Back to college and my connection with panipuri -By Bhawna Vatsa from SIIB Pune

0 min read

I am fond of Golgappas, a dish known by many names but strikingly identified by the entire Indian Community; also, by some foreign nationals. What is it I like about it? It drives me- both towards and away. The urge to have it stays for as long as I have had a few, post which like all the other cravings, the urge subsides. This is different though. It adds value to my decision of having it in the first place. In the same line but in a different context, was my feeling of coming back to college.

It was on 4th May when I left for Gurgaon, my internship location. If I remember clearly, I was quite happy on reaching Delhi Airport. The air felt different, both literally and figuratively.

After having served some confidence in my diminishing talent, it was time to return to college.

Our college lies in an extremely average location. Surrounded by beautiful tall towers and a few far away hills, there is nothing much to enjoy. I had this notion of my college before leaving for Gurgaon. Whoever had said that change is the only constant would definitely have returned from Gurgaon to Pune, at least once in his lifetime, before quoting this.

Coming back to Pune was a bliss. In Delhi, the killer heat waves had almost broken me down. Had it not been the serenity and calmness Pune holds, I would have been like those folks who plug in their earphones and forget to play the music for the entire metro journey.

My only abode in Pune is the college campus. This time I was able to take in the scenic beauty of my college. The sky seemed clearer. The mountains appeared nearer to our college. How mindful the architect had been of its aesthetics when the structure of the entire campus was planned! My college had somehow turned beautiful this time and I felt I could just spend my whole day staring at the clouds covering the mountains.

Beaming with a set of newly acquired confidence, I walked into the campus. The fact that the batch of 2017-19 had gone boosted my confidence. Our batch was to rule as seniors finally. The air felt lighter and sweeter. What a relief it was!

After the hangover of a new, lively environment in Gurgaon was over, I had missed this place a lot. I had missed my friends after the eagerness to meet new people slowly disappeared in the course of 2 months. I had missed the classroom and the times when I could easily close my eyes without being noticed. The times when I bunked the first class to grab my breakfast and sneaked out of classes when it felt boring, were also the times which I missed. I had missed all of this and a lot more!

As the “panipuris” drag me away and towards themselves, both at the same time, returning to college felt the same. It gives me immense happiness and at the same time a desire to not overstay. But amidst all the feelings, there is a feeling that has been there forever. This place makes me feel at home. This is my go-to place, forever.

Give this piece some time to sink in. You’ll realize the actual worth of Panipuri once after you are through!

This article was submitted as an entry to Become an Author with Dare2Compete.