Back in India and awaiting "new adventures"

Since February 2012, I have not updated my blog. Many have inquired me why my blog was updated for some time. I used to tell them that I was unable to remember my password. Interestingly, one my college mates, Fr Maria Joseph, told me that he had prayed to St Anthony of Padua (Patron for lost articles) so that I might recall it soon. The next day itself I managed to discover it. Thank you St Anthony. Now my blog is back in action.

Some of you must be wondering what am I doing right now and where am I now? After staying almost 6 months in College General, Penang, Malaysia (Major Seminary), now I am back to Jnana-Deepa Vidyapeeth (JDV) Pune, India to continue my 2nd academic year in theological studies. I could not come back immediately after Christmas break due to certain circumstances but I was doing my distance learning from Penang with my respective lecturers for 3 months. After three months of studies via internet, there was a two and a half month summer break in JDV campus. After completing the summer break in April and May, I prepared to leave for my studies to Pune with a 6-month visa till December, 2012. I left Malaysia on 16th June 2012 with mixed feelings but I came with full confidence that I would be able to complete my studies by the end of the year.

The moment I got my visa from the Indian Embassy in Malaysia, I confirmed my ticket to fly off at once. I was thinking to myself which is the best route to reach Pune. Since it was a last minute confirmation, I decided to take a longer route to reach Pune. The flight was from Kuala Lumpur (KLIA) to Chennai to Delhi to Pune via the same airlines. However I ended up having an unpleasant trip to India. I missed my connecting flight from Delhi to Pune because the flight from Chennai to Delhi was delayed by 20 minutes. When I landed at Delhi airport, I had to rush to get my connecting flight to Pune within 15 minutes but I could not get through even I had my boarding pass with me. I argued with the airline supervisor at the Delhi airport telling them it was not my fault. At the end the airline management made arrangements for me to get a connecting flight to Pune that same night itself, and this meant a 4 hour-plus wait. However I was allowed to wait in the lounge and they provided me with a free meal and refreshments.

While waiting for the flight, I tried so many times to contact my Post Graduate (PG) Block’s Moderator, Fr Francis and a few other college mates to inform them about my delayed arrival at Pune airport, i.e. approximately at 1.30 am on 17th June. Unfortunately, I could not reach any of them. I was so frustrated and annoyed because I was afraid the main gate of the college would be closed by the time I reached there. Just a few minutes before boarding, I told myself to try for the last time so that they could inform the security guard to open the main entrance gate for me and to get my room key as well. Finally, I managed to reach Fr Francis and informed him about my arrival. I felt relieved. I was happy to hear that he had made the necessary arrangements upon my arrival in the middle of that night. If I was not able to reach him, then I would have slept in the Pune airport till the next morning. Despite the slight hiccups, I arrived at my college safely.

I asked asking myself why India is not “friendly” and why unpleasant things are happening to me when I am here. The last time when I left India, I got into so much trouble with the Indian immigration. I think I have to love India more.

This time upon my arrival, I immediately filled up the "C Form" and submitted to the Foreign Registration Office (FRO) and informed the nearest Police station. I have done my part in informing the relevant authorities that I am staying in this college till December 2012 on a 6-month visa. Fr Joseph Fernandez assisted me to get the things done within 2 days.

My classes started one week prior to my arrival. I missed the inauguration of the new academic year 2012/2013 and also the installation of the new President of JDV campus, Fr George Pattery (pic above) on 11th of June, 2012.

The weather is pretty hot and my life in college is not moving as fast as I hoped. I am slowly getting to know some of the new students in my PG block. Many of my senior college mates did enquire about me via emails. Last year December I didn’t have chance to say “goodbye” to my senior students who have gone back to their respective parishes and ministries after the completion of their studies in March this year. I hope this message from my blog will bring across my expression of gratitude to them for being my true friends during my stay last year in this college.

Oh yes! After enjoying a variety of delicious Malaysian foods especially Penang char keow teow the past 6 months, now I am back to chappati and dhall. Sigh! I think I have to love their foods as well.

My college block