The WAVES Blogging Contest!

We bring to you the WAVES Winter 2009 Blogging Contest! All those who want to express their opinions about life, the universe and everything can now enter this contest.

PRIZES worth Rs.2000+T-shirts+Goodies for Top 3!

The Topics:

 1. It’s coming down to nothing more than apathy
I’d rather run the other way than stay and see
The smoke and who’s still standing when it clears…

We are the “I, me, myself” generation. We cry foul and protest when our parents refuse to equip us with the latest gadgets, but are strangely cold towards genocide in Somalia. What are your thoughts on this apathy that seems to have overtaken the world today?

 

2.  And when you trust your television
What you get is what you got
Cause when they own the information, oh
They can bend it all they want…

The media is taking on an active role in our lives, and shaping our views on different matters. Do you think the media today loves to create more hype than substance?

 

3.We’d be so less fragile
If we’re made from metal
And our hearts from iron
And our minds from steel
And if we built an armor
For our tender bodies
Could we love each other
Would we stop to feel…

No, we’re not thinking of making Terminators. But with the advent of a new millenium, do you think technology has removed the necessity of the human touch? And will there come a day, when we ,ourselves will morph into machines?

Rules:

• This competition is open to students from all colleges across India.
• Each participant can submit only one blog post about each topic given.
• Participants can therefore submit a maximum of 3 entries (one for each topic).
• The minimum word limit is 250 and the maximum word limit is 1500.
•  Any plagiarized blog posts and blogs containing vulgar content will be disqualified.
• To submit your blog posts, register yourself at http://www.ibibo.com  , then start blogging at http://bits-goa.ibibo.com/blogs  (Use the Write Blog option)
• Please submit the Blog Post in the following format: 

              Name:

             E-mail id:

             Topic:

             Word Count:

            Entry:

•  The last date for this competition is 5Th November 2009, 12.00 am. Winners shall be announced during WAVES.

  So let you muse awaken, and let your creative juices flow into your writing. Happy Blogging!

                    

The USP’s and exciting opportunities at WAVES!

“Oh god, the same old events, and yes, I’ve played Twister and Queen of Sheba a thousand and one times. No, I do not want a free T-shirt by Whatsitzhnehm company, because I’ve already won a million of those.”

Now, I’m betting a lot of people quip that, on visiting the hundreds of fests across the country. Being ordinary is not good enough, being extraordinary is the norm today. One fest brings Ensiferum, and next we have Opeth at another. The former ups their game by getting Porcupine Tree, so can we expect Megadeth from the latter? This time at WAVES, we’ve tried our best to be unique. So what can you expect at WAVES?

• DJ Suketu, KK and Parikrama! Yep, these sensational professionals (yes, I know that sounded cheesy) are coming here to rock your socks off! Time to shake ‘em booties…oops, I mean boots, groove and headbang!
• Fictitious Group (the winners of Boogie Woogie) and Slain (winners of Strawberry Fields and Livewire, and they’re opening for Mr.Big!) shall have special performances before Natyanjali and Sea Rock!
• Sea Rock 2009, babeh! SEA ROCK 2009 promises to be huge this year again…last year Zygnema walked away with the coveted first prize. For prizes worth Rs.80,000 , visit  http://searock.ibibo.com
• PNC( Pritish Nandy’s famous Bollywood production house  which has created movies like Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi and Jhankaar Beats) is offering two roles in their their upcoming movies to the Most promising face in fashion parade (male or female) and Best Dancer in Natyanjali (male or female).
• Xion Media Labs (http://www.xion.fm ) will provide 150 hrs of free recording to top bands in Sea Rock and Indian Rock.
• The winners of the Stage Play event get to perform in the hallowed Prithvi Theatre, Mumbai!
• Workshops at WAVES  will change the way you look at the world, with 3-D photography, ambigram making and a hypnotism workshop!
• The AXE Adventure zone brings to you Paintball and Zorbing! Let Holi come early, or find out if a rolling stone really gathers no moss!
• The “Make your own event”, event is where you can set up your own rules, and create an event out of scratch!

  Now that’s a loooooong list to compile, trust me. This year, we have many things up for grabs, and it’s up to you to come here pronto, and claim the ultimate prize and glory!

WAVES Winter 2009- What’s up, doc?

The year 2009 will witness a change in the definition of winter. For the first time, the winter will replace the summer as the hottest season of the year, and this is not due to global warming, pollution, and other despicable human activities that are great topics for debates, but because of the arrival of “WAVES”, one of the hottest and best national level cultural fests in India, and the brainchild of BITS Pilani Goa Campus.

Goa has always been known for its beaches, fun and frolic. However, this year WAVES adds a new dimension to it, by promising a sizzling and searing time that nobody, and yeah, nobody, will forget the excitement and thrill that they are going to experience in WAVES. In case you are wondering, why a first yearite like me, is so pumped up about WAVES, let me take you to a virtual tour of WAVES Winter 2009.

This year WAVES is going to include a plethora of activities and events from different fields, and interests. Music, Art, Literary, Quiz, Dance, Drama, Fine Arts… you name it, and trust us that we will have it. (Of course, we hope that you don’t demand something really obscure like bungee jumping, or weird like night time bug hunting (yeah, we have received this suggestion too). We have always believed in democracy, and this time WAVES is going to feature a really distinctive democratic event titled “MAKE YOUR OWN EVENT”. This event will seek ideas, thoughts, suggestions, praises (hopefully!!!), and based on that we will be announcing an event in WAVES, which would be have been solely decided by you. This shows WAVES is for the people, by the people, and to the people. Moreover, WAVES includes more glitz and glamour through its special nights, which includes the Fashion Parade, and the coveted and elite titles of Mr. and Miss Waves.

There might be a question arising in some minds, “Hey, these are quite good, but what more can I expect? What exactly sets WAVES apart, why should I come down to BPGC?” Well, this is only a taste of the thrill and exuberance that WAVES offers you.  Imagine yourself in BITS Pilani Goa Campus, along with hundreds of college people, screaming and cheering in a concert featuring one of the best singers that Bollywood has to offer, KK, yes you heard it right, KK IS HERE!! And if you are not satisfied with that (though I am unable to see why), well get ready for DJ Suketu to sweep you off your feet, with his amazing music thundering in your ears, and making you completely crazy. Moreover, you will witness one of the fiercest competitions in the field of music, as various semi-pro bands get ready to battle it out in the competition “Sea Rock”, to become the ultimate rock gurus!

Not only WAVES, but even the location Goa is an incentive of why you should come down here. With its beautiful and captivating beaches, and exotic scenery, it has always been amongst the favorite tourist destination spots, both local, and global; and if it is combined with what WAVES guarantees, the incentive rises almost exponentially. Moreover, it is a huge chance to explore Goa, and experience firsthand the reason of its popularity among tourists.

WAVES is not only about cultural events; rather it can be treated as a learning experience for all of those who are part of this fest. It presents you challenges, opportunities, joy, thrill, experience, all combined in spicy chutney forming this mega three-day national event. As a first year student, I have had the opportunity of seeing and working with my seniors day and night, to make this event a huge success, and I can assure you, that you will always be left awed when you join this really cool, hardworking and insane family.

In a nutshell, WAVES Winter 2009 promises you an experience which is unforgettable and which will be etched in your mind. Hence, as a final concluding note, I would like to say that when we say “Winter Was Never This Hot”, we mean it!!

Vipul Pandey

(An obviously very excited first year! )

The Culinary (and other) Adventures of a Third-year at WAVES

 As a third year student, I’ve already seen two WAVES go by and now as the third one comes up, I’m not quite sure of the exact emotion I feel about it. It isn’t jaded, but it isn’t that sense of excitement either. It’s more of a sense of calm expectation, knowing that things will turn out well as always.

I remember my first WAVES and it could be summed up in one word: ‘gola’. I know that it was a good fest, but for some unfathomable reason, the first image that comes to mind is that of a gola. It was the first one I’d ever seen in my life (Yes, I’ve already heard the traumatic childhood and Chennai sucks remarks).  I spent three days eating so many, like I was never going to see it again and had to experience as many flavours as possible.  (And believe me the pink, blue and green colours on my tongue were testament to this).

 I also remember going up to participate and feeling that nervous, anticipatory shiver that tells you that you might just be about to say something very very stupid.  What else did I do? Three days of roaming around, lying on the library lawns, watching events on the stage, but not registering them.

Oh, I forgot about the fortune teller. I was convinced that I should have my fortune told, so for 25 bucks I discovered that my ancestors had killed a snake and that was leading to all my suffering, and that I should do some weird sort of pooja (All this translated by the way, I couldn’t make out a word he was saying owing to my not- so-excellent Hindi skills). Two hours later, I saw him again on the library lawns, selling channa.  It was a really funny image. One minute, you’re getting people to pay you 25 bucks so you can tell them about snakes; and the next you’re selling protein.

Apart from the general roaming, I didn’t see a lot of the other events or nights, but two of them stand out. One is Mr. and Ms. WAVES. Oh God, what an event that was. Exceptionally pretty girls and guys with even more silly answers. Ah, that was so funny. Everything they were saying sounded funny, and I know that very few people could have done a better job on stage, but you know what they say; “If you can’t do, criticize”. The other special night was Junkyard Groove’s performance. I didn’t attend it, but I heard so many stories about it. As someone who comes from a conservative city and school, I wasn’t quite used to listening to tales of how a six foot guy had to be carried back by six of his friends because he wasn’t feeling quite well; and band members swearing on stage; so it was an eye opening experience and helped me grow as a person. Still everyone did say it was an amazing show. J And with that, my first ever WAVES ended.

My second WAVES was slightly more uneventful. In fact, the distinctive memory I’d associate with it would be the Pizza bit. One slice +Coke for 50 bucks. I skipped that and had a whole pizza and awesome it was. The events were great, though I was a lot more complacent about making an ass of myself. Days passed in roaming again.  I did go for the tail end of Mr. and Ms. WAVES and derived entertainment from watching someone I know ask the recently crowned Ms. WAVES out. Her reaction was quite entertaining. All in all, it WAS fun, but the expected kind of fun.

This WAVES should have its entertaining moments, and characteristic food (Before exasperated sighs, let me tell you that food is the most important part of WAVES, and life in general). So, here’s to looking forward to WAVES Winter 09.

- P.S. Lakshmy

The Team behind it all- The WAVES CoCo

For every succesful fest, you need three things, paisa, people and perseverance. And yeah, a bunch of cute guys/girls also helps.   The WAVES CoCo is a team of those crazy, dedicated people who are ready to sacrifice all, and swear absolute devotion to WAVES.  You’ll find these people in 3-4 hour long meetings everyday, fighting, laughing, cribbing and at rare times, singing.  They’re the ones who stay up till 4 in the night, sending frantic mails and messages to all and sundry, inviting them for the festival (and a few angry ones to the juniors, when they slack off ).  And they’re the ones who believe they can start from scratch and create something big and beautiful.

WAVES is in it’s 5th edition now, and it has been a long journey for this bunch of honed 3rd years and the one 4th year student.  We all started as the first-years who did the trivial errands, then graduated to the second years who get to wear many badges and act all important (:P). And now in 3rd year, we’re taking charge, and revving up things our own way. You’d think we’d be jaded by now, but trust me we aren’t. I wouldn’t be writing a post at 10 in the morning barely having woken up half an hour ago from my warm, comfy bed (grrr! ), if I was jaded.

On to the WAVES CoCo now (and to clarify, CoCo is not one of those pretentious acronyms that college fests give to random things, and which no one else understands, it means Coordination Committee). Please do not be scared of the photographs, we are not that scary looking in real life. These mortifying pictures were taken by possibly the worst photographer in the world, and the fact that we were a bunch of greenhorns at college just out of IIT coaching didn’t help.

  

 

 

Lakshman Pasala, Department of Arts and Decoration-  Studious. Dedicated. Loves his liquids (if you know what I mean. *wink*). MuP.

The lone fourth year among us third years, he’s definitely got more experience than all of us. He’s the man who’ll wield, not a sword, but a number of brushes to lend colour to WAVES. The Department of Arts n’ D has got it’s work cut out for WAVES, and he’ll be the ideal man to lead them.

 

 

 Gagan Kumar, Department of Finance and Asset Manangement (DoFAM)- Short but strong. Brilliant. Paisa waala.

 

Gagan is a person who’s tried to make a difference to our campus. He’s the money man and makes the budgets. And boy, is he stingy with the budget. He’s undoubtedly one of the most hardworking people I’ve seen.

 

 

Naveen Meka, Department of Security (DoS)- Hardworking. Peaceful. Soft-spoken.

 

 Naveen has one of the toughest jobs in WAVES, crowd control. He’s an unbelievably soft-spoken and peaceful looking guy, but beware of getting out of hand on front of him. He’s stepped up to the mantle of ensuring the well-being of all people at the festival, and he’s a man you can count on.

 

 

Mithun, Department of Reception and Accomodation (DoRA)- Lazy. Critic. Ass (that’s how his friends describe him )

 

 Mithun continues to uphold an ancient Indian tradition, “Atithi Devo Bhava”. Yes, our guests are our gods, from the nice people to the extremely cranky ones who cry over spilt milk (literally) and term it a crisis. Mithun is the man who’ll help you with a smile.

 

 

Vineet Dhanawat, Department of Photography (DoPY)- Nocturnal. Titan . Autobot

 

 If you want to get your photos taken, good or bad, Vineet and the DoPY members are the ones who will help you. So whenever you’re around him, make sure you’re not doing/wearing something embarrassing, for rest assured, you’ll be captured in his candid camera.

 

 

Rituj Kate, Department of Backstage and Infrastructure Management (INFRARED)- Three Steps ahead. Mr. “I take no s***”. Mr. “Where is the partay?”

 

Lights, Camera, Action. Well, if Rituj wasn’t in the picture, they’re be no lights or sounds. And we wouldn’t get any action for that matter (p.s. This is not a double entendre )  He’s the guy handling our 2200 capacity auditorium, during WAVES. Don’t get in his way, or he’ll truss you up to a truss.

 

 

Akhil, Food Coordinator, Department of Sponsorship and Marketing (DoSM)- Jovial. Happy (n’ gay) Go Lucky. Fooooooooood.

 

According to me, Akhil plays the most important role in this festival or in this world, the bringer of food (possibly because I’m starving right now).  If the food tickles your tastebuds and satisfies your tummy, give Akhil a slap on the back. If it doesn’t, give him a rather hard slap on the back.

 

 

Nikita Prakash, Department of Sponsorship and Marketing (DoSM)- Chaachi. Spons. Waues.

 

         Nikita is one person every batch, (be it her seniors, compatriots or juniors) looks up to. A crazy worker, she gives her all to whatever she takes on. And yeah, she’s very very different from her id no. 420. If  interested in sponsoring WAVES, please contact her.

 

 

Prashant Nagpal, Department of Publicity and Public Relations (DePP)- Chubby Pubby. Word Limit Exceeded. Rock n’ Rolla.

 

A brilliant writer totally in love with Mechanical Engineering, Prashant works really long hours to make sure the designers, developers, writers, the PR people and the managers work in perfect rhythm to spread the word about WAVES. if you ask me, that’s a lot of coordination, but this guy does it all!

 

 

 Thejas Chandramouli Balaraman (or simply Jazz), Department of Controls and Event Management-

Basketball.Basketball. Basketball. Waves.Waves.Waves.Skywalker.Skywalker.Skywalker.

  He is a living, breathing example of how passionate a person can be about things like basketball, and WAVESof course. This is the guy you wanna talk to if you need to know about the events in WAVES, or if you’re rushing to catch your train out of Goa and need your certificate ASAP. Gets a little harassed at times, but a strong leader.

 

 

 Ishan Vishnoi, Department of Creative Workshops (DoCW)- Tharkee no.1. 10-pointer. The perfect man.

 

Ishan Vishnoi is possibly the most envied guy in our campus. A 9.8+ CGPA, heading two departments and also very talented in drama and dance, this makes him the perfect man (or at least he thinks so. ) He’s the guy who shall be planning all those dance and cookery lessons you’ve always wanted to take, and will be increasing the fun factor at WAVES with a Carnival!

 

 

 Arvind Murlidharan, Department of Special Nights- Chummi. Sasquatch. PM Marty for anything.

 

This photo is quite misleading, for Arvind is half the size shown. A true music fan, Arvind is smart, sensible and a good leader. Our Ex-Music Club Coordinator, he now heads the Department of Special nights, who will be planning to give you some of the most exhilarating Music Experiences of all time.

And last, but definitely NOT the least…

 

 

Siddharth Patwari, WAVES Convenor- Kameena.Fala. Apna Bihari. Master statesman and tactician. A very interesting DC nick. Nice hair.

 

Siddharth Patwari deserves accolades for putting his life and soul into WAVES, and being the big guy who holds the entire show together. He also continues the time honoured tradition of WAVES Convenors known for their..ahem, rather notorious activities.  Siddharth Patwari is definitely a key element in cementing together this team. And if you see the above being edited after some time, you’ll know who is responsible.

- Shalini Lahiri

A toast to the WAVES that was!

April is the cruelest month, wrote T. S. Eliot. That was probably because March had its highlight as WAVES Summer 2009, the cultural fest of BITS-Pilani, Goa Campus. I kid you not. The high that we enjoyed during WAVES made our lives thereafter seem dull and inconsequential. In a word then, the response to WAVES was absolutely unprecedented. I wouldn’t be exaggerating if I said that it  put Goa on the world map, let alone BITS-Pilani, Goa Campus. (okay, yes, maybe I am exaggerating, but hey WAVES was beyond awesome for me :D)

 But perhaps you want to know why this fest, out of umpteen others held around the country should get a eulogy like this. Well the answer is a simple: IT DESERVES IT. With a footfall of around fifteen thousand people, the response to the invitations we had sent to the other colleges was overwhelming. And there was not a single moment when there wasn’t something going on to interest a person. Whether it was the absolutely surreal performance by Indian Ocean or the appearance of the MTV Splitsvilla finalists to judge the fashion show, WAVES unquestionably brought down the house. As one of the Bitsians who was working nearly round the clock for waves, I can’t remember when I’ve enjoyed myself more. And most outsiders may not know this, but our campus is notorious for having quite a few of our own students sit out fests hosted by us! Well, all that changed with WAVES. More often than not, most of them could always be found hanging around the food stalls (where some culinary masterpieces like chocolate mousse were sold, I can assure you) but then who am I to judge?

SEA ROCK, the waves event for semi professional bands from around the country was the head bangers’ dream event. With standout performances by almost every band to participate , the event reaffirmed the faith of us all in the Indian rock scene. And to celebrate the Gossip Girl in us all, the fashion show of WAVES had its theme as MTV Splitsvilla. To lend authenticity to the show and not let it become a two bit insomnia cure, the judges were none other than the Splitsvilla finalists themselves, Varun and Priyanka. For perhaps the first time in fashion history, the judges received more glances than the participants themselves. Now coming to the mention of the various workshops that were held on the three days of WAVES. Some of the lucky ones learnt cooking with culinary wizard, Tarla Dalal. And I mean she is a wizard. What else would you call a person who can change people whose cooking ‘skills’ have caused more deaths than the beaches of Goa at high tide to people who are now posing serious threats to the restaurants around the campus? (Just so you know, the restaurants are brilliant). For those of you who could not make it to WAVES Summer 2009, well here’s your last chance at redemption.

WAVES Winter 2009 is set to take place in November. Be there. Or just wait for the next post fest blog to know what you missed.

- Rohan Menon