CA program : The Punjab Update – From Fatehgarh Sahib!
I was in touch with Gurdeep Singh (CA from Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Engineering College, Fatehgarh Sahib) and we used to often chat about how to take Freshersworld.com to further heights. Gurdeep along with Saurabh runs the Devnets Club at college that encourages students to take up projects.
When Gurdeep asked me to visit his college, I just could not say No and I somehow squeezed this to my itinerary. It would have been a mistake if I had not done this as I had one of the greatest times of my life on my very first visit to Punjab!
After the CA meeting in Delhi, I reached the ISBT terminal to catch a VOLVO to Chandigarh. Unfortunately, all the VOLVOs were full and I rushed to the Railway station by Metro. I reached the station just in time to catch the Una bound Janshatabdi. I did not take any train ticket and decided to do something about it once I entered the train.
I paid the TT RS 200 and somehow managed to escape. The train fare is just Rs 107 and Rs 200 was certainly a big deal. I immediately called Gurdeep and asked him to come to the station and take a platform ticket for me as well. I reach Chandigarh at 7 PM and was greeted by Saurabh with a “Welcome to Punjaabb”.
We headed off to Sector -17, Chandigarh for some snacks and had shakes, chips and of course, softies. We then started for Fatehgarh Sahib. I had only heard before of the Punjabi way of welcoming people, but got to see it in full splendor. Gurdeep & Saurabh stopped the car again at a dhabha, opened it and got me lassi. It was a fun ride all the way. Gurdeep and Saurabh promised me that after my time in Punjab, I was definitely going to have an upset stomach with all the eating!
We reached the college and headed off to the Guest House. Some of the other guys including Devender, Prabhjot and Amitoj were waiting there for me eagerly. We had dinner and set off to see the college. After seeing the college, we came back to the room and the guys briefed me on Devnets, their initiatives and also showed me some pictures.
I woke up the next day to be welcomed by the Devnets again. Breakfast was Parathas and I also met Sandhu Sir. Amitoj also took me to the market. The Devnets arrived after examinations. I said Hi to the Head of the Computer Science Dept and also the Principal. After a brief discussion, I was taken to the Devnets lab where I interacted with students.
All the time, the Devnets were conversing about their life and times in college, how they bunked classes and mostly, I had a good laugh hearing some nicknames of students that included Gamma, Apple and Current. Also to mention that a fellow CA, Monil Sidana arrived from 300 kms far to attend the seminar.
The seminar as usual was interactive and fun and I am sure all the students had a good time. I was especially looking forward to meeting the “Hooters”, the guys from the Mech stream who were present to create chaos during any seminar. But sadly, I guess none of them turned up.
Around 15 Devents and me headed off to lunch for ‘Sidhus’, and we also had some photography sessions.
We also sang songs and I had striked a chord of friendship with the Devents. I was just one of them now. After lunch, we met mad clicking photos even sitting on the roads. I even rode Gurdeep’s Bullet with Gurdeep and Rachit sitting behind me. Well, tripling in college is basic!
It was sad to bid goodbye to this so very energetic group and I had an awesome time of fun there. We headed back to Chandigarh, all the time listening to Imran Khan’s “Amplifier” . With hip hip hurrays, I said Goodbye and climbed the VOLVO to Delhi.
I will never forget the time in Fatehgarh Sahib and I am sure the Devnets will not too..Thanks to all of them!