Oxford Diaries : A Dreamer’s Tale from the City of Spires......

Oxford is Magical. Every street tells you a story. Every corner holds centuries of history. It's a dream to be here, among the most amazing people of the world, surrounded by the fascinating architecture of this city. But how did all this happen? How did I end up here? Am I living my life in a reverse gear? Feeling a little insomniac today, let me tell u a kutty story.. :-D

So who inspired me to come to Oxford? It was the Thomas Shelby n his Birmingham gang! It's the Allen Walker n Sabrina Carpenter's "I'm on my way !!!"...N yes the stunning photos of my unknown Facebook friend who studied in Cambridge ! 

"So take aim and fire away,

I've never been so wide awake,

No, nobody but me can keep me safe

And I'm on my way...." Inspiration is everywhere... It solely depends on the lens you put on!! 

As I reach midpoint of my course, I am amazed by how far I have come from the day when this all was just a dream! I applied only to Oxford and Cambridge, not just coz they are the World's Best Universities, but coz I simply love the buildings, the atmosphere and the whole vibe! There was a time when the Imperial Forest Service officers used to be trained here in these universities by the British Empire, long before the Forest Research Institute, Dehradun came into existence! To come and study here, is not just a dream, it's a legacy which I cherish for a lifetime! I'm grateful to have secured the admissions in both these historic Universities. Turning down Cambridge was way tougher than joining Oxford! and it was the happiest confusion to be in! 

As I continue living this dream here at Oxford, I remember a famous dialogue of our very own Sharukh Khan... "Kehte hain agar kisi cheez ko dil se chaho … to puri kainaat usse tumse milane ki koshish mein lag jaati hai…." Aur lag gayi.... I lost count of people whom I should thank in this journey of mine... I met some of the most beautiful people in my life even before I set my foot here in Oxford... My College profs who agreed to give me Reference letters.. My seniors in the service who gave me Professional References n unmatchable support.. My friends who stood by me unwavered... My senior in Vizag who helped me get my Transcripts from the University.. my IIT guide who gave me reference despite being a vice-chancellor of a big Indian University.. My family who saw me through every downside during the course.... My own staff n colleagues who did everything they could to help me out... N the list keeps going on n on n on... I only have these silent deepest regards for all of them in my heart... One must be very lucky to have such wonderful people in Life n I'm surely the luckiest! 

Oh yeah... What can I even say about The Oxford? Truly international. Exceedingly technical. Highly motivational. Insanely Energetic!!! Every lecture I attend here is revealing n refreshing.. The more I listen, the more I discover! The mighty Himalayas and the vast oceans always made me wonder how tiny we are in this Universe. And every talk I attend here makes me realize how insanely deep is this ocean of knowledge! I got to know some of the amazing people from across the world. Just contemplate this... My super classmates here are from Japan, China, US, Cambodia, Germany, Italy, Vietnam, Singapore, Zimbabwe, Uganda, South Africa, Australia, Pakistan, Ukraine, UK etc., to name a few.. This is so overwhelming, just being a part of this class! One single agenda that connects all of us is the "Conservation" and our "Love for Nature"... When I studied Geography for my Civil Services Examination, I never ever imagined that one day, I would be studying on Conservation and Nature in the World's Best Geography Department at the World's Best University! Life is fascinating..it takes you places in ways you never expect! So my simple message from this City of Dreaming Spires for now is.... Dream!!! because Dreams do come True!!!