First....

What does it mean to you? Have you ever realised that some of the firsts make a huge impression on a person. First day @ school, first puff of cigarette, First Glass of beer , First kiss, First child ... etc. What is it about a first that burns into your memory like a picture? You can recall every word, movement, thought, everything that surrounded you at the time. It could be good or bad, but that doesn"t matter, it is forever with you.

First Day to School ....
First Puff of Cigaret ....
First Glass of Beer ....
First Job Interview ....
First Kiss ....
First Child ....
First (and of course last) Experience in Police Lockup ....


First Day at School - I still remember my Dad lead me to my School Building. I was in my White Half Sleeve Shirt and White Shorts. I was wearing Black shoes. I still remember climbing the first five stairs of my school building holding my Dad"s index finger, walking the corridor leading to my class room. My class teacher was elderly grey haired Teacher in his 50"s wearing white Gandhi cap. His name was "LALBHAI". Justifying his name his cheeks were red like roses. He greeted me with fatherly feeling and my fear for school"s alien atmosphere instantly evaporated.

First Puff of cigarette - My age was 17 when I had the first puff of cigarette in my life. I had just started going to college. During those days I used to visit local sports club in our locality. It was winter evening. romantic chill was there in the atmosphere. At 7.00 p.m. One of a club member (who later became very good friend of mine), offered me an imported "Benson & Hedges" to start my smoking experience. He told me that this brand is supposed to be consumed by LADIES (mild). I had my puff sitting on a garden bench in our club premises. Though it"s supposed to be mild, I felt a BANG on my head when I inhaled the smoke, and I was on the seventh heaven.

First Glass of Beer - I had a beer long before I had a first puff of smoke. It was 9.30 in the evening. I still remember, two of my cousin brothers (from Nagpur), both elder to me and quiet experienced with such adventures had come to Kolkata (then known as Calcutta). They were very exited about Calcutta"s night life and were also aware about the joints in Park Street Area of Kolkata. They lead me to "TRINCAS" restaurant. We sat on a corner table enjoying the live band playing some popular western music. They ordered some premium brand "BLACK LABEL" Malt beer and while the drink was getting served one of them asked me whether I have ever tested it or not. When in embarrassment I said "NO" he instructed the waiter to serve ME also with the magic potion. In dilemma whether to-have-it-or-not,� I sipped my drink in anticipation of a sweet "Rose syrup" taste, and got a biggest surprise of my life that "beer taste is bitter and not sweet". It will remain a surprise through out my life that in spite of it"s BITTER taste I still relish a glass of beer before evening dinner during summer (occasionally).