Courtesy: The Shardans
It was perhaps that incessant grasp of excitement that might have had wiped off the sleep from the eyes of the students of Journalism and Mass Communication on the night of 9th January, 2014. The day that followed boasted of the ensuing ‘Mumbai-Goa Trip’, the elemental populous of which comprised of the Bachelors (second and third year) and Masters (second year) students.
With the frosty winters at their pinnacle best, the course of the trip incepted during the exceedingly foggy dawn of 10th January, 2014, when the enthusiastic students under the guidance of Mr. Shaheen Nazar and Mr. Ravi Upadhay, made their way to the Hazrat Nizaamuddin station in Delhi in order to board the train that shall trail its course to the bustling yet buoyant city of Mumbai. Though at those moments, the students might have had been thwarted by the curse of unceasing wait, yet now it seems that it was just a matter of a fraction of a second when the bogey composed snake arrived, with jovial students hopping in it, concluding with it slithering across the nation.
After the denouement of the twenty four hour journey, the students finally deboarded at the Chatrapati Shivaji Terminal, Mumbai. Masked with a childish essence of triumph, enveloped by peaking happiness, they were led to fulfill the desires of their stomach, followed by a bus trip to the monumental Gateway of India. Moments implored at the first location were an ode to the mention ethical monument, the charismatic Taj Hotel nearby, the ocean beyond and flocks of pigeon that floated as a decoration across the scenario. Following this instant appointment, the students reached the Ajanta Hotel in the Juhu beach area, which was their habitat in Mumbai. After freshening up and having lunch, the students were supervised to the Filmistan Studio. It was here that they became acquainted with concept of filming cinema on a prosthetic set, a notion which was significantly catalyzed by the live-action shooting that they witnessed there. Later on the director who was filming the movie had a brief question and answer session with the student, answering their queries, imparting fruitful advice. The dusk blanketed the sky of the metropolitan city and the students were led back to the hotel free to conjure forlic of their own. The next day was a fun filled affair for the entire day was devoted to immense buffoonery brought in vogue at Essel World. The students freed themselves of their grown up skin, abiding by the alter ego of the child that still blossomed within them. What followed was an unending carnival of rides, jumps and splashes, with time escaping the grasp so fluently that dusk was knocking at the door yet again.
During the wee hours of the night that followed, students were again at the railway station, with their entire luggage assembled and packed up, waiting for the ride that was yet to come. When one would have had expected disappointment and gloom smeared on their faces, the students seemed glutton with excitement. This was because they were going to board the train to the festivity infused Goa.
It was an ephemeral transition from Mumbai to Goa. The next morning the students were making their way to the Baywatch Resort in South Goa, all charged up after a night of uncomfortable but much required sleep. The Baywatch Resort had an alluring beauty of its own, owing to the blue scenario of the sky above and the dust laden beach beside. The students were welcomed in a grand yet homely fashion at the Resort. There was perhaps not even a single soul that was not smitten by the dream like scenario. After relishing the luncheon delicacies, the students were thrilled by the announcement of DJ night that was scheduled to transpire beside the swimming pool that very evening. The wait that followed was rewarded by hip song numbers and glossy lights, with students in their best party wears grooving their bodies to the rhythm and the beats.
A tiring dinner and anesthetic sleep followed. The next day the students were led to North Goa where they visited Big Foot Cross Museum in Loutolim in order to become acquainted with the history and renowned culture of the state. After a trip to a grand Church, one of many that Goa boasts of, a party at a cruise welcomed the students with open arms, with fervor infusing into the sunset, bliss dissolving into the night. On the last day in Goa, students were provided with freedom until afternoon in order to accumulate some last memories that shall sum up their trip. The students, led by their faculty reached the station in mid afternoon, only to board the train that shall define conclusion of their marvelous trip, yet provided them with moments of remembrance for a lifetime.
The students are back from the trip, their regular classes have started. They have engrossed themselves in order to execute the workload that’s compiling before them, but somehow, amongst all this never ending bustle, they derive time in order to sit with each other, recounting their memories of a wonderful trip, a trip that’s one of its kind, a trip of a lifetime.
(Article By: Prahaas Shrivastavv, Student of BJMC, IV Semester)
