TO THE BATCH OF 2004, Andhra Medical college

Days and months after the EAMCET, the 2004 batch of our college was back to examinations. Internal assessments came and went, but these final tests were the ultimate challenge to their calibers. The first half of September delivered some electrifying moments of anxiety and apprehension to the young hearts. This essay is a casual reminiscence of the first part of our course that scuttled to termination. The first semester of MBBS began in August last year. For the first few days traumatizing episodes of ragging were experienced. Then came the freshers day. The oath of a medical man we took that day was an indelible experience. Matters turned worse after that day. Police surveillance that was present earlier vanished and seniors carried on their activities with impunity. The austere and secluded living continued for the first few months. This was also the time when intense co-curricular activity took place. Some resorted to rhetoric, while some confined themselves to calligraphy. Some eccentric candidates began writing long poems and stories to claim spotlight. Cricket matches were played against seniors occasionally, of course to lose. As time passed by, a syndrome struck the boys in an epidemic scale. It was love. It is not an exaggeration to state that about 70 percent of them fell in love and only God knew how many of the girls resisted this immature euphoria. The lovers association waited for the chance to express their feelings to their dear ones which came on the class-meet. This meeting opened a Pandora's box. There were many proposals and many rejections too. It ended in a melancholic note and left behind a bunch of broken hearts. But a month before this happened, the impositions of ragging had been lifted and the metamorphosis into ebullient genre took place. Motorbikes began increasing at the parking places of our college. It was a sort of promotion from a sepoy to a horseman in the battalion of our college. Then a month long holiday had nothing more to offer than the long hours of SMS sessions and high telephone bills to attain connectivity between each other. In the month of June, the grand transition for academic excellence was achieved. By then the schedule of university examinations had been announced and everyone became tenacious to excel. The first year in the college was not an out and out enjoyment carnival. There were some inquisitive students whose study of medical jargons began from day one. Some carved out a niche for themselves in the library. For some others, reading room became the care of address. The strength of students under this category grew as the exams approached. The last three months passed as students exhibited immense concentration and unrelenting willpower. Some dejected candidates, unable to ruction against the insuperable syllabi took over important concepts and their pertinent questions. Pre-final examinations passed with much indifference as every one strived to come out as numero uno in the grand finale. It shall not be right to state that the year passed without any belligerent and poignant experiences. Some were attracted to the temptations of youth. But before these peculiar habits had an inclement effect over their career, they were wise enough to take steps in retrograde. Whatsoever, every student rose to the occasion and performed his level-best.To drive the point home, this year was a fine blended mixture of joy and sorrow, victory and defeat, vengeance and friendship. Now that the exams are over the fire of tension has succumbed and the heart beats in a regular trend as earlier. If there is no paradox and enigma in the results yet to be declared, there shall be a reiteration of the fact that the degree of success you achieve is proportional to your hard work. May these young buds bloom and shine in the gardens of Medicine in the years to come. Arun Gautham 19-9-2005. PS: And the 2004 batch of Andhra Medical College did blossom and their fragrance and  fruitfulness can be felt in distant lands. My friends are now dispersed in various parts of the globe. From helping out in mission hospitals to pursuing residency in the US, they are touching the lives of many. I pray that the good Lord would continue to bless them in all walks of life.