2017 : One of the best years to be

“It was a year that, like all years, a lot of things happened in.” - Carrie Fisher

Unlike any other year, I will actually miss 2017. It was one of the best years of my life, even though it did not have the best start. I mean I would not really say that being locked out of your house at 3 in the morning on 1st January 2017 is the kickstart I want. But that was just one tiny funny instance. With me having my boards this year, it indeed was a crucial period for me. After all, my identity was to revolve around my board marks for a good whole two weeks. On top of that, I also had my school farewell which was extremely humiliating and painful. It scarred me for all time to come and the end result of which was, I can never love my school the way I want to. 

On the other hand, I owe my school farewell, a huge chunk of my success this year. The events of that day gave me the confidence to speak in front of an audience in IIT Gandhinagar, something which I never thought I could do. The next major event in line was, of course, my boards, which for a humanities student was even more of a challenge. I not only had to put up with the extra one month of exams but also, see my friends with different subject combinations be done with one part of the pressure. It was excruciatingly frustrating. But maybe it was worth it at the end. This time seems like such a faraway concept. It hardly ever feels that all of this was real. That’s where the bad part of 2017 ended and the good part started. I still had to face the challenge of college applications.

Maybe my stars were sleeping all this while and suddenly decided to wake up in 2017. Fortunately for me, I got into every college that I applied to including my dream college. I also managed to ace my boards with flying, jumping, dancing colours and glitters. I would give some credits to the school and the teachers but only very slightly. Though I regret missing the cake cutting ceremony at the school since I would have been one of the people actually doing the honours. 

June was a long drawn month which involved a lot of security checks and bouncing on the clouds. One of the major trips was my trip to Bhutan with two main highlights. One was that I and my dad speculate that we saw the tip of Mount Everest on our way to and back from Bhutan. The second is I am not as lazy as I thought and I can trek a bit while complaining about the fact that I don’t want to trek up the mountains. And ya, Bhutan indeed is a happy place to be.  Well only, if you get happiness from looking at mountains and nature and feeling the cool breeze on your face and dancing with your hair. Oh! June was also the month when we shifted back to IIT Kanpur from Delhi. No matter how disappointed I was back then, I am not anymore because where I live, I can take a shuttle to Delhi every day if only that were possible. 

This was the year of many firsts and maybe lasts too. One of the many firsts was that I was invited by my school to preside over their intra-school MUN as part of the Executive Board. I was a little taken aback because neither I had ever been a public speaker on a big or small level nor I had ever won something from the MUN’s that I had taken part in. But I guess my board mark justified that. At least that is what I was told when I clarified my position with the teachers. But it was a fun experience. It was a wonderful feeling to be on the other side and mould the flow of the debate and question the delegates. 

It was soon time for me to join college (soon enough?). What a feeling it was to finally be at Ashoka! It has been my solace, my home away from home for the past months. I’ve learnt the skills needed for one to be ‘independent’ such as - washing clothes and utensils, taking care of oneself when I fall sick or rather how not to fall sick, not being a forgetful kid when it comes to laundry pick and drop, not forgetting your meals in the mess, etc. I can go on and on. Ashoka University has been a dream come true in every possible way ever. For the past twelve years of my education, I never felt or ever wanted to pick up a text book and study and I never thought I will feel the urge to study. But at Ashoka, I want to study. I want to devour books after books. Ashoka has challenged me at every point and has made me a person ready for further challenges. 

But I think one of the best things that have happened to me in 2017 is that I found my extended family with members belonging to Ashoka and outside. These people have been there for me, cared for me, loved me and have been the best part of 2017 really. Here’s to them and the memories we created. Here’s to more memories and spreading love in 2018. 

Aditi - I love food. You always love food. Hence I love you. 

Anukriti - Thank you for your hot chocolate. I’m more important to you than some people. Also, we need to revise and edit our ‘most wanted people’ list.

Gokul - You made it easier to face challenges in Ashoka. I miss you and your hugs. Also, I need some homemade food back in college. 

Kyaaaaaa.  Himadri - You’re the best poet I know. Thank you for spreading so much warmth and love not only in my life but also in lives of other people.

                    Liyana - You’re a beautiful human. What would I have done without you?

                    Maria - I’ll keep annoying you with my frog-like voice when I sing Maria Maria overtime I come to the community room. 

                    Sakshi - Let’s make more crazy memories while walking at 2AM around the campus in the freezing weather.  

                    Simran - You mean a lot to me. But please accept my love for Delhi over Kanpur. Thanks. 

                    Sonal - You make me laugh and then you make me cry because I end up laughing too much. And that’s why I love you so much. 

Rishi - Thank you for being part of my 2017 and making it so much better than it already was. It’s a pity I’ll only get to meet you in May now. Anyway, rock the second semester back at Manipal. 

Also, I’m sorry if I missed out anyone. A very very happy new year to everyone!