Diwali in IITKgp is celebrated differently. Instead of firecrackers, we have Illu (the abbreviated form of Illumination) - something unique to Kgp.
Preparation for Illumination starts 15-30 days in advance and gains momentum in the last few days before Diwali. The idea, though novel - struck me as odd - specially the way it happens in Kgp.
- Only the 1st year and 2nd year students are involved in the preparations. The entire hostel isn't.
- The actual preparation takes place only in the final few days. 10-15 days aren't required at all. More so, I could never understand why Illu preparations had to happen after midnight when it could be easily done in the evening.
- I couldn't see any point in everything being done by the students - themselves.
Armed with this + some additional funda (again a very strange culture of Kgp) that I had gathered from some of my seniors, I decided to stay out of Illumination as much as I could.
Therein began my tale of escapades, some of which become popular in the hall. Some - in my own estimate - were rather dumb. But nonetheless, it was an adventure worth trying instead of sitting in the hall doing menial things that were being instructed to me.
Day 13: 2000 hours
Since this was the first day, I had almost no idea. A common room meeting is called at 2130 hours. I decide to bunk it. I go to the library.
Day 12: 0000 hours
I don't feel like coming back to the hall - having bunked the meeting - knowingly. My cycle tyre is flat - punctured. I decide to spend the night in a friend's room in another hostel.
Day 11: 2000 hours
Day 10's strategy seemed really dumb to me. Someone else's room isn't the best place to spend a night. I decide to lock the room from outside after 2130 hours. The windows in the doors turn out to be really useful.
Day 10 upto Day 8
Everything is peaceful. I have no problems with my strategy.
Day 7: 2200 hours
I decide to go out for some fresh air. The moment I open the window - I see seniors standing gaping at the window and the lock in alternate fashion. I have to go to work that day.
Day 6: 0030 hours
I decide - enough is enough - I'll go back to the room and sleep.
Day 5: 2230 hours
Even though my strategy had been discovered, I couldn't see any reason that I shouldn't do it again. After all, nobody could break the lock of my room.
Unluckily, the trick is discovered again - for the door yields a bit to merciless banging - and I can be seen through an opening in the door. Bad luck yet again.
Those outside: "Mainak, give us the key."
Me: "I don't have them. My roommate has it."
I was in no mood to work through the night.
Day 4: 0400 hours
I couldn't come up with any good ideas. I decide to fall back on Day 13's strategy. But again I am caught. A senior calls me in the dead of the night.
"Mainak, come back to the hall."
Day 3: 0530 hours
Having been caught thrice, I decide to work - so as not to complicate matters. I feel the work is really awful. I have lost my sleep all for nothing.
Day 2 & Day 1:
By now, people are fed up with my tactics. They know I'll come when I want to come. I work for some time and go back to sleep before midnight.
Day 0:
It is Diwali day. This is the day when most of the work gets done. I decide to pitch in with a helping hand.
Many felt I couldn't exonerate myself from the guilt of the last 13 days by working a day or two. But for me, it was about being sensible and doing what seemed was most appropriate for me and my hostel.
P.S: I think I forgot to mention Daru night and
the treat. The treat was somewhere around Day 13 and the Daru night was somewhere around Day 4 or 5. I do not remember exactly because I had skipped the Daru night.
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Illumination and Diwali: Day 0
Illumination and Diwali: Day -1
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