Mood Indigo 2005

its more than a month since mood i. always wanted to blog about it, but never really took the initiative until now.

MI '05 for me was more about the 10 months that went into it than the four days really. in fact i have only vague images of those four days. For me, MI '05 began on 26th Feb 2005 at 6 am. That would clearly be one of the most unforgettable moments of my life. I still remember the short conversations I had with ghoda and saraf before entering the conference room. And then the words i exchanged with dagia after stepping out of it.

There was never really any time to let the feeling sink in. The next 10 days were definitely the busiest days in that semester... selecting a team of 21 CGs. There is a popular opinion of tons of poltugiri being involved in the selection of the MI team. I was myself surprised to discover how different the actual procedures were.

Through March and April, me and dagia met up with more than 70 ppl for advice and suggestions on how to improve things and avoid difficulties. We also tried to bring our team together through review meetings and brainstorming. I still remember us running around trying to explore if MI could be held during the semester in January.

Summer was a rather dull time. In May I was particularly bored by the lack of activity. I found ways to pass time through novels, movies and driving. June saw my team return slowly from their holidays. Once more, we kicked off with department reviews and planning. From 2 to 3 meetings a week, we shifted to around 1 or 2 meetings a week as the semester began.

Along with the semester began a new routine... coffee shack meetings. It became routine to meet everyone and take updates at 12.30 at shack. We also started meeting CGs individually more often than as a team. I have very vague memories of how the semester really proceeded.. it just went by in a flash perhaps.

During Diwali, I went abroad for a vacation. After Diwali, I suddenly felt a little worried for the first time. All of a sudden, I felt we were severely lagging back on deadlines and tons of work remained pending. And then there were endsems, apping, BTP, course projects, placement talks, etc all clashing around the same time. And it was in the week after Diwali that I had one big personal emotional roller coaster. All in all, November was an extremely difficult time for me... trying to keep everything in perspective.

All this while, MI 05 took shape. I could see our vision realizing in front of us. Slowly but surely I could visualize those four days taking form. Eventually endsems got over. BTP presentation was surprising pain-free. All the course projects eventually got over. Apps got despatched. December set it!

My first move in December was to shift my comp, phone and basic belongings to the MI office. It worked. Soon the whole team started hanging around the office. Many of us slept there itself. It was in December that we all came really close to each other. Even coordis started spending their entire days at the MI office. December also meant placements. I found myself caught in a personal conflict between preparing for placements and looking after MI. Dagia too faced the same problem. Fortunately, things worked out smoothly. I took 2 days leave from the office and got placed. Then dagia was absent for 2 days and got placed as well. By 23rd nite, we were both back and ready for the final thrust.

December was a challenging time for MI. Lots of let downs, lots of surprises, a few controversies, PAF!!, scheduling, budgeting, run-thrus, pc sorcar logistics, wall, broadcasting, backdrop paintings, sponsors, security, chicken garlic rice at H1 canteen, a terrible cold that would not heal etc. At any given time, I would have an infinitely long checklist of things to look into. Our team really never let us down. Everything finally fell into place.

The four days of MI were truly amazing. I traded my car for a bike for those four days. All day long I would be driving between LT, Convo, Main building and SAC. It was indeed satisfying to see all events taking place smoothly, to see so many thousands of people enjoying themselves, to see such a large committed team of volunteers putting in their best to make the fest a success. the nights were even more spectacular. The long lines, the glittering stage, the screaming crowds, the charged up artists, the resonating sound and the mind boggling OAT...

Looking back... there was a lot about MI 05 that I am proud about. There is also a lot that went wrong and which I regret. There were a lot of places I felt I had been negligent and could have handled better. I have recieved all sorts of reviews about the fest. Its heartening to know that most of them have been positive. But again, to me MI was far more than the four days of the fest. And that creates in me a sense of nostalgia.

I had an amazing time working with dagia, my team, the previous team and authorities. It was defenitely the most amazing opportunity and learning experience ever for me. In comparison, this semester has been empty and dull. Perhaps new challenges and thrills lie just around the corner. Till then, I ll continue to laze....