Udaipur Memories

UDAIPUR...UDAIPUR...Now where do I begin? Six years of my life was spent in this City of Lakes. Those 6 years in medical college have indeed brought many a change in my life. The memories are fresh still; those faces in class and those postings in the wards - like a slideshow the events roll in my mind as I write.

I joined the Rabindranath Tagore Medical College (RNTMC) in October 1996, almost 10 years ago. The RNT medical college was established in the year 1962 and received the Medical Council of India (MCI) recognition in 1966. It was named after the acclaimed Indian poet, playwright, novelist and Nobel Prize winner, Rabindra Nath Tagore, as an honour to this great man.

My batchmates from the North East were, Kara (Meghalaya), Franklin (Mizoram) and Duhawma (Mizoram). Kara was by far the most studious one from among us and she was one of those who scored the highest marks in class. We were of course very proud of her. When Kara got through the AIIMS entrance exam with flying colours, with a sense of pride we rejoiced. Now she is a Paediatrician and we wish her well.

Franklin, Dohawma and I adjusted well to hostel life within a few months, thanks to the support of our seniors and friends. Boys Hostel was one heck of an experience, and one that taught the three of us many of life's lessons.

We used to eat in one of the many 'Mess (es)' run by a particuler group. During our days at Udaipur, groupism was pretty strong among the students of the college. A Mess is similar to a 'canteen' but the management is by the students themselves. A particular group would have its own Mess and all students belonging to this group were expected to join the Mess. A student coming from Delhi or Jaipur would be in the DJ (Delhi-Jaipur) group, while those coming from other parts of Rajasthan, like Kota or Dholpur, would be in the Kota or DLP (Dholpur) group respectively.

One day we decided to open our own Mess as most of us from the North East have a GIT (gastro-intestinal tract) system that does not tolerate the heavy dose of spice in the food that we ate in other Mess (es). Franklin became the Manager and I assisted him in the accounts. Duhawma took the freelance role of a food and beverages consultant. We were all very happy with Duhawma when our Mess menu started having items like 'Bai' (the Mizo vegetable cocktail), 'chicken stew', 'egg curry', etc. Our cook, Hari Singh, picked up the cooking style that suited our taste buds very well. We would shower our appreciation on him and many of us also presented him with many gifts. After a few months of starting our own Mess, many of our batchmates started joining us as they found the food much to their liking.

Hari Singh was envied by many other cooks, not only because he commanded a knowledge and skill of many a dishes alien to them, but also because of the Nike shoes and the Adidas T-shirts that he sports. By the time we left Udaipur, Hari Singh's gifts included an array of branded T-shirts, denim shorts, Lotus 'floaters' and other items.

About other things...

Jason was one year our senior at RNTMC. It was rumoured in many corridors and gatherings that he could eat 1 kg of rice and 1 kg of meat alone. We found it hard to believe, until one day this picture that was taken by an unknown source, proved it to be true indeed.

Jason is a good friend currently working with the Meghalaya State Government in the Garo Hills.

On many occasions we would go for a group picnic to one of the many scenic locations in and around Udaipur. Udaipur being bordered by the Arravali ranges has some of the most beautiful lakes in Rajasthan.

This picture was taken by Franklin during one of those picnics. I had lush hair growing on my scalp then, and it was a beautiful day at Baddi lake. Some of us would come on bicycles and some on bikes. We would gather firewood and cook our meal, sing songs, sip beer, dance and have a jolly good time. In 1999 the lakes dried up due to the draught that swept across Rajasthan, and it broke our hearts. Thankfully by the time we left Udaipur, the rains has filled them up again.

Franklin was known more for his exploits in Yercaud than in Aizawl. For he was one who saw most of his growing up years at Monfort School, Yercaud. He would narrate with a passionate flair about his days at Monfort, and since he was good in telling stories, he always found a quick audience to listen to his tales.

I remember a day during a particularly hot June afternoon, when Frank (as I call him) and I were studying and preparing for our next paper in our 2nd MBBS pre-university exam. After a heavy dose of studying, we decided to chill. Frank pressed the play button of his tape recorder, and as Roxette's 'June Afternoon' blared from the speakers, I went to retrieve the beer bottles which we kept in the cooler facing the room. By evening, we were prepared for the next day's paper. I must mention that at times, studying well is a better tactic than stydying hard in MBBS, and one that has certainly helped us.

Franklin is now of course an IAS officer, after having cleared one of India's most difficult exams this year. I'm very proud of him.

Duhawma was always the energetic dancer at parties. I also call him 'Mercury boy' for this man was a Freddy Mercury fan. He had almost the entire collection of QUEEN and sang a new Queen song each day.

On some days and at unsuspecting moments, he would display random acts of happiness which I managed to catch here in this picture.

Now working with the Mizoram government, this dear friend has done well for himself. Few of the many things about Duhawma that I admire are his gentle nature, humility and sudden burst of the most contagious laughter I have ever heard.

In 1997 the Trident Oberoi hotel was opened for business in Udaipur, and fortunately for me, having close friends working in the hotel meant easy access to the hotel and its surroundings, including discounts at the restaurants. Behind me one can see the Monsoon Palace (barely visible here) that sits proudly on top of the mountain in the background. Oberoi now has another 5 star hotel called the Udaivillas running in Udaipur. It is located in the same area not too far from the Trident, but closer to the Pichola lake.