Meenakshi Raina Arya

IT 2003, M.Tech(COEP), PGDHRM(Symbiosis).

Currently working as Lecturer in Jaypee University of Information Technology, Solan, Shimla.

Well I really feel like a veteran while writing about the days at college because it seems like ages have passed since the time our batch passed out from the college. What I can recall is having had the most wonderful and fun moments in the college. Ours was the third batch n we had all the privileges as well as responsibilities to lead the college and bring it a name. The first year just went by discovering ones own self n understanding the purpose of ones being in the college. Second year finally we all settled down and after branch shifting and all we finally became the CST class n trust me the class had the craziest gang of girls ranging from the “Gadar” types Mots, Khyati , neelam(the boss), gaurangi to the cool and calm ones like Roshni, Gauri, Sneha et al. Me being a hostelite used to enjoy pre and post college timings thoroughly and of course as we had certain privileges like not going for the morning class and all which the day scholars din’t have. To top it up all the “ghar ka khaana” used to be never missed as our day scholar friends used to get 2-2 dabbas(that college lingo) for the starved hostelite lot. So class time used to be fun.

The best thing I still like about our college is the freedom that we had as a girls engineering college, we were a step ahead of everyone. We used to feel proud when Sheetal Diwan (Then General Secretary Of the college) used to walk the ramp n set it on fire or when Gurpreet had a fan following more than Madhuri Dixit.

One thing which I would like to share with all of you is my journey of becoming the G.Sec of the university with you all. Having topped the course I became the CR of the class and automatically member of the college student council. Then came the college G.Sec elections and it was a pretty tough affair, however I was voted the G.Sec by the council. I was pretty happy n contented with this post when Rajni Maam told me that I will have to stand for the university G. Sec elections as well. The faith that all the teachers showed in me really charged me up and I went ahead to the university to prove my mettle. The elections were a tough one wherein you had to deliver a speech describing how you would change the university if selected. Finally after going through the rigors of delivering the speech, votes were collected from the audience which consisted of a conglomerate of G.Secs of 75 colleges under SNDT. Once the votes were counted to my name flashed as the elected General Secretary of the university. I really felt proud that moment. I owe that success to Rajni maam n Sharmila maam’s motivation both of whom saw my potential and made me believe that I can do it.

Life after that was pretty tough where on one hand one had to manage the show of Arcane-I and on the other hand university responsibility of Yuva-Mahotsav but I was really lucky to have my batch mate from IT Sireesha Rao as the cultural Sec of the college who shared my burden and really we put up a good show. We excelled in sports, for the first time our college was runner up in many university sports events too. Thanks to the sports acumen of my sports sec Nidhi Hanjura.

Lastly I would like to make a mention of the pillars of strength that we had in our teachers and the supporting staff. We were provided a very cordial and open environment to grow and work whether personally or professionally. When I look back I feel proud to be an alumnus of this wonderful college. Even today when I visit Mumbai I don’t forget to visit my Alma mater. The very mention of my college starts playing this tune in my mind”Those were the best days of my life”.

A heartfelt thanks and good luck to Neha Vijan for starting this alumnae association and allowing us to strengthen our bond with the future generations of the college.

Wish you all the best and good luck.