Proud to be a COEPian.... and an IBMer....

Yesterday was an interesting day for me... I had gone to college to catch up with old friends. There was some event that was scheduled in the college auditorium in the afternoon. I had received an email the previous day about some inauguration there where IBM was supposed to receive an award. I knew it was going to be like one of those typical boring functions and was not even remotely interested in attending it... or at least that's what I thought... But somewhere deep down, I could hear a tiny voice about going to the college auditorium and attending this award function as a proud IBMer. I knew that COEP too was involved with the event and felt it may be a different experience to go there as an IBMer + an ex student of COEP.

Anyways, somehow I ignored this voice and went out with some friends. After hanging out with them for a while, we decided to part ways and go back home. I got into a rickshaw and told the driver my destination, i.e. home. Suddenly I found myself saying "Bhaiya, achchha wahaan nahi jaana. Thoda plan change hua, mujhe engineering college jaana hai... woh Shivajinagar wala...." That guy must've thought I've lost it....

Anyways, I went back to college, put on my IBM ID badge and strutted into the auditorium. On my way in I met someone I didn't know, who asked "IBM?" I nodded and said "Yes"... but after sometime I couldn't resist myself and added "Also an ex student of this college." Immediately the look on his face changed. It was more like "Oh WOW!". (Yeah yeah I know my English isn't particularly great... but couldn't come up with an abstract noun that embodied the feeling of "Oh wow!".... Also, my last 2 paragraphs start with "Anyways"... just saw but chhod!)

I am tempted to start this one with "Anyways" too... useful word when you tend to stray away as much as I do... Went in through the security check n all. Security was tight as the Chief minister was supposed to grace the occasion. I entered the crowded auditorium and luckily found a vacant seat. I looked at one direction and saw professors sitting together and students in uniform. I looked the other way and saw very senior employees of IBM, including the country head and all. Of course there were lots of other people too, but not worth mentioning in this particular post, what say?

The event had started before I entered, so I was just in time for the prize distribution. IBM received an award for excellence in IT. I applauded. It felt fantastic sitting in my college auditorium, where I had spent many memorable days practising for Firodiya etc, and seeing my current organization receiving an award. It was a proud moment. Then COEP received an award for excellence in education. I clapped even harder. I cannot even begin to describe how wonderful it felt. At that moment I realised how emotionally attached I was to the college even 7 months after I had graduated. People sitting around me looked at me in surprise, wondering why I was so excited about the college getting an award. They knew I was an IBMer thanks to the badge I was sporting and the bag I was carrying which said in bold letters "IBM Software Group India Software Lab". I just smiled, looked back at the stage where the Principal was receiving the award from the Chief Minister, and continued applauding.

Long time back, while we were still in college, I remember my friend Swapna getting all excited when Narayan Murthy, the Chief Mentor of Infosys, had received an award. She was placed with Infy and I thought she was crazy. Today, when I look back, I feel that perhaps she was not so crazy. Yesterday, I too felt as if I had received those 2
awards. It's a wonderful feeling that I belong to both organizations that were awarded.

I am indeed a proud COEPian and a proud IBMer!!!