From Kota to Bombay...Bombay to World

Inspiration:

The following drama derives inspiration from a short movie called De-Ja-Vu a kind of documentary (or a film you can call it), made by a student of the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay. The film has a very boring, rather sad I should say flow. Not, many would prefer watching such a slow and low movie. There are no thrills of IIT life depicted there. The reason the film touched me, was that, what it showed was actually true. It did reflect the true life of an ordinary student - rather than showing the artificial features (although that appeals more to the people)

Prologue:

After getting inspired from De-Ja-Vu, I wished to screen this drama on stage. In fact, we had written a script very similar to the one that follows, but we were not bold enough to stage. My judgement would say it lacked the following things that prevented it from hitting the stage:

1. If you go through the Drama, the entire attention is on one person. The protagonist, is everything in the Drama.

2. For a drama, with such a low enthusiasm, the acting skills should hit a pinnacle, for the Drama to be a success. Banking our acting skills is a risky business.

I personally feel, this is such a Dram that cannot be staged, but can enjoyed if, read! Read the Drama, Enjoy it...Get into the shoes of Mr. Pavan Sood!

Believe me, it actually happens...

DRAMA BEGINS

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Narrator: Hello, everyone! I am Pavan Sood- B/Tech Graduate, Computer Science and Engineering, IIT Bombay. Ah! 'IIT Bombay' that should be written in indelible ink. Not necessarily because of the weight of the 'TAG', possibly because, it is there I had completely lost my way, I had stumbled and was completely lost. And it is also the same place where I picked myself up, found my way back - I have to mention this - All by myself. When you find yourself lost and in a precarious position, you cannot expect much help. Let me begin my story.

In India, when it comes to choosing career options it usually boils down to either Engineering or Medicine. Most of my batch mates gravitated towards Engineering and I decided to go with the flow. Little did I realize that flow was that alluring was more turbulent than it appeared.

Engineering in India means, preparing for IIT JEE, again I went with the flow! I was a real good student. Batch Topper in Bansal - Kota Classes. People looked at me with an awe. I am quite certain, many tried to emulate me and many envied me. I was the demi-god of Bansal Coaching. The Profs at Bansal, expected me to get AIR 1 - I was that good in their tests. I didn't disappoint them a big deal. AIR 15 is equally good. There were huge celebrations at my home. I had suddenly become the role model for kids in my neighbourhood and all my cousins, who were about to write the examination in the near future. I revelled in my status. When I joined IIT, they dumped me with 500 others, who received the same God - like treatment.

It is very easy to loose your track in IIT. That is exactly what happened to me!

Scene 1

Pavan is sitting all alone in his room. With a book by Thomas H. Cormen.

Time: 11 pm.

Pavan (to himself): I need 6.3 this semester to avoid an Academic Prohibition. For that I need a B in Algorithm Design. I am still stuck on the same page for the past one hour.

Rajesh Enters the Room

The Stage is still

Narrator: Rajesh. He is the “stud” of our college. A+ candidate – Sports Captain – And one helluva of a drummer. Such diverse skills in his arsenal made him the most envied of the campus.

Rajesh: Arey Pavan. What’s up? (to be delivered as ‘ssup’) You look tensed?

Pavan: Ah! Nothing much dude- same shit- different day. It’s just that I have this jittery feeling before examinations.

Rajesh: Ah! Exams- ditch them dude! I have an Extra Ticket for -“Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi” … King Khan Mann…. - Wanna come?

Pavan: Nah, Not really…

As Pavan speaks Rahul makes a dramatic entry

Rahul (enters in joyful mood): Right Leg aage aage… Left Leg Peeche Peeche…..Ban Gaya Step Soniye

Stage Still

Narrator: This is Rahul-The Bollywood buff and a critic – Any bollywood movie that hit the theaters- he would have seen-.

Fun-Thy names art Rahul and Rajesh- I always used to hang out with these two guys .. They coped with pressure of Academics despite the fun they have…Probably, I was not good enough….

Rahul: Hi, Pavan, Aren’t you coming … Oh, my Gawd! You…….and Reading?!… (looks at the book)

which course? - Design of Algorithms? C’ Mon dude. There is one whole week left- or else there is always the one night stand. Chalo Let’s go. (Rahul closes the book)

Pavan: No…..Let me do some work. You people go. I need some space.

Rahul: Arey Oye, Pavan, Did you see the heroine, By Gawd…Such grace.. -Anushka Sharma - you should come, at least for the dance sequences…. And Shahrukh in double role—Now that’s a combo pack….Chal, Leave the books lets go…

Pavan (chuckles): Arey, don’t tempt yaar…..

Rahul: Offo, The songs--- ultimate!!…..Left Leg Aage Mein tere peche peche.

Rajesh: And about the course, Believe me… Seniors, told me that questions will be very different from the text-book. It’s considered the toughest course in our college. So, I don’t see a point reading. (Rajesh Closes the book)

Pavan: Please don’t say that. I am short of Attendance. Prof told me I need to get at least a C, otherwise he will fail me due to lack of attendance.

Rajesh: Oh Pavan Algo na… No use studying all these Sorting Algorithms and Graphs, which have no significance in real life – It might have had a caffeine effect on Dijitras' but not for us—at least not for me. One of our super-seniors has aptly described it – “CS360- where usually a bunch of nit-wits compete for D’s and escape F’s”

Rahul: And “BTW” your Mid-Sems are 20 on 50 right?

Rahul (Mocking): (turns to Rajesh) Chal, Rajesh Lets go—You, can bask in your endless pursuit to comprehend the incomprehensible ….. Our Pavan Sood will cast a magical spell… Like the girls in Chak De…..You keep watching haan!!!

Rahul and Rajesh leave

Narrator: Now, Please don’t think I was studying really hard to prove my friends wrong. Not at all. In fact it was an array of negative thoughts that struck my mind – and eventually increased the complexity of my Brain—Ah! Complexity of Algorithms! The heartless bitch!

Pavan (to himself): May be Rahul was right. Even if Dijiktra tutors me,it is practically impossible for me to clear this course. In fact I am a sort of guy you can use to create formula for looser. What is the use of studying?! I am sure of repeating the course……….(sighs)

Narrator: Exams were approaching.. I had not prepared much. In fact I did not prepare at all. The thought that I had not prepared for the examination jangled the very bones of my skull. It was enervating. I had given up on myself. I felt like a looser.

Scene 2

Scene begins in the examination hall. All the students are asking additional sheets.

Narrator: Can you spot me there in the examination hall- The one in the blue shirt- ya- ya the guy there scratching his head-and playing with his pen (a pause, followed by a chuckle in his voice ) as if he had all the time in the world………..And I am pretty sure that was a lengthy paper..

Pavan (to himself): What are these people writing. I can’t even fill the first sheet of my answer sheet.

A student goes to the professor to ask a doubt

Pavan (to himself): Nor can I comprehend the paper like Rajesh is doing. I don’t even understand the questions.

Pavan (to himself): There is no use in me sitting here.

Pavan gives the answer sheet to the examiner

Examiner: What happened?

Pavan: Sir, It’s over. (tries to quickly exit the hall)

Examiner: Blank Answer Sheet!! And what are these drawings?

(Class laughs)

Pavan: Sir….er..

Examiner: Quiet…Continue with your exam.

Examiner gestures that Pavan should leave.

The Night Before the Results

Narrator:

The Rule at IIT is that if for two consecutive semesters you maintain a CPI of, less than 5.5 you get an AP, i.e. Academic Prohibition.

I had spent some long nights in the lonely hostel rooms. Nights, longer than the dark, where nothing goes through your head but thoughts. But that night was the longest night.

Right in the morning I was greeted with a letter from the Director. It said, I have been terminated! 5.3 my SPI, way short of 6.2! As I saw the letter I could see my father's face. As I read the letter I saw my mother's tears.

I had already got used to performing poorly in my exams.-- Results were of no surprise. The last time I did an examination well, was probably……… my Entrance Examination....But AP, I did not know how to handle it

I calculated my SPI over and over again. 5.3! exactly 0.9 poins short of what I needed to save an AP (Academic Prohibition). One point, that meant 19 Grade Points, an impossible ask!

Scene 3

Pavan: I got an AP dude, Can you help me out writing my appeal statement!

Rajesh: AP, Oh! Sad man, But ah...ummm...There is not much I can offer. Not used to it.

Narrator: As I told you, when in dire circumstances, don't expect any help!All, you can get is a bit of sympathy. That is it. I didn't get any help. I tried asking my friends, to just help me out with the appeal statement. Nothing came my way!

When you get yourself into such a situation, you are left with two options, Jump out of a high building or take a leap.

Sitting at the lawns of IIT B, I started thinking about all the good old days!

Pavan goes into flash back

Flash Back Scene 1

Kumar: Pavan, help me out with Q22 rey!

Pavan: Arey, yaar this is very simple problem! Just Force Balance buddy! and yeah a bit of torque balance. Two equations and here you go. Yup w=Mm/g? Is that the answer.

Kumar: Brilliant yaar, I wish I was like you.

Pavan: Nah! It was done in the class na.

Vijay: Hey, Pavan tonight you are helping me out with Reaction Mechanisms, Free na?

Pavan: Oh! Sure, I would do that for you. Come to my room. BTW Reaction Mechanism is really simple

Flash back Scene 2

Teacher: Pavan, Tomorrow is JEE! We have high expectations from you. You should be AIR 1. You can get it. You have topped every exam here. Just one more

Pavan: Sure, Sir! Thankyou. I will Try my best.

Teacher: No Trying, Just doing it!

Pavan: Ha Ha!

Teacher: Anyway how were your boards? People said the English paper was tough. A lot of creative writing?

Pavan: No Sir, I read a lot of general books. That section didn't trouble me much. Overall I did pretty decently sir.

Narrator: Sometimes, reminisces of past sprout up an amazing confidence and determination. It was at that moment, somehow everything changed! I believed I could write a proper appeal! After all I had fared so well, in a such a tough creative writing section, and it was not very long ago. The appeal statement should always have been a cinch. I suddenly believed that it would be accepted. Suddenly I felt very confident. It still perplexes me where that confidence suddenly came from. Probably, I was still good with acads, I had lost to my mind. Once you do that you loose everything.

IIT Taught me one great thing - It is all in the mind! If you feel good your success is guaranteed :) Get your mind set right, is the moral of my story

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Authors: V. Adithya and Vamsi Krishna

Acknowledgements:

Thanks to Anirudh, for the Scene-1 Dialogues, Thanks to the entire Team Infinity: the sole reason for writing this script

Any suggestion/criticism could be posted as comments.