My Convocation My Way (Continued from the above post)

On the convocation day, I reached my college. I was happy to physically see my college campus again, after a long time. Its buildings, trees, roads,everything. There as a first thing to do, we were required to deposit Rs.1000 cash for the issuance of the Convocation Gown. I deposited that money in the Institute's Accounts office, received the slip and went on to Room No.211/Booth-E to collect my gown. But, this too wasn't going to be so easy. Was it? No.:) The person sitting on the other side of the booth-E informed me to the much of my surprise, that my name was not there in the list of the students to be given the gown and to settle this problem he guided me to go and talk to another person who was the In-Charge for this gown distribution work. I talked to him, he guided me to go and talk to the Registrar, prove my genuineness to him and then do whatever he says. I went to the Registrar's Office, talked to our Registrar sir, mentioned our conversation over the emails (regarding my peculiar situation), and asked him for his help. He then asked me to go to BIT's Magic Window (dont't go by its name, but I must say, that it really solves students' queries, though not to forget that sometimes they create temporary problems too for the students). I talked to the guys behind the Window and asked them to check whether BIT Mesra's Registrar office had received my D.D. and the other stuffs in the apllication mail that I had posted after facing so many obstacles, or not. They told me that they had received the same on that morning only, which I doubted, but didn't say anything. They also told me that they will send the updated list of the Convocation Gown Distribution to the Gown Distribution In-Charge, only after consolidating all the similar cases(if any). I had no other option but to wait. Meanwhile I met many of my friends wo were crossing by that corridor. During this time I also registered myself for the Convocation Photography, which would be taken when I will be receiving my degree from the distinguished person. After waiting for some more time, I again went to the Gown Distribution room. They didn't get the updated list by that time. After wandering for some more time, I thought of going back to the place where I was to stay for the night, to freshen up a little bit and to get ready in Formals for the Convocation evening. And after that I would come again to collect my gown and then would go to the OAT (the institute auditorium, where our convocation function was slated to happen). But, I missed a very fundamental thing while thinking all this - Time. By the time I got ready and came back for collecting my gown, the gown distribution was already over, and the Room No.211 was already closed and locked. Nice.Nice. Now what, I thoght. In the convocation guidelines, it was clearly mentioned that without the gown no students (Degree-holders) will be permitted to go inside the OAT building. I re-collected myself, and went on to the Magic Window, and told them my situation. But this time they can't help me. Being worried I approached one of our Department's faculty, and he tried to be really helpful. He asked me to go to the OAT and try my luck there to get a gown (if any spare was left, which according to normal logic should have been there). I went straight to a person who seemed to me to be In-Charge of the volunteers responsible for letting anybody inside the OAT. He heard me with full sincerity, and then asked me to meet the Students-Welfare Dean. I did the same. There a person, who was holding some lists, asked me my name and roll number, checked it against the late registered students' names and informed me that atleast my name has been updated for the Convocation. But when I told him that I don't have a gown to put on and go to the stage, he told me to go and meet our Ex-VC and now Chief of the Convocation Program, and see what he had to say. Haha. I was having such a time :) I went to him and told him my case telling him as many details as possible. He happened to be a really nice person. He told me that I can surely attend this convocation (as my name was there in the list of the Degree-Holders), and counselled me that I should take somebody else's gown after he gets his Degree and comes down off the stage. This was a good idea, as being a late registered case, my name will be called surely at a later time, and by that time, some of my other friends will surely get their degrees and hence, I will get a gown to wear. Hearing this, I went on to find my designated location in the auditorium (OAT), found it (also with some more toil (as my roll number was wrongly written and I had to contact the local sitting arrangement guy to get it corrected)) and then got to sit there. Soon the XXI Convocation Program - my convocation began. Ex-President of India and great scientist (only to state a few of his many adjectives), Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was our Chief- Guest for the evening. The function went on smoothly. One thing which I really liked was when Dr.A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was getting introduced by someone on the stage, and it took him quite a lot of time to finally complete his words of introduction only ! The other thing that I liked was my Degree getting moment ofcourse.:):) Then, after reciving my Degree, we boarded the bus to get back to our college. There I queued up to get my refund for the gown which I didn't receive, then again queued for our Post-Convocation Dinner, and then shivering in the cold of the night, went happily back to the place where, I was to stay for the night. Next day, I boarded my return train, being flooded with different memories, which I will surely remember for a long time. Atleast, the good thing is - I had an unusual and happening Convocation. Not many would experience this. :):)