“Dost Nahi, Bhai Hai Tu Mera” | Bromance At IIM Lucknow

“Dost nahi, bhai hai tu mera” this simple yet strong arrangement of words depicts the beautiful idea of bromance. It refers to the camaraderie between two or more male friends for whom their bonding is for life.

I am quite lucky that life at IIM Lucknow indulges in bromance which keeps life afresh despite the rigorous academic structure and stringent schedules. No matter how tough the competition is, helping “bhai” with the much needed “jugaad” during exams and sharing the interview experiences during the summer placements knowing that it might hurt their chances, makes me optimistic about life.

People from different states and different cultures assemble here. But never do we see any form of discrimination. We amalgamate the various traditions and habits to make it look like a family. The Mumbaikar seems to enjoy the rasogolla from his bhai from Bengal to its core and our Sardarji trying curd rice for the very 1st time in his life - everything happens here, in Lucknow.

We party hard whenever we get a chance. These create some unforgettable moments like our Bihari babu dancing in bhangra style or our shy South Indian indulges in revelry under the influence of our Kanpur bhaiyaji and at the end, it’s the Kanpuriya bhaiyaji who carries his unconscious body to the hostel. These laugh out loud moments ease our lives in HeLL.

Class gets boring. Everyone resorts to our mischievous haryanvi bhai for help. As a result, the entire last bench gets punished and therefore relieved from the monotony. These are some blissful moments in the form of punishment where we have the best time cracking jokes and fabricating more such ideas. All I can say ‘yeh kalank nahi, bromance hai yeh’.

Also, the section wars like Camaraderie and Sangram adds to the bromance quotient as well. Though these are competitive, it’s the bromance that brings out the fun even in the otherwise stressed situations.

How can I forget the proxy in class during attendance? I don't know how many to thank for my staggering 100% attendance.

“Ladki badi hot hai bhau...chup kar saale, bhabhi hai teri” is an old but gold conversation that never loses its relevance in bromance. Ultimately, no one gets the girl and we end up abusing with a beer bottle in hand saying “launda to bada stud nikla, agli bar dulhaniya main hi leke jaunga”. Promises and resolutions are made to be broken though.

The late night studies which end up in mouth-watering gossips are the moments to cherish. But it’s the last moment tips from our bhai which makes us pass in the exams. Every kind of barrier is broken during our lunch and dinner. Mere leg pulling to serious “jhagda” occurs during this time. But the only thing that assuages my mind is knowing that it will last only a while because none can live without the other.

So it’s not just the degree that I am earning here, it’s the bhaigiri that emerges the winner. Because bromance is not just a 2-year course, it’s for life and perhaps eternity.

The subtle difference between friendship and bromance is what makes it even more appealing.