"It is not for the sake of a ribboned coat,
Or the selfish hope of a season's fame;
But the captain's hand on his shoulder smote,
Play up, play up and play the game" - Vitae Lampada
It is 11:30pm, Sunday, the 1st September, 2013. I have checked into my room and after a refreshing shower, have unpacked most of my stuff. Tomorrow the training starts. For now, I have spread the bedspread over starched bed linen, have hung the suits and arranged the formal clothes in the cupboard, set my laptop conveniently on the table near the large window. From this window of Room No. 40, I can see the adjacent temple and the road that is butting it.
I have been allocated Indian Information Service, and from 10am tomorrow, I'd be commencing my training. I hope to do well. More than that, I hope to embark on the journey of becoming a better person. A challenging, confusing journey it seems as of now.
The feeling is almost of going from primary school to secondary school for the first time. You've covered your textbooks with brown sheet, you've pasted labels on it and have written your name and subjects with a newly bought fountain pen. The uniform is ready (pants for the first time!). The smell of new things lingers in the air. New books, new clothes, new schoolbag. Well, it is a bit like that now. The only advantage of being older than a sixth grader is that I can contextualise these feelings and give them some names. There is anticipation, apprehension and nervousness. Well, ready or not, the journey has begun. Let us see how things turn out. With an open mind and an embracing heart, I sign off :)
