December 3, 2004
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Hi Aravind, Kindly be informed that you are formally shifted to 7S-TR2-S20: m/c no:****** with effect from Dec 3rd, 04.
Thanks And Regards,
Rakhin Prabha Rajan

When I got the allocation mail, I was a little sad. The thought of movingout from Rec Room to some place called TR2 was not too comforting. One andhalf years later, on the brink of moving from TR2 to my own niche in 7S, Iam flooded by an immense feeling of nostalgia...

I am also sure I am not theonly one...The memories of life in TR2 have been clearly etched into theminds of whoever has had the chance to be here. With only a few days of my professional life left to be lived in TR2, Ithought it prudent to write an ode to one of the most happening rooms of USTechnology. TR2 has been the nerve center of all activities concerning ouraccount...Want to have an account meeting? Want to celebrate a birthday?Have to announce a tour? One almost always turned to TR2. Some of ourbiggest projects have been executed out of TR2. Some of our most memorableevents have been celebrated here, and some of our biggest decisions havealso been made here. This room has been as much a part of our account asanyone of us.

I am sure everyone would agree that the wonderful team spiritwithin our team has a direct relation to a majority of us being in TR2.Successes have been shared and sorrows divided. When I came into TR2, there were people from other accounts still sittinghere. A few months later it became an exclusive haven of our account. Myfirst seat was in the last row, which reminded me of my engineering class (Iwas sitting in the first row and had to relegate to last row after myprofessor told me while distributing answer papers that he hadn't seen aworse first bench in his career). You had the advantage of watching theworld without the world watching you. Some months later I realized that Imight end up a specimen for the medicos to work on, if I continued to put upwith the cold waves (literally) emanating from the AC vents.

I then requested for a change and when Biji left TR2, I got my first promotion (orshould I say demotion) to the second last row. Interestingly, it is exactlyone year since I moved to my present seat. It is then that I had a chance towork with a full fledged team along with Ramesh and Varma. From then on ithas been a wonderful journey, and as of today, Sojan and I are the seniormost in TR2 (wow, what a great feeling).

I almost feel that a family is being cut to pieces; of course it being the time of nuclear families, one cannot complain. But the thought that thishaven, which has provided everyone with intimacy, love, trust, protection,tenderness and understanding, will no longer be part of our folklore, oursaga, is indeed disturbing.

I only wish that the bond which has held us together through times thick andthin, would hold, strengthen and flourish even when we move out. For, intrying circumstances, it is the knowledge that friends are near, that givesyou comfort and helps you go over the hurdles. This might be the last gazette out of TR2. It would also be great if peoplewho have experienced life in TR2 reply with their experiences....