Hi guys!
It’s been more than 3 long years since college ended. How does it feel? Well actually speaking life has been so hectic in the past few years, that, there is nothing to feel anything anymore. Life was much simpler then - no work, no money, no worries! Everything has changed ever since. Now we got work, money and worries. Remembering the good old days brings back the warmth with the old mates. And then as we dive back into the memories of college, friends and gangs we had back then, the distinct memory of one gang always stands out from the rest! And I am quite sure everyone would shout in unison at this one --- The Mandals! Hell yes. The Mandals! They were something. May not be the pussycats, but boss no desi gang could beat the Mandals.
Mandals -- They need no introduction, but not refreshing the memories would not do either. Ok here we go, and I am sorry if I mis-communicate about anyone. It is merely by mistake and no offense meant to anyone.
Platooooooooooooon Savdhan! Mandal Stand up!
• The brain of the group and the mutually understood leader. This person was never outspoken, but was very much respected and even revered as the semester exams drew near. Everyone would rush over to get a dose of enlightenment and make sure they get through the exams.
• Shortest but definitely not when it came to Love gyaan. This department she could knit long tales. And was her advise useful? Well you bet it was!
• Talking couldn't be one of her weak points. Forever talking and blinking her eyes was one of her specialty, I wonder if this made her Handa's favorite. Hell he even asked me how she was when I went last time to college.
• Then again there was the quiet one, one who wasn't happy to be known as the mandal but couldn't do without them. The information reached her no matter how, the juicest of the stories could be heard from her. But she made it a point to keep her life clean!
• This one was fondly known as Ayesha Takia aka Taku thanks to the naughtiest boy of the class. Tall she was and led the mandals out like the commander of the army.
• Miss pretty made a heartbeat or two to skip. Hell, one fella even landed in the hospital.
• You gotta ask this one how to fit into a MINI! 45 days Sem break and she had broken all records of weight loss.
• The dark beauty of the group did charm someone and even managed to top the Brain of the Mandals on an occasion or two.
• The street was her ride and she rode the street. The only Mandalite from the South!
• I am not sure if anyone else used this celebrity dialogue more aptly --- We Are JUST FRIENDS!
• And then there was the disputed member: Originally Mandalite but then switched loyalties to the Vasco gang. Was also a strong contender for the infamous poll of the class?!
And people, remember no offense to anyone what so ever. It’s just fondly remembering the Mandals who left their mark in our hearts in their own way.
Everyone was aware of their fondness for the Panjim-Margao 8.15 local. And there were people who looked forward to this early morning entertainment boarded this bus enthusiastically. From daily soaps to movies, from college couples to class pranks, the trip could give Karan Johar's coffee show a run for his money. Mandals would remain the animated chatterboxes until the end of the journey and till they alighted the bus to enter the college premises. One could only wonder if they were this in the bus then what it would be like on Home ground. Apna College! I am not sure PCCE was interesting or by far the Mandals added their own entertainment to it. But a favorite for ragging the juniors would be “Mahila Mandal ki Jai!” I wonder how many juniors and seniors have been responsible for the echo of these words in Monginis and college corridors.
Whether it was eating the tiffin in Principal Adgaonkar’s lecture or coming regularly late for the first lecture. They were at the fore front of everything in class. No picnic no event would pass without the fan fare of the Mandals and of course the photographs. The whole left row of the class was one of the more favorite haunting grounds of the Mandals and was often bordered by their very own set of special ministers. I know I'll get beaten black and blue for this but its okay, no memory of the Mandal is complete without remembering the valor of the brave guys who protected the Mandals from the class and vice versa.
• Mr. ya Miss? Well if he could cross dress to college, no one would have doubted his feminity. At least no one did at Happenings.
• Sudoku-Master and the knight from the island. He played his role to the T in ruling the heart of the mandals.
• No one could have guessed from his small stature his ability to run the underground news on the Mandals, with his inter college links, as news criss crossed between the two rival colleges of engineering. Mr. Nightwatchman!
• Well, we can't say he didn't try. But he did. He danced like Hrithik, stripped like Salman, and in the meanwhile even skipped a beat or two which put him in the hospital. But for two mandalites? Boss you are great to even have tried for two!
As goes the story, they lived happily ever after. People have moved places, changed their status. Everyone has gone their own way. Some have kept in touch, others have tried. As the first Mandalite takes her wedding vows this weekend and enters the life of matrimony, I wish to congratulate her on her choice of a suitable life partner and wish her a blissful married life. May god shower his blessings upon you both.
For now from the land of the sun, sand and sea, we will keep you update. For now
“After a 3 year hiatus, the renowned "Mandals" of PCCE batch '06 will descend upon Goa to celebrate the wedding vows of the first Mandalite!" For 1st November tight security has been promised by the home secretary to protect the Mandals from the gory eyes of the media and the public!”
