Winding up...

Its been a year and a half, long enough to keep me in one place, saw many colleagues/friends leave over this span and used to wonder when is my chance.

I remember the day when I first came to this place to give my editing test, was awestruck looking at THE TIMES OF INDIA, for the first time from inside, and yes I drooled over the interiors, the feel of PRESS permeated my being and I felt trifle nervous, thanks to my medicines I was too groggy to be overwhelmed by the enormity of the white elephant.

The test was ok, got the job, money was measly but like all beginners I was ionized to take life by its horns…worked hard, learnt that my English isn’t good enough, that my grammar was to the dogs, that writing wasn’t easy at all. The art team made my life easy, taught me Quark and made me tech savvy…those guys I respect from the bottom most pit of my heart…when I felt low, like a caring father Ashok sir was there, when I felt dull Sunderji pepped me up and yesh of course gave me Tamil lessons…when I felt groovy, Nandu sir shook a leg with me …and when I felt helpless…. my friends cushioned me and acted like sunshine in the gray air conditioned office.

This place saw me write better, grow my graph upwards, gave me my first Byline – Neha Rishi- and no pleasure is bigger and more fulfilling than seeing your story appear in print. Nothing more worth flaunting than this.

(And I had a break in my thought)

Am back to the same workstation from where I began my journey. Second floor couches, steps, weird places to find a corner and just sit (away from the editors eye) have seen a lot in my life change…this is where I saw the start of a relationship, and this is where I found solace when it ended….this is where I felt safe and almost complacent.

Endless goodbyes, a lump in my throat, I dislike farewells but today….I surrender my press card, the baggage of the past and move on to new places and people.

The white, green, yellow of the ceiling and the walls hold within it the most beautiful times I spent here.

Yes yes people I haven’t forgotten you’ll:
Anu my sunshine the tea/coffee will never taste as good as it did when we sat chatting on the couch. If it wasn’t for you I would have lost myself long back.
Preeti thanks for making it easy for me to stick to my stand each time I lacked the confidence.
Ramiya my cupcake, your belief in me gives me the faith that I can do it.

And you my dear Gem Paul lovingly Bob- I’ll miss being in Pinkyland during the boring edit meets…damn ill miss the senseless laughter we shared.

So on this note- this is Neha signing off and ready to take off
And with me goes- the best people I met, the good stories I did, and the fact that there is no learning better than the one where you get your hands dirtied in the mud.
Dharavi you’ll always remain my favourite area for reporting