Reminiscing Amdavad


Reminiscing Amdavad

The city of Amadavad is not just a memory for me. It is a love affair of my past. This is the first city where I burst in to like a tadpole in the rains. Hailing from a mofussil town of Jamnagar, Amadavad looked like a giant beast, pulsating with its own life and rhythm.

A slice of my life was spent in this city of fine architecture, vast open spaces, love for poetry and drama, and an incredible hunger for street food.

I landed in Amdavad on one cold February afternoon by a state transport bus without knowing anyone here. Until our bus reached halfway mark to the city, I was not even sure where I would spend that night.

Providence helps you at the last moment thus I noticed a schoolmate who I was barely familiar with in school days. One thing led to another and that kindly soul took me to his hostel. Ungratefully, I have never connected with him and thanked him for hosting me for the first 15 days of my stay here. I know he was as broke as I was when we met.

We lived on the campus of Gujarat University, one of the greenest places I have ever lived. The campus was lined with graceful buildings and acres of neem and peepul trees. Swaying of these trees in summer nights created music that we would listen to till late nights from our hostel terrace.

I began my tryst with Amdavad by walking around the city to visit its history, to breathe in its grace and culture, and to embrace the spirit of adventure that is in the city’s air.

I attended poetry sessions in the language department of the university, took part in theatre workshops, and attended recitals by eminent performers at Tagore Hall.

Soon I acquired a cycle to go to work, to have my meals, to visit my friends. I cycled in the hot sun, cold rains, daytime, and at midnight, discovering flavors, fragrant, fun, and frolic of Amdavad.

I made few friends during my MBA studies, however, lost them in transit of life. Wonder how I ever could repay their kindness they showed me in hostel life with the meager money that I had!

I recalled my teary eye farewell to the city on one hot and sweltering day of May. This city had shaped me in a variety of ways. Made me a man out of a boy, trained me in management lessons, and taught me to be kind and warm to strangers.

I wonder if the city still does that to lad like me.

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