Part I
July 19th, 2004
9:00 am
IHM, Kolkata,
P-16, Taratalla Road,
Kolkata-700 088.
In the Student Dining Hall[its acronym being "SDH"] around 200 students have gathered for the formal "inauguration" for the 2004-07 batch. I was one of the member of those students, ready to be welcomed to the world of "Hospitality". I rarely remember what the Principal said on that day...except the dining hall being chaotic I dont remember.
[Caveat:I may reveal many of the information from the college. Readers discretion is advised. Names may be introduced, dont take anything personally---it happens to all.I am never explicit in personal life, as I write in my blogs...]
After the formal inauguration, we were taken for a "property tour" of the college campus, guided by two Senior Students of Final Year--a girl & a boy. Whilst we were having a property tour of the worned out campus, there were frequent requests of "wishing" the seniors formally, & we had no other option. Once we entered the pastry & bakery kitchen[or laboratory], we were told to pay our respect to the tools & equipments of the kitchen & later welcomed by a small "tikaa" of Tomato Ketchup.
However, things didn't stop here. I heard a senior using profanities in front of me & then apologised for using it. Perhaps, by mistake I responded to his *apologies* by saying, "Its okk!!". I didn't even dream, that my response, will bring me into trouble...
He started asking me, "What all profanities you know??". I was embarrassed. I have never used profanities in an unknown place, to unknown people. I dont even use it in my family[its a kind of taboo there]. However, I had to utter few on compulsion, & then they started asking me the meaning of each profanity.[The profanities were Bengali, Hindi & in Nepali]. Gradually, started asking me, whether I have seen porns, how many porns I have seen & what not...to the extent of whether I had sex [by then I didn't know what is diplomacy---so I had to answer all their questions]. The day was typically horrible!!!
On returning home, mom asked me, "So how is the college?", I could only say, "Its nice...." & left the room for good.
Well, days passed on. I had a growing interest in kitchen, but unfortunately I missed few of the classes due to fever or else, I got up late from the bed for the college or reached late & therefore, was not allowed to attend the class. I didn't learn few of the basics then, like how to make omelettes, how to fillet & deskin a fish, how to joint a chicken[ not the other meaning of joints] etc. These classes were really vital, as such demonstrations were never repeated. Perhaps I used to dislike few classes, esp. Hotel Engineering, Food & Beverage Service & Housekeeping. People who know me, have seen my room, can vouch that my room is never clean. Seldom, I clean my room, that too on compulsion...my mother have stopped telling me & cleans my room as if it is her responsibility--not mine!!
Post November, 2004, hotels started coming in for interviewing us, for Industrial Training, a part of the second year *subjets* & a part of the curriculum. It started with "The Park, Kolkata". I was nervous, as this was my first interview. The interviewer was Mr.Siraj Mukherjee, the then Training Manager of the former hotel & presently he is the General Manager of The Park, Vishakhapatnam. He started with "Can you please introduce urself?" & I replied honestly. Then he asked me, "Why do you want to join hotels?". I had no answer, honestly, I want to become a chef. So that was my reply. As I expected, I was not selected for the further rounds, I was demoralised, however, learnt from my mistakes. It was the *eye-contact* factor, which one of my seniors, Rahul Tribedi told me. I was looking at somewhere else, instead of looking at the interviewer, obviously, I was nervous.
Then came in The Taj Bengal, Kolkata. They started with a group discussion. I was thrown out in the first round--my group was being chaotic.In meantime, in my own initiative, I started applying with ITC Sonar [the then ITC Sonar Bangla Sheraton & Towers]. The Oberoi Grand came in, followed by The Taj. They conducted a group discussion. I had great hopes for Oberoi, as I always wanted to work with them. But I was rejected. My final hope was with ITC Sonar Bangla.
The interviewer was Mr.Mukt Dogra, the then Training Manager of the hotel[presently, F&B Manager of the same hotel] started asking with a typical question--"Introduce yourself". I practised a 100 times on how to answer this question effectively, maintaining the eye contact--so this time it was not problem. Following this question he started asking me on my hobbies. During then, it was on action movies, so I said told him about my interest in action movies.He started asking me on the movies I have seen recently & whether I download them or not.
Then he asked me on "Culinary", specially on the sauces, roux[which were very basic then], sabayon, different types of pastry etc. He told me that he is done with my interview & will let me know, if I am selected or not. I was looking for something affirmative. After a week, I received a letter from them, that I am selected!!What a relief....
However, during my college days, specially in the first year, I selected my friends amongst 189 students...Joydeep Roy, Kaustav Chakraborty, Indranil Thakurta & Joydev Sengupta. Each of them can be an unique sample. Joydeep & I--we both are Leo, difference is that he was born one year n 16 days before I was born. Sometimes, I am very close to him, when he will share his bedroom secrets too, but sometimes, we kept on fighting on simple matters, be it like shopping for example. Joydeep was pretty fussy in shopping & that used to piss me off. Joydeep was also special to all of us--he being effeminate!!!So we used to tease him a lot--both in college, over phone & in his house.
Kaustav was famous for his sassy attitude--he was too bold for anything. The little I mention about it, the better it is. Indranil Thakurta was too proud of being a Delhite, despite he being a Bengali, whilst Joydev was a guy with big talks. These friends, except Indranil, introduced me to the world of alcohols, & also to the "Olypub"--a resto-bar in the most happening corner of Park Street, Kolkata[Calcutta]. I remember, the first day I had 2 pegs of Smirnoff, with a little lime cordial & mixed grill. Again the following day, but this time it was beer. I got a little high after having 1 bottle. Perhaps too much for me??
Then started our frequent trips to Mag's Pub & Olypub. Weekdays, Weekends, after bunking college, after college hours & what not.....
Meanwhile, the Hotel Engineering professor, Late Paritosh Banerji[ Late P.B. aka Minto ] was pissed off with me. Reason?I am talkative in the class!!True, we used to have fun in the class, specially the last bench. There are so many events...perhaps I need a couple of days to write on PB only.
The first year came to an end with exams. But nothing comes with a clean chit. I flunked in housekeeping practical & hotel engineering[unfortunately, hotel engineering professor bore the grudge whilst checking my papers & he marked me down. But he passed away after checking all the papers.....]
I remember, after the last day of the exam, Joydeep, Kaustav, Joydev & I--we all four went to Mag's pub in the evening. We started ordering our bevvy---today's aim...EXTRA HIGH!!!!We were loaded with cash that evening.Joydeep had his crooked ways of getting cash from parents, for me, it was fair source--Parent's contribution.I ordered a bottle of Kingfisher strong, whilst my three other friends are drink hard. I also ordered my favorite Chinese food--Mixed Noodles with Sweet & Sour Chicken. I kept on drinking & eating, so were my friends...
Joydev & Kaustav perhaps started a competition amongst themselves, who can drink the most. Joydeep was silently enjoying his food & drinks. I finished two bottle of beer already. But my stomach said that its loaded now, & needs to be unloaded. I went to the washroom....
I came back to our covers & joydeep enquired me what happened. I said nothing, was not feeling well. On the otherside, the competition was on --Joydev yelling "One more white rum....", whilst Kaustav "Half Bacardi..." & so on. I needed to go the washroom again, as the stomach was not done with unloading....now this time Joydeep followed me..& saw the scene.He kept quiet, except telling me to relax....
Joydev was on a high by then--he said something & started puking...can be compared to a sudden spurt from the ground...
We had to leave the restaurant for good. Our total check was for Rs. 2000 [$50.00 only!!!] & was looking for solutions. In such conditions, going to our respective home is like playing with fire. We will be caught & then thoroughly "grilled". Finally, we all decided to stay at Joydeep's home. We all went there..but Joydeep's mom was only told that only Joydev & Kaustav had some light alcohol, & rest had nothing. By then, my stomach was done with his *unloading* but still giving some after effects of the earthquake!!
Joydeep's mom came to the room, where we took our shelter for the night...she started speaking to me & I could hardly speak. I was ashamed of myself...
Well, that chapter was over. I joined ITC Sonar Bangla as the industrial trainee & did my training there from June through October 2005.
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