Feels like yesterday when I was asked by Yannick to come watch some play by some youth group and written by some priest at Nehru memorial hall. I was like ‘what’s so special bout this play?’ and he is like ‘screw the play…check out the hot chicks in this group bro!’ …and that I confess was the reason for me joining the S.S.U.
I still remember the day I walked past the gates at Barco hall and I saw this old man surrounded by a few guys and girls who I couldn’t even make eye-contact with.I swear I didn’t know a single soul out there that day, since Yan wasn’t joining for a few more weeks till his boards were done. Somehow I muster the courage to go up to this guy in the middle and say ‘Hello .My name Rohit Thomas. Are you Fr. Cyril?’ he gives this questioning glance saying ‘yes?’ and I’m like ‘I would like to be a member of the SSU father.’ Ignoring the sniggering in the background at the new kid and acting in an equally geeky way he opens his arms and goes ‘Welcome!’ I don’t think anyone would have a more embarrassing story about how they joined the SSU but I guess I have no regrets about the fact that I spent the most amazing 6years of my life from the moment I walked through those doors…
I never had any regrets and I never kept anything inside because for me the SSU meant more then just a place to come and hang out on Sunday when you had nothing better to do. It became my sole purpose in life for the longest time I can remember. I just couldn’t think about missing one session because for me that was like missing out on the one thing that made my drab existence feels worthwhile. I had found my place of nirvana and moksha I guess. All of us have a place we go to when we want to escape from the daily routine and the pressures of life. For some it was just hanging out with friends…others it was Buddhas and c.s. and pool….some went out of station for a trek…for me it was SSU and Cyril. Yes it took a little getting used to but I got to calling him Cyril in the end…its another matter that from Cyril he became ‘old fart’ and my closest pal…
I owe everything I do to this place! I couldn’t think of anything else guiding me and shaping my life better than the SSU…My biggest regret is that I didn’t know about this after my 10th and I wasted two years before I got here,then maybe I would have been part of ‘Against the tide’ and ‘A change of habit’…
But that brings me to the thing I owe the most to the SSU. Acting.
I have never stood on stage and said anything to a crowd before. Sure I have embarrassed myself loads of times but I don’t think that counts as a performance. That was till Cyril decided to cast me in “Mid-summer Nights Dream” as a clown with the name Bottom. How appropriate. But I fell in love with theatre from the day I walked on to the stage and watched 700 people cheer you on and watch your every move. I never knew I had it in me and neither did my folks judging from their reaction after the show.
But that’s the kind of self- belief the SSU and Cyril puts into each and every person who was associated with the group. I have heard the stories and seen with my eyes how this man has transformed lives. He makes you believe in yourself when everyone had given up on you. An old friend and long time member Vintya once told me. “You have no idea what kind of fortune you have compared to the millions of lost young people around the world to be within reach of such a man as Cyril. You should count yourself lucky to have met someone like him.” You have got to believe that God decided that the world needed a blessing and He decided to send Cyril among us. I believe that God knew there were going to be countless lost youngsters like me walking around with the need for a friend, philosopher and guide as we love to describe him. But above all we needed just a friend who could take under his wing and tell you- Its OK to fall. And we are still loved no matter what we do.
After taking part in 7 camps , counting winter camps as well, I would think that I have seen it all and I don’t need to go for another camp. Then why is it that I have applied for leave in advance of 2 months? Why do we get excited around this time in anticipation of those 8 days we are going to spend on that cliff where there is no t.v and contact with the outside world is bare minimum? I mean with 3G now everyone is in touch but at my first camp we didn’t know if India won the test series till we got back. The question however begs to be answered but does it really require one? I mean one word suffices for all the reasons of going back KUNE. PERIOD.
Screaming from the ledge . feeding kulfi to the monkeys. The after dark sessions. The guys realizing in the morning that they have hair missing from their legs and no…that is not chocolate paste on your toe nails! Boys getting in touch with their feminine side and beating the girls at cross dressing every year…the madness of the amazing race, each one of them over the years.. the pledges and the rasna breaks…the ride to town to get stuff for the guys with these gigantic lists…ministering angels…the grotto…the waterfall…the walk to the waterfall…craziest of crazy games…sleeping during input…not sleeping when needed…3 a side football tournaments and the dancing and jamming…I could go on and on and on….fact- we love Kune and there are no two ways to it! Each have their own share of mad memories and not so fond ones but lets not go there!
Life never seemed more beautiful than at camp. People falling in love and getting married. Friends formed for life here and bonds that will never be broken. And of course how can we forget the Last Supper?
I have always been curious about what it was at the last supper that had people in tears and we are talking about big boys giving out the Niagara falls here. Its not the preparation of the food or getting the place into shape, although we do a kick ass job about getting it done. No its not that.. I never really can understand what it is till it hits you. It is your last time and the last night of this amazing journey you have spent with the most amazing people. Some of whom you might never see again…but these memories are forever.
The SSU hasn’t always been fun and games you know…if your put in charge of something in the production team it was a huge responsibility that you need to put your heart into. What it does for you is it prepares you to be more responsible and aware as young people running this great nation. The Outreaches have always been something more personal than anything else. How many of us can say that you have been unconditionally loved?? ‘Ekalvya’ ‘Sahara aahalad’ ‘Jeev-raksha’ were such places were you realize the kind of commitment humans can make to make a difference and made me aware of social responsibilities I had conveniently forgotten about. This was the group that was supposed to be only doing time pass and meeting up to play games and making a girl friend/boyfriend, whatever makes you happy. This is the kind of stories that were circulated. Why? I guess people just couldn’t understand why young people would ever be interested to meet other then to have fun, but that is the case everywhere right?? “What would you know…your too young to understand” how many times have we heard this line?? Cyril changed that line and now it sounds like – “you’re the ones who are young…only you would know it you know!”
Be it camps or plays…outreaches or dialogues or even the usual 4’s and 7’s…life for me in the SSU has been one hell of a ride! They say all good things in life come to an end, but I disagree with that load of nonsense. Why does something have to come to an end? All it takes is a conscious effort to keep it from dying out…I have always believed that every person needs a passion to keep his life from going to shambles. For me it has been my friendship with Cyril and being a part of the SSU… till the very last moment of my life I will hold them close to my heart.
