Your College Sports Day

Your College Sports Day

Games and sports are as essential as studies. They provide the much desired change in the dull academic life of the college. In fact, the college sports day is an eagerly awaited day. This year, the college sports meet was held on the 15th of February last. It was celebrated with great pomp and show. The students started gathering in the grounds early in the morning. The college grounds were well marked with lime and small flags. A beautiful shamiana was put up in one corner of the ground. The sports meet was presided over by veteran sportswoman P.T. Usha.  She was received at the welcome gate by the Principle, members of the staff and some senior most athletes. She unfurled the college flag and declared the meet open. The prayers marched past her and saluted her. The senior athletes, on behalf of the participants, took an oath that the players would participate in games in the true spirit of sportsmanship. After this, the sports started. First, we saw items like high jump, long jump, discus throw, hammer throw, shot put, etc. For the girls there were items like chati race, potato race, musical chair race and sack race. It was spectacular show. Then, we had other races. It was great fun to see all these. The whole day passed in merry-making. At last, the staff race was held. In the evening, the chief guest gave away  prizes to the winners. The chief guest, in her short speech, inspired students to make a larger participation in games and sports. This brought the sports day to a close. The next day was declared a holiday.

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My First Day At College

My First Day At College

Life is full of strange experiences—good and bad, happy and sad. Some of these experiences are just unforgettable. I can never forget my first day at college. It was a day of thrill, joy and excitement. But it turned out to be a real bad day indeed. Wearing new clothes, I entered the college gate. I was feeling proud of being a college student. I came to know that the classes were to be held after the principal’s address to the new students. I also learnt that the address was to be delivered in the Lecture Theatre. But it did not know where the Lecture Theatre was. I asked a senior student the way to the Lecture Theatre. He immediately pointed to a door. No sooner did I enter that room than I heard a guffaw of laughter. It was not the Lecture Theatre but the girls common room. Soon a girl’s voice reached my ears: ‘Come in, please.’ For a while I did not know what to do. I was feeling badly humiliated. I rushed out of that room. Then I requested another gentleman to lead me to the Lecture Theatre. He took me towards the bath rooms. I was be fooled for the second time. It seemed to me that everybody was laughing at me. I could not stay any longer in the college. I soon came back home. I little knew what was in store for me on my very first day at college.

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A Street Scene

A Street Scene

A street quarrel is an object of common interest. It starts over a trifle and sometimes leads to serious consequences. Everybody, young or old flocks to the site. Some people try or old flocks to the site. Some people try to add fuel to the fire for cheap entertainment. Last evening, I was returning from the market. As I entered the lane I live in, I heard a hue and cry. At first, I could not make out the cause of all that was going on there. I then gathered that it was all over stray kite. Some teen-aged boys were flying a kite in the park nearby. Two grown up boys came there and took away the kite. The other boys ran after them. A small boy slipped over a banana peel and was hurt in the leg. His mother came out and began abusing the boys and their parents. More women poured in the street. They used sticks and shoes. There was a regular fight. An old man tried to pacify the warring groups. He received a blow on his head. He was rushed to a nearby clinic and was given first-aid. The police came on the scene and rounded up a few men. A city father came there. Then matter was hushed up. Thus the street quarrel took a serious turn. It created a panic in the locality. It took at least one month for things to gain normalcy. Street quarrels should be discouraged. Elderly people should not become a party to a street quarrel.

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A Scene In The Examination Hall

A Scene In The Examination Hall

Jesus Christ once said, ”O God, do not put me to test.” An examination hall is a place of joy for brilliant student but a place of anxiety, nervousness and mental torture for others. Examinees feel as if they were prisoners inside a huge prison cell. They enter the examination hall with beating hearts. They occupy their respective seats and pray to God for his blessings. The Superintendent shouts, “Silence. No talking, please.” As soon as the question paper are distributed by the supervisors, all the examinees bend their heads to read the question paper. The supervisors keep a sharp eye on the candidates lest they should copy from one another. Occasionally, a flying squad from the university enters the hall and starts a physical search of the students. Some candidates become nervous while others continue with their papers. Some candidates feel as if they were quite blank. Three hours in the examination hall seem to pass rather quickly. But it is otherwise with those examinees who almost draw a blank. Time seems to hang heavy upon them. The superintendent announces, “Stop writing. The time is over now.” The candidates stitch their answer books and hand these over to the supervisors. They heave a sigh of relief and leave for their destinations. 

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A Scene In Front Of The Examination Hall

A Scene In Front Of The Examination Hall

The day of examination comes like the judgement day. Almost everybody is afraid of examination. Even Jesus Christ once said, “O God, do not put me to test.” It was the 7th of April, last year. I was to appear in the subject of English in the +2 Examination. I started moving towards the examination hall. As I reached the school gate, I was joined by my friend, Umesh. We stood there for a while and started looking at things around us. Nervous faces and hurried steps passed by us. Some students could be seen revising their lessons in the lawn in front of the examination hall. Some other students were discussing expected questions nearby. We had brought nothing to read or revise. So we tow kept standing near the examination hall. At intervals, some class fellows came to us, spoke a word or two and passed by. A strange kind of anxiety was writ large on the faces of students. Even brilliant students were not ready to disengage themselves from the books and notes they had brought. It is rightly said that one who goes to the examination hall with bang comes out with a whimper. For a moment I felt a shudder go down my spine. Soon I collected myself and was lost in my own world. In the meantime the bell started ringing and like stricken goats, the students started moving towards the examination hall. Each one was trying to locate his or hell Roll Number in the seating plan displayed on the notice board. We too were lost in the multitude.

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A Scene At Sunrise

A Scene At Sunrise

There can be nothing more pleasing to the senses than the sunrise. Nature is at its best at this heavenly hour. The golden rays of the sun give a bright coloring to the clouds and meadows, mountains and valleys. It marks the journey of the sun in the sky. At first, there appears a small ball of light in the sky. It then goes on increasing in size and shine. The golden dise seems to be rising and rising. Birds sing to its shine. Men and women who go out for morning walk enjoy its reddening beauty. It is the time when the day casts away the cloak of night. The lovers of morning walk stop on their way to look at the sunrise. The first rays of the sun are cool and bracing to the eyes. At a hill station, the beauty of sunrise is beyond description.  The hill-tops and the valley below seem to be bathed in yellow light. All of sudden, the golden ball shining in the sky grows big in size. Milk vendors and newspaper boys are heard calling their trade at every turn of the street. A little later, small boys and girls in shining uniforms are seen going to the school. As the sun gets higher in the sky, the day’s activity begins. Plants and trees feast on the rays of the sun. Late risers miss the beauty of sunrise. It is a rare joy to be awake at sunrise.

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A Marriage Scene

A Marriage Scene

Marriages, they say, are planned in heaven and solemnised on the earth. Some people consider marriage a necessary evil while others call it a great bliss. Marriage, everybody knows, is a social necessity as well as a great personal need. It is like a beautiful house. Those standing outside want to get into it while many of those inside, want to get out of it. It is, no doubt, and interesting episode in life. I attended the marriage of my friend’s sister last Sunday. I arrived there at noon. The barat had already arrived. The members of the marriage part arrived there at noon. The barat had already arrived. The members of the marriage part were sitting in big pandal. They were taking tea. A band was playing. The bride and the bridegroom were sitting by the fire. The family priest was reciting mantras. The bride and bridegroom went round the sacred fire. They took some solemn vows to be faithful and loyal to each other. All ceremonies were soon over. The baratis were served with delicious lunch. Soon they left. All was quiet. I also had the lunch. I took leave of my friend. I came back home musing over the ritual of marriage.

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A Scene At A Polling Station

A Scene At A Polling Station

Gone are the days of the kings and dictators. Today, democracy, the goddess of freedom, is worshipped in many parts of the world. India is the largest working democracy in the world. Here, general elections are held after every five years. Besides these, mid-term polls cannot be ruled out in a growing democracy. Polling stations are set up at different place in cities, towns and villages. The polling day actually comes like the judgment day. In the last general elections, I went to cast my vote at polling station No.22 in the city. There was seen a long line of voters outside the polling booth. I joined the crowd of voters and started waiting for my turn. The old and young, men and women, had come to cast their votes. Among the voters there could be seen some blind and disabled persons. At some distance, the political parties had set up their booths. They helped the voters in finding out their names and the corresponding number of vote in the list of voters. The polling station was guarded by the police on duty.  Inside, and agent of each political party is allowed to be present at the time of polling. There to four polling officers help the presiding officer in carrying out the work. The illiterate and blind voters are helped by presiding officer in casting their votes. Sometimes, there is created a row over the question of impersonation of genuine voters by dummy ones. The presiding officer tries to decide each case on its merit. The polling stars at 7.00 a.m. and continues till 5.00 p.m. At the close, the polling station is wound up and the Electronic Voting Machines (EVM’s) are sealed in the presence of all present. The EVM’s are then carried to the quarter concerned in the custody of the police on duty. This ends the day full of excitement and hectic activity.

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A Scene At The Ration Depot

A Scene At The Ration Depot

A ration depot is a place where controlled commodities of daily use are supplied to the people at normal rates fixed by the government. It has become almost a haunted place in these days of soaring prices. People carrying ration cards in their hands are seen standing in a line before the ration depot. Sometimes, they reach the place before the opening of the depot. There is heard a loud roar when the depot holder comes in sight. He takes some time in arranging his register and weights. He then starts entering the ration cards and receiving money. The quantity of items allotted is written on a slip of paper. The card-holder gets this slip and goes to second man who examines the slip and weight out the required quantity. The depot holder thus attends to tone card-holder at a time. People have to stay in the queue for a long time. Children and women can be seen standing in sun or shower. Housewives are often tired of standing in the long queue. Sometimes, there is created a scene at the ration depot. Some card-holders Try to present their cards out of turn. Others do not let them do so. At times the police have to be called to control the situation. Many a time, the depot holders indulge in black marketing. They try to put the customers off on one pretext or the other. Those who do not get their items have to go back disappointed. In fact, the rationing system needs to be re-examined and mad more efficient.

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A Scene In Front Of A Cinema Hall

A Scene In Front Of A Cinema Hall

A scene in front of a cinema hall is quite interesting. Cinema continues to attract the people even in these days of television and DVD players. There is a lot of hustle and bustle in front of the cinema hall before the start of the movie. Film fans go to see the first show on the very first day a particular movie is screened at a theatre. One enjoys a film on the T.V. set all right but seeing a film in theatre is all the more enjoyable. Young boys are girls in colorful clothes visit the cinema house in a holiday mood. When a new film is released, there is a great rush of film-lovers before the portals of the cinema house. The walls of the cinema house are found littered with cine posters. The cinema house itself is tastefully decorated with multi-colored flags, poster and paintings. Before the film starts, the film fans look at the advertisements of the latest films. The whole atmosphere in and around the cinema hall is charged with joy and excitement. The stalls attract a great rush. Hawkers, crying at the top of their voice, try to sell their wares. Pickpockets and eve-teasers try to create trouble for the cinema authorities. The policemen on duty try to control the situation every time there is a trouble. Outside the cinema hall, rickshaws, bicycles and motor cars can be seen in a large number. As the cinema bell goes, the film fans rush in. All the glamour walks in and a clam descends on the scene for about two hours.

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A Scene At A Railway Station

A Scene At A Railway Station

A scene at a railway station is very interesting and informative. It presents many scenes within a scene. It is a mini bazaar, a waiting room and a resting place. It keeps the little world busy round the clock. Trains keep running by day and night between important station. The Platform remains crowded with all shades of people. Big railway stations have more than one platform. Outside the platform, there can be seen long line of passengers before the booking windows. The waiting rooms are too often packed with people. Last Sunday, I went to see my friend off at the railway station. My friend purchased one ticket for Delhi and one platform ticket for me. Soon, we joined the flood of people of people at the platform across the bridge. Porters in red were seen carrying luggage on their heads. People were busy buying eatables which were selling like hot cakes. Some people were buying newspapers and magazines at the newspaper stands. A party of boys and girls was ready to board the train. In the meantime, the much awaited train came whistling. There was a great rush of passengers at the gates of compartments. Luckily, my friend got a good seat by the window. As the train steamed off, I waved my hand to my friend. He also did the same. In no time, the train was out of sight. As I turned my back, I saw that the train had taken away much of the glamour of the platform which looked somewhat deserted.

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A Scene At A Bus Stand

A Scene At A Bus Stand

A scene at a bus stand presents a colourful spectacle. It presents not one but many scenes within a scene. A modern bus stand holds a mini bazaar that keeps the would busy during the long hours of the day. Passengers are seen pouring in and going out of the bus stand. A few days ago, I went to see my cousin off at the bus stand. We went to the concerned booking window and my cousin bought a ticket for his destination. As there was little time left for the bust to move, we stood scanning the view around us. Some people were boarding the busses while others were getting down. Coolies made money even for small suit cases which they would not allow to be kept inside the bus. Some people were taking tea or cold drink at begging for a coin or two. Somewhere in one corner, mother was meeting her daughter. It seemed they were meeting after a long time. We then saw a pick-pocket in the custody of a policeman on duty. In the motion, I said ‘bye’ to my cousin which he lovingly returned. Soon the bus was out of sight. Yet another bus came into motion. The circle goes on till late into the evening. An idler has an easy time at the bus stand. An hour at a bus stand provides and interesting study in men and women.

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A Visit To A Hospital

A Visit To A Hospital

Thomas Hardy wrote: ‘Life is dim vast vale of tears. Happiness is only an occasional episode in this general drama of pain.’ I was once again reminded of these lines when I went to call on my sick friend, Mr. X last Sunday in the local Government Hospital. My friend was lying in bed with a multifractured leg. He was writhing in pain. Al around him I could see a host of patients. Many of them were tied up with tractions, with steel needles put across their bones, and in heavy plaster. It was a terrible sight. I came out and was just dumb-founded to see a half-burnt young bride being carried on a trolly to the emergency operation theatre. Her parents were giving out a wailful cry. The smartly dressed nurses, the perfectly neat and clean corridors, the imposing building and wards, all these were a great consolation. At least they were doing their best to fight out disease, suffering and pain. But who could fight death? A dead body wrapped in white was lying in front of the one of the wards. It made a shudder go down my spine. Sad and sullen, like a young philosopher meditating on the futility of things, I traced my slow and heavy steps back to my place. I could not have a sound sleep in the night.

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A Visit To An Art Exhibition

A Visit To An Art Exhibition

Last Sunday, and exhibition of paintings by eminent painters was held in the Lions Club Hall in our town. I, along with my friend, Naresh, went to see it. All the walls of the Hall were covered with the paintings.  There was iron railing in front of the walls on every side. The spectators could see the paintings from a distance of ten feet. Some of the paintings exhibited were realistic while others were impressionistic. It was difficult to understand the abstract paintings. But the guides helped the spectators in understanding those paintings. In one huge painting, there was the face of a woman surrounded by hawks. It symbolized the  cruelty of the society towards the weaker sex. The painting of a row of camels in desert was very beautiful. There was a series of portraits and martyrs. The portrait of Shaheed Bhagat Singh was really marvelous. It seemed as if one were standing in front of the real figure in actual flesh and blood. The picture of a weak child sucking milk from the sunken breasts of his mothered was very touching. Some paintings belonging to a section on modern art were really difficult to understand. Everybody had his or her own interpretations of these paintings. This gave rise to a very lively and useful discussion on art. My visit to this exhibition was really memorable. 

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A Visit To A Garden

A Visit To A Garden

A visit to a garden or a park is quite refreshing and educative. With the increase of population in towns and cities, open spaces are becoming very rare. Gardens, grounds and lawns are the lungs of a modern city. I like going to the garden and  spending some time in the beautiful company of nature. A garden is place of beauty. It presents a feast of joy before us.  There is a beautiful garden just in front of my house. Its shady trees seem to invite me during the summers and its green sunny lawns catch my eyes in the winter season. There are row of roses that attract the eyes of the beholder. I enjoy a stroll in the garden both in the morning and in the evening. At that time I forget all the worries of life. In the middle of the garden, there is a fountain and a small tank. The tank teems with colored fish of various kinds. Children flock to the tank and play with the fish. The garden also serves as a nest of singing birds. Many beautiful birds perch in the trees in the evening and pour out their melodious songs. In the morning the fragrance of the flowers lends a sweet charm to the whole atmosphere. On a moonlit night, the garden presents a beautiful scene. Many people visit the garden at different hours of the day. We have really a good time in the garden which is veritably a paradise on the earth.

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A Visit To A Museum

A Visit To A Museum

A visit to a museum in interesting as well as educative. We can understand a lot about the history and culture of a country, its industry, arts, fashions etc. by visiting a museum. Last Sunday, I along with some of my intimate friends, went to a museum at Delhi. We bought tickets and entered the museum. The bug building was divided into a number of sections. On entering the building, we saw separate sections containing many idols of Hindu gods. They looked life-like and impressive. Then we found ourselves in a hall decorated with rare pictures and paintings. We then moved to the history section. We saw certain objects belonging to the various periods of history. We then went to a big room full of ancient weapons and amours, like heavy swords, lances and shields. We saw bows, arrows, guns, spears, statues, idols, manuscripts etc. In another section we saw Kashmiri shawls, Amritsari shawls, Amritsari carpets, Peshawari embroidered turbans and rugs and many other specimens from different parts of India. The art gallery impressed us the most. It had beautiful paintings of fruits, flowers and natural landscapes. We also saw beautiful ivory work, coins and jewellery kept in showcases in another section. Then we came to a section which displayed rare manuscripts. My eyes rested on a manuscript said to belong to the Gupta period of the Indian History. A gold coin coined during Vikramaditiya’s reign drew out attention. In this way a visit to a museum provided us with a rich feast of ideas. It left a deep imprint on my mind.

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A Visit To A Fair

A Visit To A Fair

A visit to a fair is very interesting and entertaining. A village fair presents a colorful and lively spectacle. The Baisakhi fair occupies a unique place in the almanac of Indian festivals. It is held on the first day of the month of Baisakhi every year. The harvesting season is over. It marks the advent of summer. The farmers have stored enough grain. They are full on new hopes and new joys. Their granary is full. Even the small farmers have stored enough wheat. Every heart is happy at such a time. The fair is generally held outside the village or town. It is held near some temple or tank. Small shopkeepers and vendors set up their stalls and hand carts. People from neighboring villages throng the place. Young and old, men women and children in colorful clothes come to see the fair. Hawkers, sweet-meat sellers and balloon-sellers cry their wares at the top of their voice. Somewhere a juggler is seen showing his tricks to the people. Sadhus wearing saffron clothes and beggars carrying bowls in their hands are seen at the fair. Farmers come on foot, in carts and on camel back. Many people go round the fair. The Red Cross stall draws a big rush. The mike announcements about some child lost of found distract the attention of the people. Children enjoy swings and merry-go-rounds. Outside the arena, wrestling tournaments are held in the afternoon. Races and Bhangra dance attract the attention of the people. Everybody seems to be in a merry mood. The Baisakhi fair leaves a long echo behind.

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A Visit To A Historical Place

A Visit To A Historical Place

Travelling is always source of joy and education. A visit to a historical place is very interesting and informative. Indian is a land of monuments and memorials. The Golden Temple at Amritsar has religious importance. The paintings of Ajanta and Elllora paint the life of the primitive man in pictures. The Taj at Agra is one of the seven wonders of the world. Last year, we, a group of twenty students, went to see this work of art. It is one of the finest buildings in the world. It was a moonlit night. We reached this wonderful place late in the evening. A great many people had left the scene and many more were pouring in. Our guide told us all about the history of the Taj. It is made of white marble. It is a token of his unique love. The Taj has a beautiful gate built of red stone. The river Jamuna flows on one side. There are beautiful gardens and lawns on the other three sides. There are rows of palm and cypress trees. There are fountains playing in the garden. The Taj stands on a raised platform. Both the main building and the perform are made of white marble. There is a large hall room in the centre of the main building. The tomb lies below. It is decked with precious stone. The Taj is a fine specimen of Indian architecture. It is a dream cast in marble. Its beauty beggars description. It Attracts tourists from all over the world.

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A Visit To A Circus

A Visit To A Circus

Last month, the Apollo Circus Company visited our city. They pitched their tents at an open place outside the city. Soon, the circus became the talk of the city. One evening I, along with my friend, Rakesh, went to see the circus show. There was a great rush at the booking window. We managed to get seats in the gallery. A group of players was entertaining the spectators with light music. As the show began, all the artists and circus animals came forward and introduced themselves to the audience in their own way. An elephant stood on his hind legs and greeted everyone. Other animals also came forward to greet us in different ways. As they left, swings of ropes became the object of interest. It was nice display of fun and trick. At once, the lights were switched off. The artist jumped from one swing to another, changed side and performed a number of tricks. Now came in the arena a group of elephants. They performed the Ganesh Pooja before they climbed a wooden staircase one by one. Now some dogs came and played football. Their feat was lost in the noise of children. Next came a group of cyclists who displayed a wonderful control in their vehicles. A girl cycled over a taut rope. Then came the horses, monkeys and bears. They played wonderful tricks. Next, the lions and tigers put up a good show. We saw the lions jump through ring of  fire. At long last, we saw a motorcyclist racing round the Dome of Death. As he went up and down in a big iron cage, our hearts came in to our mouths. After each item, two jokers came forward and amused the audience with their tricks. The circus clowns made the spectators laugh every now and then. Our visit to the circus was very delightful.

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A Visit To A Zoo

A Visit  To A Zoo

During an education tour arranged by out college authorities, we stayed for three days at Delhi. We spent two days in seeing historical buildings and other places of interest. On the third day, we went to see the famous zoo. There was an arrangement  for van which could take the  visitors to different parts of the zoo. But we preferred to go on foot. The first thing we saw was a variety of water birds swimming in a small stream. Next out eyes fell on a rhinoceros lying in the muddy water. Then, we saw the cages of birds and small animals. We could never imagine that there was a such a great variety of pigeons, parrots, sparrows, rats and rabbits. We then moved on the snake enclosure nearby. I had never seen such a  variety of snakes in so many sizes and colors. Next we visited a big lawn in which there were deer and stags. There was a high wall on all sides of the enclosure. There was stream surrounding another enclosure in which there were lions and tigers. When they roared, our  hearts sank. But at the same time, it was quite a thrilling experience to see them. There was a big part of the zoo yet to be seen but we were dead tired. So we dropped the idea of seeing the remaining part of the zoo and came back. 

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