When the mood is frenzied and spirits high, adrenaline levels shooting up, everyone dancing furiously and singing loudly, there is one person who is still very much balanced but nevertheless enjoying every bit of it. At the social gatherings (Don't read just Alcheringa), he would be quietly clicking away his camera capturing some of the best moments while trotting around like a penguin. Forget his smile, even his laughter is very much personal. Swamiji once said, Dekho, kishton mein mat hasaa karo. No one has a more muffled and discrete laughter than SArun (or 961124 as I'd love to call him).
A reserved person, he would rarely talk to many people. That was probably why ours was a rather late acquaintance, despite the fact that I was one of the regulars at his room. The first time I really talked to him was when Chandresh, he and I conspired against Gunjan for fun (I am changing my room ka kissa). His dress sense, the way he talks to people, handled equipment (especially the computer keyboard) and more, there is pure elegance about everything. And a conversation with him can easily bring a lot of peace and serenity. Do I need to tell you about his dining table etiquette and his handling of the spoon and fork? Not to mention, how slow an eater he is.
Glance through Arun's notebooks and you will find a car on each and every page showing a small part of his interest in the latest technological advancements. The models of airplanes he makes (recently he gave me one of those) and dissecting anything at hand (be it a brand new camera or a small Add Gel pen) attitude quite exemplify this. He also keeps himself up to date with all the new movies in Hollywood and at home. Spend some time everyday with him and you can answer a few questions at the techfest quiz if you remember what he told you the previous nights.
Arun has strong preferences and rarely does he wish to deviate from them. You'd love to accompany him, be it to the movie, the book fair,Devi Darshan (Pun intended) during Durga Puja or lunch at the hostel in North Guwahati. With his gentle disposition, he is the right companion. If the trips to Tawang and Manipur were food. Arun was the spice. His witty remarks, that too delivered in a slow and stylish fashion (call it SArun's touch) are really subtle and truly entertaining.
There is a lot you could learn from him, ask Chandresh.
