It was Sunday morning. Everyone staying in P.G. welcomed me with great fervour and joy. They congratulated me and had organised a special lunch treat that we enjoyed together. Brothers Bhargav and Hemanta were proud of me. They had circulated the news everywhere they went or had contact with. I had never assumed I'd get so much love from my family. When I opened up the message box on my phone, there were around 500 messages congratulating me on the achievement. Before the announcement of the result, people other than immediate family members barely texted or called on my number. The vibes are good but I could see how sycophantic people have brought themselves up. Despite all those cheers and special treats in various modes, I partied almost none of them. I knew the people would call me "Arrogant" the other day. The colleagues at the P.G. urged me not to plan anything for the night. They wanted me to share about the journey until then and the confrontation with Jaigarh. During the day, I and my brothers were having a conversation about the future both personal and impersonal. They mentioned about the transforming attitude of people towards materialism through the notion of consumerism.
Brother Bhargava: As dictated by the history of the last two thousands years, especially in Bharata, the commoners have lived their life dived into ignorance and fear. However, the wise and the valiant took birth and reshaped and revitalized the essence of Bharata, the oppressors and dacoits from the west and the double-dealers in the nation pushed generations into the realms of slavery and cowardly lifestyles. The intelligentsia and the rebels were slain, the children were traded as slaves and the women faced the highest of all atrocities in the nation. So, this insecurity that people emote towards each other has become a genetic disorder. 'The one who is prosperous is free of all sins. None can take charge on him. Opportunities don't occur everyday so grab them even at the cost of one's life. I ain't responsible for the doom.' Such mindset has deviated humans from welfare of the nation. Exploitation, in different forms, has continued even after the independence. We are blessed not to suffer this disorder. Not only this, we should behave like the great men of all walks of life and manifest the implicit generosity of truth in the hearts of people. A man is for his family, a family for the society and the society is for the nation. I have nothing to crave from anyone rather I crave to contribute. This is my responsibility and my fortune to have borne it. I command you to understand and take the responsibility.
Brother Bhargav reiterated the latent dialogue brother Rudra had noted on his first-time experience out of home. Brother Bhargav wanted both of us, brother Hemanta and me, to act as volunteers under this goal. Had he been facing a tough time in his CA finals journey, I could feel that delight on his face over the achievement.
Brother Hemanta: We shall always put ourselves ahead on working for the welfare of the society and the nature wherever we be. We will mark up to your expectations.
Soumya called me at the moment.
Soumya: Greetings mama! I had sent you a video message from all of us but you seem to have not seen it. Please, have a view. We have prepared it with great love.
Me: Oh! Let me see it first then. I will call you back, okay?
The video presented Soumya's colloquial congratulations speech, Divya's acrobatic stunts as salutations and the celebrations arrangements at their home praising the achievement.
Me: (instant call to Soumya) I can't thank you in words. I wish I was there right now. I wanna hug you all and kiss on your forehead. See, tears have rolled down in joy.
Soumya: We love you mamu. We are proud of you.
All of them expressed their affection at once on the phone.
When I logged into Instabook after a week, there were a number of posts and comments that tagged my name. A number of new friend requests appeared on the screen. There was a general message from a guy named, Prakhar, who in his message invited me to his office at J.P. Road over a short interview. When I discussed it with my brothers, they said he runs a famous channel on his name where he interviews with the achievers in every sector in the limelight. He was a language professor at Vikram College before he became famous on his channel. As I responded to his message, he assigned me the time and date "11 to noon, 5th August" and asked if it was fine for me. I checked the day and responded him my assent.
*VIKRAM COLLEGE*
To the north of Jaigarh lies the national university expanding over an area of 101acres, surrounded by the Aravalli on its three sides and lowlands in the south, emulating the culture of transmitting knowledge through the discovery of older relationships and advancement into the growth of the Asian communities, Vikram College acts as the hub of educational services in the west Bharata.
The night when everyone had gathered at the canteen, along with my brothers, I briefed them about the journey of CLAT examination and the Jaigarh tour.
Me: Just going by the name, we come over the idea of CLAT that it's an admission test and hence, is subjective to getting placement in reputed colleges of the nation. And yes, this is it's truth however sad in the perspective of a true student. Let me tell you how. You must have heard about the forest fruits. There are large beasts in the forests, no? So, you need to be trained to enter the forest safe. But, the main purpose is to take the taste of those wild fruits. Here, just knowing a way into the forest is not enough. You should have an overview of the forest and the way out of it. I prepared myself not just to get an entrance but to lead myself and others in and out taking the tastes of all those fruits. I mean to say, law is an indistinct subject in any sphere of work. Thus, you must have an analysis on every latest news drawn through the legal perspective. I did it so and hence could attempt the exam with no fear.
I used to spend three hours per day in the library. Analysing the daily express and reading some of the top writers in this field, I spent the day. A thorough study of the Bharatiya map helped me understand the cases, the major achievements and changes in different sections of the societies and the way forward for the modern Bharata.
A simpler formula to crack the quantitative portion is a half-hour daily practise of each topic. The calendar portion is quite tricky but once we get the points clear out of its questions, it's less than a minute job.
I would like to share the best part of my preparations viz. to stay out of the preparations completely.
"Hahaha!" All of them laughed out.
Me: Haha..I am serious. This is all about my CLAT preparations. Now, let me narrate the Jaigarh tour. I started my journey at the Man Sagar Lake and continued walking on the busy bustling streets of Jaigarh to the Aravalli Hills that provide an enchanting view of the city, especially at the night, and then returning back to the J.P Circle, the age-old museum and the Rani Mahal. Through the narrow streets of the bazaars and through the bustling roads and circles, I carried on my journey on foot, on cart, on taxis and city buses too. It was an amazing experience mapping the cultural city Jaigarh. Here are some of the beautiful pictures I clicked during the journey. Have a look! (And I presented them the pictures on my laptop.)
*5th of August*
Brothers Bhargav and Hemanta, colleagues at the P.G., Bhanu and Aisha were all anxious to hear my interview with Prakhar. It was half-past ten when I reached his office. He welcomed me with high reverence and asked me to take the seat where the camera had focused on.
Prof. Prakhar: Hello and Welcome to this new episode on my channel. Today, we'll be interviewing the young scholastic guy who has cracked down the CLAT examination setting a new record for all the A-graders that perhaps none is going to match ever after. I am delighted to have him on my show and impart the grasp he has on different topics. However, he is the new hot topic in the education sector of our nation and thus, he needs no introduction, I formally welcome and congratulate Mr. Agastya on my show. Sir, thank you for being here. Please let us know how are you feeling since the results have been announced.
Prakhar started the live interview.
Me: Sir, you are a professor at the prestigious Vikram College while I have just cleared my entrance exams to grab a seat in the varsity. I ain't desirable to be addressed as 'Sir'. Bharata, in its history, has borne the finest pupil in around every sectors human kind has discovered, be it contributive to the welfare of people or the destructive forces. Bharata, in over thousands of years of history, has faced the tyranny, the despotism of the rulers in all parts of it however, has come over such gloomy days via tolerance, persistence and perseverance in kindling the evolution of sciences, arts, literature, the ethics, the laws, effective distribution of work, economics, political engagement, security systems et al. This continued transformative psychology and behaviour of the Bharatiyas has bestowed this land as the bearer of the perpetual truth of this universe. So, if we believe that the record is set to be unmatched ever after, it will be understood as contempt of Bharata. I did the optimum of my knowledge and I will continue to do so. I am fortunate to have done the job and at the same time, am responsible to protect the dignity of my past achievements but calling myself as a student, I call upon everyone, proud to be a Bharatiya, be engaged in works that uplift and/or maintain the dignity of Bharata in whatsoever field, is taking the charge.
Prof. Prakhar was awestruck by my epilogue.
Prof. Prakhar: Well said Mr. Agastya. Leaving oneself aside of his/her responsibility and looking upto any one to bear the pride of nation doesn't signify the eminence of a Bharatiya. Having understood such secrets of worth of titles, you are a gem, an inspiration to billions of people in the country. I can feel you must have heard such commendable dialogues outside and your down-to-earth attitude doesn't digest the lyrical wax. I am impressed by your candid nature and if you see on the comment box, the viewers seem pretty inspired by your epilogue. Well, a girl named 'Paridhi' has asked a nice question. She wants to know the reason behind your handsome face, sturdy look and an unmatched intelligence. Yeah, people generally don't have all these qualities. Please tell us about this secret.
Me: Dear Paridhi, when a guy born in the Queer Street becomes indebted to everyone, he starts showing off.
''Hahahaha!'' Prof. Prakhar laughed out loud.
Prof. Prakhar: "You have a good sense of humor Mr. Agastya. (break) A month ago, you had participated in district level chess competition where you bagged the gold medal. Your popularity among the youngsters is growing everyday. There are a lot of posts, likes and comments featuring you spreading all over the internet. Has it become difficult to tackle people's crazy behaviour or life is as normal as in the past?
Me: People discussing about other people, people discussing about the events they have coincided in their learning and people discussing about the philosophy and emotions are always there around us. Interacting with the generals is an everlasting process. The number of people one is interacting, at once, with might fluctuate but it's a lifetime process. These days I am countering a larger population however on the other side, a similar group voluntarily keeps answering them. Thus, I am living my normal life.
Had Prof. Prakhar interacted with the experts in various sectors, he pointed out both the merits and flaws in each individual. So, he wanted to check if I am a covetous guy.
Prof. Prakhar: You must have received various proposals from colleges in the nation. They might bait you with scholarships and other awards. Which one have you preferred to join?
Me: Sir, I did my matriculation in Nepal. I am brought up in the eastern culture that portrays the gradual evolution of human kind in all aspects. However, I interlude with dynamic changes in my life, I will always take them on the gentler path. It's true that I have received proposals from colleges all around the nation but I have concluded on enrolling my name in the Vikram College, here in Jaigarh.
Few days back, the AIR 2 'Jagriti' had taken an interview in the national capital that went viral on the internet. In the interview, she said she would love to mate with the AIR 1 viz. me, in the class. So, it was an important decision for me to take. Jagriti, 24, had completed her post-graduation in commerce and was an undergraduate in B.A. (English). She had a work experience as 'Financial Planner' in an estate planning company. The court had passed its judgement to shut down the business few months back. The real estate company was charged on its non-compliance with the Transfer of Property Act, 1882 and Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013. Further, the shareholders of the company were charged of carrying out fraudulent activity under the seal of company due to which the Tribunal under section 271 of the Companies Act, 2013 winded up the company. The case was the State Government of Hariyan vs Imaze Landmarks Pvt. ltd. [2020] ABR 1993. Jagriti, an ambitious and determined girl of her age, was skeptic of the legal and the financial department managers of the company who cheated the company. She believed it was not the eleven shareholders who carried out a dishonest scheme on their firm. So, she decided to study law and understand the charges on the company and get a way out of those debts in order to rerun it.
When I recalled all these information, Prof. Prakhar interrupted.
Prof. Prakhar: Mr. Agastya! Besides an academic expertise, I have heard you are an unrivaled chess player and a singer too. Let us have a chance to hear you sing, please.
"Sure, sir!" And I sung a Hindi song for him that was trending those days.
Prof. Prakhar: Wow! Such a euphonious voice. I suggest you to take part in the singing idol contests. Now, I am sure you have lots of secrets yet to discover. All of us would love to partner you in your journey. It'd be worth to spend time with you Mr. Agastya.
(He commended my voice.)
What's the main reason behind your preference in this field? What career option will you be pursuing after completing the bachelorette program?
Me: Sir, law is the consolidated portion of the ethics and the morals of society. Law is justifiable. Any person who has taken the charge of governance or is willing to do so, should learn about the laws of the respective areas. I shan't confine myself to any particular department rather have a thorough analysis of the areas of governance where I can put my efforts to. It's not a journey of being a lawyer or an advocate, but the journey of a governor. You may mark my words!
Prof. Prakhar: (affirmation) Okay! You have set a high ambition and we will be fortunate to have you as our governor in the future. If you dedicate yourself to this goal, you shall get blessings from the reverent gurus in the college. Besides all these, what else you wish to achieve in your future? Any childhood dream, perhaps!
Me: Sir, I have dreamt myself of being an archer. I am trying to make up things that are obstructing my way to this dream. I wish to learn horse-riding too. There are some other fantasies also. Lets' see how it all goes. Just like Robert Frost said – 'But I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep'.
Prof. Prakhar: Okay, thank you Mr. Agastya for being a part of my show today. As I already stated, it's worthwhile being with you. I wish and bless you a great future ahead. Keep up the good work. Bharata is looking upto you young boy. Once again, thank you so much!
Prof. Prakhar expressed his gratitude and summed up the live session. The video had reached millions of views within a moment. I thanked him for calling me at his show and took part.
As I came out of the office, I saw Aisha waiting for me. She had come to pick me up. She said she attended the live session and shared it to her family and friends. Her dad wished to meet me whenever possible. But, I asked her to drop me at the P.G. assuring the day when I would meet her dad was nearing high. In the midway, she hurriedly kissed my cheeks. She was timidly smiling all the way after. I saw myself blushing in the mirror. Then, we laughed out together. It was half-past one when I reached at the P.G.