In Love with Home Town

My father was born in a small village in Rajasthan, but had shifted to Kolkata early in his life with my grandfather, who came here for work. When he retired, he went back to his HOME state (if not the same home city), while my father stayed back. As I grew up, I started referring this city of Kolkata as my HOME city.

I suppose not just humans, but even animals have this thought about relating a town/city/area as home. And each individual is in love with its PLACE, where s/he has been born, or brought up, or even better, has lot of childhood/school/college friends. Unlike many of my friends, life did not give me an opportunity to move out of home at an early age, rather not until I started earning. So the Love and Relationship with this part of earth grew stronger.

Year - 2006: Summer internship was inevitable. And being an Electrical Engineer, what would be better than the Steel Authority of India Ltd. (SAIL), Durgapur. Not too far from home, and rather, within the same State, it ought to be a fun trip - My First Stay Away Outside Home as an Individual. Six weeks, at a stretch; that too for work; add to it the fun of staying with 4 other college buddies: can you beat the experience? I hope Pritam, Sourav, Supratik & Nabendu would agree.

Year - 2007: There were high chances that I would have to join my new company at Pune or Hyderabad. Honestly, I was as disturbed (for the fear of moving out from this city permanently) as excited (for being able to spread my wings and fly). I suppose, my friend Pallavi would agree to this. Fortunately, or otherwise, my company kept me, and her, back here.

Year - 2008: I was sent to Pune for a few weeks, to undergo a project training, which eventually became a temporary transfer and I ended up staying there for three months. Since I always knew I would come back, sooner or later, I never missed home as such. At times, things would get stuck, and we knew no place to hide our emotions. Yes, here too I had a friend to accompany the experience - Vijeta, one of my earliest few friends at workplace. I would always thank my team lead, Sriraman, and two other friends amongst many, Abhishek & Tanushree, who made sure, our stay was easy and fun. Somehow, I didn't miss home much!

Year - 2009: United States of America was calling! And the best part was, that my Visa said I have to come back once every 3 Months. Relocating, across the globe, with a guarantee of coming back was great. Traveled across different cities in the US during my stay, NY to LA, meeting my relatives and friends. Life was great. Thanks to my Project team members, my Sister & Brother-in-Law, Navneet, and 3 other friends I made there. Konark might have had a similar experience, as it was his first trip abroad too! Didn't miss home again!

Year - 2010: This Trip was small, lasted for just 7 days, but changed my life for ever. MUMBAI-PUNE-MUMBAI.I had cleared all selection processes and qualified for the final round/workshop for the Acting Course at Film & Television Institute of India, Pune. While the stay at Mumbai with Prashant left me in love with the city of Dreams, Pune told me to follow them - My Dreams! Attending this workshop with 70 others, with celebrities from the film fraternity judging us, and many other creative minds in and around, the candle of pursuing what I love was lit. I now had no other inhibitions left for the CITY OF JOY, KOLKATA.

Year - 2012: Now, that I have already taken the plunge, my dream wants me to move to the Silicon Valley of India - Bengaluru! My so called Home Town, The City of Joy, Kolkata, wasn't much excited about me and my Dreams. Of course, I started it here, and happy by the way we did, but birds need to fly out of the nest. And so, Zubin has flown already, and today I am stretching my Wings.

The love and Relation with my Home Town doesn't end here. A very dear friend, Sarthak is awaiting my arrival. I just wish to create many more such Home Towns for me!

Love and Relations Blog