A walk down the memory lane

Bombay Institute of Technology, Worli – This is where I got the chance to take my first formal education about computers and programming. Little did I know then that this would lead to me starting a career that would span over 2 decades – 20 years where I would be talking & learning all about technology & clinching to it like my first love.

20 years is a long time. It was June 1998 when I got admission to Bombay Institute of Technology college in Worli.

Today, on 15th May 2019, I had an appointment with the German consulate in Mahalaxmi. I asked the agent to take appointment in the BKC center (since that’s closer from Borivali, where I reside), but by mistake he chose Mahalaxmi.

Yesterday, a night before the appointment, I was going through all the docs and verifying and re-verifying them. Because you have to win over the consulate officials love so they will give you your visa!

After I was done with verifying the docs, It just struck me that I need to go to Mahalaxmi station. That’s where we used to get down to reach our college. So I was going to be there after so many years.

Although I may have still been to Mahalaxmi a handful of times in last 20 years, but not like this – where I don’t have to worry about the 10 am heat because I am all by myself. I don’t have to worry about rushing back to work (we get those benefits of flexible timings where I work – actually I own that company too 😉 ).

So I just dropped a thought to Riddhi that may be I will visit the college and refresh some memories. She knows how much I love it. You may ask how? The first day when we got engaged, I took her to Worli sea face and also showed the college. She said it’s a good idea to visit today, even though the college might be closed (it’s May).

I was still not sure if I will visit the college or not. What if there is some problem with the visa documents? What if I missed some document that is essential? That would totally reverse all emotions.

Eventually, the visa document submission went well with some minor issues. And now I am awaiting to receive the approval (praying for it) for my travel. 🙂

And after that, I did visit my college. And I took some pictures too.

The college is now completely shut since last 1.5 years and has shifted to Ulhasnagar. But through these pictures, I will try to take you for a ride with the college memories & hopefully you’ll enjoy these & have a smile by the end of it.

Bus number 82

How can you forget this? That was the only bus from Mahalaxmi station to reach the college bus stop. Right from going one bus stop ahead to avoid the rush to being the first one to board the moving bus, it was fun. And if it would be your lucky day, you would share your seat with the most beautiful girl from our class for that 10 min bus journey (some of you know who it was 😉 ).

Flora hotel

The bus stop for our college was “Flora”, named after the world famous (in Mahalaxmi) Flora Chinese restaurant. The only memory of this restaurant is never going inside to even see the rates or menu! It looks like it’s been shut since years now.

College building

This is where we used to spend most of our time from 1998 to 2001. We had 3 colleges in this building! Our college being on the 1st & 2nd floor would give us the benefit of having a glance at all the people who had their college on the upper floors. Although there was no joy in this, but the memories of us sitting on the staircase & staring at people are many. 🙂 (Hello Prashant!)

Canteen

The canteen being on the ground floor was accessible to us very easily. But I would admit I don’t have many memories of the canteen. Except for eating the Misal at canteen & occasionally seeing some friends dip their Marie biscuits in water & eat. That’s right.. that was the first time I saw Marie biscuits being dipped in water and not tea or milk.

Our access to Worli sea face

This was the best part for me. Worli sea face was a 2 minute walk from our college. And a very narrow lane used to separate our college from the sea face.

As you see above, right behind me is the college & at the end of this lane is the sea face. I didn’t know then that I would fall in love with the sea & continue going back to it years after as well.

Sitting at sea face and having lunch

I remember us escaping to the sea during the break & having our lunch right here. Although I don’t think we had a smooth granite back then to sit on, but that was least of our concerns! I will most definitely do it again if I get a chance.

The bungalow shown below is one of the most charming house that I have ever seen in Bombay. It stood tall back then, and it is there even after 20 years (unlike many bungalows where buildings have been developed).

Some of us friends (Prashant, Chirag, Jignesh, Amit) would discuss among ourselves that we will own one of these bungalows one day. 🙂

Lassi point

This is where we used to have a quick Lassi to fill our stomach after a long day at the college. This small shop (if I may call it) stands right in front of our bus stop that would be our starting point to get  back to home. By the paint, it looks like this shop is still functional.

Some more pictures

Mahalaxmi Race course: We always used to wonder “Saala yaha kabhi bhi race nahi hota hai!” (This is never a race on here).

You know this guy. 🙂

There is so much to the sea!

The buddhist temple right opposite to the college building.

Back to bus number 82. That’s what we used to take to go back home. 🙂

Final word

Some memories definitely would have flashed back to everyone who has studied in BIT. To me, it was a whole bunch of them. Right from catching the 82 bus till convincing the college staff (Tiwari & Narayan) so they would open the BCR (Boys Common Room) early at 8 am for us to play carrom!

Over 75% of this post was written by me when I was travelling back from Mahalaxmi to Borivali. So today’s experience has been very refreshing for me.

I wish we had more pictures from those days, but I guess it’s good enough if they are stored in our memories too!