The Proud Moment

For any scholar, the most awaited day in their life would be the convocation – degree awarding function. I am a no stranger in this regard. I had my convocation on December 19 2008 in the Vivekananda Auditorium, Anna University, Chennai.

This convocation being the first of its kind in my life, I was so excited and I got up early in the morning to make myself ready to bump into the most anticipated gathering. His Excellency, the governor of Tamil nadu, Thiru Surjit Singh Barnala was expected to give the medallions to the graduates and hence there were lots of security issues. So I took all those that were considered imperative including my identity proofs and most importantly, the invitation I received from Anna University, the previous week.

As I was nervous, my mom accompanied me and we started around 8’o clock from home. Fortune favored us to be on time into the auditorium. On the way, we rented a yellow color robe escorted by a red color ribbon which I was supposed to wear for the convocation. The jigu jigu dazzling yellow with the bright red ribbon proved to be an excellent treat for the photographers.

Then we went into the auditorium – amazing so much of people in and around with huge commotion. Then we had a systematic rehearsal where we were taught how to walk, bow in front of the governor and what not? We were even taught how to give poses to the photographs. Hmmm a well organized carnival I have ever come across.

After the rehearsal, we were asked to report by 2’o clock, with our belly filled. Initially we were told that one person will be allowed along with the candidate inside the auditorium. But because of the crowd and also for the security reasons, only the contenders were allowed. This was a disappointment (early) because everyone had traveled such a long distance to see their fellow mates receiving a medal from the governor. The parents were asked to sit in the School of mathematics with big screens telecasting the convocation live.

We then were asked to sign couple of documents – one for the gold medal and the other for the scholarship. The governor was very punctual and he entered the auditorium by sharp 4’o clock, the expected time with the own traditional band music and a peculiar walk. After the speeches, we were given our medals. Thank God I did all tat they taught during the rehearsal, except the smile. May be I knew that my parents in the next building were not watching me because of the news that interrupted the live telecast. This was the biggest disappointment to the people waiting in front of the giant screens.

Though there were some in and outs, to see my parents and brother amidst the august audience waiting for me with so much of expectations made tears roll down from our eyes out of both happiness for the medal and grief as my parents didn’t see me getting it. I laughed and cried at the same timeJ