PODDAR CHHATRA NIWAS KOLKATA, presents J YOT I Vol. 2014 Interviews by: Ex-Boarders 1 2 3 Best Compliments From: OSWA7EL1m ,A DaDPialhV:r ooIySnsaOwgeR:aa +Ynls 9jSu, 1ENn R1ielV1.wc Io4C D@3Ee0Sgl6 hmP 0iR a-9I iV19l.Ac19To0Em0 0L2IMITED Regards: Sunil Bhansali Santosh Bhansali 4 PODDAR CHHATRA NIWAS Best Compliments From: OSWA7EL1m ,A DaDPialhV:r ooIySnsaOwgeR:aa +Ynls 9jSu, 1ENn R1ielV1.wc Io4C D@3Ee0Sgl6 hmP 0iR a-9I iV19l.Ac19To0Em0 0L2IMITED Regards: Sunil Bhansali Santosh Bhansali JYOTI 2014 JYOTI 2014 A PODDAR CHHATRA NIWAS INITIATIVE JYOTI 2014 CONTENTS INTERVIEWS 42 – 55 ARTICLES BY THE BOARDERS...56 – 108 56 – 125 BY THE EX-BOARDERS...109 – 119 ABOUT US ........................................ 8 – 9 ADOPTED ...120 – 125 REPORTS ......................................... 10 – 13 CHAIRMAN’S REPORT 10 PRESIDENT’S REPORT 11 EDITOR’S REPORT 12 MESSAGE 13 BATCH PHOTOS 126 – 132 FUN SECTION 133 – 137 UNION LIST ......................................... 14 SANGAM 2014 ...................................... 15 – 16 REFLECTIONS .................................... 17 – 21 ADVERTISEMENTS 138 – 174 175 ANSWERS TO FUN SECTION ACHIEVEMENTS .............................. 22 – 26 SHADES OF HOSTEL ...................... 27 – 36 BECAUSE EVERY CHILD IS AN ARTIST ...37 – 41 6 INTERVIEWS 42 – 55 ARTICLES BY THE BOARDERS...56 – 108 56 – 125 BY THE EX-BOARDERS...109 – 119 ADOPTED ...120 – 125 BATCH PHOTOS 126 – 132 FUN SECTION 133 – 137 ADVERTISEMENTS 138 – 174 175 ANSWERS TO FUN SECTION 7 ABOUT US JYOTI 2014 Poddar Chhatra Niwas (PCN) - an edifice for exalted minds, is a hostel situated in the ‘City of Joy’ - Kolkata. technically, it is a hostel but after you come to know about the exuberance and vigour with which each activity takes place in this home of ours, your views of this place would transcend those trivial thoughts related with ‘hostel’. this temple of learning was established in 1935 and since inception, it has only continued to create history by reincarnating men who have made society proud. our hostel accommodates students ranging from Class 11 to the seniors folks preparing for their C.a. final exams or other higher exams. admission is only granted to those in either Class 11 or those being freshly admitted to first year in college. we are a close-knit family of 128 students who lend it its holistic identity. rightfully referred to as the “C.a. Factory” by many a soul, most students who reside here pursue Chartered accountancy as their career and naturally it has gained reverence for the feat of ‘producing’ quality Ca’s; given the passion and grit with which students here approach this goal. what lends PCN its uniqueness is the equal relevance that boys pay to the fun of their growing adolescent days. there is absolutely no compromise on that front and these are the memories boys reminisce long after they are gone. adhering to the words of John wooden: “sports do not build character. they reveal it”, we at Poddar play tournaments for games like Cricket, Volleyball, table tennis, Badminton & darts to name a few, which not only gives us a platform to show our creativity and aptitude but also keeps us full-blooded. there is gymnasium facility in the hostel to ensure proper physique for the boys. saraswati Puja is a landmark event in the hostel and the excitement and devotion with which the pandal and the entire puja is organised every year is worthy of mention. the fresher’s batch organises an event every year to mark their entry into the hostel known commonly by ‘Fresher’s welcome’. By now, it is vividly evident that at PCN the all-round development of boys is encouraged. Given the rich heritage of this hallowed institution, these are some (only to name a few) of the people who have won great acclaim in their respective fields, making all the Poddarians proud: • Late Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia, Social Worker and Freedom Fighter • Late Shri. Indra Duggar, Renowned Artist • Late Shri P.D.Himmatsinghka, Freedom Fighter, MP and Solicitor • Hon’ble Mr. Justice B.L. Hansaria, Former Justice, Supreme Court Of India • Dr. Ram Gopal Agarwal, Ex-Advisor, The World Bank • Shri M P Agarwal, Retd. Director General (Exemption) & Chief Commissioner of Income Tax • Shri Bimal Chajjar, Heart Specialist • Shri Pramod Chand, Chief Financial Officer, Birla Corporation Ltd. • Shri Anand Mohan Bajaj, Principal Director- Audit, Comptroller and Auditor General of India • Shri Navin Parsuranka, Director in Ministry of Railways, GOI 8 a Poddar Chhatra Niwas initiative • Shri Prashant Singhania, I.R.T.S., Under Secretary, Ministry of Railways, Govt. of India • Shri Nabin Ballodia, Partner-International Taxation, KPMG - India • Shri Anil Banka, Additional Director - Education Department, Delhi Govt. • Shri Deepak Gaddhyan, Head – Financial Institutions & Govt. Undertakings, Ratnakar Bank • Shri Deepak Kedia, Director – Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt. of India • Shri Navin Kedia, CFO- Rent Division, DLF, Gurgaon • Shri Rajesh Kedia, IRS, Addl. Commissioner in Income Tax, Delhi • Shri Bipin Saraf , MD & CEO, Axis Finance Limited these are the people who have brought glory to their alma mater (only to name a few) and PCN is no less than one. Living by our motto- “Excellence is not a skill, it’s an attitude”; all students are nurtured in an environment that allows them to excel, leaving no place for mediocrity. Every student- having undergone the life of a Poddarian-learns lessons for life that guide him at every roadblock in life leaving him to realize that he has cherished each moment lived within the walls of Poddar Chhatra Niwas. HOSTEL PROFILE 2013-14 An Overview – As on 01/07/2014 FOUNDER : SHRI DAyARAM PODDAR FOUNDATION yEAR : 1935 MOTTO : ExCELLENCE IS NOT A SKILL, IT’S AN ATTITUDE NUMBER OF STUDENTS : 128 NUMBER OF STAFF : 15 NUMBER OF ROOMS : 33 9 CHAIRMAN’S REPORT JYOTI 2014 at the outset, my heartfelt thanks go out to Late Shri Dayaram Poddar Ji for having built such a glorious institution for the brightest of minds and the best of ideas to intertwine and prosper. i feel privileged at every juncture to be a part of this hallowed hostel. Sangam ‘ 14 was a dream I had envisaged a long time back and now as i see it transforming into reality, for which my gratitude goes out to each individual responsible, each cell of my body stands in awe of the immense potential that resides within every single soul. People I have come across along the way – ex-boarders who were willing to go extra miles just to ensure that the hostel function gets organised smoothly- have changed me and my perspective towards life. in all honesty, i claim that i am a changed human being today. those days of practices and the buzzing activity filling the hostel Mr.Adarsh Losalka, Chairman - Sangam 2014 environment with energy are unforgettable and have left an indelible mark on my mind. i have come to realise that there is an ocean of untapped potential in the hostel and the vast network of ex-boarders passing out every year adds significantly to it. It is never easy to mobilise the concerted efforts of so many students and stream them for a common goal. I had to face difficulties along the way and overcoming them through self- motivation and discipline has transformed me. i have realised during these two months that it is essential to have fire in the belly and the passion to do something. this has been a life-changing experience for me and i will cherish every moment spent in organising SANGAM ’14. this dream would never have been fulfilled had it not been for the hard work of the annual social Committee. the timely and experienced advice of anand Prakashji, subhash Bankaji, sumit sanghaiji, Rajesh Singhaniaji, Pawan Tulsiyanji, Piyush Agarwalji, Manohar Agrawalji, V.K. Tulsyanji and many others have been a beacon of light always guiding us during times of difficulty. Truly, you are responsible for the success of Sangam-2014. Kudos!!! 10