The Ride to Independence, The Lesson of Responsibility

When most people talk about their first day of college, they remember the classrooms, the professors, or the crowd. For me, that day is remembered for something completely different—not what happened inside the campus, but what began outside of it.

Till then, my life had been comfortable. I traveled often, but always through metros, autos, or e-rickshaws. Navigation, routes, and distances never really bothered me. But college changed that. Suddenly, I had a bike. A tank full of petrol, Google Maps as my co-pilot, and a whole city unexplored. It was the beginning of independence.

That first ride was supposed to be a simple 30 km journey. Instead, it turned into an 80 km adventure. I rode through unfamiliar roads for nearly 2.5 hours, drained and exhausted. At that time, it felt tiring—like too much responsibility too soon. But today, when I look back, that ride feels significant. It wasn’t about being lost. It was about realizing that from now on, if I did lose my way, it would be me—and only me—responsible for finding the way back.

This independence carried with it an unspoken responsibility. College wasn’t just about attending classes; it was a subtle initiation into adulthood. For the first time, I wasn’t just a passenger anymore. I was in charge—of the bike, the journey, and in a much larger sense, of myself. In that moment, I understood something my parents had never really pressed upon me. In Indian households, children are often shielded. Parents want their kids to live tension-free, to not worry about routes, or bills, or responsibilities. And honestly, that shielding felt good. Who wouldn’t enjoy comfort in a city as chaotic as Delhi? But sooner or later, the shield drops, and reality takes over.

One year later, I’ve explored a large part of Delhi on that very bike. I don’t remember all the roads, but I remember the feeling of freedom. And more importantly, I remember the quiet weight of responsibility that came with it.

Because maybe that’s what growing up really is—moving from being carried to carrying, from being protected to protecting. My first day of college wasn’t just the start of academics. It was life whispering to me: “The road is yours now. Ride it.”

My First Day at College – A Sleepy but Memorable Start

Being someone who has always been enthusiastic about the art of storytelling and visual creation, getting into Maharaja Agrasen College for Journalism felt like a real achievement. I had imagined countless scenarios about my first day—whether I would make new friends, feel lost in the new university life, or simply enjoy the excitement. But the reality? I was sleepy the whole day.

From the introduction classes to the breaks and even the activities, my eyelids felt heavy. The reason was simple—I had been running around Delhi for days, arranging my stay and sorting out all the essentials a student needs when moving from a completely different background. By the time my first day arrived, I was exhausted.

But as the saying goes, the best things happen when you least expect them. Despite the sleepiness, I managed to make new friends, meet interesting people, and experience the melting heat of Delhi—all in one day. For the first time, I truly felt what it means to be part of Delhi University.

The day started early with election candidates knocking on the doors, introducing their parties, sharing agendas, and even providing helpline contacts for freshers. My first class was in Room No. 307 on the third floor. Walking in was a bit awkward—new faces everywhere while I fought my drowsiness—but eventually, I introduced myself to my batchmates, many of whom later became good friends.

Our first lecture was taken by Mr. Sudhir Rinten, our HOD. I must admit, I didn’t quite catch his style of teaching in the beginning, but as days passed, I started enjoying his way of explaining things.

During the break, I went to the cafeteria and grabbed a soft drink. I wasn’t very confident about the food at first, but after a while, I gave it a try and realized it wasn’t bad at all. Meanwhile, the college societies were actively introducing themselves—English Theatre, Filmmaking, Marketing, and more. Seniors invited us to attend their upcoming sessions, and the energy was contagious.

Everyone around seemed curious, asking about CUET scores and comparing Maharaja Agrasen with other colleges in DU. Being a state-level badminton player, I was thrilled to discover the badminton court on campus—it immediately sparked excitement to play for the college team.

No matter how much I wanted to explore, time was limited. Still, between the awkward introductions, sleepy lectures, and bustling campus life, 1st September 2024 turned out to be a mysteriously fun experience.

Looking back now, the journey has continued, filling my pockets with unforgettable memories—and this was just the beginning. 

“The edge of childhood — a fragile bloom of innocence wrapped in paper dreams.”

The stories of imagination and good old days

 

From the historic tales of ramayana and mahabharata to the creative cartoons like courage the cowardly dog the stories contains a huge part of me growing up with the imagination and remembering the good old days.

"Bachpan ki mehfil—jahaan waqt ruk jaata tha, aur khilkhilaahat se shaam dhal jaati thi.”

"The moment of transition"

 

“Childhood fit me once, like these tiny shoes. Growing up means learning to fill bigger ones.”

Presented by Lydia Shiyang 

The Things Time Can’t Touch - by Palak Kasana

Childhood passes, the dreams evolve, and the world keeps changing around us. But the core of who we were, the softness, the laughter, the shared moments, stays alive. Even when life moves forward and nights turn into mornings, it will never change me and you.