Writing SOPs (statement of purposes) is quite a pain. By now I call them SOBs. They tire you mentally as you churn out 400-odd words on one topic. Why do admission seekers and fellowship programmers have such a thing called the SOP? I always falter while writing applications and the like. And this one proves to be the mother of all applications. Why can't they just have plain application forms with just a para devoted on it, instead of one writing paeans on the same? If one is going to spend lakhs of rupees studying a course, surely only a fool would be non-serious about it. Anyway, some rules just defy logic.

I just finished my rounds of SOBs. I am not going to tell it all. In the process, I hybernated. Plus Delhi's heat and the inertia is not the right time for productivity... On the work front, exciting times ahead. A new recruit is the cause. Last issue, he rewrote and reworte and rewrote the cover story of someone, who is quite the 'grammarian' of the office. But after all the efforts, he ended up rewriting only a little. So, I shall not spill the beans anymore on why there are more thrilling times ahead!

Now, they want a cover story on the north east. Good idea! The reason: they say the face of the BPOs are the young English speaking youth from the region who are hired the most. In the last edit meeting, we brainstormed on why the north-east should feature on the cover of the magazine. Some said not just the BPOs but the hospitality industry, too, is full of northeasterners. So, you have a Mary Jane serving at The Imperial, The Hyatt.. and so on. Our editor is kicked about the idea and kicked about doing something 'unusual'. But there were voices of resentment too. One loud-mouthed reporter from Mumbai said 'oh it's such a boring topic', at which I too yelled back, 'are you a journalist or a corporate secretary catering to a privileged few'. When it comes to the NE, my sensibilities more than wake up. Meetings are not only about talking, it's also about knee-jerk reactions :)

I am all for it. So, I am working on the cover story. Which means I can quickly touch base with friends and family home. Not really an interesting prospect on second thoughts 'cos I actually do that quite often. Ideally, I would have just loved some time off and sleep. Anyway, but now I can at least tell THE compatriots, 'see the mainstream media does think about us'. We keep complaining that its such a neglected area. But don't we have the maximum number of low cost planes flying in the area these days? Anyway... that's just my contrarian streak. I love the north east man!

I love the laidback and slow life of the hills. I love the simplicity of the people and I love the clean, clean air. But would I someday go back to my roots and settle down there? That is a tough call. I have become too much of city person, with the all vices and roughness ingrained in me, that I would actually not fit in that atmosphere anymore. I don't know where I belong. Home is as elusive as ever...

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