The Delhi Diary - Part I

Contents:

Part I -

1.  Dream to visit
2.  Let's give it a try
3.  Yes! I got a call letter
4.  Pre-departure Drama
      4.1. The domestic tussle
      4.2. The collegiate contention

Part II -

5.  The Travel Tale
6.  Hustle for address
7.  At the MP's residence house
8.  Search for shelter

9.  The Fighting Father

10. Inside NITI

     10.1. Work

     10.2. Life with colleagues

Part III-

11. Bruhan Maharashtra Bhawan
      11.1. Life at BMB
      11.2. New Friends
12. Exploring Delhi
      12.1. "New" Delhi
      12.2. The other side of Delhi
13. Time to Leave
14. Life after Internship

PART I

Dil walo ka sheher, as we call it.
Yes, the capital city of India - Dilli (New Delhi)
No matter wherever you travel, if you haven't been to Delhi, then you are yet to explore the Heart of India. You know nothing about a person if you didn't touch his/her soul, the heart, the true person. 

Same is valid here in this case.

The vibe, the essence, the feeling you get in Delhi is nowhere comparable with the other cities in India. The air of the city definitely has something mixed in it, other than the pollution ofcourse. 

The city is like- The more you get to know about it, the more you want to know about it.

1. Dream to visit:

Being a small-town boy, who won't like to see the big city? and what could even be better than the capital city of India?

As a child, we observe things with minute details, or we can say, we observe things with a wholly different perspective. 

Even small things attracted the sight of my wobbly mind, like I used to see the 26^th of January parade being eager and ever desirous, like how I observe Namaz of Jama Masjid (one of the Biggest Mosque in India), and many more like this. The movies, news and articles about it acted as a pure catalyst to make the bond between us even stronger in no time. 

Though Delhi was not as cosmopolitan as our Mumbai (Aamchi Mumbai), I was well prepared to indulge myself in the solitary culture of this dynamic city.

I desperately wanted to see this city, whatsoever, and when this Delhiite superstar Shah Rukh Khan said in Om Shanti Om movie - "कहते है की अगर किसी चीज़ को दिल से चाहो तो पूरी कायनात उसे तुमसे मिलाने की कोशिश में लग जाती है" (When you wish for something from the bottom of your heart, the whole world unites to fulfil your wish), I FELT IT.

2.  Let's give it a try:

Back in 2017, it was early May. People call it the period of vacations, but we the university students call it as an Exam Season. 

The region of Vidarbha(in Maharashtra, India) has a very dear relation with the Sun. It seems like the sun stays over Vidarbha & not around the globe as a whole.

Those days, parents being out of town and air cooler doing the rest of needful for me to keep my books aside and laze around, I did so. 

Also, some days were still spare for the preparation, so I went a step further, I opted for a nap. 

Procrastination at its best, that time. (or even now, maybe!)

Like every child, I was checking my mobile before I doze off. I saw a few text notifications, a couple of News bars and a Low Battery Warning.

I took a sneak peek at the news which was having "Ministry of Home Affairs decided to..." kind of something in its headline. Whatever it was, I went through it and there was a link below, which pointed me to NITI Aayog website. 

NITI Aayog, New Delhi

Back then I was not known about it, but then I searched and did whole research, thus got to know that it was a Government body working under the Ministry of Home Affairs of Government of India. It is called as the "Think-Tank of India", as it structures policies and provides technical support and advice to centre and state governments. 

It was also called the Planning Commission of India, for that sake.

Going back, I saw an option on that website citing "Apply for Internship".  Without even thinking twice I clicked on it & filled a lengthy application form asking for academic background, personal background and an unusual question asking, "What are your reforming ideas for new and Transforming India?" I fill in with whatever little I could think of and submitted it in a go.

Now that I've to wait for a few days for the reply mail, I kept the mobile and sacked off with dreams of Delhi.

3.  Yes! I got a call letter:

About a fortnight later, when I was out of the examination hall in college, I got a mail from Deputy-Adviser of Science and Technology (S&T) Department of NITI Aayog saying, "Congratulation! You are selected for the Internship Programme".

There were 2 theory and 3 practical exams remaining and they called me in 10 days.

I was on cloud nine or even higher, after reading the mail.

My friends and I used to gather after the exam, at the cafeteria to discuss about the paper, but that day, I was like, "Not today man!"

I make a hasty run towards home to inform my parents about the same, as they were not even known about my application. They got to know that I have to go to New Delhi for one month, I explained to them what all it is, and also that Shri Narendra Modi is the Chairman of NITI Aayog and everything else that was needed to be told.

I saw a proud expression on their faces, which I didn't get to see often.

Nevertheless, Dad was a bit bewildered.

4. Pre-departure Drama:

    4.1. The domestic tussle:

So, what was the issue?

As I mentioned earlier that I'm a small-town boy, belonging to a lower-middle-class family. The sudden demand for money, like this, is not less than an avalanche for us. 

Yes, my father was definitely happy for me, infact more than me, just like my mother and sisters. They were more pleased to know that I was among the only 3 students, who were selected from all over India for this once in a lifetime opportunity. 

They didn't have enough money at that time, to bear my expenses. 

I was told by the NITI officials that I have to have my personal laptop with me, which I wasn't having at that time. Though my sister was having one, that too was on a ventilator, which needed a lot of service from the service centre. 

It would probably take a week-long time and I was not supposed to risk this much time. 

My college friends tried their best to provide me with whatever help they could. One of them even asked her father to give his office laptop for a month, and the other tried to seek help from a faculty member in college, but it gets us landed nowhere.

So, with no option left, my sister got it fixed in a local store at Pune and also sent a travelling bag with it, again for the fact that we didn't even have had a travelling bag at home(funny but true). 

The time was not appropriate neither the situation was in my hand. 

At times I was so depressed and worried about the financial situation, that I thought to drop a reply mail saying, 'I won't be able to join', but then my sister and father were there by my side, saying, "We are here for you, but you just make the best out of it!" 

    4.2. The collegiate contention:

Reporting date was on the 1st of June but I was having my practical exam till June 2nd. The first year HOD Sir was persuaded off eventually after a lot of efforts. He then permitted me to give 2 practical exams in one day. 

I managed it and get it done from my side.

My region was not that developed. 

My college didn't witness a single case prior to mine, that a first-year student was opting for an internship. They were not easily convinced to consider my leave. 

One fine day, I visited my 'going to be' 2nd year Head of Department and told him the scenario and then he permitted me for the same. This was all just to get the No Objection Certificate which was needed in NITI from college officials.

Even Principal Sir questioned my application at that time, saying "Kya karne wale ho waha jaakar?" (What are you going to do there?) & trust me, with that tone of sir, it doesn't seem like a concerned question.

Okay so, now it's time for pocket-friendly shopping. 

Wohoo! Dad got me 2 shirts and a trouser.

He was moreover worried about my residence though, as we were not supposed to get residence from their side. He visited the home of a local politician who knew the then Member of Parliament from our region. 

MP's residence (our home at Delhi for 5 days)

After several hits, he managed to get me a letter allowing a week-long residence at MP's place. But still, my dad accompanied me, as I was the small kid who could find it difficult to settle himself in that big city.

Thus, he managed the train tickets and we were ready to depart with a lot tensed mind & bubbly heart.

.

.

.

What happened next?

Wanna know?
The Delhi Diary - Part II

The Delhi Diary - Part III

Hey there, thanks for following my blog all up to here at the end.

I hope y'all like it.

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No Expectation Policy

Professional World- the World of Entrepreneurs, Employees, Boss, Manager, Office, blah blah blah.

There's a lot qualities needed to be a part of this professional world. Some are within us & some are needed to be indulged with us.

Among that list of hundreds & thousands of qualities, we come across a word 'Professionalism'.

For some, being professional (professionalism) might mean dressing smartly at work or doing a good job.

For others, being professional means having advanced degrees or other certificates framed & hung on the office wall. 

Yes, definitely.. Professionalism encompasses all these definitions, but it also covers much more.

To sum up it in short, we can say that,

Professionalism is an ART..

An art of working selflessly for your designators..

An art of extracting work from your employees..

An art of being polite..

An art of being humble..

An art of having a learning mentality..

An art of living with your ability, your skills..

An art of keeping your status, your attitude..

An art of being Money-Grubber..

It's an art of being "Professional".

Every child, being a non-professional personality, is very keen and desperate to know about this world of Professionals, & so was I.

I was the smallest in my family. I have two sisters who had already spent a couple of years in this world.

I use to fetch as much information as I can from them.

It includes the procedure to get hired, what happens there in the office, the terminologies & some about the qualities we should possess, our mindset and our attitude, etc., etc.

I stepped into the train of Graduation in the latter half of 2016.

My mind was thoroughly concentrated on the semester, because it's the grades of the semester, which the society asks you about, rather than what you actually learned, whether academic or non-academic.

In spite of the concentration towards exams, my grades were not up to my expectations.

Yes, It was 'All-Clear', but still, the hunger of my expectations is not completed yet.

So, from then I decided that I will never work for the expectations; rather I will work for the work to be done & that too in a perfect manner.

Because, expectations are a kind of mood changer.

If you get what you expected, you will feel like you are on top of the world, but if by chance you fail to stand up to that expectation, you will face a severe depression.

So, better to work with Zero Expectations.

Keeping the same thought in my mind, I entered the second semester.

With the same "No Expectation Policy" I tried my luck in dancing.

Successfully qualifying the two audition rounds, I finally got the chance to perform on stage with the senior competitors.

I didn't expect this, but it happened.

This all took place in the mid-Jan.

Then in the end of January, I was trembling with my friends in the college campus. I saw two boys and a girl with full suit ON, sitting beneath a tree at Cafeteria with a table and some chairs.

They were all black suited, so I got a little excited to know what it was exactly.

We reached there asking what it was.

Then what?

They started their recorded speech & explained me in detail about the event, that it was a National Level Technical Event organised by their college. They told me about different competitions, their entry fees & prizes.

They also told us that accommodation facilities are provided by them & food is the only thing we had to pay for, in their college canteen.

With this many facilities showering on us & the college not being far away from our city, I agreed to attend the event.

Right after that I called my childhood school bestie Utkarsh asking him about his interest in this event. He showed a green light, so did my classmate Pravin.

We three left for Shegaon early morning.

The college Bus was ready at the railway station to pick up the students coming from different colleges.

When we reach there, we were 2 hours late according to the scheduled time, but luckily like all other events in India, this too started late!

We three were deciding, which event to participate in. There were many events like C-Genius, LAN Gaming, Web Designing, Talent Hunt, Box Cricket, but my mind was stuck on Mock Placement.

I asked them how it will be.

Listening to their explanation, I was excited. I asked Utkarsh, whether he is interested or not, but he denied with a "NO" gesturing move.

"I'll try my luck in C-Genius & Talent Hunt", he said.

So then, I was ON for three events, Talent Hunt in a group with Utkarsh and C-Genius & Mock-Placement individually.

I appeared in C-Genius Test & instantly after that rushed to Talent Hunt, which was basically a Quiz Competition.

Its first round was a written test in which only one group member can solve it. 

So, as expected, Utkarsh pushed me in that well.

Fortunately, we survived & survived well, we stood second topper in the list.

Then gone through the Second & Third rapid-fire rounds, but it was the finals between top four teams, which forced us to return empty handed.

Right after the Quiz, I make a hasty run to Mock Placement.

Earlier that day, I asked my Sister about the sequence of rounds in placement and some keys to clear the rounds. She explained me in a subtle manner, that placement comprises of three main rounds, namely Aptitude Test, Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interview (PI), all in same sequence.

"To excel the rounds, your attitude must be positive, your thoughts must be clear & your way of thinking must not be simpler and regular one", she said.

She added that, "In Group Discussion, you must not cut others point, but to appreciate their thinking and put forth your point of view. Don't be arrogant, aggressive and disrespectful, either in GD or in Interview.

She also told me about some common questions & how they should be answered.

Also the way to present myself in front of them.

I reached the Mock Placement room.

The first thing which shook my mind was that, it was Group Discussion round, while my Sister told me that it'll be Aptitude Test first & then GD.

Later I came to know that the sequence was intentionally inverted just for the sake of maximum rejection.

It was among the last few slots.

Without waiting for a moment I entered the Discussion Room with whosoever waiting there. Later, sitting inside I came to know that they were all 3rd year and 4th year Students.

I was little Shattered.

But then I explained myself, that it is just a matter of ₹50 (entry fees). I don't have anything to lose, but surely has an experience to gain which worth way more than that ₹50.

Then, with a positive intend I got ready to face the challenge.

The GD-Conductor there threw-in the topic of "Whether playing the National Anthem compulsory in Movie Theatres is a good move or not?"

He offers us 2 minutes to think if required, but I was so desperate to win this round that I don't even used 30 seconds of that two minute & started discussing and delivering my thoughts.

Taking a favour side, I introduced them with some facts & possibilities. All other candidates put forth their views & thoughts which again make me to talk more and more. But then, the time reaching the finish line & our all aspects of the topic being covered up, we finally put a full-stop to the Discussion.

Among the slot of eight, three candidates were selected, of which I was the part (luckily).

After crossing the first hurdle, I don't even get the chance to take a two step run for the second one.

The second hurdle was of the Aptitude Test in the neighbouring room.

As my sister explained the level of Aptitude Test was in between of JEE & GATE.

The test seems interesting to me, with all types of questions like logical, mathematical, physics & reasoning.

I utilised my time & answered as many questions as I can.

Hush..!!

Finally the first day ended successfully.

College representatives promised us to offer good quality hostel & food, but the fact was completely opposite.

They made us to sleep on a piece of cloth spread over the room floor, which was a bit uncomfortable.

Even the washrooms were not clean enough to take a bath.

We ignored all that & took a look towards the food, but when we asked the canteen contractor about food, he ignored us thoroughly saying that "I was not informed to cook food for anyone except my daily mess tiffins."

We met the Kabaddi team of our college during the talk with Canteen Contractor. They were also angry & frustrated towards the management of the college.

Fortunately, we were little familiar with that city & know a bit about outside accommodation options, but what about the students who came all the way from Mumbai, Pune, Nashik & Aurangabad.

They too had to face the same consequences of poor management.

After a brief talk, we all decided to knock the doors of the Lord Gajanan Maharaj Temple.

Gajanan Maharaj Temple is a sacred place there & people visit there from different cities, have food & can sleep as well.

The afternoon 'Mahaprasad' is for free, but had to pay a little cost of ₹35 for dinner.

After that, we borrowed mattress & cushion from there for ₹5 each.

The Kabaddi Team had their finals next day & I too had my Finals i.e. the 3rd round of Personal Interview which was scheduled after the result of Aptitude Test.

We enjoyed there at the temple creating a chaos situation for others & slept silently when scolded.

Next Morning, a new day with new challenges.. But our mind was fresh & ready to face those challenges.

The first challenge was of charging mobiles. After a sturdy hustle for charging, we got ready & ate the Shegaon famous Kachori in breakfast, twice.

Taking the worship of God, we visited the college. Uptill then I was so excited to see the result, that without waiting for a minute, I make a quick run towards the Notice Board.

Being a First Year Student, I was so relieved & satisfied to see my name in 3rd position in that list.

Then at 11 in the morning, I was called for the Interview. I was preparing myself mentally for the challenge.

With my not-so-formal dress ON & the not-so-professional resume in my hand, I entered the waiting hall.

Two senior faculty members of T&P Department were ready in their respective cabin to peel-off our skull to see what's there in our mind.

I got two of my senior competitors sitting beside me, waiting for their turn. One of them was a guy from PCCOE College, Pune & the other one was a girl named Raksha of the host college itself.

We three had a brief chat, which turned into a good friendship, which is alive till date, especially with Raksha.

Not only students, but the Teachers there were frank enough to discuss our problem with. Our formal chat was going on & a guy with black shirt & the red tie ON entered the room.

The guy from PCCOE told me that the boy was from Sinhgad College of Engineering, Pune & he knew him very well as they were classmates in junior college. He also added that, "He never loses any competition related to communication skills. He is the best speaker the college ever had."

Prior to that, I was tensed because of my informal attire, but was then relieved by Raksha, as she was also not in a formal dress. But listening to the PCCOE's guy, my level of nervousness​ doubles.

But then I make myself to remember about the "No Expectation Policy" & entered the cabin.

So, here the encounter begins, I greet the interviewer & was asked to sit on chair.

He threw-in some short technical questions, then turned towards my GD topic & wanted me to re-elaborate my opinion on the same topic.

He was shocked by hearing the fact that I was from the First Year.

By the end of the interview he said that, "Whether you'll be winning or losing, I can't tell you, but after competing with your seniors and after successfully cracking GD & Apti, you are sitting here in front of me is indeed a great achievement for you. Good Luck for your future."

I was so happy to hear that words. Even the teachers standing outside appreciated my efforts.

Then after that was the time for the final match of Kabaddi between our college & the host college.

We were pretty sure to win & were ready for a maffick, but unfortunately the day was not ours.

Our college lost the match & stood Second.

Despite of the defeat, we enjoyed the DJ songs there, might be more than their college students.

The Felicitation Program was scheduled in the evening. We waited.

Then it starts..Still a little late.

The dignitaries were being greeted & then Prize Distribution begins.

After 5-6 announcements she said, 

“Now the result of the most awaited competition 'The Mock Placement'. It is big because it has the most number of participants in whole events i.e. 230+

The Runner-up of the competition is Pratik Kale from SIPNA COET, Amravati."

I was so overwhelmed to hear these words.

She added that, "The most interesting fact about this boy is that he is from first year."

Listening to this, all students there started clapping & all dignitaries and Chief Guest stood up & congratulates me.

After collecting the trophy, certificate & a cheque of mine & also of the Kabaddi Team, we make a quick run to the Railway Station.

That was the first time ever in my life that I travelled without a ticket.

When I returned home & informed my parents about the competition & my win, they were actually happy for me.. I felt like my efforts paid off.

Then my Dad asked "Who is the winner?"

I told him about that boy from Sinhgad, his achievements & his skills.

After listening to this, his happiness was doubled thinking that I compete with this much experienced boys.

And believe me, I can literally feel their happiness & promised him to get more trophies like this.

Thanks to MGI's IGNITE 2K17 for such a great experience.

Hey there, thanks for following my blog all up to here at the end.

I hope y'all like it.

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