1. Terrain:

Though Mangalore is also a shore city like Chennai, it has a very rough terrain with roads consisting of a lot of ups and downs which gives us a feeling almost as if we were living in a hill station! It’s quite difficult to drive even a motorcycle in that city, but as much as I have seen, everybody drives there with ease and quite safely as well, unlike Chennai where we witness rash driving in almost every road. Everybody (from cyclists to autos to buses to water tankers) tackles the terrain well and drives safe out there.

2. Traffic Rules:

Mangalore is probably the only city I have ever seen where vehicles of all size and type seem to observe Traffic Rules. Even in the absence of a traffic policeman, irrespective of the size of the intersection (whether be it Lalbagh Signal or Jyothi Circle Signal) the Mangaloreans tend to observe atleast the basic rules. Even if one particular path which has the green signal but is empty, the vehicles on other paths wait for their turn, thus making it easy for pedestrians to cross roads. I have seen many signals in Chennai, especially small signals at Beach Road and Mount Road, where vehicles zoom past the signal irrespective of the colour of his signal.

3. Roads & Drainage Systems:

Maybe since it’s a small city compared with Chennai, most of Mangalore’s roads are cemented ones. Manholes are well covered and if someone has dug pits for governmental purposes, there would be warning signs covering its perimeter. Since my training at ELLA was exactly placed at the monsoon time of the calendar, there was a continuous lashing of rains, right from Day 2 to Day 49 of my stay. But, the major point to be noted here is its drainage system. Take for example it rains heavily for 4 continuous hours in Mangalore and Chennai. The drainage system in Mangalore makes sure that the entire rainwater disappears out of eyesight within 40 minutes! But in Chennai, we know very well that it will take atleast 4 non-rainy weeks for all that water to disappear!

4. Dressing Sense:

People of Mangalore (irrespective of age and gender) have a good dressing sense. They have proved that they live in the 21^st century, unlike the Chenaiites. Although, Mangalore Guys and Chennai Guys are almost of the same cadre when it comes to dressing up, the difference is huge with the girls. Mangaloreans wear anything that’s up for grabs, anywhere and anytime. One could see them wearing skirts or jeans or party wear or just about anything you could imagine at this period of the century. I wonder when the Chennai girls recognize that they are well into the 21^st century and act accordingly!

5. Public Transport:

The only parameter I felt a bit of discomfort was using the public transport in Mangalore. Majority of the buses out there is run by private parties. Just like we have vans here in Chennai. There are 2 conductors in each of the bus. While one of them is incharge for issuing tickets, the other is incharge of conveying the message to the driver when to start and stop the bus. This 2^nd conductor does his task by continuous, non-stop loud whistling! Either he shouts “Beka Beka Beka” (Quick Quick in Kannada) or he whistles at every stopping which comes twice a minute. If I should have been for another month, I would definitely have considered taking some cotton while commuting in those buses!

Well, that’s it for now. Lots of online friends had asked me to post my experiences at MphasiS. Sorry to disappoint you. I will definitely do so in my next post, which will come next weekend. Meanwhile, do comment on what you think of my observations of the Mangalore city.

The show started 15 minutes late and till then music was being played with music reaching nearly the decibel level of an aircraft taking off! Just before it started, I turned around and gasped in surprised that the auditorium was near houseful!!! It started off with a narration on how Anand became a magician. She said that he is the “World’s Fastest Magician” (Don’t ask me what she meant by it, coz I really don’t know!) and went on to say that he holds 3 Guinness World Records!

And then, finally, Jadugar Anand himself came out, clad in a colourful jiggling heavy magician’s outfit including a cape and a turban! Phew! Poor fellow, would have sweat 2 litres by the end of the show in Chennai Summer Weather! The first thing he did was to define magic as a pleasing and amazing art and exhibition of practiced skills, where the laws of nature are seemingly set aside for innocent entertainment. Soon after, he started with that many magicians do in common.

I was trying to get into the bottom of the tricks and tried to watch closer for any visibility of a trapdoor or the sort, when suddenly, as if reading my mind, Anand said with a “Ladies and Gentlemen, this is a Government building and we are not even allowed to hit a nail into the wall, so forget about cutting holes into the stage. Saying so, he disappeared backstage. Meanwhile, some young hot babes, skimpily clad with mini-skirts started dancing and doing interesting stuff, which obviously drew more applause from the crowd than Anand’s first session.

A few minutes later, Anand came back into view, this time clad in a similar outfit but with different colours. The cool unique tricks were yet to come, he mentioned. Saying so, asked for a volunteer in the audience to assist him for a few other tricks. A college girl wearing a T-Shirt captioned “I hate Internet Explorer” (it was printed with graphics, so that when you see that, you would understand the “other” underlying meaning). Then, Anand did tricks like levitating her, getting out of a heavily locked enclosure, inserting a sword right through her neck and her getting cut using an electric saw. All the above tricks were carried out awesomely, and as expected, the babe was safe and sound as before! He concluded that session by declaring “Your are the medium, but the magic is mine”!

The next and the final session started expectantly with Anand in another set of uniquely coloured typical magician’s clothes. He demonstrated conjuring of a rabbit from an empty hat, and suddenly, much to my surprise, conjured a huge dirty elephant out of thin air! Pretty much impressive, eh? What’s more? It just walked down from the stage, walked past us and out! This is the first time ever I have seen an elephant close range inside a closed hall! Soon, it was time to wrap things up and as a final masterpiece, he made a huge replica of the Statue of Liberty to disappear right in front of our eyes!

On the whole, I was quite a lot impressed and finally felt that it was my money’s worth (much much worth than my SnowFall Experience!). I think he is out of the city for this year and has come to Mangalore I think. If at all you people get to know of his shows going some place around you, mark my words and don’t hesitate to go and watch it! Its two and a half hours of non-stop entertainment!!!

Now, as I was in a condition of half awake and half asleep, my brother shoved something (at first sleepy glance looked like a letter) to one of my hands and said “You have got a postcard from USA da! Looks like it’s from Google!” But barely had he completed the sentence I had almost drifted away to some proper solid sleep and thus the last few words did not actually go inside my ears.

An hour later, I woke up and the first think I noticed was the postcard that was slightly crumpled under my pillow. On one side of the card was printed GOOGLE in its trademark font and colors and a seal. My mind started racing as to what made Google send me a mail? Has it by any chance got to do with Orkut?

I flipped to the other side and found neatly printed “Google AdSense Support”. Yet, I failed to understand what this is all about! My account has barely reached 15 dollars! So, there is no chance of a payout. So, I just went on, ripped of the 3 seals at three sides and silently read the body of the mail.

That’s when I realized that this is a part of their strict procedure to verify the ad publisher’s authenticity and the correctness of the Contact Address given. They had sent me a 6 digit PIN that I had to enter somewhere inside my account.

Phew! For a moment I thought that Google had sent something special to me, probably to invite me for a party or probably for a job at Google Services! Don’t blame me for it, as you can see, I was too sleepy to clearly think of anything!

Phew! I just can’t forget my first year, wherein I just was finding it difficult to understand and cope up with Anna University’s educational methods especially that of correction and revaluation. It was quite difficult for me to regain my composure but I was back on the right track by the end of the second year. From then on it was quite a smooth ride to the final destination. Now, I am ready to board the next train to MphasiS (whether I have to join in June or September, not yet sure) and start my professional career!!!

So, there is finally something to put towards the end of my name!

Yours Friendly,

P. S. Praveen Kumar B.E.(Mech)

We were supposed to go all the way to Guduvanchery (which is situated 35 km from Chennai between Tambaram and Chengalpattu) in Harish’s eight seater Maruti Omni. Keerthi picked me from my house and went to SA’s house where we all met up and embarked on the journey. It was quite tough to squeeze ourselves into the omni mainly because 7 out of the 9 guys were fatties! While 8 were seated comfortable, I (being quite thin) had to be the poor chap to have to squeeze and sit at the tiniest available space. We had our Dinner (Part One) at Noodle King somewhere before Tambaram and on the way, bought some Parottas, Eggs and Vegetables for Dinner Part Two to be had later that night.

The journey was least comfortable (especially for me) and I kinda heaved a sigh of relief when I saw the “Welcome to Guduvanchery” board half covered by Arasaangam movie posters. That’s when Harish turned a left and headed deep into the place. The road was rough and rickety and at parts the path did not show any sign that a road existed any time in the past. Finally, after heading nearly 6km inside, we reached his house.

It had been built on the edge of the forest, with absolutely no houses and no other signs of life in vicinity – except for a dog and her four puppies near the gate. Though the EB had politely given electricity connection to his house, BSNL had the added advantage of wireless connectivity and they had given a wireless “landline” and had promised that they will give a proper cable connection within the next few years. As for Cable TV, he has installed Tata Sky. Harish claims that in the next few years, his parents are planning to construct a new school out there as well.

After we checked into his house, we found that rooms looked quite spacious and nice. Up the stairs and onto the terrace, one can view the breathtaking view of thick forest on one side and vast acres of empty land on the other. We quickly washed up and started playing a customized version of cricket within the compound. We played on till around 1:30 AM (Yes AM, that is early in the morning under about six 60 watt bulbs). Then, we had our Dinner (Part Two) consisting of Omelets and Parottas. Soon after, I had dozed off, though some others watched some Naruto cartoon series and some played around and fed the dog and her puppies and slept later.

Early next day, Harish (who was actually the last person to sleep) woke us up at around 7:30 AM and asked us to join up directly for a game of proper cricket outside the villa. We did try to play, but then, we couldn’t just believe how damn hot the surrounding was, even though it was only 8 AM! So, eventually there was a change of plans and spent the rest of the morning on the laptop and TV. Since I had to attend a Magic Show by Jadugar Anand (will post about this experience in my next post) that afternoon with my family members, I decided to take leave of them soon after breakfast (around 11 AM, that is). I bid good-bye to them and came back home by bus.

On the whole, the trip was nice and fun-filled, made a couple of new friends and even though the location of the house was too away from the rest of the population, it was a new experience to spend a day in a truly silent and calm atmosphere!

The entry fee for the adults was Rs.150 and children below 4 feet were charged Rs.100 each. So, by the look of the rates, I had begun to have an impression that this is gonna be a mini-amusement park or something. After some stupid band was tied on all our hands (for which there was absolutely no use inside), we went inside the entrance. The very moment I was inside, I could sense a feeling of dampness at the bottom of stomach.

There was a small toy train taking visitors around making a hell lot of noise. I was rooted to the ground gazing at the dumb scene all around me, when I sensed out of the corner of my eye that someone taller than me was standing next to me. Only when I turned around did notice that a Camel nearly double my height was trying to limp past me with another visitor mounting it. Damn the organizers! Don’t they have the common sense that camels are for commuting at soft earthy desserts and not on hard grounds? Poor creatures!

Then, we went inside an arch which was made of plastic snow, hoping that it would lead into the SnowBall Arena. But alas, it didn’t! Instead, we had seemed to enter a massive air-conditioned hall filled with a series of stalls dealing in consumer durables, souvenirs and food court, filled with mostly women pretending to be interested in the products of the sponsors which they never have the intention of buying anyway. It looked more like a Trade Fair than a Snow Arena.

Finally, we managed to rush past the crowd to enter the actual so-called Snow Arena. Once inside, standing on massive ice-bars, I watched dumb-struck at the scene in front of me. A shower of ice-crystals dropping out of ice-crushers positioned at a particular height at the sides of the enclosure. Some people were just grinding ice cubes and throwing the pieces on the innocent people within the enclosure, and they were also very happy to experience “Snow” falling on them. It was such a pity to watch the scene and more than that, I was angry at myself for becoming one among the victims of being taken for a ride.

I totally fail to understand how official agencies like MetroWater, TamilNadu Tourism Board, TN Pollution Control Board and others could have given permission for such a terribly damaging scheme of water use. I would definitely not recommend anyone to visit this event. If you feel you have enough time to waste and too much money in your wallet, I suggest you go to the movie Kuruvi. From Hari’s review, I feel you would feel much better to watch the movie than to visit the SnowBall event.

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First, the guys constructing the toll-booth at Perungudi along the IT Highway (No way, I am not gonna call it Rajiv Gandhi Salai by any chance) mistook a few BSNL phone cables of my area to be the roots of a nearby banyan tree and decided to chop it off while drilling bores. The result was that the entire area of Thoraipakkam had to temporarily part with the most important instrument for connecting with the outside world. So, I took to playing Counter Strike with expert bots and the last two versions of Prince of Persia. A week later, however, they managed to clear the lines slowly and I was overjoyed that my good old companion was back.

Just the very next morning, when my brother Prashant was working on the computer, my recently bought Samsung TFT Monitor decided to take a break from its heavy work schedule, gave a bit of a flicker and went OFF. Damn! I tried switching it back ON, but it just opened its eyes for one second, then, OFF again! I called Vansan Systems, Adyar, from where I had bought the new computer system in January (they first tried to give me an Acer Monitor which was more of a mirror than a monitor – I had given it back to them and got this one) and asked for a solution, but they so very coolly gave me the Customer Care number of Samsung and asked me to talk to them directly! Wtf??? Finally, after a few phone calls to Samsung Customer Care (their service was quite good), they came home this Monday and changed the power board of the monitor, and hurray, the computer is fixed right in time when holidays start!

But, I have already lost time by now, as long as 2 weeks, by which I would have liked to make a lots of posts, especially on Indian Premier League (IPL - or by the look of how things or going on, should I say Australian Premier League???) and the controversies surrounding it. Anyway, from today, I guess I will be posting thrice a week or so, do keep having a peep and discuss…

And yes, coming to the topic, About 10 days back, I received my Appointment Letter (Apointment Email, rather) from my company - MphasiS (an EDS Company) asking me to report at their Mangalore Training Facility - codenamed ELLA (EDS Learning & Leadership Academy) on June 2nd itself!

Phew… Just last month we were debating at the Unofficial MphasiS 2008 Community, about how late the IT Companies are planning to call their recruits, and then suddenly, here comes the call! At the first look of it, I was quite surprised and thrilled at having to join the company in the first batch (that we have actually booked Train Tickets), but then, we started to ponder whether it is too early to join?

Exams would have ended by May 5th, but then I guess results would take atleast a month to be out! Which means, we won’t have our 8th Semester Marksheets to submit (which is in any case ,an imprtant document for a fresher joining a company). A couple of guys in college are debating whether to ask for a postponment. Though, I am kinda confused as to how much I am prepared to become a full fledged professional within a very short time from being a typical engineering student, I am quite eager and feel confident to enter the Lion’s Den and view the path ahead with a strong mindset…

How about you people? When are you’re joining dates expected? Or are you planning to take up higher studies? And if so, which college/university have you decided upon?

Needless to say, as many people already know, the Anna University Syllabus pattern is similar to a buffet system wherein there are many varieties of food but that should be eaten within a very short available time. And therefore, within that short span, I have been able to just get a hold of a single piece of every cake, just to taste how it would be, but then, never had the opportunity of digging in and gobbling it completely! In short, we all know something of everything in Mechanical Engineering, but not everything of anything! Thereby, when I finish the course, I dunno whether I would actually be full fledged Engineer!

The best part of college life probably is the Bonding with Friends out there! The ones that I laughed with, partied with, chatted with, struggled with, enjoyed with, adventured with etc etc… Looking back at the life I had at college, I just dunno whether to feel happy about it or to shed a few silent tears. I just thought I’d better list down the positives and negatives that I feel about leaving college.

Things that I feel Sad About:

Ø No more Classroom Atmosphere Forever!!! :(

Ø No more College Kalaais. (Teasers)

Ø No more Cement Bench Conferences.

Ø No more Post – Lunch Chats with Friends from All Departments. :(

Ø No more Gazing at My Essh Baby!!! :(

Ø No more Random Bird Watching. :(

Ø No more Friendly Fights.

Ø No more Open Book Tests.

Ø No more 11^th Hour Exam Preparations.

Ø No more Carrom and Pen Fight Championships… :(

Ø No more Maan Karate (Running & Catching between Staff and Student).

Things that I feel Happy About:

Ø No more having to eat compulsory Tasteless Lunch at college.

Ø No more restrictions on usage of Mobile Phones.

Ø No more restrictions on what I have to Wear.

Ø No more restrictions on my Hairstyles.

Ø No more Assignments to Boost Internal Marks.

(I can feel I have left out a lot in the above list, I shall update whenever I remember things, and if you feel I have left something that I should have added to the above, do let me know in the comments section!)

Clearly, the sad feelings overweigh my happy feelings. These days are never gonna come back and the nostalgia of going through the final few days in my Educational Career has begun to sink in! I can see the door open wide, leading to a Highly Challenging and Competitive World just a few steps ahead of me! Now, its time for me to start my Professional Career with all that I have learnt over the past 21 years and Stand on my Own Legs!

All the best to everyone reading this post, for a bright future!