Effort and Endeavor!

It was in my eighth standard when I first wrote an article and was appreciated. I was inspired, encouraged and since then, nurtured a dream to be a journalist one day, and for sure, I shall be one. I wrote many times in school and then came to college, before which I had to take a hiatus in my eleventh and twelfth for lack of opportunities and excess pressure from the study sector.

Then, I joined college and looked for a chance to write, but I couldn't as the college had no magazine or any other platform to voice our views and opinions. Luckily for me, during the second semester, a friend of mine proposed floating a new magazine for the college. I was very excited and happy to hear that. Not just contributing, but also working for a magazine gave me a new high. Then, within a few days time, to our surprise, a couple of other students sent a mail calling for volunteers to float a magazine. Us or them, no matter who heads, I decided to work and joined them. All was going well, we chose an editor, we had a big team and we had a three month break.

Back to college and I was baffled to see none of those interested and motivated team of 25-30 working for the magazine except for a maximum of 5 of us sweating it out to realise our dream. I decided to give it my best shot and there it was, on August 8th 2003, the first issue of 'The ICTian'. I felt a divine happiness that I can never put into words.It got a lukewarm response, which happens and was expected from a crowd that only has time for games and movies. We went on and on and the number fell down and down. Finally, at a point of time, I remember, it was only me, Anand and Vivek sweating it out and literally begging people for articles. Nevertheless, we carried on and I believe the three of us shared certain chemistry that helped us sustain in our endeavor. We never felt pessimistic nor lost faith in each other. We carried on and stuck to each other through thick and thin, kudos to both of them for making a great team!

Time went on and we had times more worse than the initial semesters when three of us due to
our own constraints, could not allocate sufficient time, took some wrong decisions and let ICTian down. This is something which all the three of us agree. I haven't asked the other two, but I am sure they would agree at least with a part of it.Then, with some infusion of fresh blood, we carried on. Vivek and Anand withdrew due to workload and I guided the juniors who were now at the helm.

Certain unfortunate things later, contributions weakened and we were back to square one. Though infrequently, we still sustained the publication and cut to present, we are still sailing on. ICTian has been a great learning experience for me. If someone would ask me what I call something my own, ICTian would be in the list, ofcourse as a shared property. I attach myself so very emotionally to ICTian. It pains when someone people say ICTian is dead or it's tough to keep the boat afloat, but I see a challenge in those statements and draw my inspiration.

It doesn't bother me if none of my friends read ICTian, I am happy to serve my regular readership. I am happy even if its as miniscule as 10, of course I am also happy it isn't!I still remember each and every one of those occasions when people applauded me for contributing something good and it also was a happy moment when in my Infosys interview the interviewer asked me if I has done anything innovative or novel in the college. I chose to answer regarding ICTian. Though I wouldn't call it innovative, for magazines do exist in n other colleges, I would call it novel in it's own sense in this college. I was glad the person listening was happy.

No matter what people say, no matter what DA-IICT thinks, ICTian will run till Naresh is here at least! :)

PS: Contributions for The ICTian can be made at ictian@da-iict.org. Wait for the new issue to arrive anytime starting of the next week. ICTian can be viewed at ictian.da-iict.org(can be viewed only in DA-IICT).