Time to Promise !

*** An old one from my GRE days (2 yrs back)

Hi,
My name is Sidharth Kumar and i belong to delhi. I recently gave my GRE (Graduate Record Examination) with the aim to persue my Masters from US next year. I'd like to express my concern over all that i have gone through during application process.

So finally through with GRE (thats Coaching + Exam) , i headed for the application process. Its good but not mandatory to join some consultants to help you carry out your admission process. After researching a lot about many consultants, i came to a conclusion that most of them were simply money minting institutes providing no quality work for students.
Candidates/Students/Aspirants invest heavily in them and are not satisfied with the overall performance of the consultants. For every bit of extra work, they are charging more from students. When i asked my dad for money to join their admission celll, he fired me sayin that wasnt 20k (thts for coaching) inclusive of everything. I just couldnt say anything, i knew thats the way it was.
He was terribly angry and said that every institution should take pride in sending their children abroad so almost everything shud be included in coachin feees or be free. Well, nothing is in my hand but I knew my dad (a retired Commander from the Indian Navy) was right and where i was wrong!

I went to my university in Jalandhar and needed 10 transcripts for universities i am applyingto.They charged me 300 for each, dats 3000 Rs. Even the institution which i owe to them for making in me a Computer Enginner is charging hell lot of money. They know that every year students would be sitting for GRE/GMAT and be needing official documents, so lets think of ammasing this booty. The attitude of officials in university also bothers me a lot, their way of handling notes (money) etc clearly gives a picture of some lala type people managing these educational institutions. Clearly everyone is busy in Bizness!

Then lately, i had to collect bank drafts from bank for application processes. The drafts range from 50-100 US $ depending on universities. I approached ABN AMRO bank and for each draft ( i needed 8), the bank charged 300 Rs + service tax. I requested the lady that these drafts were solely for education purpose and if the bank could give some concession to students like me, i and others would certainly be very obliged to them. She couldnt do anything saying it was bank policy but promised she would forward this suggestion to the concerned manager. Well who knows if someone really will work upon it or not!

I have spent more on applying than on coaching. All these miscellaneous expenses seem to trouble me a lot. Total cost of a single document package to each university comes out on an average Rs.5000-6000 (including courier charges). And most of the students are applying to 6 universities minimum. So one can get the idea of how much expenditure is involved. Seekin this, some even might drop the idea of US or UK and head for countries like Australia or New Zealand which are still much reasonable and cheaper on the world map. I applied to 8 universities and have got I-20 (eligibility packet from univ giving me the right to apply for visa) from all of them. I am nodoubt happy but confusion now surrounds me as to where should i leap forward.

Thats what happens, the more the complexity and not the more, the merrier. We all are just blindly following what others do. My so called experience to other aspirants would be not to apply in more than 5 -6 univs. THATS MORE THAN ENOUGH!!! (even on your pockets part)

It really is very difficult today to afford education outside becuz today we have made our own barriers so high that it wont be possible for every child of this country to climb it and reach the other side, thats US owing to all these hurdles. I feel pity for some people i came across and they couldnt afford this prime education. I remember once asking my senior in college about what he had planned for future. He was a topper and from a middle class family. He said slowly that education outside is very costly. He still teaches in the same college from where i graduated.

What is Government doing for us? When it knows that 95% of students going abroad wont return back to India and contributing much to US only, then why send students outside the country or why not get them back after completing education. May be thats why, these expenses compel students give up their dreams to study abroad. It was one of me who could afford but not many will be in this going-to-be expensive nation. I dont see any aid or help coming here but hear that our country will be the best supremo in next 10 yrs. But where? And for whom?

I dont want to hit directly at all consultancy firms/colleges/banks , after all they do offer us their services but just hope that they are reasonable and dont exploit everyone. 20k-30k is a very big amount for me or anybody else. Also surprised by the fact that when i asked one of my frends if his dad felt the money being charged for admission cell was justified or not, and he said, dad was ok with it. With times, people (who just go ahead and give money without giving thought in this bhedchaaal) have given up to raise their voices unlike me. We ofcourse cant do anything about private institutes but would request and urge government to do whtever it could for students like me.

Through this mail of mine, i have no intentions of mentioning how much money i spent or pleading government to recover any dues. I have discussed these feelings of mine with you and every other person who looks forward to goto US (cuz they too are sailing in the same boat as me) through various mail groups. I on behalf of all of them request justice! Please help us all.

Think i should signoff now.

Regards,
Sidharth

Valentines Day @ LA

So like every year, we have this one day reminding us that we really take care of our partner. The whole concept of Valentine and its response has always been tremendous in India. I used to think the same way for US as well. I was at home till 1 pm and then i headed for college.


"Day of Roses", "Love is in the air" are all one can hear this day. Unfortunately, for me i hardly witnessed any student expressing his love for their partner. Not even a blade of rose petal circulating in the campus. No flower bouquets and never felt there was a Valentine's day in school. I don't know the reason but am certainly intrigued by all that came near my eyes. I remember last year on same day, i was at home completing some assignments. As i finished with my class, i saw a guy with a bright red rose in his hand, thats all !!! This was it, nothing more than this. I did not have the chance to visit any shopping malls or downtown LA this time. The shops in mall would definitely be in some Valentine mood. There were some posters with Valentine slogans written, couple of couples getting cozy in each others arms in todays chilly LA day but still appearing dull and disappointing stuff to me. For those of you who don't know this, i have 3 American roommates. So my first question to my roommate Kyle was if he had or made any proposals. In the back of my mind laid the answer but as i am known for leg pulling, i didn't even spare him. He was amused of the fact if someone could or make any propositions on Valentines day in College. His argument was that most children find their partners in high school so needless to say, any efforts are made in college. And he smiled saying every day for them was a Valentine day so nothing official about 14th Feb !

Jab we Kritique Mountain

I just happened to see "Jab We Met" couple of hrs back. I am pleased i am not saying i wasted my time watching the 2 lead actors Kareena Kapoor and Shahid Kapoor. Till now, there were few of the actors for which i would not burn my pocket in PVR or AMC (if that would be possible...lol). I had not seen not even a complete Shahid Kapoor movie. This isn't the case for Kareena. I have seen several movies of her in the past. Apparently, because of the huge selling star cast working with her in the same movie. This was the first complete movie of Shahid i watched. The movie is fun, hilarious and most importantly can be watched with family. It was promising and at the appeal of lot of my friends i decided to watch this flick. I am happy i wasn't disappointed as i had anticipated. The script for the movie is simple and easily connects with youngsters especially the conversation part between Shahid and Kareena. Lot of dialogues used by Kareena in partly Hindi and English is quite common in Delhi and Mumbai. The dialogues seemed coming on the spot and instantly. Shahid speaks with low pace and his patience which i liked the most. The Hindi Drama set in Punjabi household was fun too with lot of Nach Gana and masti. The model (shown as Kareena's Bf) is absolutely pathetic. His hindi is worse and needs to go back to School. Aint not all models can act. Overall, good performances by the lead cast and a decent one. The Director has framed all pieces well together and made the film captivating as at no point i felt the movie was long or getting dragged. I guess Shahid needs to be picky from now onwards. I look forward to see his next one !


I just cant believe i am watching this movie so late. Damnn....well almost after 3 years. Also, while Heath is no more. Honestly, i have to admit that i would not have watched this movie if "Ang Lee" had not won the Oscar for best director. I still remember that i was very excited to watch this as well as lot of other oscar nominated films. This was the time when i was seriously sick with Jaundice at my home in Delhi. Outside from my room window (7th floor), i could see the new PVR being constructed in Prashant Vihar in Rohini, Delhi. I waited anxiously for me to recover from my sickness and hopefully to grab a chance on this movie. Well, after i got back to my normal track, there were very few theaters showing this movie and the very few pals of me not interested in watching the film. Anyways, i drop the curtian today by watching this magnificent film. A gay cowboy relationship, thats what happens sometimes about we knowing something in our head but not realsing the truth untill we watch it. "BrokeBack Mountain" is one of the example. An honest, simple, superb and real to core film thats breaks mainstream boundary for the audiences. I cant stop commending acting skills of Heath Ledger (he simply pulled it off) and Jack Gyllenhall. Incredible performances by the 2 rodeos supported equally well by their fellow partners. The Direction is excellent and in spite of raised controversies against this film, i vouch for it. I somehow knew the movie story plot initially. And my initial reaction was like "A gay relationship" movie......"Dude, am not gonna watch it". But the 5 Oscar nominated film was pulling towards it. I regret not watching it earlier in India. There are several instances in the film where i felt Ennis was not speaking the correct grammatical English like when he speaks with Jack's wife he says "We was good friends". I sdont know why he speaks that way. Is that because Ennis ("Heath") is by birth an Australian or is it typical Texan or Wyoming accent from where he hailed. While i watched the movie, the sex and love making scenes between the 2 look very weird as i or may be you have never seen two guys making love on the big screen. Its only during the entire movie when you watch, you begin to understand closely and respect the relationship between the two just as between a girl and boy. But this affects the marriage of Ennis Del Mar when his wife comes to know about it. I feel Ennis should have continued staying with Jack twist but if that was so simple to think, we probably wont get to see a film like "Brokeback Mountain". Ennis taking Jacks shirt and jacket after his death was very touching. A good one indeed !

Life in USC, 4th Sem (First Week after returning from India)

Life in USC in the 4th semester is seeming monotonous. Same buildings, Same pathways, Same roads, Same Profs, Same part time campus job, Same work, Same good/bad memories as i pass some places in school. I once dreamt of coming to USC and now i dream of getting out of USC. Well, USC has been one of the best places in my life. I simply wanna move on soon. Am missing all pals who have graduated and now are at different geographical locations. In this week i hardly saw any one whom i knew very well or was acquainted with. New faces around sprawl the campus. Young doctors, engineers, artists gearing for new study life at SC (for USC). These people who have embarked a new life for them. I graduated in my undergrad in 2003 and these youngsters may have by 2008. 5 yrs, thats a huge gap reminding me i have to get outta SC soon and start with my job. Probably this will be in every college or school. I may have taken a wrong decision to continue for a semester more in haste. But i am not regretting it for some reasons for they to get fulfilled soon. After all, i feel whatever happens, happens for good. Every spell will age so will be this !

Thieves of own cellphones

Am sure you didn't quite understand what that means. Well, let me explain because it comes out as my own. Its really unfortunate these days that people have cell phones and still cant be reached. Let me take an example. I call people on their phones and get no reply. I can understand this as he or she may be busy. However, they would definitely see any missed call on their cell phone. These kind of people don't even have the courtesy to return one's call. When this happens to me, i start believing that i give way to importance to these people. I cant wait till an hour or 2 hrs or 3 hrs or say till 8 hrs but even after that if i don't receive any call, its highly frustrating. One question comes to mind is then why have these people purchased mobiles worth thousands if they can't return ones call. Imagine there is an emergency, that if someone meets with a grueling accident and relies heavily on you for his/her help. You miss the call and never return. May be you never even get the next chance to return as this friend of yours will never return to life ! I call such people thieves of their own phones. Beware of such people.

Back To LA (3rd Feb, 08)

Am back to LA on 3rd feb, at 5:15 pm, Sunday. It was a 32 hr flight which got further delayed at Malaysia. In spite of this, i am not angry or frustrated as i was very happy with Malaysia Airlines service. They certainly took good care of me and others on flight. Thats why they have "Worlds best crew award under their belt" ! I had 8 hr transit at Kuala Lumpur, it was so humid there. I have to admit that i have had some of the worst food in my life at Malaysia. The food there sucks, its horrible...not one thing upto my standards.


One of my good friend once said, "you learn a lot while traveling". That indeeed is true. My seat in MA (Malaysia Airlines) was 14k. When i sat on my seat, i realized there was NO number 13 row, to obvious reasons but i was surprised that even an airlines followed and adhered to the number 13 rule avoidance. I guess you tend to do that especially when your are flying 10 hrs over Pacific !! I stopped or rather we stopped at Taiwan as well for an hour. My god, seems there are only girls living there as i saw girls only everywhere. Luckily, this time i did not lose my luggage unlike in Air India. There is no doubt i was feeling apprehensive about traveling over Pacific but there were reasons i chose this flight. They are mentioned in my earlier blog, do read them. I barely slept 3 hrs in the KL hotel as every time at the back of my mind was that i had to get up. Most of the time on flight went watching comedy, some good stuff...didnt sleep at all in the flight which caused me heavy jet lag on reaching. I have slept continuously for 23 hrs to the astonishment of my roommates. This never happens when you go back to your home as you are very excited or due to hustle in the house which keeps you awake. Here was absolutely peaceful. I am missing India, my family, my mom and her food. Now starts the task of making food, T, going to college which sucks, some studies :(

At the Delhi Airport, i witnessed things which make me feel agitated. First of all, at the Nirula's counter i saw a gentleman barging a queue (line). A sardar who was with his kid just made his way into a 4 people line. The person standing behind him was an American from SFO. (I know this cuz i ahd a chat with him after this on same incident) . He saw this but didnt say anything, may be he knows the way we indians work our way. He simply gave in letting the sardar order his food items. At once, i felt like teaching that Sardar a lesson but i decided to speak with the American fellow later. Surprisingly, he told me he was used to this since long back. I felt sorry for him. On second instance, while i was busy to phone my family, i observed a lady in her mid 60's standing just 2 feet away from me trying to make me leave my post and indirectly listening to my calls. I just couldnt take it and gave a rude thrashing to her. I had to guys, it was a private conversation and i said wht my mind told me to do. I didn't feel sorry for that. Some people just don't have the basic etiquettes of life, such idiots they are, a shame for our country. As i looked back, i see another American foreigner standing 7-8 feet back behind a line patiently waiting for his turn. There certainly lies difference in the way we and Americans live, no doubt about it....