Urag.

First week at a B-school is really hectic - group formation for projects and what not... total chaos and before the insanity sinks in, we are in for mid-terms... Urag was in my Economics group as our roll numbers were closeby.

First project group meeting - Computer Lab - Urag had a "I mean business" attitude and naturally assumed the role of group leader and led the meeting... Urag asked everyone - what will we do our project on - some suggestions go back and forth - but we were nowhere... He looks at me and I just had to say something. I without thinking too much said - Credit Card Industry - I told him that Home economics had totally changed by introduction of plastic money - how spending habits changed etc because of credit cards...

I was sure it was going to be shot down... and he would curse his luck for taking me in the group. Suddenly he said "I think it is a great idea" and we called the end of the meeting... After the meeting, I started talking to Urag casually... After a few q's he asked "Girlfriends" - was caught by surprise. I said "No Urag, what abt you". And he promptly said "Yes"...

I dont know what - But much later when we discussed about this incident and how we became friends - there was this incredible wavelength match when he talked to me and I told him that I felt the same... He also mentioned that he never has talked freely to anyone in his life when he has met the person for the first time... Well thats what people mean by saying "You just connect"

Urag was a really sweet chap... His girlfriend (now wife) was sweeter and cuter... I feel if he was not my friend, I would also have tried to "line-maaro" her... He got me hooked to bhujiya (an Indian snack) and he used to get it for me everytime he came from Calcutta... I was weak at Fin and he was a Fin-god - so before every Fin exam, he was my saviour to make it out through... He also used to do my Fin projects as I would laze around.

And he is so unashamedly frank - he used to say - you may think I waste a lot of money (4K) on phone every month. But I try to do my bit by not giving clothes to Dhobhi and cutting other luxuries in life - his value of money was true to the "maaru" that he was

I even became close with his girlfriend and when they used to fight - they used to complain about each other to me and I used to refree - had to be careful that I do not take any sides... But luckily most of the time it went fine... They were made for each other - anyone seeing both of them would say that "Yes, they should be together for life"

Not many people got along with Urag - they say he was too arrogant, was not a easy person to get along with, he remained a bit aloof and what not - I disagree completely with them - I just get along great with him :)

And yes, the Economics project rocked just as our friendship...