Too Many Humans

We all know SPCE. I should rephrase this sentence to say, we all “think” we know SPCE. The fundamental thing to know about SPCE is that SPIT is connected to its original college physically as well as emotionally, akin to a mother’s bond with its child, the umbilical cord. Don’t get me wrong here. I am not being sappy, just getting my similes right. For SPCE Is as old as a mother to SPIT, infrastructure-ally as well as otherwise.

But the point I’m trying to make here is not about the bond between CE and IT. The point is about the knowledge you have about our humble college. Many students have tried and failed at an attempt to fathom the mystery behind the many secret rooms in SPCE. A rambling old building tends to have many rooms, and SP is no different. It’s divided into two wings, and each has a share of its secrets.

Many say a grand old treasure is hidden in the depths of the college, but brigands and pirates have not managed to get a whiff of it as yet. Enterprising detectives have tried their hand at peering into every classroom, and even initiated contests at the college festival, but have been unable to elicit a squeak from the guardians of the priceless and nameless entity.

Recently, there have been rumours going around about a monster residing somewhere in SP, and children fear to roam about in the college after dark. The monster is said to consume many pints of beer, remnants of which are rumoured to have been found on the SP terrace. In these days of doubt, the SP management locks up most of the college, in a bid to stay the monster and abate some of its anger.

Here are some of the rooms that have a certain mysterious air about them, and are in definite need of investigation:

1. Toilet on the 2nd Floor, close to the FE IT class

Located on the highest floor SP can offer, this is more popular amongst the IT people. Being a very mysterious and introverted lot themselves, they hardly let anyone know about this toilet. The toilet is as much a part of SPIT as it is of SPCE. Hardly anyone in SPCE knows of this place. It is remarkably small, has no mirror, and is virtually non-existent, referring to its size. It would hardly be called as an “ideal” toilet. As a TE remarked wisely, you wouldn’t know about it even after 3 years in the college.

2. The Gymkhana

Invisible to the naked eye, except to people who are in definite need of some shrink, this place has been widely documented and well ridiculed by some of my seniors. It is a deliberate insult to a gym, and a big insult to any sport. It is located at the end of a small, yet arterial road, just off the road leading to the workshop. The Gymkhana is well-stocked with all the necessary equipment required to ensure the health and well-being of the SP crowd. However, you need to pick a perfect time to enjoy its services, because it is highly popular with the aam junta, to whom this place is better known than their own classes.

3. Some classroom on the 2nd, which has no desks at all

This is one place you will never notice at all. It is almost always closed. Sometimes, it is inhabited by the lonelier kinds of the human race, merely to have somewhere to vent their frustrations. The room appears to have no use at all, except during some times when some teacher seems to be sitting in a chair with all her students around her. I have never been able to solve the mystery behind this behaviour. Will try to learn more about the goings-on of this room. Keep your eye out for it.

4. The dumping area on ground level

It is a highly claustrophobic area, with not much room for manoeuvring. Is a dumping ground for strange things. Strange sounds have been heard from its nooks and crannies when we have entered for retrieving our football. We’ve discovered every piece of furniture to have existed at SP at any point in its life, to be enjoying a nice rest there. Not many people know about this place, but you will find it when you miskick your football, to enter a realm of decadence and ageing.

5. The Wind Tower Room

I never really bothered to read the name for this room. It is a room you will see everyday, yet manage to ignore. It is well camouflaged. The only thing you will notice about it is all the water lying about the place. As a certain friend cleverly noted, it might be a medieval torture room of sorts, where the tortured souls are forced to urinate on themselves. Of course, the “clever” is in doubt. The room itself is a paradox, with no possibility of wind, due to lack of windows.

P.S: For the link to a brilliant video, this is where you can find it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfUS6mONpZ8

Death and All His Friends – Part 1

Now into the second semester at my time at Sardar Patel College of Engineering, I’ve had my share of good times and bad times here. Mostly good times, thanks to all the great friends I’ve made when I came here. I will try to delve deeper into the characters of most of them, and how they’ve made life in SP better for me. And I’m not just referring to people from my class. All nicknames at the end are Sontakke inventions.

Pranav K (Prani, Baldy, Sanchi Manchi(?))

One of my first friends here, and at first glance, he looks like a typical Tamilian guy. The fact that he isn’t is pretty ironical. Both of us are partners in crime, being in the same batch during practical, and we’ve become thick friends in the past few months. One of the most helpful guys you could find, besides being an excellent cricketer and a brilliant person at heart. Even though he’s a vegetarian, he isn’t too squeamish about some of our non-vegetarian habits. Loves to get a few one-liners in and is a major abettor of our habit of admiring the opposite sex.

Ankit Agra(ar)wal (Anky, Daddy Yankee(?))

Still doesn’t know the actual spelling of his own surname. Again, one of the best friends I have at SP. We share many common likes, and many similar tastes, which is very uncommon in guys in college. Very silent and secretive, but also a very nice-hearted guy. Always on the lookout for minor mischief  possibilities. Pretty generous and always eager to go home (obviously, considering he lives in Thane!). Surprisingly enjoys chicken and dislikes football. Can you believe, he’s never read a book in his life!

Saurabh Sontakke (Sontakke, Sontakva, Sontakvi, Rain Man, Seelo(?))

One of the weirdest people you can find, we share a lot of similar principles. No cake-smearing and no littering. We’re pretty strong on all that. Also one of the cowardly people you could find (He’s actually afraid of camera flashes). Loves eating and visiting the toilet. Hence one of the nicknames. Also loves animals of all kinds. Very generous and decent and, surprisingly for a Maharashtrian, is a vegetarian. Always hyper about things, generally football and Dadoo. I’m not referring to Amitabh Bachchan here.

Vinayak K (Ramakant, Vinayaka, Ramakant Desai(?))

Again, weird. Always wants to do something other than the consensus. Is always broke. Loves eating, and is very ambitious. Still is disappointed about not getting into IIT, always harps on about it. Nice defender, and very very strong. Loves to dance, and playing the tabla on whatever solid surface he can find. Fond of music and singing, but strictly Bollywood music. He and Sontakke think on the same wavelength. Hence, they’re always together, i.e, if Sontakke isn’t with Dhruv.

Ashwin Awalgaonkar (Asswinder , Kameena, Asswin)

Easily the most studious of the lot. Hails from Nashik, but already knows Bombay better than the rest of us. Ok, Andheri. Lives in SP hostel, always completes his homework like the good kid he is. And then lets us copy :P. The only other person who eats in the mess everyday with me. But that’s because he has to, and always preaches about “the value of the cliched ghar-ka-khaana.” Ready to do anything for a bit of fun (except the aforementioned obsession with studies) because he gets bored in his hostel. But a very nice guy.

Dhruv Shah (Drrr…)

Typical Gujju guy, except for the fact that he prefers football over cricket. Loves to play cards. Hates to go anywhere (except for a sleepover) and hates to eat out. Cannot let a day go by without playing football in college. Very bold and easy-going, and always has his homework complete on time. Was in KC with Sontakke and hence they are fast friends. Very good guy and a nice friend. Has invented a weird name for me (Shwee).

Will continue with a few more in the next part. Don’t worry, all the rest. Mustufa, Saumil, Parshva, Pratik, Mayuresh, Ashmita, to mention a few.