Letting Go

I watched her grow from bare seed

Observed her turn to sweet daisy from leaf

Kept her safe though let her free

But today she goes

Never can I forget the time she cried

For the last bite of choco-cream

Never can I erase from my mind her cries

When she begged for more sweets

Nor the time she brought back her book

From school and showed me the “excellent”

Yet mine eyes were for her and her alone

Her sweet, beautiful, playful, loving face

And the time she cried on my shoulder

For on her her friend had bitched

And the time she ticked me off

For flirting with her friends.

And the time she brought laurels and hugged me

And the time she went to college

And the time she got her job

And all the different times we spent

Both happy and sad and good and bad

Both with and without others to intrude

Oh reminisced did I of all the time I had had

With you in mind or you in whole

But today she is grown up and mature

Enough to go and make her home

In some far and distant land

Without me for her to hold

Oh do I I wonder to myself

How do I let her go

Loved her I did more than myself

And never wanted her to go

Dreaded have I this day since then

That beautiful day that she was born

That one day she’ll go, one day she’ll leave

Without her beloved brother

Oh hark I cannot bear the strain

Please don’t leave me and go

I had thought I was the one there for support

But now I realise it was you I needed to hold

And then you come and wipe my tears

And hold in yours mine sweaty hands

And lead me out to the waiting crowd

Of that far and distant land

Oh I have failed yes I have failed

Not could I give you the leave to go

Had thought I’d lead you out like a princess

Yet it was you who brought me in tow

And as I look at him hold your hand

And make ready you to go to his home

I feel the fear gnawing my heart

Please... don’t go.

And then you turn and smile at me

Smile a smile I’ll never forget

And mouth the words that will echo forever

Bhaiya... Its time to let go.

My poetry's tryst with lectures continues. This one was conceived in my CSL101 class. Don't ask me from where i got the inspiration for this as even i am not sure. There was just one event which could have triggered such a train of thought i.e. i had met someone just before the class whose sister was getting married. Now we didnt talk about anything like that. Nor did i ever link my thoughts with him. but that's the only thing which probably enetered my subconscious and triggered these thoughts!

Moreover, i wish to extend the logic of this poem to all things in life. There are things and people in life we have to let go of some time in life. So its best to not become too dependednt on them. Plus make the best of the time they are with you instead of always dreading the time when they will be taken away :)

SURA- Stifling Undergrad Research Aspirers

The other day I was strolling down my hostel coridoor after lunch when I caught sight of a large notice put up on the Notice board which said something about undergraduate research. Now I have always wanted to go towards the academic side so it held my attention and I read through it. It was something to do with SURA. I had heard something about this form my seniors and knew a little about it. But knowing through experience that seniorsay is not always true, I stopped to read through it. It explained in full detail the procedure to be followed but what struck me was the CGPA pre requirement which said that only students with CGPA >=7.5 can do a SURA. The first thing that came to my mind was that maybe each year the SURA office is flooded with countless applications for projects such that they have to make some provision to curtail the number of applicants!
But its not as if IIT has a limited number of projects that they need to put cut offs. In fact professors are always more than welcome to accept new undergrad researchers. In such a scenario I fail to understand the need for a CGPA cut.
The second reason for such a cut which came to my mind was doubt over the applicant’s capability. Maybe the management does not find <7.5 pointers fit enough for research. But I ask you- Is a person with CG below 7.5 not capable to do undergraduate research? Admitted he may not be brightest kid around the campus but has he not too cleared the JEE and come to IIT as a meritorious candidate? Has he not already proved that he is the cream of the cream in the country. Does any doubt remain about his capability, sincerity or dedication? Is the fact that he is unable to score marks relative mind you relative to other IITians relative to others who form a part of the same cream, enough to show he is not fit for research? And that too in a scenario where probably people less capable(by this logic) are eligible for similar programs in regional colleges? For definitely a 7 pter from IIT is better than a 9 pter from a regional college!
And then we all know that good marks are neither necessary nor sufficient to prove capability. Getting marks involves several favourable factors like a good examination temperament among other things. And let us not forget that there are students who do exceptionally well in certain courses which interest them but not well in others. Then can you deny them the chance to research on their favourite topic just because they have a low overall CGPA?
Moreover the SURA application requires the preparation of a project aim report, getting the consent of the professor and several other tedious steps. If a student is committed enough to complete the requirements and is able to convince the professor to accept him irrespective of his CGPA, can eyebrows be raised over his sincerity or capability?
Clearly the existence of this rule serves no constructive purpose. On the other hand it is probably the reason for the death of many an inquisitive mind in IIT. In my opinion it’d be much better if it is done away with.