. In the process, we not only got to know each other better, but also learnt that our failings can only cripple us to an extent we allow them; and the moment we decide to take a stand is when we empower ourselves.
As students, we receive knowledge in its distilled forms. True education means empowering people, internalizing the broad concepts, and learning happens when one first learns humility. There were speakers who highlighted the same with pathos: speakers with years of unmatched experience, strong profiles, and idealism that had survived the blows of agonizing reality. They presented their topics in unusual fashion; the conversations were candid, revelatory and insightful.
To avoid begin swept away by tedium, we organized various events from time to time. One such event was the 6-day Sports Tournament that kept everyone busy and excited. The winners were presented with medals, bought from contribution money collected from all participants. There was never a dull evening. The garden area always crackled with activity: there would be people doing yoga, intellectuals brain-storming in the pavilion, body-builders reveling in the physical democracy of the gym, active swimmers splashing in the pool, thinkers taking long-walks in the shade, disenchanted folks seeking consolation, and others just running around in amusement, or engaging in frivolous chatter.
Then there were days when we went out and explored the city. We eagerly looked forward to this day. It would bring the much-needed zest to the entire atmosphere in the campus. Further, the prospect of having authentic Hyderabad food added extra delight to the trips- and provided respite to the grumbling guts!
The day at Ram Math Mandir shall remain stamped in our memories forever. The director of the Mandir not only introduced us to the concept of meditation and taught about mental well being, but also made a fervent appeal to the patriot within each of us. By sharing anecdotes from Swami Vivekananda’s and Kargil War heroes’ lives, and presenting a pitiable picture of the less privileged section of the society, he drove home the message that one’s character is measured by the resilience of his/her spirit, and duty to the nation supersedes all other duties. Genuine applause and tears of admiration and respect followed it.
So, when did we become a cohesive whole? Sometime at night, in the glimmer of the moonlight, shapeless thoughts of moments lived, moments cherished, floating around in open space, from every dreaming head in the campus, coalesced and settled onto the soft, wet grass. Tomorrow, Centre of Excellence (CoE) shall prepare itself for another batch, but the dreamers and warriors of yesterday shall remain intact, impressed into the soil that forms the foundation of this body of excellence.
