1st day at the Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai; a new place, new people and this far off campus which is strictly not in Chennai. And bang! We were trouped in groups of Blue, Green, Red and made to participate in the Outbound/ in Campus training… which included rock climbing, hurdle race, weird dances, etc. It was definitely fun but not so much fun for one of our friend, Dang who became the first host to the ghost of the ligament tear and thus the Saga of the Ghost and the Glads began… The next in line was Gayatri, Abhay, Gaurav, Divyangana and I apologize if am missing out on anybody as the Chettinad Club is Big, so please feel included if u have been there :). Sometimes it was a funny fall or an Xtreme dance or a hyper baddy shot or a tight highway spot. It was always one after the other… as if the wheel chair couldn't bear to be left without an "owner", and the ghost hopped from one to the other. We started to believe MBA in Great Lakes is not complete without the MUST visit to the Chettinad, an Xray followed by some sort of plaster/crepe bandage... and I jinxed myself just a couple of days back. Initially I hardly suspected any pattern in this but after a series of consecutive "injured" pals in the campus, folk lore started(well I am starting now :P) that there is a ghost that catches a host. And I angered the Spirit by resolving to write a piece on this and Voila! The very same night I mysteriously twist the little finger on my right hand and go crazy with excruciating pain. I straightened my finger right away and popped a painkiller. And thus, I entered the Club, Xrayed, diagnosed with fracture and now sorta plastered…rather just reduced mobility with a bandage. Now this piece is rather personalized and I can write from first "hand" experience(pun intended) that it really pains(and obviously more so in bigger injuries) and my salute goes to all those brave souls who attended classes, did assignments, practically lived the hectic life out here, watched fellow Glads playing(Baddy/ FoosB, in my case), dancing, and yet holding themselves back to get better first. And sure does feel a part of family when everybody you know comes over and is concerned and wishes you to get better, when friends watch out in times of need, it sure feels a splendid bonhomie…And I guess these not-so-pleasant injuries also leave us some weird funny memories over and above all the unforgettable time we spent here that would remind us of the Amazing 1 year we All had. Cheerz to Us Gladiators!
