Of Tacola friends #2

Guru vanakkam is over. Now about my TaCoLa friends. Incredible friends for lifetime. We Tacola team is more like a family than friends. They can’t be missed in important functions in our family.  . Technical or Non technical  stuff. We give space for everything and discuss with ease with each other.   Just now it striked me , the reason why we all could behave as family members is that may be each one of us had siblings, I mean each guy had a female sibling and vice versa. One more common thing is that, we all had good rapport with our siblings.  I think Vinodh sir is an exception as he is a single child and Pon Prakash had only a brother. May be you don’t need a sibling to respect a woman who works with you.  Here, I should appreciate the male lab members because of whom we all felt so comfortable and they made Tacola a better place. They are all so disciplined and nobody talked rubbish even in the name of a joke. That’s why even people like Uma mam who was a very reserved person earlier was able to gel easily with all the lab members and became outspoken later. I doubt the interview process. Something is happening there.  May be they have special scaling factors specially for guys!!!.

We have not called anybody as akka , thambi or anna . It is tacit and Tacola had invisible discipline and rules which we all followed.   I remember balaji was calling me suba akka  when he joined the lab . I told him that , “akka nra mariyatha manasula irukkattum. Suba ne koopdu”.  I am sure he did have the respect and still having it. But this chezhian irritating me still by calling me akka.  He is only six months younger to me. But for the sake of showing himself as a youth, he used to call me akka.  And this akka term has one more story also. Rama priya who joined after me used to call me suba akka . But later only I realised that she is one and half years elder to me. Ada kadavule!. 

The lab has a seven years of history for me and I have met so many people there. Learnt good out of good people and too good out of certain strange people. I don’t want to tag them as bad people. I would say, cheating is not a crime but getting cheated is. I just don’t want to mention the person name. She is just an eye opener in my life. I simply used to believe blindly in people. I don’t analyse them in depth.  I am not able to believe that people can cheat others by spinning huge lies just for the sake of money. Lab friends know whom I am talking about.  After that incident, I have learnt a lesson in life that we are not supposed to blindly believe in people anymore. But it has a disadvantage too. U tend to doubt right persons too. It has shifted my basic character slightly. I think my lab friends will read this with only a big smile on their face as they always make fun of me for having been cheated like that. I deserve that for being so dumb! Its ok as it gave us a reason to laugh whenever we got bored.

Our lab friends can make any tough situations lighter. That has made the complete journey joyful. We had so many tough situs throughout but we crack some jokes and make the situ lighter. Humour sense was one of the common characteristic we all had.  Though I am talking of humour it makes me feel a bit emotional while writing this line as I doubt if I will get such teammates in the rest of my life. Turning to humor, if we talk for twenty minutes we will be laughing for fifteen minutes for sure. I am just missing those days.

  We use to go out for shopping. I was not married then. I think Balaji , Rama priya and raji will have the T nagar shopping memories. Rama and balaji will definitely not forget the shopping experience we had at Pothys. We went there to buy dress for rama as she got an offer letter in DRDO Bangalore. I think I also bought some dresses. At that time a 400 Rupees  price tagged salwar used to look so costly for me . Still I am a stingy person. That’s y before marriage my mom does not take me along with her while buying dresses for me and Selva after marriage.   I make them get tensed by arguing more about the price tag than the quality. Coming to shopping exp with lab mates, they still use to make fun of me of how me and rama chose dresses. Within ten minutes, I chose 3 dresses. One in 200 rs range, one in 300 rs range and the other in 400 rs.  When I showed the dresses to my mom , I remember she saying, “ipdi uripidi illama moonu dress vangarathukku 700 rs ku urupidia oru dress vangi irukalamla?”.  After that I have one simple rule, “ I will wear dresses whatever amma and selva buy for me with ”. I believe in their tastes too.  Coming back to the pothys incident, I don’t want to reveal the way rama chose her dresses. Rama ithukku neenga enakku gift kudukanum. Unga maanatha kaapathiten.

Yeah we use to buy gifts for our lab friends by collecting money. Though we earned less we aim getting a costly gift. Once they gifted me 2000 Rs watch. Balaji will remember the jinguchan jinguchan colour shirt we  bought for him for his b day. That was actually chosen by raji,  I remember he just wore on his b day for the sake of raji. Balaji unmaya sollu antha shirta ena panna?  Un wife Shwethata mattum kaatatha. Namma lab maanam poyidum. Thappi thavari shwetha paathutaanganna kooda  unmaya sollaatha. Adichu kooda kepanga, appa kooda solliraatha …

Helping tendency is just another common thread. We use to help without any condition. U remember my unconditional policy? Not only me, we all had that policy.  During fund issues we use to help each other. I remember Rama priya used to bring lunch from her hostel for balaji so that he need not spend for lunch. I feel money has  least significance to make u smile. With just twenty rupees we use to be so happy in the canteen buying something within the limits. On the technical front too , we use to help each other by explaining concepts, helping to fix the bug in the code . I have heard that usually PhD scholars do not reveal about their research to each other. At Tacola, things are totally different. We set our research goals and we have never hesitated to discuss about the issues in our research with each other. Being not too selfish actually helps to live a better life. That’s what we have learnt.  I had break in my studies twice. The kind of support my friends gave me is incredible. That too during my maternity break, I was writing a journal paper; Selva use to give the print out to Radha Krishnan and he will give to mam; Mam will correct it and send the corrected paper to Radha Krishnan and he will give to Selva. This process was going on for the entire break period for about one year. I should thank Radha Krishnan for the kind of support he gave me during that time and RP Mam for her efforts. Mam used to present my papers in the international conferences as she is also one of the authors. I am sure not all supervisors can do this for their students . She went twice for me once  to IIT Bombay and  then to University of Hyderabad.  Balaji has also presented one of my papers in Bangalore when my baby was two months old.   The PhD Degree I own today is not only because of my efforts but involves the efforts of many people. Thanks so much guys!

Regarding the Chaos and fights, yes we have had. I use to lose my temper very badly only to those whom I know that they will understand me.  I mean to say I get angry to those whom I surely know that they won’t leave me and will bounce back after a short period. I think I have done that only with Chezhian and Balaji.  I would like to list the lab members not in any particular order.  Uma mam, balaji, Chezhian, Rama priya, vinodh sir, karthikeyan, bharath, radha Krishnan and  Karthika. Few members were around for short period like kavitha,  sujin, pon Prakash, janci, senthil sir, shunmuga priya ,  Thilaga, vatsala priya and guna mam and prabhu sir. Recent additions are Premalatha, Ganesh and thenmalar mam. 

Whenever I think of discussing about any issue or seeking any help, a Tacola friend will definitely be in the list. Recently, I was so confused about my post- PhD plans.  One of the persons who came to my mind was vinodh sir and as I predicted he threw some lights over the issue. We have not talked frequently after he quitted lab but I knew he will help if I contact. Ayyayo I forgot Sairamesh, he is not part of Tacola but he is a faculty but he is also part of our friends group.  Actually  I have known Sai Ramesh  since 2004. He was my junior at SSN college. He is also an incredible person. He has also helped me so many times during my break period.

Each Tacola friend is unique and I have learnt so many things from each one of them. I like Uma mam for her guts. She joined back the job when her baby was three months old. She use to go during lunch , feed the baby and return. I only think of her whenever I feel so down while managing nila and my studies. Uma mam is my well-wisher. We both have a very good bond.  She is the first person with whom I always shared any happy news from my side.  One can understand the bond between them and their friend by the way they talk to your kid.  I have observed that from uma mam. She used to feel happy whenever she sees Nila and  compare my gestures with my kid. She was the first person to visit Nila  at our home from Tacola lab with her husband.  For that matter, all Tacola friends have pampered Nila and she also feels so comfortable being with them and likes going outing with them.  It feels so good to hear, when my kid calls my tacola friends as athai and mama.

Ramapriya is so talented. Having come from a normal family in tirunelveli, the success she has reached today is really to be saluted. She is a scientist at DRDO, Bangalore. I really adore u rama.  She does job so quickly.  Whatever she is today is all because of her hard work.  She left the lab in 2008 itself. I am happy that we are still in contact.  Me, Rama and Balaji formed a good combo.  I think Raji also used to join us.  Me and balaji missed her a lot when she left the lab. Balaji must have missed her a lot as Rama used to take care of the stupid balaji as her own brother. She brings lunch for him daily from her hostel.  She taught balaji about java coding. Sometimes he will say, “akka neengale coding adichu kuduthudungaka”. You wont believe rama will do that too for him.  Rama did not find it tough as she is so  agile in finishing her work  so cud  help  balaji with ease. Balaji was Rama’s classmate in their ME.   I only told rama to teach him how to code but not to do it for him, as it will only prevent him from learning. Later, balaji sir became one of the best coders in the Lab and he is now a PhD degree holder and works in a good company in B lore. Balaji, innaiku nee periya aala ayirukkanaa athukku naanum oru karanamaa irunthirukennratha maranthudaatha.

Balaji is a good friend of mine in the lab.  A brother’s view point to any situation of his sister is totally different. I think all the sisters who have brothers will agree on this. Brothers will give  a very neutral and unbiased solution to any problem  to their sisters.  May be the solution may not be favourable to you but u will definitely find justice in it. My second younger brother  pasumpon is good at that.  I have got similar solutions from balaji too sometimes.  Balaji is not an easy person to get along. He is so choosy in finding friends and mostly his views and mine are opposite. Despite that we were friends. He is the one who mostly pulled my leg in the lab. It is so difficult to differentiate if he is telling a lie or truth. He is good at speaking lies. Usually he will play a prank on me and he would have challenged the lab mates that he will make me believe and he always won. I struggled a lot due to this as 80 % of the time he will not be serious, of course when he is not working on his desk.  Now it is totally the head ache of his wife, shwetha to handle his pranks and lies. Yammadi romba kashtam. She will definitely get confused daily due to this. That’s y I told Shwetha on their wedding reception, “Enga Balaji ya kalyanam panni neenga periya thyaagi aayiteenga”.  She and her parents were laughing. I think by now she must have understood that what I said was not a joke rather it is a fact. But he is a very responsible person as far as his family is concerned. Still I remember the way he was searching to buy a  saree for his sister from his first salary. She had asked some specific design. If I am right,  “white saree with pink stones”. He took so many efforts to buy that. I am sure he will take good care of shwetha . Other than his stupid pranks,  Shwetha will surely have a fun -filled life with him. Good luck balaji! . I felt so happy for you both on your wedding day.  

Chezhian…. I know him since my child hood. We are family friends. My dad and his dad worked together for two years in sankaran koil.  My dad actually worked in Secretariat, Chennai but had a change of duty as, revenue inspector there for two years. Me, my two younger brothers and mom used to go there for summer holidays. Me, my bros, chezhian and his sis mathi  will play together at that time. Chezhian and his sis  used to go to karathe classes. I used to think, “cha how talented these two are!”.  Chezhian if u r reading  this, kindly tell me the number of belts u have got. Sorry, I forgot. Unakku Takewondo kooda theriyumla? Kindly message your qualities, I will update this post.  Etho ennala mudinjathu J .After my dad joined back his duty in Chennai at  secretariat, we kids lost contacts but our dads were in touch. After he joined in Tacola, the child hood friendship got renewed. Chezhian is yet another person whom I don’t hesitate to call for any help at any time.  Throughout my pregnancy, selva  used to drop me in the univ in the morning and pick me up in the evenings. Selva was so strict about this rule and I had to wait all alone sometimes as he can come only by 8 PM . Lab gets over by 6PM. Chezhian gave me company most of the time. I missed to attend his wedding event. I felt really bad. It is still hard to believe that me and Chezhian are grown up. I am married and having a kid; He is married. Time flies too fast.

Radhakrishnan is known as thambi in the lab. He is an MS research student in our lab. I don’t know why I see him as a kid always.  May be, because of his external appearance it makes me think like that.  I like him as a person. If you ask me who is your favourite  in the lab, my answer is definitely, Radhakrishnan not because he has helped me so much in my PhD degree but for his attitude towards life.  We both have a very good bond. I am only worried about his laziness. He is such a lazy goose. Hope he overcomes that and reach many more heights in his life. He deserves that. I always tell him that one day you will surely reach heights. You know something? What I say becomes true. I am just joking. But coincidentally this has happened with few persons. I have noticed this especially when I tell someone that they will reach heights. I know it is not because of my words but it is all because they deserve for their hard work. Yes I am just waiting to hear such news from Radhakrishnan  in near future.

Karthi is an enthusiastic guy. He likes exploring things and the kind of height he reached in his career in a short period says it all.  As a person also I like him and he is such a responsible person as he took the onus of getting his two sisters married on him. Vinodh sir is totally a different person. He is so sincere. If u go and discuss of any issue to him, he will patiently listen and give some solution with much authenticity. His receptiveness is the one quality I admire so much. Yet another sincere sigamanis of tacola are kandasamy sir and vijay vani. Bharath and sujin are yet another sincere chaps. 

Karthika is just a bold girl. She was sitting next to me in lab. She is very talented.  She speaks frankly what she thinks. I just admire this quality. Not all can do this. Thenmalar mam is yet another PhD student who is so calm and sincere. She is also one of the persons whom I don’t hesitate to ask any help. Padhma who is also an another Phd student of RP mam who have helped me a lot in my VIVA. Ganesh is my junior doing MS research under RP mam.  He is the valarum kavinjar of our lab. Good luck for your writings ganesh. Premalatha  is a PhD student here and a  good friend of mine.  Nila likes her and her husband too. Tacola people are blessed that way. All wives and husbands of Tacola member also gel easily with our gang. That’s really magical.  Uma mam’s husband, Sai Ramesh’s wife, Karthika’s husband , Prema’s husband and Of course, Selva who is my husband. Selva, is a very calm person but have  always felt comfortable with Tacola friends. Now Shwetha, who is Balaji’s wife joins  the club.  Intha Chezhiyan thaan avan wifea kannulaye kata maatenraan. I have been calling that stupid to home from day one of his marriage i.e from June 30, 2014. Still he is yet to come. Chezhian, if you are reading this just make sure how angry I am on you !

 Apart from lab members few BE,  ME and MCA  students were associated with our lab as they do their academic projects in  Natural Language Processing research arena. Hari, hara sudhan, Manjith, Bala Mithra, mariammal did their ME and did project in our lab. Hari came to my wedding at vellore. Bala and Mariammal are very good friend of mine. Bala is just another person who pops up in my mind whenever I need some advice or help even now.

 Once our lab members and few  students went for chemmozhi manadu which happened at Coimbotore about which I have already written in my blog.  Revathi, Shanthi, Kirupa, sabitha and tamilarasan had a good bonding with our lab mates. Sorry if I have missed any students name or any Tacola member.

I am not able to find a way to end this post.  Tacola has inculcated so much memories in me and this single post is just not enough. Everything in life has an ending;  PhD is over and so is Tacola. I am sure, we tacolians have come out / will come out with flying colours and I wish my fellow mates a very happy and successful life a head. Thanks for reading.