Saturday, August 8, 2009

I know I won...but - Part II

Many years had passed and now I was quite big in size, in fact I had completed my studies. Everyone was surprised on the fact that I had got campus placement in a reputed MNC and I was surprised because the company asked me to join (in Hyderabad) before the completion of my course. I joined the company on 2nd of April and I had to come back to Noida for my final semester exams after one month.
I reached Noida 1 week before the exam so that I can recall something (or at least anything) which I was taught in final semester. The day I reached Noida, the student inside me suddenly opened his eyes after a long sleep and I realized that I have to submit a dissertation project report in college which was part of my final semester curriculum. There were only three problems. First, I had not prepared it, second, the project report was of 200 marks and third, I had to submit it the next day I reached Noida. It was 3 in the afternoon and a big daru party was also taking shape in our house cum hostel, so I had to complete this report thing asap. I was about to feel helpless when one of my friend came up with a solution. It was not the best solution but because I did not had any other option so it was actually the best solution.
In less than 20 minutes we both were in Atta market, in front of a small printout shop. The shop was full of restless creatures who were actually students, like me. The uncle ji ho was sitting in that shop was looking very friendly and generous person. And then my friend told to him, “Sir, we want to buy a project report”.
Without giving us any alien look he handed over one booklet kind of thing to us. I opened it and saw that it was full of project titles. There were more than 200 project titles in that booklet. Uncle ji asked me to select one. My eyes scanned the book in few seconds and I selected a very long and strange looking title from the book. (On asking, Uncle ji informed us that these are project reports made by students of various colleges in last 4-5 years. All the reports are at least 2 years old). I took the printout and gave it to binding shop for hard binding. While returning, I noticed at least 40% of my classmates buying reports from similar shops in Atta market.
Next day, I submitted the report in the college and got busy in the exams. Finally the day came of the viva of the dissertation report. Everyone was carrying a photocopy of their original report. I noticed one of my classmates (whom I say buying report that day), trying to tell others how much hard work and efforts he has given in preparing this report. I smiled and moved ahead and suddenly my legs stopped automatically.
A report was lying on the table and the funny part was that it had the same title of my report. I picked up the report and found that it is word to word same. Same charts, same case studies and even same page numbers. I was almost killed by God’s justice.
I shouted in horrified voice,” whose report is this”. One of my classmates (girl) came forward from the crowd and told me “this is mine. It is good na”
“Yeah, it is really good. That’s why I have also bought the same report”. I replied.
Cuteness of her face suddenly disappeared. Even I was not in very good position.
“I will be caught, they will give me 0 marks, I will loose my job” Thousands of similar thoughts came in to my mind in less then 3 seconds and all of them were possible.
Suddenly, a good friend of mine (who was Dood of our class) came in to existence, analyzed the situation and said in confident voice,” Nothing can be done man. You are screwed” and disappeared.
But he came back again after 10 minutes, took the report of the girl and ran towards I don’t know where (at that moment). I run behind him and she ran behind me. Because of curiosity, some of my classmates also started running behind us. They did not even know why we are running. We reached at the photocopy shop of my college block one by on and somehow managed to change the cover page of her report.
She went for the Viva first and everything went fine. Now it was my turn for the Viva. I entered in the room and sat on the chair like the most innocent guy on the earth. The teacher who was taking my viva was the most notorious visiting faculty of our class. I don’t know why but he liked my report and asked me as many questions. To my surprise, I answered all the questions like I have actually made that report. The viva went fantastic.
After few months, I got the news that our convocation ceremony is going to happen very soon and I have got the award for best dissertation project.
I know many of my classmates were really annoyed. Even I knew that I do not deserve this reward. This reward was one more reason why I did not attend my convocation.
I never planned to won this dissertation project award by cheating. It was just that I ran to escape from a dog and when I stopped I came to know that I have won a race 

1 comment:

  1. My lord! I have witnessed this horrendous incident in all my sound presence. Both the culprits should be given a sentence of "Hang till death" for cheating a mass of 60 other innocent classmates.
    But to my shock they are still just not alive; Hale & Hearty but they have received nomination for award even!!! I have lost my trust in almighty & found new dedication in savior of such nauhty souls like Niteesh.

    ReplyDelete