Friday 12 May 2017

Of Myriad Reminiscences

Even a lifetime is less to know a person or a place completely, they say. But maybe that does not hold true for these two years that I have spent in this institution that I now call home. 

My college is like A.R Rahman songs. One does not seem to like it at first, because of its ‘atrangi-ness’. And then it gradually grows on you, becomes a part of you. I remember how grumpy I was when I came for the orientation before the session commenced, back in June 2014. I did not want to study here as all my friends remained at my former college. It was at the Sophia Bhabha Hall that I had met a really cheerful girl who till date has been there and seen all the ups and downs of my life, only to become a part of my journey. I also met another angel in my first year of BMM who I know will stick with me till my last breath. This is what Sophia does to you. It gives you the best of people. And you should hold onto them, while you can.

I don’t need a lifetime to create those infinite memories at Sophia. I just need the peaceful Den Corridor that gives wings to the hidden emotions of my heart. I can sit there for countless hours with a diary and a pen. 
I need the canteen that has never failed to satiate my hunger pangs with its Veg Indian Mini Meal and Mysore Masala Dosa, coupled with my daily dose of cutting chai. The fondest of memories were made during the Kaleidoscope season, when we ran helter-skelter to meet deadlines, had endless meetings at the BMM steps, were shouted at/ by our seniors (Without whom we would have never learnt the tricks of the trade) and just threw our bodies on the floor at the Den Corridor after the day’s hard work. One of the happiest moments was singing ‘Boom-Snap-Clap’ at the Marble Stairs with an almost infectious level of enthusiasm.

Like all the rozy things, I have had bad memories too, which only made me blossom and toughen up, as an individual. Dr.Colaco, being the task-master that she has always been, has made me cry for innumerable times in the last two years, only to appreciate my work later and make me happy about myself. The professors at times have made me feel like I am not worth anything, only to make me feel like I can conquer the world, the very next moment. And therein lies the trick, you see. They never shower compliments in your face. They do it behind your back, so as to refrain you from getting heady and over confident.

I have a suitcase full of memories-from different people in the college. Sister Roza who never ceases to motivate me; the canteen bhaiyas who often get chatty and pardon me for not having ‘chillar’; Jyoti Ma’am at the gym who patiently listens to those constant rantings about my fat thighs and tells me that they are not; the watchmen who have restricted my entry for not carrying the ID card, for god alone knows how many times; the strict disciplinarians I had to encounter during my once-in-a-blue-moon visit to the library; among others.

However, there are two things that make me teary-eyed. Our batch has 68 students who never really got along with each other, until today, as I write this piece of nostalgia. ‘Groupism’, as the coinage goes, prevailed in SYBMM. The class had internal politics (or so they say) and there were undefined barriers created by us. We never got the appreciation we deserved, as a batch. Or maybe everything had a right time. And the second year of college was that time when all the professors spoke highly of us as a batch and appreciated us for our projects. They helped us bond as a class by dividing the batch into different teams, about which we were initially very unhappy, only to realize later that this was a conscious effort by the department to make us one cohesive unit and strengthen our bond. This was followed by a series of class photographs with our favorite professors posing for us, and our public display of affection on social media. We also had a Stress Management session, conducted by one of my favorite professors, wherein we were asked to bare our heart out and speak about a few undesirable chapters from our book of life, that had deterred us from rising all this while. I remember how almost half of the class wept and howled while narrating their anecdotes and how there was empathy on each face. Opening up, takes a great deal dexterity, after all. That day was historic. We were all emotionally naked. And it is going to bring a smile on my face when I become a feeble, old lady and come back to my roots to attend the re-union at the Central Lawn.

This institution helps you discover yourself, moulds you into what you thought you would never become and takes you to places. Sophia is not just a college; it is an epitome of perfection, amidst all its imperfections. 

For life is Sophia, and Sophia is life.


Oindrilla Gupta SYBMM 2015-16

Who would have thought that college life will be so much fun?

Who would have thought that college life will be so much fun? 

I remember the first day I entered the Sophia Hostel. I was a bit reluctant to leave my comfort zone and very hesitant to start a new chapter in a completely different city far away from my hometown. When I reached the campus, I was awed. I felt so happy on just the thought of staying in this beautiful campus for the rest of the year. 

Fortunately or unfortunately, I was allotted the only six-sharing room. Room 15. So many memories are attached with this room. I was obviously scared at the prospect of sharing my room with five other people who were complete strangers to me. The first night was spent getting to know each other and also getting familiar with the surroundings, routines, rules and our wonderful, helpful seniors. 

Slowly as the time passed, I started settling in my new life. Soon our classes started too. The first day itself was amazing as nearly the whole day was spent introducing ourselves to our peers and teachers and the fact that we were 72 of us in FYBMM was thrilling. Eventually, we had been divided into groups and were already given project deadlines. Coming back to my hostel life, I wasn’t coping that well. I would be homesick a lot as it was still a new experience for me. But soon I had made quite a few friends in the hostel who guided me throughout the year. 

The most amazing part of hostel life was the dance parties that the TY batch, joined by the SY’s and FY’s, had every second day. Be it any weekday or someone’s birthday, these dance parties were the best. The terrace was our ‘Adda’. Whether we wanted to have our gossip sessions, or dance parties, or hold meetings regarding the farewells and K-Scope, the terrace was the only place for that. The hostel was totally a different place during K-Scope. We would have day scholars over who would stay with us, sharing our beds or sleeping on the floor (making it look like a slumber party!!). And believe me that once K-Scope ended, our hostel felt so boring for a few days until we came back to our routine. 

The evenings would be amazing, with people scurrying away after roll call to either cook Maggi, or watch a movie in the wifi area, wash their clothes or take a bath. Soon, our first semester exams were just around the corner and the environment of the whole hostel changed. You could see each and every corner filled with girls studying either in groups or alone. The serious atmosphere was a boon as the concentration level was at the maximum then. Then came the semester break we all were awaiting. I won’t be kidding when I say that I actually missed hostel while I was at home. 

The second semester was exciting too. The last two months of the year were spent in sports week, college day and of course Christmas celebration. The most exciting part was the KKSS. Everyone was so excited to give and receive gifts secretly. A week before we left for our Christmas break, we hostelites also went carol singing to raise money for charity. And once we came back, it was time to prepare for the farewell. We FY’s had the responsibility of giving a grand hostel farewell to the passing batch, and indeed we did give one smashing farewell. 

Soon followed the college farewell and the respective department farewells (in my case, the BMM farewell). Before we knew it, our semester-end exams were on top of our heads and once again the environment in our hostel turned serious. I was very excited to leave this place and once again be with my family. The last day of exams turned into the first day of packing. I remember saying goodbyes to my roommates with whom I had spent the past eight-nine months in my second home. Since I was the last one to leave among the six of us, I practically had the whole room to myself for two whole days. 

As I type this out, I wish that may the next session be as amazing as the previous one if not more than that.


Sonakshi Srivastava FYBMM (2015-16)


Wednesday 10 May 2017

Proud Sophiate

"You're just a seventeen year-old girl and we have never allowed you to travel alone in Kolkata. How can we then allow you to go to all the way to Mumbai and study in Sophia College?" My grandmother asked a prickly question. Several uncles and aunts amplified it, "You did humanities in your high school so it hardly makes a difference what degree you pursue". I put my foot down, howsoever small it was at that time…I want to do BMM and study in Sophia! As a first generation undergraduate student from my family, I could understand their utter bewilderment about my decision and resolve.
With firm support and encouragement from my parents, I could finally make it to Sophia College for Women in 2007. It was beginning of a new chapter in my life and I never looked back since then. The Sophia family, Colaco Ma'am, Sr.Anila and Lavanya Ma’am believed in my dreams at a time when nobody else did. The spirit and values of Sophia taught me to be a critical thinker, instilling virtues of independence and courage. At every step, I was encouraged to speak out my mind, which was a refreshing experience for someone coming from an ingrained patriarchal setup. Today as an international development professional, I deal with several obstacles and smash stereotypes that shackle independent spirit of women. Now I truly understand the subtext of Sophia’s motto and crest – ‘Urdhva Mula’ (Roots Upwards). I also stand as a proud Sophiate and aspire to be an example to those questioning relevance of social sciences and women's education in our society. On the celebratory occasion of Platinum Jubilee, I congratulate Sophia College and express my gratitude for making a big difference in my life and the lives of several women for decades.  

Shreyashi Dasgupta is a Jawaharlal Nehru Cambridge PhD Scholar at the University of Cambridge, U.K and is a member of Girton College. She graduated from Sophia College for Women in 2010.




First Time in Sophia

I’m a First Year in Sophia College for Women and have the good fortune to be a part of the 75th or Platinum Jubilee Batch.
So, I’ve been in a co-ed institution all my life and like a typical product of a co-ed school, I had a not-so-good opinion about an all-gender institution.
And wow, did Sophia correct my idiocy.
On my first day, I was very timid because it was a new crowd and I’d been in the city for only 3 months. I had no idea what to expect or how to approach someone or how to initiate a conversation. Another issue was that I couldn’t locate the room to ACTUALLY get to the students and I’d arrived an hour early before the FYBMM classes began.  I roamed all the floors of the Annex to finally reach Room 31 and luckily, some girls came an hour early like me. We introduced ourselves with a simple hi-hello and my-name-is-so-and-so. Of course, there was a certain amount of awkwardness in the air that day but we overcame it by talking about where each one is from and what they expect on the first day. We sat in the class that day, about 6-7 of us who came an hour early and about  10 minutes to go before the first period, the class was full of a bunch of laughter and new friendships.
The classes went on smoothly and did the work of introducing each of us to the other when the teachers asked us to talk about ourselves. We went to the canteen to fill our empty and anxious stomachs and were greeted by huge crowds and about 15 minutes till the next class so, most of us settled with drinking ice tea or cold coffee from the coffeewala. Throughout the day, our seniors came to our classes and spoke to us; told us the do’s and don’t’s of BMM and told us that we can approach them with any problem.
The days that followed were (still are) spent becoming friends, getting to know one another and exploring the pink walls of Sophia.
It’s been a month now, since I’ve had a chance to call the strong, pink walls my home. I am still shy but I know, for sure, that Sophia will turn that around and I can’t wait for it.
Here’s to Sophia!


Apoorva Menon
FYBMM 2017

From a Lit Single Major, With Love

From a Lit Single Major, With Love

When I came to college in 2012, with my heart in my mouth, I didn’t know what to expect. I was too overwhelmed by everything around me. There was only one way I knew how to deal with the unsettling reality: I read. I read until my eyes stung; until the words on the pages started blurring into each other.

Attending my first Literature class is something that I will never forget. I slipped in through the back door, a little skeptical, and also somewhat irritated because every inch of the wooden benches seemed occupied. Out of sheer desperation, I sandwiched myself between four boisterous, over-excited girls. I thought to myself: “Okay, let’s see how this introductory class is. If I don’t like it, I’ll probably change my subject.”

But from the minute Ms. Jihasa entered the class (it was Room 12 if I remember correctly) and addressed us - quietly, clearly, but with an air that simply commanded respect - I was hooked. I felt like a book-starved eight-year-old who’d finally been presented with a Malory Towers/St Clare’s omnibus after months and months of begging. I was thrilled.

Although I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of every Lit class during my first two years - whether it was taught by Ms. Samrita, Ms. Damini or Ms. Jihasa - I never thought of choosing it as my subject in TY. I was too….blinded, shall I say, by Psychology. But when the time came to fill the form for TY, I knew what I had to choose. All thoughts of Psych flew out of the window, never to return. I wanted Lit. I needed Lit - up until that moment, I hadn’t realized just how badly.

My final year was my most memorable one. I owe everything to the Department of English. My classmates and I often referred to Ms. Damini as “one of us” - she was so easygoing and friendly, and such an inspiration. She’d make me want to read up on all sorts of interesting things that weren’t part of the syllabus but helped us all the same. The news of her resignation came as a rude shock. Oh, well. Ms. Samrita was my supervisor for the research paper that I co-authored for the Young Adult Literature seminar. Being mentored by her was such a wonderful experience. She’d clear all my endless doubts, unraveling each cobweb with admirable patience.  As a teacher, she is so erudite and such a treasure trove of knowledge….my favorite class with her was 20th-century British Literature. Thanks to her, my love for Existentialism, and Theatre of the Absurd, has only grown; and shows no sign of abating.

Ms. Nishtha is one of the cutest teachers whom I’ve ever known. What I learnt from her was that no matter what happens - no matter how many curveballs life throws our way - we will always have literature to seek solace in. That thought slows my heart rate and calms me down. Ms. Jihasa will forever be the one who ignited the spark and set the ball rolling….I cannot be more grateful to her even if I tried. If I could, I would spend every minute in her class. Being her student completely transformed my approach to - and perception of - literature. She has had a significant influence on me.

The end is always reserved for the most special thing or person, isn’t it? In a way, I am indeed saving the best for the last (but certainly not the least).... Sr. Ananda. Head of the Department; Principal of the College. She is the backbone of the institution, and I have such a tremendous amount of respect and admiration for her. Her steady calmness puts things into perspective like little else does. She was the person whom I came home to, at the end of a long and tiring day, and she knew just what to say to take away the sting. The way she taught enthralled me - she transformed literature into a welcome ocean in which I could willingly drown myself. I draw immense strength from her warmth and gentleness.

“You can take the girl out of Lit, but you can’t take Lit out of the girl”.....and for that, I have no one to thank but my wonderfully encouraging and supportive teachers. Thank you, each one of you, for making it magical. I take a little bit of you with me wherever I go.   

-       Shreya Iyengar

            Batch of 2015


A Sociology Major's Story

Tanya Munshi (Age 37)
Sociology Major, 2001 Batch
Current profile - Founder, The Lifestyle Portal (www.tanyamunshi.com)

1. How was your experience here?
Come to think of it, after passing out of Sophia's, it's feels more like a 'second home' for me and I miss college a lot. Every time I cross our college building on the way to a meeting or work my mind goes back to the fun filled days of college life - with friends, loads of fun laughter, fun moments with professors during a class and of course sharing our tiffins with each other during recess. :)

2. What have I learnt that has still remained with me?
When we joined college, we were told that our 10th grade percentages didn't matter to them. During our orientation at FYJC, we were told that they believed that each one of us girls are capable of being far better than our potential and that Sophia's didn't believe in limiting themselves in judging a student on the basis of marks or percentages. This gave me a lot of confidence that if they believed in me, and if I'm studying in such an esteemed institution, then I must be really good and I worked really hard to prove myself and I think I did reasonably well. 




3. What am I pursue currently and why did I choose it?
Well, after graduating in Sociology, I studied Communications & Media from SNDT Women's University (Juhu). I started writing lifestyle features, children's books and e-learning ever since. Now 15 years down the line, I'm now training myself in the space of parent-child bonding and writing parenting articles. I love writing and photography and being a Sociology student it has opened up my mind to see things in a different light. 

4. Has Sophia's helped you get where I am now and how?
Of course!! Remember, education is everything. My father is a retired army officer and my mother a homemaker, both my brother and I had the gift of education to help us get where we are. I owe my foundation to Sophia's. I didn't enjoy school as much, but I loved coming to college as they're serious about the studies. I would travel all the way from Kandivali to Peddar Road for five years. I know how hard my parents worked to bring us up and the least I could do was study well and attend college and graduate with a first class. That's almost every family's dream, isn't it? And how can we do that? When the educational institute is encouraging and positive as well. I firmly believe that schools and colleges should be partners in parenting and Sophia's culture and tradition reinforced my belief and today I'm so thankful to the institute. 





5. If you'd do anything differently during your time here, what would it be?
This would not be easy to answer. You see, we studied at a time when things were not as busy and hectic as it is today. Life was still enjoyable, we didn't have technology seep into our lives, mobile phones were yet to enter the student phase, so we landed up having quality friendships and focused more on each other than gadgets and brands. For our generation (this makes me sound so old, lol!) Sophia's was the perfect ambience. 

I loved my space there, I would at times take my novel and sit in the large balcony or the Marble Stairs and read on my own enjoying my quiet time during a break. In fact, come to think of it, there was something for everyone at Sophia's. 

6. How has Sophia's changed me since I was a student there?
I think Sophia's turns girls into ladies. :) I used to be a tomboy in school and when I joined college in FYJC I realised that there are so many facets to a girl/ woman, how they dress up and come to college. When I first joined college, I felt I was living in an Archie's comic book - all the girls, especially the seniors walked so confidently in smart, fashionable clothes. I was amazed. I learnt to enjoy life along with studies - Sophia's helped me to strike that balance. :) 

Apart from that, Sophia's has given me a good set of friends, wonderful memories, fantastic professors, a great campus life, Kaleidoscope, the cute little stationary store where I would buy second-hand books such as Pride and Prejudice and read during my train journeys from home to college and back. 

At the risk of sounding preachy, I'd like to add that we must understand that there are several people in the world who would love to attend a school or college but can't. We should be thankful that we get to come to such a wonderful institute and learn something that prepares us for the life ahead. No matter what, education and learning will always be a woman's strength if used wisely and we should never take this for granted.