Article#16: ‘Mi’gration

Migration, the term that we use widely when referring to birds. Why do birds migrate? In search of food, proper shelter, better climate or a healthy environment for their upcoming generation. It is not their part of life, but their need for life that enables them to migrate.

Now-a- days, it is common thing for most of us as well to migrate to a new place for building up our life. If the place is too far from your native, you see different people, different language, different culture, different tradition, different climate and everything different. What counts is the way we get used to the place, the way we get accustomed to the language, the way we mingle with the people and finally the way we feel that it is our place as well. This article is all about my migration to a city from a small town, to an employee from a college student, to a householder from a hostelite, in short, the transformation from being nothing to something.

Although the very first place where I landed with a job in my hand was Chennai, it was for a short span of three months. Later I shifted to Hyderabad and from here, the real story started.

It was Feb 2011 that I arrived in Hyderabad. One strange thing I experienced on the first day was a heavy unseasonal rain, that too only in some places of the city, seemed to be unnatural. On my way to office, I felt that here there is no place for someone who is slow; people here want everything to happen fast. They wake up fast, get ready fast, reach office fast, but end up coming late and sleeping late. In fact, the city never sleeps. One more thing that I noticed here is even though you are slow, the city teaches you everything, and you never know how you are transformed in a positive way. Traffic was unbearable. I was so hesitant during my stay in relatives’ house for 2-3 days. Then I shifted to a hostel where most of my college friends were present. It was not at all easy for me to stay there because, things were always perfect at home and there was no place for something called adjustment. In first three years of my career at Hyderabad, I stayed in three hostels; each one had their own pros and cons.

Everything and everyone around seemed to be new and different; I met people from different states of India. Apart from this, the fast going local trains, the rushing city buses, the never-ending autos and the demanding cabs helped me to visit few places in the city. Initially it was the time wherein I was trying to identify my passion in the work I do, trying to get adjusted to outside food, trying to socialize with old friends, relatives and new people around. At the same time, my trips to home always used to be regular.

Three years passed by, I have seen some ups and downs in both professional and personal life. Then I realized that I have come here for a reason and like thousands of people, I brought my dreams as well along with my baggage. I never thought of being strongly established in this city, but I always wanted to have some identity of my own, a small place to stay in this large city, a place where I feel comfortable and can lead a peaceful life. From then, I started searching for a flat to buy. Things were not easy because I was at the age of 24 and not much aware of anything clearly. How to find a house? Where to find? What are the criteria? How does the process start? Whom to contact? How would it go? Where does it end? Lot many questions. However, as I said, we do not have to worry about anything in this city because it teaches you everything in its own way. Slowly I started to know the information from known contacts. I used to roam in the city during the daytime and attend office shift during the night time for a month, the most challenging days of my life. Finally, it resulted in a positive outcome. Yes, I am in my own flat from the last 3 years almost. Many people suggested me to give it for rent purpose or to surround myself with some bachelors. However, I resisted it because they see it as a source of investment whereas I feel it as a dream come true. There are even some who say that I am leading a lonely life, but I feel that I am leading an independent life. After all, who can get the chance to play a double role of owner and servant at the same time for the same place?

Waking up in the morning in a place that you own is something beyond a satisfaction level. I started doing things, many things, everything on my own. Trust me; never ever, I did something when I was with my parents because after all, being the younger one in the family, you will have your own list of advantages. Therefore, daily I used to discover something new and those discoveries made my days. Gradually, I started moving to a more comfort zone because I got used to doing everything. I started working on my passions and interests. From Singing, dancing to imitations, I used to do many things. In fact, my list started growing wherein I identified some more interests like Hindi/Urdu poetry (Shayaris), Writing articles/Short stories, cooking yummy food items, hosting my own shows in WhatsApp groups, etc. All this helped me to lead a passionate life, of course, everything had its own set of challenges, but when we do something out of interest, we do not look at the darker side. I even got the chance to deliver sessions, take interviews, investigate and discover something new at my work place with which I became too busy.

With all this happenings, sometimes I wonder, Is it the same one who is cooking with lot of zeal today, but never visited kitchen a while ago? Is it the same one who is fearlessly crossing 80 KMPH today, but was afraid of driving once upon a time? Is it the same one who got individuality to deal with anything today, but was always seeking parents help some time ago? Is it the same one who is managing group of people today, but was trying to escape from such responsibilities earlier? Is it the same one who believes only in giving today, but was expecting same thing from others yesterday? I have to say, this city laid a path for me in growth of many aspects, the process was slow, but the result is unbelievable. Maybe, that is the reason, now it has become mine, my city with which I feel strongly connected.

Hyderabad’s speciality lies in its climate and the food that it offers. The positive aspect here is, most of the times although you feel the heat outside; inside the home, it remains cool. I still remember when I had to use blankets even in the month of April the time I came here. Moreover, the sweat less wind outside enables you to go anywhere even in the afternoon times. The outside food here is something that any Indian can enjoy because it offers wide variety of items that suits the requirement of people coming from north or south. There are chances for you to try new things here all the time.

To conclude, Hyderabad is not only beautiful, but is also tough. In the process of heading towards our goal or destination, we may get diverted due to many things. So, at least for some time, turn your eyes from your busy life and try to find that special feel that your city offers to your life in a beautiful and meaningful way. Who knows, even you achieve something here unknowingly and get connected :-) All the best :-)