I signed up anyway. It was a decision made with no thinking whatsoever. The only reason I found in favour of me doing so was the experience of attending a recruitment drive which included the presentation, the aptitude test, the interview, and the like.
The first company arrived - . . . - wait for it - . . . - Satyam Computers! It was a fun outing for the Mechanical guys. We thoroughly enjoyed the experience (special mention Bini, bus-ride). The aptitude test . . . the first one we came across, unlike the students of the other branches who came prepared, was somethin. At a later point of time, I came to know that the cut-off was 6 right answers, and I had attempted just 7 or 8, knowing well that there wasn't any negatives. Later in the day, when they announced the names of those who made it, my name was also called, along with around 10 other guys from my class. Unfortunately, our interviews, which was all we needed to clear to get the job, was scheduled for the following day.
It was disappointing, because the venue for this drive was some 20 kms away, and we had a slight transport-problem, which we sorted out in time (special mention Alen, his car). We were busy reading the day's news to prepare ourselves for the interview. Kindly note, we were then still not bothered about the significance of the job we have come so close to getting. There were five interview-panels. Most of our guys were called to panel 5. The interviewer was a nice man - all he asked were questions relating to self, history, background, parents' jobs, ambitions for self, ambitons as a Satyamite, and the like. We had come across several others who were asked questions on C, java, and other computer and electronics stuff we had no clue of. Also, there was another interviewer who asked questions we (Mechs) should know (to answer); fortunately, we were not sent to him. At the end of the day, we were informed that more than half of the selected guys from my class were offered jobs, and I was one among them. It was a special and cool feeling. We were then subjected to a session that dealt with the terms and conditions and other related stuff about joining and the like. It was boring.
But still, it was exciting coz, we just wanted to go and have fun and experience how it felt to participate in the thing. There were other companies too that came over the next few months, but luck didn't shine on most of us (including me).
February was also the month when I began wondering about my final semester project, where it could be done, what is to be done, how will it be done, who will it be done alongwith, and the like. I had got an application form for project-work at VSSC from Renosh (my senior). But, it had an eligibility criteria - the minimum average of the group doing the project should be 75% (i guess that's the value). That was something we wouldn't satisfy. So we had to forget about it.
Also, this was the time I had begun correspondence with few people I know to get some info on my new-found inclination to the aerospace-field and associated job-opportunities. I had contacted Samji-uncle (Dubai) and cous-Vinod (Florida) to help me out with various doubts I had. They were very kind and had replied back to all of my queries. It helped form my earliest opinions and thoughts about the field and the decisions I was going to take since.
Classes were going well. We had few new members of the teaching staff (special mention, Rajesh sir, Sreekanth sir; i guess that's it). HMT was a great subject to learn, thanks to Rajesh sir for that.
I can't seem to remember any other event worth mentioning. The me-too-got-a-job was certainly the highlight. (At least then, and for some time since)
Wow! nearly forgot . . .
My attending Maramon Convention 2008, the 113th edition of the largest gathering of Christians at Maramon. It was the second-last day of the convention, a Saturday. Sanichachan had dropped me at the station and he made his journey on Anupam's bike, to return it to his home in Chenganoor. I got down at Chenganoor and had breakfast there along with few relatives (Dada's side) and then we took a bus to Maramon. I attended the songs-session, the intercessory prayer session, and the pre-noon talk (message). It was delivered by white man, guess a Briton or Australian. I remember well what the message was. It was about resisting the temptations of the evil powers and leading a good life. Similar to the case of the lotus, which being a pretty flower lies amidst a not-so-pretty pond and not being overcome by it. The more befitting example he adopted was that of the aeroplane (likened to ourselves) and how it overcomes the tremendous force of the earth's downward pull, gravity (sinful nature, temptations of the evil one), and successfully flies away. I found that very powerful. He brought out in few, but precise, words the significance of the will to overcome temptations to lead a good life pleasing God. I feel bad I don't know his name.
Following the session, I found Sanichachan, and we strolled through the stalls and made few purchases. I bought myself a Bible, KJV, because i was told to switch from the GNB. After that, Sanichachan and I started our search for a place to eat. We were tired and hungry. The sunny-ness certainly didn't help our cause, as we got increasingly fatigued. After much wandering we found a place, which we wouldn't consider in another situation (it was a bar, but a decent one) but went in anyway, because it had AC and there didn't seem to be any other place around. The food turned out to be alright, afterall we were terribly hungry. We then returned the bike, and the Achen (at whose house we returned the bike) dropped us off at Chenganoor railway station. We got the train some time later and returned home at night. It was quite an experience. We then decided to not attend the convention henceforth, because of the heat and the lack of good places to eat nearby.
