Gear 1: Entering Engineering College

"Electronics and Communication (E&C) is an evergreen branch". While filling up the option forms to get an engineering branch in the college, it was the only rule I followed knowing all the illogical facts behind it. I got Electronics, Instrumentation and Control (EIC), a newly introduced branch in the curriculum of the university and not much people aware of it. My parents had a sigh of relief (knowing at least name Electronics in the branch) but Mr. Gupta clarified them the difference between E&C and EIC. In spite of my repetitive attempts explaining him the insightful facts about EIC, which I got from the first 5 google results on EIC, he was not convinced at all at the end. But the discussion ended with a suggestion made by Mr. Gupta that gave new hope to my parents. He said that first few rank holders of I year had the possibility to change the branch in II year. It was the VISA for me to enter the engineering college. 
I was completely unaware of majority of the facts that makes a college "A COLLEGE" !! I chose to stay outside the college campus. The area seemed to me like an education hub consisting of colleges and hostels. As I was dragging my luggage from the bus stop to hostel, a group of people, who had hockey-sticks, chains and punches, stopped me and asked "First Year ?" I stammered "NO, I am searching Vrindavan Hostel. They laughed and showed me the direction of my hostel. One of them whispered "ek aur aa gaya, aaj hi lete hain saale ki" !! I was scared like hell. They seemed like senior scholars who rag I year scholars. Once my friend informed that whenever whoever asks you "Intro De", it's ragging.
Anyways, I was relieved by being helped by few folks at the hostel's gate to get me in. A bunch of people caught me after dinner later that day. In addition to the conventional "Guide Book for I year students" and some obscene games, a list of tasks were assigned to me for the very first day of my college. I was asked to write the name, city, contact number and few other specification of the girls of my class in a tabular format. The task worked for me as well. On one hand, I gained the sympathy from the girls saying that it was an exercise under ragging, on the other hand, my database was also updated ;) Now the database was well analyzed later that day by seniors. The specifications were well cross verified with II year girls who shared the hostel with the girls. Seniors classified and allotted the girls amongst themselves by mutual understanding.
On Fresher's Eve, they celebrated because they were happy that no one among them could have got a girl. The chances of getting a girl for I year scholar (junior) were even lesser. How could anyone cajole a girl with all your hair cut, worst pair of shirt-pants, shoes with awkward laces and no style till Fresher's Eve ? Even then if you were caught with a girl during the day, a long overnight ragging session had been called for you.
II year scholars (so-called immediate seniors) were classified into "All Clear" (Pass in all subjects) and "Back" (Fail in one or more subjects) after their I year results that also declared during the crucial time till Freshers Eve. This classification doesn't exist for girls. Statistically, all Back class students were very good at making a group for fights, ragging and trying to get a I year girl. Their majority of discussions took place at "THADI" (An exclusive place for smoking, fights, ragging, creating accounts etc.)    
Engineering could be explained in terms of visionary Mr. Gupta at HOME and the way it's pursued at THADI. What a difference ?? :)

College Life: Reverse Gear

"Your son got 84.6 % in class X", said Mr. Gupta to my father. Mr. Gupta had both internet connection and particular interest to check the board results of the children of his colleagues. 

Once the results were out, a tsunami of free advices hit my family. The major advice was that which coaching institute in Kota to join to prepare for JEE. My parents and I didn't even know the full form of JEE and were unaware of the benefits after qualifying that. I was indeed so curious to know about that. Just after the basketball match one day, few of my school mates were discussing about the examination, which one has to qualify to enter the coaching institutes in Kota. One of them claimed that if got an admission in "Jain Classes (Famous Coaching Inst in Kota)", selection in IIT is guaranteed. Now what is IIT ? Were IIT and JEE two different things ? Later that day, I saw a big fat book in the book store, printed "A complete guide to IIT-JEE" on it . That made me so confused, it was not the time where one could google anything easily to clear the confusion and asking Mr. Gupta was also not the good choice either. 

I assumed that it was the only way to become whatever you want to become in the life. Just passing the class X, going to Kota, entering one of the institute there and finally qualifying IIT-JEE and if not qualified, then no options !! 

When I reached Kota one month prior to the entrance test of "Jain Classes", I was amazed to see the city. The city was flooded with institutes' banners, advertisements of food suppliers or messes and "TO LET" boards on every house's entrance gate. Almost every banner was full of pictures, especially of KT sir, PK sir, SM sir etc presenting something to AIR 1 candidate !!! ?? !! AIR 1 was printed on each one of them, one more short form ? One of the advertisement caught my attention which claimed "Prepare for Jain Classes, Gateway to IIT-JEE". I joined that class however failed to enter Jain Classes. 

The day when the results of Jain Classes were out, aspiring students got separated in two classes: One being studied in Jain Classes (Upper Class) and others NOT (Lower Class). Upper class candidates thought of everyone except them were good for nothing and wasting the money of their parents. I felt like I failed the last exam of my life. I didn't want to come back to my hometown and study there because it was hard for me and family to defend my return so early. It was expected for 2 years not 2 months. I joined "Rank 3" coaching institute in Kota. I didn't know where the Rank came from but one has to breathe in the air around. 

Two years passed like hell. Attending hours of lectures, solving unrealistic problems, reading dozens of uninteresting books and talking about the marks/ranks after every monthly test. I wanted to give up that "life with no charm" but defending the reason to quit it in front of society seemed far more difficult than being there with stress and trauma. 

After two years of stagnant life, I came to know 3 things: IITs (Indian Institute of Technology)are the premier technical institutes of India, JEE (Joint Entrance Exam) is the name of the exam to get into IITs and third, get into an engineering college is not a tough task either. I ended up getting into an Engineering College. I didn't know where I was heading to but indeed it was a new beginning :)