Memoirs - My Student Days in Gujarat

My campus in the Indian state of Gujarat was a world apart from my previous one. The old campus was reminiscent of its heritage and historical significance. It was a pioneering Institute offering a niche area of study. It was famed for it's glorious past of about a hundred years. In contrast, the institution that I joined next had no history at all. It prided itself on novelty, world-class standards and strong industrial connections.

This new institution was located in Gandhinagar, the planned capital city of Gujarat. The city was divided into small units or sectors with all the amenities for quality living. The college was nothing more than a few buildings when we arrived. Construction matierial was strewn all around and there were piles of rubble everywhere.

Within a few months, multi-storied buildings, the hall of residence, sports facilities, an open-air theatre, a resource centre, faculty buildings and lecture halls were built. The campus was soon covered with a smooth carpet of grass and dense vegetation.

I loved hanging around the large lotus pond and fountain near the entrance to the college along with my friends. We were a close-knit group and this lush campus was the perfect venue for such friendships.

The best part about this campus was that there was no sense of day or night. The numerous lights blazing overhead made sure that the campus remained bright even in the night. This was a treat for the students who were always outside in the canteen or food court area.

The food courts served a variety of great meals and snacks. Each of us had our favourite dishes when we got together for dinner. I loved having Chicken Biriyani for dinner from Brajwasi caterers. My friend Peter was content with a plate of chilly chicken and rotis. Akshay always chattered endlessly over a cup of coffee from the Fresh & Honesh Cafe in the campus. We made fun of Vinu for eating curd rice daily. Shyama preferred to have dal, rice and pickle in true simplistic style.

We were a mixture of tastes but we were always somewhere in the campus. We retired to our rooms very late in the night. I can't remember being in the hostel rooms for more than a few hours everyday. I was either walking around the campus or chatting with friends over a cup of masala chai (tea) in the food courts.

I liked the spacious, well-stocked Library and Resource Centre. The labs were open everyday with round the clock internet connection. With all these facilities, this place was sort of a paradise for all of us.

I missed these good times for a great many days after I left the place. This was the only place where I felt a sense of freedom as well as that of responsibility. I like to call my troubles after leaving this campus as "withdrawal symptoms". The remarkable campus facilities and the academic atmosphere was addicting. It took me a few years afterwards to understand that life did not come with all these packaged amenities.

The two years I spent in Gujarat will stay close to my heart. I don't think I will ever come across such comforts and enjoyment again. It was clearly the best of times!