Remembering college days @ Bhavan's Andheri - Guptaji's Canteen

I  happened to land on Bikramjit's blog post about his college days and phir kya tha... cut to flashback and I could see my college days' memories floating between my eyes and my spectacles ;)

It's impossible to pen down the memories of my 5 years at Bhavan's College Andheri and 2 at SNDT Santacruz (both in Mumbai) in one single post. More than that, I'm certain no one would find it interesting to read 50-scroll long blog post ;) So I'll continue to blog as I do and on some days I'd write about my college life and memories.

Let me start with Guptaji's canteen. It was right before the main entrance of Bhavan's college and provided us with all the junk food to keep us active before and after lectures (ya... I did attend the lectures until January every year). I haven't been to the campus for a long time now so am clueless if the canteen still exists and by the same name. There were hardly 8 tables at Guptaji's canteen and we would always wait for our turn to get a place... despite the fact that there was Shetty's canteen and the college canteen within 1-2 minutes walking distance. It kinda became one of our addas. I remember how Guptaji would talk very nicely to all of us and he had an amazing ability to remember all the students! I once visited a couple of years after graduating and he did remember me! Oh the sandwiches, chaat, vada pavs, cold drinks and little bit free gyaan from him. And I remember the occasional Parle G with chai just before the science practicals.

And the habits... like Jignesh would always rinse his mouth after having chai with an amazing reason - the water will rinse away the chai-waala sugar accidentlally deposited in his mouth and save him from cavities! Then there was this guy from some coaching classes who was kinda pestering me. I suppose Bharati came to canteen and told us that this guy was inquiring about me in the college (he was not from Bhavan's). Within no time, our guy gang (I think at that time we were in the canteen with Apurva, Chaitanya and Swapnil... sorry if I missed someone) walked out of the canteen. They were back within an hour and assured me that the guy will never bother me again. He never did. And I still don't know what they did. They apparently gave him some story! Thanks guys! And how can I forget talking nineteen to the dozen with Sush, Varsha, Polly, Sonu, Kalpana. And chatting up with Ankush, Ashu, Amol, Dhawal, Santosh, Romanus, Shailesh, Ankit, Neeta, Anita, Neetu, Saloni, Shweta... (oops... am sure I'm missing out on many names) And the giggles, the laughter and all the masti mazaak! Wish the days could return. But I am glad we all are still in touch 12 years after graduating... touch wood!

When girls change their surname… some get lost

I don’t know about any other part of the world, but in India girls mostly change their surname to their husband’s surname after marriage. Don’t ask me why and all… I have no idea! However, nowadays many girls (all right, women) are retaining their maiden surnames or simply adding their husband’s surname after their full name. So I took complete advantage of this trend and Anuradha Khanna became Anuradha Khanna Pentapalli ;) Mera astitva bana raha ;)

Recently, I came across some of my school friends on Facebook and can’t explain the excitement of catching up with them after so many years. Obviously, I got into looking out for my other school friends on Facebook. Now here’s the reason behind this post – I find it almost impossible to trace my female friends from school. Why? Because they changed their surname! How on earth can someone looking for say Anuradha Khanna find her when her online presence is Anuradha Pentapalli… knowing that Anuradha is indeed a very common name!

Girls, here’s a request – even if you have changed your surname, please retain your maiden surname on your online profiles. Who knows some old friend somewhere wants to connect with you!

Food at Jammu and Kashmir dhabas

I just returned from Jammu & Kashmir and the trip had been more than fulfilling given the locale and the delicious food. Like always, I decided to try out just anything and everything without thinking about calories (and little bit hygiene). I so not regret my decision! Check out about eating at Jammu & Kashmir dhabas on my Vegetarian Recipes blog: Aloo and Chini Parathas, Dal Makhani at J&K Dhabas