“The Mess”age behind “ Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam “
Early morning at the SIBM dining area, fondly called “the mess” is filled with a cheerful banter, the clings of metal plates and flurry of students, in a hurry to get to their classes. Even though it has just been a few months to the beginning of the academic year, every table has groups of students gathered around in intent discussions and what is remarkable, is how different every face looks from the other!
Puneet Singh Sachdeva , a marketing student from the first year, is one of the few turban-clad Punjabis at SIBM. Having lived most of his life in Bhatinda, Punjab, Puneet admires the beauty of the city and the rate of development. But what he loves most, is this sitting together for meals and the interesting conversations that follow. “ This isn’t unlike the langars that we believe in. Everybody eating together, irrespective of place and religion”, he explains. Sankha Som, who is sitting beside him, heartily agrees. Sankha, who hails from Kolkata, the city with the soul, admits that even though he misses his city a lot, he has found a family here. With fellow students, seniors and teachers always looking out for them, he has begun to feel at home.
“The Class”ifications blurred
Gone are those days, when students looked out for a peer group who spoke their language and followed their culture. Students at SIBM, believe that the more dynamic the crowd, the more can one inculcate knowledge. A simple glimpse into a classroom on a typical day would show you the multicultural trend that the college follows.
Sagar Kashyap, an IT engineer, is teaching a few of his classmates, the Excel nitty-gritty. Having stayed and worked in Bengaluru all his life, Sagar was skeptical of the SIBM culture before he joined the college. However, he admits that the interactions with people from such diverse backgrounds has broadened his horizons. Whereas, Riyaki Jana, who has left the hills of Shillong to come to the hills of Lavale, is enthralled by the basket of information that each of her new friends have brought along. “Students here, come from such different backgrounds, education experiences and age groups”, she says “that there is so much to learn from each of them!”
Outsm”art” the boundaries
SIBM has always promoted a culture of excellence. Whether it is outstanding academic performances or artistic ventures, boundaries have never been believed in here. A peek into the recreation centre, confirms this. Snehil Nigam, from Madhya Pradesh, is a self taught beat boxer who is catering to the daily requests for his gigs and is grateful for the love and encouragement that people give him. Next to him, sits Jomy Matthew, from Kerala whose songs pep up the atmosphere. “While practicing, there are no preconceived notions. Art brings together all forms of cultures!” she says. And true it is! Art really has no language!
At another corner, a dance rehearsal is taking place in full swing. It is a delight to watch them put together bits of choreography, derived from the places they come from and create magic! Saakshi Kothari, from West Bengal, who finds her peace in dancing, muses upon how dance has developed a new kind of trust and camaraderie in the group!
Whereas Tenzin Rabgay who is an international student from Bhutan, the happy nation, is even more delighted to watch these performances! “Rather than sitting together in the class, creating art together helps form bonds.” the ex teacher says.
“Ground” breaking brotherhood
It is an inspiration to see the likes of Sourav Datta, an International level Archery champion, humbly playing in the playground at SIBM. “We’re all here to learn, not to show off”, the simple man form Tata Nagar, Jamshedpur says. He has been all over the world and knows that India is recognized for its unity and medley of cultures. Playing opposite to him, Swapnil Deshpande, a proud Mumbaikar says that he’s swept by the opportunities at SIBM. Being from Mumbai, he knows that people streaming in from various places, actually shapes the city, and in this case, a college!
There can be so many faces seen, some engrossed in their games and some mere spectators. But, what is striking, is the easy flow of behavior between them. Ishaan Bahree, an Indian born national who has spent most of his life across the world, and lately in Australia, has come home in the true sense. As he waits his turn in the badminton court, he expresses how warm and happy it feels to be back. He loves seeing a smaller, diverse yet united India which Symbiosis has nurtured. Even after having stayed in far more developed nations, he still calls India and now SIBM, home.
And home it is indeed! For all the students who have come here, leaving behind their cities, towns and families-to make a new family. A huge, bigger and more diverse family indeed!
