In the 90s!

We, people, have a tendency to compare things as they pass by. As I was born in the 90s, many a time, I yearn to fly back in those days for innumerable reasons.

Back then, most people had been ingenuous. Bonhomie was around. War was not everyday’s affair, specially, middle east was a better place to make your abode. The word “Jihad” was evasive.

Being an Indian and born in the 90s, when sports come into the picture, first

SACHIN AND GANGULY’S PARNERSHIPS

thing clicks is Cricket. Saurav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkars’ opening partnerships, who would continue playing from the first over onwards till quite long. It was a true pleasure watching them play together. Anul Kumble’s 10 wicket against Pakistan, simply historic moment.  And crossing the bound , we had Australia’s Waugh brothers, Shane Warne and many more. A euphoric time for Cricket. Now, this sport is losing its charm, may be, because it is being played rampantly, which reminds me of Swami Vivekananda’s quote, ” Excess of any thing is poison”, and Cricket has unequivocally fallen its victim.  Now, it is totally money-driven, specially after IPL shit. Cricket aficionados would definitely agree me. Well, talking of sports. Manchester United is unmissable. It was the time when the class of 92 evolved with plethora of talents, from Ryan Giggs to Beckham to

CLASS OF 92

Nevile brothers, Paul Scholes . They all helped United to enjoy dominance across England, under the leadership of Sir Alex Ferguson, who evidently needs no introduction. A true gambler, as I refer him. This bunch has certainly proved that the beautiful game, eventually, is the beautiful game.

We had some great music as well. Music solaces. It is used as a tool of relaxation. As I am a fan of Rock genre, Guns n Roses has been pleasing me since then. Slash was a part of the band, and together with Axl Rose, they showered us some majestic compositions, unlike these days’ cacophonous music. It is said that, the most talented is the most tormented, so was Kurt Cobain, who still resides in our

GNR

memories for Nirvana days. Pearl jam, Oasis, etc. the list is endless. They all had profound depth in their lyrics, which possessed the power of bliss and inspiration.  .    

Let us see what we had in Hollywood. However, I am not really a fan of movies but likes of Pretty Woman, Shawshank Redemption, Pulp fiction, Schindler’s list, Saving Private Ryan,  have always moved me. And yes, Titanic, which keeps our eyes welled every time we watch. Do not think i am being biased. Bollywood has its influence too. 90’s Bollywood was the romantic Bollywood. DDLJ, ASHIQUI, KKHH, Jo jeeta wo sikandar, Dil toh pagal hai, Saajan etc. Although, if you think of such movies and their plot now, you would end up rolling on floor.

Hence, it is conspicuous, that previous decade was way better for 90s born. Every generation likes the decade in which they are born. May be, because we were kids then and embrace every moment without any malicious intent and credulously take every thing at the face value. And this essence is realized when innocent days pass-by and we are beleaguered by adulthood and its worries.

They say, the best times!

To, the college times……

“Best times are when one is at solace, with no worries.”

Students’ perception is that, college days are not to be spent in the company of books at all. These are the very days, when they want to explore the world, want to make girlfriends or boyfriends. Not to forget, college love is one majestic feeling.

Retrospectively, 4-5 years down from now, what I resurrect, are cherished memories from my college times. We are 8-9 guys, who stepped out of their homes, miles away, in search of our dreams. Then, we were a bunch of puerile dudes from disparate territories. Till, second year, we stayed in hostels, where, were hardly in contact with each other.

Real thing embarked, when we jumped to the third year, then we rented a place, which eventually turned out to be the legendary C-253, and moved in. We were pursuing civil engineering, and at the same time chilling out most of the time. God, wittingly or unwittingly, brought all of us together, of same kind, will always be a mystery. And it is icing on the cake, if you have somebody in your coterie to pull his/her leg. Like, we have one name “Rohan Raghuwanshi aka chancha”, who has been a fun part. Whenever boredom seeped upon us, we would pull his leg, sometimes quite badly.

Something to ponder is that, during a technical degree, one is supposed to be busy as bee, but we were on the flip side of it. We used to be free to that extent, that one could call us typically “velle” in the whole wide world. The only reason, we would show our presence to the college was, that there had been a rampant power cut at our apartment. It was customary, I guess, during evenings to have Momo treats with the insanely chilly chutney. Specially, I was really fond of it, and there was only one particular stall in Jagatfarm, which would satiate us. Talking of Jagatfarm, it is a miniscule market in the heart of Greater Noida, which is full of fast food corners, and one can get anything reasonable there. We can call it an absolute destination for college people, who are perennially broke. This place also earned a reputation for bird-watching too.

I never believed in love, but after coming to college, there was a girl, who made me fall for her. I would go to college merely to get a glimpse of hers. She was simply a magic. Literally, her eyes would hypnotise me. She was from the different branch, but yes, I was madly into her. I seriously used to get butterflies in my stomach. 24*7, she would hover around my imagination. I always wanted to care her, protect her, make love to her, but things ended in vain. I guess, fate has never been around my love life.

We all were sport enthusiast. We had the best functioning team in an entire college, both in Football, and Cricket. Though, I had been into Football only. Most of the evenings would embrace us with football games in our neighbourhood park. Every other branch would envy us in sports business. Sometimes, we had to bunk the classes in order to be in the field. I remember one incident, when one of the faculties chased us in the campus to drag us into the class room, some of them escaped, but alike me, some got busted. That is one amusing memory.

How could I not mention those pool/snooker times. We were too obsessed with the game. Then, you would never find us anywhere other than pool club, even during the dead of night. What still brings smile upon my face, was the drunken late nights. Anyone’s birthday would be celebrated by hosting a booze -filled parties at C-253. As a phrase goes, “College is a fountain of knowledge, and the students are there to drink”, strictly, we followed the latter part. And during the parties, if we ran out of booze, we would flock out in the middle of the night, without bothering the time or weather, to avail more. Note- I used to give company with soft-drink.

Just before leaving the college, we had a Goa trip. In between, had many other trips, but this was the most sating. Actually, we had planned this trip since a long time before. Luckily, we made it in the beginning of the fourth year. Since before leaving to the trip, we 8 dudes, were in the state of ecstasy from merely the thought of going. We could not really sleep through out the Rajdhani journey. The moment, we witnessed the first sight of the beach, adrenaline rushed through our veins, it was mind-boggling. Sights were simply sublime, be it pleasing beaches, or forts, or Manchester United Café, or bikini babes. Goa is one of the places, which is so liberal in many aspects. We can refer it as “The sin city”. Perfect destination for college groups or romantic couples. Everything is available there, from reasonable liquor to balmy beaches to delicious sea-food to high class hookers. To our surprise, native people were quite humble, which as per our experience is elusive. We holidayed there for a complete week. Browsed almost every nook and corner of Goa. All in all, it was a paradigm of a perfect vacation with pals. From bike rides to water sports to CCD’s incident to “chancha’s” crush on resort’s lady’s daughter. We enjoyed to the extreme.

As in our busy and hectic life, these bitter-sweet memories are withering away, but when we sit all alone, and contemplate our past, unequivocally, these memories will flash up and leave a smile upon our face. I guess, this is the very essence of sweet memories. Indeed, I can say, those were the best days of our life.