2013 - Indian Students Association

 Namaste!
Congratulations on being admitted to The Ohio State University! I would like to
present to you the latest issue of Sandesh, the annual magazine for the Indian Students
Association (ISA). This magazine will acquaint you with ISA and Columbus as you
embark on a journey across the world to study in the United States. In particular, this
magazine serves as a guide for you to navigate your way through Columbus for the first
couple of months of your stay in this country.
The Ohio State University (OSU) is among the largest universities in the country
with 1700 acres of land, 457 buildings, and roughly 60,000 students. There are close to
1,000 student organizations on campus and ISA is a major part of the Indian student
community on campus. ISA has been helping students complete their transition
successfully from India to OSU ever since its establishment in 1952. The primary goal of
ISA is to create a “home away from home” for incoming students by facilitating their
requests during their initial days in Columbus and holding events throughout the year
that ensure that students still have a personal connection to India. Our objective is to
ensure that incoming students have no issues adapting to American culture. ISA has a
dedicated base of members and volunteers who guide new students by conducting
airport pickups in Columbus and arranging temporary accommodations for students
until they have their own residence. Our executive board organizes activities for
students to participate in throughout the year, beginning with our Fresher’s Party,
which helps new students network with one another and understand what ISA does for
them. Our other events include various festival celebrations, cultural shows, cricket
tournaments, camping trips, concerts etc. ISA also believes in helping charities here in
the United States as well as back home in India. We have donated close to $20,000 to
the Mid-Ohio Food Bank and the James Cancer Research Center. In India, we have
donated $4,000 to the Mahila Vikas Project. For our efforts, ISA has been recognized as
one of the Most Outstanding Student Organizations by the university this year and we
hope to continue our excellence in the years to come.
Within this year’s edition of Sandesh, you will find numerous tools to help you
become familiar with Columbus and OSU. We hope that your transition is as smooth as
possible. I encourage you to visit our website at www.isaosu.com to know more about
ISA and gain access to various resources we have prepared for you before you arrive in
Columbus. I hope that you utilize this organization’s facilities to your advantage as you
begin your travels to a foreign land. I look forward to meeting you all. Once again,
welcome to The Ohio State University and the Indian Students Association!
Rishab Bhardwaj
President
Indian Students Association.
1 | S a n d e s h 2 0 1 3 2 | S a n d e s h 2 0 1 3 CONTENTS
•
ISA ExecutivE Board……………………………………05
•
Through
the
Time
Machine:
ISA
Events
Review………………………………………………………………09
•
Columbus Culture Curry…………………………..11
•
All
you
need:
Apartment
search,
Gas,
Electricity, Phone etc………………………………………..14
•
Freshman
Orientation:
Undergrad
Experience at OSU……………………………………………….16
•
The Graduate: Grad Experience At OSU……..18
•
Adjusting to a New Academic System……….19
•
Recreational Activities on Campus…………20
•
The To-Do List……………………………………………….21
•
Favorite Spots on Campus…………………………23
•
FRIENDS
§
Sankalpa………………………………………….24
§
Association
for
India’s
Development…………………………………..25
§
Hindu Yuva……………………………………….26
§
OSU Nashaa……………………………………..26
§
Ohio
State
University
Cricket
Club…………………………………………………..27
2 | S a n d e s h 2 0 1 3 §
Fisher
Indian
Students
Association……………………………………..28
•
Mumbai Gateway……………………………………………29
•
Get Involved………………………………………………….30
•
Grocery List………………………………………………….31
•
INDIAN RESTAURANTS………………………………….32
•
CABS Map……………………………………………………….33
•
COTA Map……………………………………………………….34
3 | S a n d e s h 2 0 1 3 ISA Executive Board 2013-­‐2014 Rishab Bhardwaj President Business – Finance and Accounting [email protected] Kalyan Goparaju Vice President Aerospace Engineering [email protected] Sandeep Suda Treasurer Electrical Engineering [email protected] Torsa Ghosal Secretary English Literature [email protected] Nihar Vakil Event Planning Head Chemical Engineering [email protected] Roshni Patel Event Planning Committee Political Science [email protected] 5 | S a n d e s h 2 0 1 3 Sahanna Bhatt Event Planning Committee Public Health [email protected] Sundeepti Jindal Event Planning Committee Political Science and Psychology [email protected] Liza Dias Event Planning Committee Chemical Engineering [email protected] Abhinav Varma Event Planning Committee Aerospace Engineering [email protected] Rahul Chitalia Sponsorship Head Mechanical Engineering [email protected] Chandni Patel Sponsorship Committee Communication [email protected] Siddharth Nema Sponsorship Committee Mechanical Engineering [email protected] 6 | S a n d e s h 2 0 1 3 Aditya Singh Sponsorship Committee Mechanical Engineering [email protected] Vishank Talesara Marketing and Events Team Electrical Engineering [email protected] Kartavya Ladwa Marketing and Events Team Computer Science and Engineering [email protected] Anees Alwani Marketing and Events Team Vrishank Shah Marketing and Events Team Mechanical Engineering [email protected] Gayathri Veeraraghavan Marketing and Events Team Biochemistry [email protected] Kushal Bhansali Marketing and Events Team International Business [email protected] 7 | S a n d e s h 2 0 1 3 Melissa Prax Marketing and Events Team Journalism [email protected] Aveek Mukherjee Graduate Representative Computer Science and Engineering [email protected] Neha Mazumder Graduate Representative Computer Science and Engineering [email protected] Varsha Gopalakrishnan Graduate Representative Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering [email protected] Siddharth Seshan Student Advisor Environmental Engineering [email protected] Akul Kakumani Creative Designer Mechanical Engineering [email protected] Umang Sharaf 8 | S a n d e s h 2 0 1 3 Webmaster Computer Science and Engineering [email protected] Through the Time Machine: ISA Events Review
Rishab Bharadwaj
The one thing unique about the Indian community at The Ohio
State University is the presence of the Indian Students Association (ISA). ISA
plans a large number and wide variety of events for the entire Indian community
present not only on campus but also in and around Columbus. The academic year
2012-13 proved to be one of milestones for ISA.
ISA started the year by celebrating India’s Independence Day. The
Indian flag was hoisted at the heart of the institution: The Ohio Union. The large
crowd present included incoming students as well as current students and
faculty members. Our Tiranga was hoisted right next to the American flag, a feat
that no other cultural organization has achieved at the university. The flag
hoisting ceremony was accompanied by a live performance by ISA’s affiliated
band (Virtuoso) as well as traditional samosas for the attendees.
Late August marked the arrival of new students and with it, ISA’s
Freshers Party. This was an opportunity for new students to meet each other
and get to know OSU more. It was also a chance for ISA to provide information
on its services and upcoming events. It was a night of games, dinner, and dance
enjoyed by new and current students.
Early September marked a landmark for ISA, as the organization
brought its first live band performance to the campus. The Raghu Dixit Project
enthralled the young crowd composed of university students and Columbus
community members. This charity concert was a display of effort on ISA’s part to
give back to the country. Six other organizations collaborated to bring this
concert to the university.
October brought Navratri and with it, a night of Garba hosted by
ISA. The 2010 winner for the “Most Innovative Event”, ISA’s Navratri
celebration this year attracted a crowd of 500 people to dance to the beats of
traditional Gujarati music. President Gordon Gee chose to be a part of this
prestigious event as well.
November marked the onset of winter, but with it also came a night
never witnessed before at OSU. ISA celebrated Diwali for the first time, with a
crowd of 200 people gathering outside at the Browning Amphitheater
9 | S a n d e s h 2 0 1 3 participating in a pooja and playing with fireworks and launching sky lanterns.
This event was chosen as the “Most Innovative Event” by the university for the
academic year 2012-13.
Also in November, ISA collaborated with the Indian American
Association for the annual Fall Show. The sporting nature as well as the
immense talent of our students is showcased during this event. This year’s Fall
Show saw numerous performances, including collaborative dance performances
by the freshmen, sophomore, and seniors. The audience voted for the best
performance and the freshmen outclassed the competition.
After winter break, ISA brought two events to the community:
Republic Day and the Buckeye Premier League. Republic Day was a small
celebration to commemorate the day our constitution came into effect. Buckeye
Premier League, taking a concept from the Indian Premier League, brought
representatives of different cities of India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka together in a
7-over cricket tournament. This year’s champions were the Indore team.
In March, ISA celebrated Holi in formidable fashion. Held at a
loading dock, this event had color, water, snacks, music, and dance. Not only did
Indian community members enjoy the color-throwing practices, but a respectable
majority of the crowd was composed of non-Indians, who explored what it like to
celebrate Holi in India with the splashing of water and the consumption of vada
pavs.
The end of the year brought ISA and IAA together yet again to
bring the biggest South Asian weekend to OSU: Buckeye Mela. In its sixth year,
Buckeye Mela brought the entire South Asian community together through
sports tournaments, a block party, and an inter-collegiate dance competition
participated by 10 schools across the country and attended by approximately 900
people. The weekend drew a crowd of 2000 people from across the country.
ISA’s events always combine Indian traditions with the Buckeye
Spirit and hence, not only appeal to the Indian community but also to the OSU
students from other nationalities.
10 | S a n d e s h 2 0 1 3 Columbus Culture Curry
Torsa Ghosal
I know what we call it
Most of the time.
But I have my own song for it,
And sometimes, even today,
I call it beauty.
-­‐
“Beautiful Ohio,” James Arlington Wright
The word Ohio means “great water” in Iroquoian language though
etymologically it draws upon the indigenous word for “beautiful.” However,
alongside the magnificence that one associates with such an epithet the state’s
indigenous nomenclature juxtaposed with its contemporary culture takes us back
to the multilayered history of invasions, annexations that centuries later also
resulted in industrialization and urbanization of this Midwestern state. Owing to
its central location within the North American continent, the state has been vital
to several economic and social epochs. Columbus, as the capital of the state of
Ohio, and home to the largest university campus in the country today bears the
legacy of the state through its cultural diversity.
I was not familiar with the name of the city Columbus before I applied to
The Ohio State University. I had no idea what this place would be like and
unlike other American cities such as NYC, Chicago or even Houston and
Minneapolis, I could not recall having seen images of the city in popular media.
All I knew was that Columbus was evidently named after the European explorer
who, as history books say, “discovered” America. My idea of what a city or at
least what the 16th largest city in a country like US ought to be like was largely
framed by my experience of having lived in Indian metropolitan cities. Columbus
at first sight lacked the crammed up heterogeneity that I love about Indian
cities. While in India I would always complain about the narrow gullies of North
Calcutta and Old Delhi but once in Columbus, I would wonder why every street
was at right angles with one another: why is everything so planned? Why is
everything so similar and so flat? However, gradually I discovered Columbus and
its cultural depths and complexities. Columbus is different but neither any less
enigmatic nor less charming for it. Here are a few activities that help in
understanding and appreciating Columbus.
Walking down the North High Street
The North High Street is the lifeline of the city in some respects. Apart
from the fact that it connects the main campus of OSU with the downtown, the
North High Street also boasts of a wide range of eateries, cafes, shops for
11 | S a n d e s h 2 0 1 3 apparel, accessories, boutiques, salons and so on. The frequency of COTA Bus
number 2 makes the navigation up and down the High Street fairly easy and
convenient. In the evening the North High Street Arches glow in their 21st
century LED avatars even as they remind one of title, “City of Arches,” that
Columbus earned after the first set of arches were installed in 1888.
Tasting Ethnic Food
Columbus brings together people from multiple ethnic origins and
nationalities. Hence it perhaps comes as no surprise that Columbus offers a rich
gamut of cuisines to choose from. Mexican cuisine features prominently through
the food chains within the city. There are the colorful Taco trucks that specialize
in regional dishes. From Mad Mex and Chipotle to the multiple outlets of El
Vaquero, there’s no dearth of Tacos, Quesadillas and Enchiladas in the city
irrespective of one’s budget. The same can be said of Greek restaurants like
Happy Greek and King Gyros in Columbus—they are present almost everywhere
you go. Some of these restaurants combine a broader range of Mediterranean
dishes with Greek ones as in Lashish on Bethel Road. Of German eateries,
Schmidt’s Restaurant und Sausage Haus on East Kossuth Street serves such
authentic regional food that it stunned a German friend of mine from Freiburg.
African delicacies are also readily available in Columbus: Blue Nile serves
Ethiopian food while Drelyse offers Nigerian food. Columbus has one of the
larger concentrations of Somalian immigrants in US and consequently, there’s
Solay Bistro and Clanley. Further, food tours are conducted by organizations like
Columbus Food Adventures (http://columbusfoodadventures.com/tours). Short
North and North Cleveland Avenue have the maximum density of ethnic eateries
grouped together.
Touring the Villages
Columbus also has several historic suburban establishments along the
North High Street. Interestingly, in the 1800s one-third of Columbus’ population
comprised of German immigrants. These immigrants constructed houses,
churches, and schools in the region which is known as German Village today.
Red-brick homes lined along cobbled narrow streets makes up this residential
neighborhood. The Italian Village dates back to the mid nineteenth century and
though the region accommodated immigrants from a host of European countries,
it came to be known as the Italian Village following the dominance of Italian
architecture and the presence of a vibrant Italian Catholic community there.
Additionally, there are Victorian style houses preserved along the Neil Avenue
and Goodale Park. This is the site of the famous Victorian Village. The locality
includes residential buildings, lodges, and historic sites. The presence of
Hungarian houses along the South High Street and the Parsons Avenue evinces
12 | S a n d e s h 2 0 1 3 a history of Hungarian settlement in Columbus. All these communities also host
their own annual community festivals which are worth attending. Information
about tours and events are available on their respective websites.
Gallery Hopping
The Short North is also known as the Arts District. On the first Saturday
of each month, 4pm onward, the arts district showcases works by new and
established artists from Ohio in the art galleries as well as other relatively nontraditional spaces like restaurants. There are impromptu performances by street
performers and vendors sell handcrafted articles on the strip. Gallery Hopping is
an amazing way to experience the arts scene in the city. Also, even apart from
Gallery Hopping, on any given day if you walk around the city you will get to see
a plethora of murals along the street that showcase different forms of art
including the American Gothic.
Following the Sports Scene
Columbus hosts some major sports clubs. The Ohio Stadium or the
Horseshoe is home to the Ohio State Buckeyes Football team. The Columbus
Crew is a professional soccer club that plays in the Major League Soccer.
Columbus Blue Jackets is the professional ice hockey team based in Columbus.
The minor league baseball team in Columbus is owned by the government of the
Franklin County and named Columbus Clippers.
Studying in Cafes
If you get tired of studying in libraries, the cafes around the North High
Street will accommodate you and your zeal to study hard on shots of Caffeine.
There are the usual café chains like Starbucks and Tim Hortons. Alongside,
there are other theme cafes. Kafe Kerouac, as its name suggests, is styled to
reflect the rich American literary and music cultures. They focus on selling
locally made goods. Then there’s Impero and Travonna on North High, with
enough space for you to hook up your laptop and study.
As you land at the Port Columbus International Airport and
subsequently, enter the city, you will embark on your own trail of explorations
and adventures that will leave you with many memories for years to come.
Columbus is vibrant, culturally rich, ethnically accepting and above all, a
beautiful city to live in.
13 | S a n d e s h 2 0 1 3 All You Need: Apartment Search and Utilities
Moving to another country is a tedious process. Your environment, friends,
language, atmosphere and even the phone number can change! Here are a few
guidelines on how to get some life essentials at OSU campus.
Apartment:
Finding a good apartment is essential for a good life here at OSU. As soon
as you come here, try and start searching for apartments! Most of the
apartments have been taken for the next year when the international students
come. Still, there could be many apartments available at the University Manors.
Their contact number is 614 291 5001.
If it seems that chances are slim with these, ask around! Create a network
among friends regarding this. You never know- friends might know someone who
is looking for roommates! While signing a lease, get it reviewed free by student
Housing Clinic at Moritz College of Law. If you need a revision for the same, ask
ISA friends to do so. If you need a co-signer, you can also ask ISA friends to help
you with that. Here is a list of some other property managements to take a look
at.
Company
Phone
Website
Number
Pella Company 614-291www.pellacomany.com
2002
Buckeye Real
614-294www.buckeyere.com
Estate
5511
North Steppe
614-299www.ohiostaterentals.com
Realty
4110
G.A.S.
614-263www.gasproperties.com
properties
2665
University
614-261www.universityvillage.com
Village
1211
Scarlet and
614-292buckeyevillage.osu.edu
Gray
6561
Properties
Nicastro
614-437www.nicastroproperties.com
Properties
9973
Commons on
614-486www.commonsonkinnear.com
Kinnear
4222
Harrison
614-294www.harrisonapartments.com
Apartments
5551
Phone connection:
This is the most crucial service to get! Some companies, like AT&T require
the customers to have a social security number (SSN). Thus, the best option for
14 | S a n d e s h 2 0 1 3 an international student would be to open an account with T-mobile and get
additional perks of being an ISA member. While you get a connection, keep in
mind how many times will you be talking to people and buy a plan accordingly.
Ignore the prices of the plans as talking to parents and friends are the most
important thing as an international student! Some companies also give free
phones when you buy the plan with them. Keep an eye for that, too!
Internet:
When you get an apartment, you will need internet access. Some
properties offer free internet access; but if you are living with another friends, it
will get hard since they only provide one internet port. Get a good offer on Time
Warner cable. It is regarded as the fastest and easiest internet. Visit
www.timewarnercable.com and choose the best plan for you!
Bank account:
Getting a bank account is a tricky process. The major bank is 5/3 bank
which gives ISA members additional perks on top of the regular offers they give
to people who open their account. Just let them know that you are ISA member
and you will get two free wire transfers per billing cycle. There are also other
banks like Chase Bank and PNC on High Street.
15 | S a n d e s h 2 0 1 3 Freshman Orientation: Undergrad Experience at OSU
Sabarinath Sankaranarayanan
Often mocked as personnel over-using maps to get to classes or campus
dining locations and sometimes, THE UNION, the freshmen are the babies of the
college at Ohio State. I, too, was mocked as I overused the maps, had no clue
where the RPAC was till I asked upper-classmen (the old men and ladies of Ohio
State) and often, showed signs of immaturity. But, freshman year is more than
just demonstrating immaturity and being clueless; it is about setting the earliest
footsteps in the greatest experience of a teenager’s life.
I landed in Columbus in September and was nicely welcomed by ISA who
provided me with accommodation. In the first weeks of September, I completed
my admission procedures and looked around for campus involvement. Trust me,
before school starts is the best time for any student to cement his or her interests
in an organization. I found a job at Marketplace where I am the manager today,
joined ISA which made me feel at home amongst Indians and made friends then
with whom I still hang out. This is how I started my journey at Ohio State. The
academic stress began with classes on September 21. Here I was, being part of
the last quarters’ class of OSU’s illustrious history.
I major in architecture and took 2 of the requisites along with GECs in
autumn quarter. It was strenuous owing to the 20 hours of work and campus
involvement in ISA and USG. Although it was a challenging quarter, I learned
more than ever – from ISA events in Garba and Fall Show to working late nights
at marketplace and finally, with three midterms in 2 days, autumn quarter
tested me thoroughly. College is what you make of it – you can either give up and
just “party” or set up the right balance and “party” at the same time. I did the
latter and the transition to winter quarter was easy. I didn’t get to go home for
New Year’s but I had a good family time in Columbus with many Indians staying
back on campus, especially the graduates. Networking and socializing with them
showed me a different facet of life – one which most undergraduates hardly see
in 4 years of schooling.
Soon came winter quarter and with it came my studio in architecture
which drove me insomniac. ISA’s events were at its peak and I was just realizing
my positions with the Greek community (fraternities and sororities) and USG.
Winter quarter was hectic and fun. I met my best friends from class and outside
in this quarter. I certified what organizations I wanted to join and now, had two
jobs to keep myself occupied. To be honest, all these campus involvement is what
ensured that my grades don’t drop and to make it better, I was constantly in the
Dean’s list of my class. ISA won the elite prizes at Taste of OSU 2012 – an
16 | S a n d e s h 2 0 1 3 international cultural fest hosted by Office of International Affairs and I was
getting to know my future brothers at ACACIA – the fraternity I am part of
today; yes, this quarter was eventful. Oh, before I forget, I would also work out 6
times a week to keep myself fit which I recommend to everyone. This helped me
overcome the weather change. After 10 weeks of stressful yet entertaining
schooling, I got done with my tiring courses (don’t get me wrong, I loved the
classes I took) and was now an essential part of my organizations.
Buckeyes describe spring quarter as the best and I don’t doubt it either.
This year, the weather was pleasant, my classes were challenging but definitely,
not as strenuous as winter quarter and I loved my time in my organizations.
Spring quarter was the transition time at ISA and I took up the position as
Marketing and Sponsorship Chair – a massive jump from Freshman
Representative. USG appointed me in the Health and Wellness Committee,
ACACIA decided to bid me to become a brother and I was appointed manager at
Marketplace on Neil. My academics did suffer a little in the beginning but I
learned to balance it as the quarter got rolling. Colorful events such as
Buckeyemela 5, ACACIA’s biggest party: Night on the Nile and Skrillex concert
happened this quarter. Time flew by quickly and I reached the last week of the
quarter where I had to pack and leave the dorm. It was sad for me; I was leaving
behind my buds at the dorm who I probably may never live with again and the
first year of college flew by – yes, it was insanely quick!
My only advice to incoming freshmen is to make the best of what is
available. Eat your swipes and don’t swipe your seniors (swipes are the meal
plans at OSU). Network and socialize with everyone and don’t judge them at
first. Most of us are from a different continent which means it is really easy to
give in to the stereotype – DON’T! To conclude, most importantly, enjoy each and
every moment of the first year because like your high school years, these
precious moments never come back. And lastly, be a proud Buckeye and hate
MICHIGAN.
17 | S a n d e s h 2 0 1 3 The Graduate: Graduate Experience at OSU
Aveek Mukherjee
Recently President Barack Obama addressed Ohio State Graduates,
he began his address with the line “Hello Buckeyes!” and cheered “O-H!” the
crowd cheered back “I-O!”, the president again “O-H!”, the crowd responded with
an even bigger cheer “I-O!”. This is the President of United States donning a
century old OSU tradition. Before joining this university I had some idea about
the school spirit that goes along with most colleges in the US, but even then, I
was surprised: it is said that there is “school spirit,” and then there is the
“Buckeye spirit,” which takes school spirit to an entirely different level. If you
think you haven’t acquired the buckeye spirit yet, it doesn’t matter, just give it a
bit of time and allow OSU to embrace you. Watch the Buckeyes beat the buzzer
to defeat Purdue, let the OSU marching band awe you, celebrate a century old
rivalry by jumping into the freezing Mirror Lake, give it a semester and you will
be soaked in Buckeye spirit!
Coming into this university, you should realize that you are at the
cusp of awesome possibilities. There is always something to do at this place, you
pick any activity under the sun, and you will find a bunch of buckeyes that are at
it, doing it every week. There are hundreds of courses to fit everyone’s
personality, from courses in skydiving to a course on magic and witchcraft!; there
are several student clubs and groups, from a theme park engineering club that
spends time designing cool roller coasters, to the quidditch club that plays real
quidditch with broomsticks and bludgers. You will have the chance to do things
in your life that you may never have the chance to do again.
Grad School is a roller coaster of emotions dependent on the success
and failure of midterms, results in the lab and so on. Throughout the semester I
used to break the monotony of academics with activities offered around the OSU
campus. For instance, it was easier for me to get through all-nighters when I
knew I would play soccer over the weekend. OSU also gives you chance to
interact with some great people. I was fortunate enough to to meet Annie
Lebovitz (an American portrait photographer) and this experience that helped
me hone some of my elementary skills in drawing portraits. I was really
surprised by the effect some of the things she said had on my artwork.
Brace yourself for an amazing OSU experience, all the very best and
I hope to see you all in and around the campus soon. As you arrive in the US or
into Columbus, just remember to try this once, no matter where you are, if you
shout out an “O-H!” see if you get an “I-O!” response back.
18 | S a n d e s h 2 0 1 3 Adjusting to the Academic System in America
Sabarinath Sankaranarayanan
For most of us, education in India solely emphasizes the power of memory
rather than the importance of understanding. In class, we memorize, memorize
more and keep memorizing. Chemistry exams test who retains more information,
not who understands better. Maybe, it is the same with Physics. And Math can
be cracked if students practice certain problems over and over. Going to class has
lost its importance because tutorials have taken over. For few students, IIT
training or similar is a temple of hope towards a rich life whereas going to an
actual classroom is equivalent to a recess.
That is how many of us look at Indian education. I concur that most of the
previously mentioned information could be true but there are its advantages.
The information in our 12th standard textbook is superior to the information
published in many American college textbooks. I learned organic chemistry in
Grade 11 but in American colleges, students begin such equations in their
sophomore year. The value of hard work and competition is stressed in India; if
one fails to beat his rival, ego battles ensue. Thus, students take academics as a
bigger requisite for success in life in India and the stakes seem to be higher than
in America. Don’t get me wrong – the American system is powerful in its own
way, just not as stressful but more practical than the one in India. Learning
outside the classroom is seminal to a student’s upbringing here in the States
while in India, it is enforced that your teacher knows more than you, and hence
you listen attentively.
Furthermore, on an average, an American kid in Grade 12 is more athletic
than an Indian kid. Not to forget, there are the obese ones too. But, sports play
an integral role in the American system of education. Students are encouraged to
come out of the classroom, participate in extracurricular and develop their
personalities with an overall experience. In India, our system broadens our
academic scope at the cost of extracurricular activities.
However, that does not mean one neglects academics here. In fact, for me
the biggest challenge was to adjust to this system where going to lectures or
finishing assignments on time is given a lot of importance. When I studied in a
CBSE school, assignments held lesser value for grades and attending class
wasn’t mandatory. In America, attendance and participation is advocated as
much as scoring an A in an exam. And, not to forget, campus involvement is
encouraged more prominently in America. At the same time, growing up in an
Indian system has taught me to balance academics in a much more mature
manner than many of my American counterparts. To conclude, I encourage all of
you to make the best of the system in America, as well as not to forget your
Indian roots that taught us to become hard-workers.
19 | S a n d e s h 2 0 1 3 Recreational Activities on Campus
Sabarinath Sankaranarayanan
1. What is Freshman 15?
Usually, freshmen (anybody with less than 45 credit hours as an
undergraduate) who enter Ohio State are projected to gain a total of 15 pounds
over 9 months of schooling. This happens due to imbalance in nutrition
especially since not many are aware of the right combinations of diets and
recreation facilities available on campus and high street.
2. What is the best way to combat it?
Use the facilities around you – simple! OSU has the RPAC, JO South, JO
North and the ARC which have abundant machines and facilities for a healthy
living. On a personal level, this is my routine for 6 days of the week – use the
cardio machines at the RPAC to burn 400-500 calories, then go and lift weights
depending on what part of the body I am working out. OSU has a huge
population but the facilities are so elaborate that I’ve never had to wait for a
machine or weight at the recreation center. The basketball, volleyball and
racquetball courts at the RPAC and JO provide other sources of recreation to me.
For soccer fans like me, the ARC offers two indoor turfs where we, ISA, have
hosted several tournaments.
A Buckeye has to complete three sporting traditions at OSU - watch a
football game at the Horsheshoe with 105,000 fellow fans, take part in an
intramural tournament such as soccer and basketball and learn to either rock
climb or ice skate at the ARC or St. John’s Arena respectively! These are
requisites just like classes to showcase the Buckeye pride and a student at
graduation seeks pride in having completed these.
I would also recommend everyone to use the recreation centers effectively.
They are not only a place to work out, but a location where one can hang out
with friends. The ice skating center at St. John’s Arena is another spot where
friends meet and ice skate. It is not very expensive since discounts are given to
Student ID holders and on special occasions, is FREE. I am not a big fan of ice
skating but Ohio State ensures that students like me have other facilities
available like mountain climbing at the ARC (trust me, this is the best place to
“chill” with buds) and beach volleyball courts on North Campus.
Also, Buckeyes play cricket in West Campus! Sometimes, factors like these
play a massive role in feeling at home at Columbus. I have loved it here with my
work outs, intramurals and rock climbing. I can confidently say you will, as well.
GO BUCKS!
20 | S a n d e s h 2 0 1 3 The To-Do List: Ten Things you HAVE to do when you come
to Ohio State
Farhang Zia
I would have liked to write a very long and elaborate introduction to this article
which would give you a glimpse into the history of The Ohio State University
and its famous (and infamous) traditions. Unfortunately I have been given a
limit on the number of words in which I have to summarize what makes Ohio
State... well, Ohio State. So here is a ranked list of 10 things you HAVE to do,
when you come to Ohio State. This list has been compiled from my personal
experiences and inputs taken from current students in an online forum.
10. Take your education seriously: Please don’t hate me. I did not want to
put this here. But a majority of the students I asked had this on their list of
things to do. And secretly, deep down, I agree. Apart from being a party school,
OSU is also, academically, very prestigious. And considering the amount of
money (and time) you are spending, you have a lot at stake, so make sure you
play your cards right.
Ok, no more boring stuff. I promise.
9. Visit Thompson Library’s 11th floor: The 11th floor of the Thompson
library is beautifully furnished with a hardwood floor, couches and rocking
chairs lined in front of huge windows that provide unobstructed 360⁰ views of the
entire campus and downtown Columbus. Get a hot chocolate from the Berry Cafe
on the ground floor, a good book and enjoy a lazy afternoon there.
8. Get a picture each with Dr. Gordon Gee and Brutus: Dr. Gordon Gee is
the President of The Ohio State University and Brutus Buckeye is the mascot.
It’s a tradition among students to get a picture clicked with each of them. So how
do you recognize Dr. Gee? Well, he’s a cute little man in a suit with a bow tie
(legend has it that he has 365 bowties; one for each day of the year).
7. Submit an O-H-I-O picture: This is another very popular tradition. OSU
students, faculty and alumni click pictures of themselves forming the letters OH-I-O and post them online for other people’s amusement. Sounds lame? Well,
it’s not. Visit http://www.osu.edu/O-H-I-O/ and see what beautiful, unusual and
remote places Buckeyes have marked as their territory.
6. Explore the campus: Ohio State has one of the biggest campuses in the US.
Classes will only expose you to a fraction of it. The rest is for you to explore. Who
knows? You might just find a scenic trail along a certain river flowing through
campus or a beautiful library with dinosaur fossils ;-)
5. Take fun classes: Other than the usual boring classes that you have to take,
OSU offers lots of fun classes. Here are some that I can remember: Chocolate
Science, Wine and Beer in Western Culture, Magic and Witchcraft, Parasailing
and the most sought after - Skydiving.
21 | S a n d e s h 2 0 1 3 4. Attend all the Welcome Week events: Ok, you won’t be able to attend all of
the events unless you can bend space-time or be in multiple places at the same
time. But try to attend as many as you can. The whole campus (all 1,765 acres of
it) will be buzzing with activities. Lots of free food, free t-shirts, activities and
performances. If you do it properly, you can go the whole week without spending
on food.
3. Join a club: OSU has more than 1,000 student organizations that are
dedicated to various activities/interests. I’ll list a few on the top of my head.
There are clubs dedicated to Salsa, Board Games, Longboarding, Freestyle Rap,
Music, Barbecue, Soccer, Open Source Software, Age of Empires and Quidditch
(yes, OSU has a Quidditch club). These clubs are a great way to explore new
interests and meet people. To know all about these clubs/organizations, make
sure you attend the Involvement Fair which is held during Welcome Week.
2. Watch an Ohio State football game: According to Wikipedia, the Ohio
Stadium is the 7th largest stadium in the world by capacity. Now that statistic
might not directly tell you how crazy we Buckeyes are about football, but it does
give you some perspective. The only other chance you’d get to see a hundred and
two thousand people screaming at the top of their voices would probably be
during a riot.
1. Mirror Lake Jump: This will probably be the craziest thing you will ever
see.
So according to ESPN, the rivalry between The Ohio State University and
University of Michigan is the greatest college football rivalry of all time.
Throughout the campus, you’ll see students wearing t-shirts that mock
University of Michigan (my personal favorite is the “MUCK FICHIGAN” t-shirt)
and shouting obscenities for that university.
So every year, on the Tuesday before the game, thousands of OSU students jump
in Mirror Lake in freezing temperatures to wish their team good luck for the
game against *ichigan (I had to censor out the ‘M’ because typing out *ichigan
was making me sick).
Fact: Three years ago, the temperature was -4⁰ C and the lake was frozen. The
students broke the ice and jumped in.
Yes, we’re Buckeyes. We’re nuts. We love our football. And we don’t give a damn
for the whole state of *ichigan.
“Did you hear about the power cut at the University of *ichigan? Forty students
were stuck on an escalator for three hours.”
Welcome to Ohio State.
22 | S a n d e s h 2 0 1 3 FRIENDS of ISA
SANKALPA – A Resolution to make a difference!
Sankalpa is a non-profit student organization at The Ohio State University, Columbus.
It was started in September 2000 by a small group of driven and motivated students
with a ‘Sankalpa’ (Sanskrit for resolution) to make a difference. Members of Sankalpa
have one thing in common- the motivation and resolve to improve the lives of
individuals marginalized by society. As an organization, Sankalpa has since grown to
fund and support sustainable, micro-developmental and grass-roots level projects in
education, health, sanitation, agriculture and energy primarily in rural India.
All our fundraising events are volunteer driven. We participate in a variety of
fundraisers both on and off-campus all through the year. This past year, we had close to
100 volunteers help raise $6500 by participating in events such as painting traffic
barricades for the transportation department, running food stand during the football
season at the OSU stadium and selling food at events organized by partner
organizations. We also believe in actively engaging the local community and to that
effect organized a documentary film series showcasing contemporary issues in the areas
of education, health and sustainability. For our efforts in member education and
recruitment we were recognised with a leadership award by the Centre for Student
Leadership and Service, OSU. We frequently collaborate with other organizations on
campus and recently shared an award with AID and ISA for a charity concert organized
in April 2011.
Membership is open to anyone willing to volunteer their time and energy into working
towards our objective. We invite project proposals from across India every year.
Members then work in teams to review and discuss the potential impact of the proposed
project on the local community. Proposals that meet our objectives are funded and
closely monitored following their implementation. Members have also had the
opportunity to be more hands-on with the project and have in the past offered technical
expertise if the project happened to be in their area of interest. Till date we have
supported more than 26 projects throughout India with total funds accounting to about
$30,000.
More
information
about
funded
projects
can
be
found
at
www.sankalpaindia.org.
We are geared up for the new academic year with lots of events and activities planned.
You can make a difference by volunteering and/or participating in these events. We at
Sankalpa are driven by a strong connection to our homeland and are always looking for
motivated individuals who have a similar desire to give back. So join us and “be the
change you want to see in the world”.
24 | S a n d e s h 2 0 1 3 Association for India’s Development- OSU Columbus
Courage|Commitment|Change
Dear Buckeye,
On behalf of Association for India’s Development (AID), I am excited to welcome you to The Ohio
State University. If you are looking for an opportunity to give back to your motherland while pursuing
your education at OSU, you are at the right place. AID is a non-profit, volunteer movement that
supports grassroots organizations in India and initiates efforts in various interconnected spheres, such
as education, rural development, livelihood generation, environment, agriculture, health, women's
empowerment and social justice. We, at AID Columbus, believe that the small initiatives, such as the
projects we support help shape the
future of our nation.
AID was founded by a bunch of
graduate students in 1991# and today
AID has grown to be a movement of
more than 1000 volunteers in 39
chapters spread across USA and all
over the world. Every year, AID-US
volunteers raise and support projects
worth over $1 million.
AID-OSU chapter was established in
1999 and in the last 12 years we have raised and funded projects worth about $156,700.
How do we raise money? We as a bunch of undergraduate and
graduate students and faculty, work together to raise money through
several volunteer based activities, most notable of which is
‘Shramdaan’ where a group of 20 volunteers run a food-stall for 810 hours during every football game in the Horseshoe stadium. At
the end of each tiring Shramdaan, the joy and happiness of having
served our country even after being separated by more than 8300
miles is inexplicable.
How do we make sure the money raised is well utilized? We
meet every Friday evening to discuss about various projects and
developmental issues in India. The passionate work of our volunteers over many years has helped us to
develop an innovative and objective method to select and review projects.
AID-US has been awarded the “Times of India Social Impact Award for Global contribution to
India” and AID-OSU has also been recognized as the “Outstanding student organization” by OSU.
Please visit our website (http://columbus.aidindia.org/) to know more about us and ways to support
our work. Welcome to OSU once again and hope to see you soon as a part of our movement!
Aparna Lakshmanan
President, AID-OSU([email protected]) #Trivia: The movie “Swades” and the main character of Mohan Bhargava played by SRK is inspired from
the life of two AID founders- Ravi Kuchimanchi and Aravinda Pillalamari!
25 | S a n d e s h 2 0 1 3 Hindu Yuva
The Hindu civilization is one of the few ancient civilizations which still have an
unbroken chain of several thousands of years of history, culture and heritage. America
is trying to understand this civilization through yoga, meditation, ayurveda, and various
such movements.
As a result, a great deal of responsibility today lies on the shoulders of young Hindus in
America, to first understand ourselves, and then share the culture and its universal
values with the wider American audience. Hindu YUVA (Youth for Unity, Virtues and
Actions) aims to provide a platform to preserve, practice, promote and protect Hindu
values by bringing together Hindu youth across college campuses in the United States.
Our Activities:
Shakha – Creating a Regular and Sustained Cultural Experience: In our weekly
gathering we do yoga, play games, and discuss topics ranging from history to current
affairs. We also organize “Khelkud – an Indian games event” to play games like lagori,
kho kho, kabaddi.
Yuva for Sewa Internship – An Opportunity to
Create a Positive Change: Volunteers spend some
summer weeks with the NGOs in the US, India, and
the Caribbean. The internships are designed to build
leadership and teamwork, and provide a first-hand
experience in the fields of microfinance, women
empowerment and education.
Leadership Development Camps – Building
Tomorrow’s Leaders: Week-long leadership
development camps are organized to help youth realize and prepare for exceptional
leadership roles. These intensive and fun-filled training camps build confidence, instill a
sense of social service, promote leadership qualities, and help build a strong network of
likeminded youth. Last year, 60 youth from all over the USA participated in five such
camps. http :// hinduyuva . org . ohio - state . edu; [email protected].
OSU Nashaa
OSU Nashaa is The Ohio State University's only coed Bollywood dance team. As a
competitive dance team, we are made up of people with all kinds of creative talents.
Regardless of experience, we encourage everyone to come out and discover what OSU
Nashaa is all about. During the school year, we come up with a theme, choose a song
sequence, choreograph dance moves, and put everything together into one amazing
dance experience. Our goal is always to be able to compete around the country and
showcase our performance in front of thousands of people. These are experiences that
you will never forget! If you've ever wanted a chance to live in the spotlight, a chance to
make friends, a chance to tour the country, a chance to re-live the movies, and most of
all, a chance to dance, then keep your eyes and ears open for more information coming
soon! If you have any questions, please contact Ravi Bhatt at [email protected] 26 | S a n d e s h 2 0 1 3 OSU Cricket Club
We Indians have our weaknesses. Anything related to Maa, Sachin, Bollywood,
and cricket triggers an emotional reaction from us. Presently, this relationship between
Indians and cricket has reached new heights: We are the No.1 test side in the world and
the current World Champions.
An organization like the ISA is incomplete without its cricketing wing: The Ohio
State University Cricket Club (OSUCC). The association of these two great
organizations has had a vast contribution to the OSU campus. Countless tournaments
and events have been organized with the collaboration of both organizations.
OSUCC was started in 1989 by a group of students at Ohio State. Some of the
founders are still very much part of the club. To them, OSUCC is like their family.
Students have come and gone, but the club has stood strong for 23 years (and counting!).
In a nation of basketball and football, it was not easy to start a cricket club, but through
their dedication and never-say-never attitude the club is recognized campus-wide (as
well as nationally).
This team, one of the oldest in the Midwest region of the United States, has
tasted success in all formats of the game played in this part of the world. The team has
won the summer-long 35 over tournament (the Midwest Cricket Tournament) 5 times,
and has regularly won various Twenty20 tournaments held in the region. Most recently,
in 2011, Ohio State won the UCC Twenty20 Invitational Tournament organized by the
United Cricket Club in Columbus.
Ohio State has been invited by American College Cricket (ACC) to represent
OSU at the National Collegiate Tournaments held in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida in 2010,
2011, and 2012. ACC also organizes regional tournaments, conveniently located in
Columbus (as we have the most cricket fields in the region). In the Big Ten Tournament
in 2010, Ohio State narrowly fell to Purdue University in the finals. In 2011, Ohio State
went on to win the tournament and clinch its first ACC silverware. The 2011
tournament was solely organized by OSUCC, and ended up being a big success and no
doubt another colorful feather in the club's diadem. The 2012 regional tournament was
hosted in September of 2012 in Columbus.
The club currently has about 45-50 registered members including the students
and alumni of Ohio State. The team practices three times weekly on the cricket field by
Jesse Owen's West Campus Tennis Center. The club generates revenues from its yearly
membership fees to purchase equipment for the team as well as to register for
tournaments. Additionally, the club organizes two Tennis Ball Tournaments every year
in May and September, which serve as fundraisers. OSUCC also helps the ISA in
organizing two tournaments, namely the Buckeye Premier League and BuckeyeMela.
New players willing to join the club and the OSU Cricket Family are always
more than welcome. Anyone is more than welcome to come by the ground on any of the
practice days or simply call one of the members listed below for more information
regarding joining the team and upcoming tournaments.
Uddyalok Banerjee: +16149062307
Kislaya Kanan: +16145985295
Asad Khawaja: +13046380515
27 | S a n d e s h 2 0 1 3 Fisher Indian Student Association (FISA)
The
Fisher
Indian
Student Association (FISA) is an
established student body at the
Fisher College of Business at The
Ohio State University. FISA takes
pride in holding some of the best
cultural and ethnic events at
Fisher throughout the year. Our
flagship event, Utsav has been one
of the most anticipated events at
Fisher.
FISA, also known as the
Indian Student Association in its nascent years, aims at providing a ‘home away from
home’ experience, both to its members and non-members. It is important to note that
FISA is not just an ‘Indian’ student association. India is a growing global powerhouse
and in past, we have had people from other cultures and ethnicities as proud members
of our organizations.
Along with managerial and leadership experiences, FISA also aims at providing
numerous opportunities to its members. Unlike many other organizations, FISA is
involved in three aspects: Social, Cultural and Professional development. The VP Social
heads the cultural and social wing and the VP Professional heads the professional
aspect of the organization. Both of these are supported by the President, the Treasurer
and VP Communications. We also have a world class professor as our advisor – Mr. Jay
Anand (who annually invites FISA members to a fun filled lunch at his house).
Some of our main events are Diwali and Holi celebrations and Utsav. In the
current academic year Utsav saw participation from roughly 100 students, staff, faculty
and their spouses and children. The Fashion Show and the dances were a sell-out. There
were roughly 400 to 500 in audience who cheered their colleagues during the event.
The current committee is actively involved in steering FISA more on the
professional front as well. We are engaging with the college authorities and our alums
more proactively to help international and national students get acquainted with a
global working environment and provide networking and internship opportunities
whenever possible.
FISA shares close ties with ISA. As part of getting these two bodies work even
more closely, we have now one of our members serve as a liaison on ISA’s board. We
invite you to FISA and hope to help you settle down and have a fun filled experience of a
lifetime.
28 | S a n d e s h 2 0 1 3 Mumbai Gateway: Ohio State’s India Gateway serves students
past, present and future
As part of its commitment to enhancing its international dimensions, The Ohio State
University is opening offices – Global Gateways – around the world. The Gateway office
in Mumbai, India opened in March, but is already serving an integral role in the
worldwide connectivity of the Ohio State community.
The Global Gateways were envisioned as a hub for university activity, whether aiding
faculty research and international collaboration, facilitating partnerships with
international organizations, creating dual degree programs with institutions abroad,
connecting with our students and alumni, and the India Gateway is no exception.
Already, the office has helped Ohio State partner with universities in India, appealing to
the strengths of each institution. While E. Gordon Gee, President of The Ohio State
University, was in India for the opening of the Gateway in Mumbai, he renewed a
Memorandum of Understanding with the Indian Institute of Management, committing
the two universities to joint research in the area of agribusiness management. Through
these partnerships, Ohio State hopes to work towards solutions for global problems.
Through the India Gateway, Ohio State is able to better facilitate the needs of students
past, present and future, whether they be in Ohio, Mumbai or elsewhere in the country.
For alumni, the Gateway means networking opportunities and a way to stay connected
to the university. In March, the Gateway hosted a reception that brought together
alumni from the Fisher College of Business and current students in the MBA program,
allowing for networking not only around the world, but between past and present Ohio
State students.
Current students will benefit from study abroad programming and increased internship
opportunities, made possible through new connections and partnerships facilitated by
Gateway staff working in Mumbai. Future students will be able to attend pre-departure
orientation sessions in India, as the Gateway staff collaborates with university
admissions staff to help prepare admitted students for life at Ohio State. A predepartment orientation is already scheduled for Friday, July 27 in Mumbai. Students
enrolled for autumn semester soon will receive more information about the event,
including location and time.
For more information and the latest news on the Ohio State India Gateway, visit
oia.osu.edu/india.
29 | S a n d e s h 2 0 1 3 WANT TO BE A PART OF
THE LARGEST
CULTURAL ORGANIZATION
ON CAMPUS?
Look for the ISA table at the Involvement Fair
held at the Oval. Stop by to talk to us about
our upcoming events and how to get involved!
30 | S a n d e s h 2 0 1 3 Columbus Grocery Stores
Indian Grocery Stores Bhawani Cash and Carry 2855 Festival Lane Dublin, OH 43017 (614) 389-­‐3399 Champs Market 219 West 8th Avenue Columbus, OH 43201 (614) 299-­‐9179 Patel Brothers 6600 Sawmill Road Dublin, OH 43235 (614) 792-­‐8484 Bombay Bazaar 58 Dillmont Drive Columbus, OH 43235 (614) 360-­‐2174 India Grocers 5843 Sawmill Road Dublin, OH 43017 (614) 798-­‐9331 Passage to India 1147 North Hamilton Road Gahanna, OH 43230 (614) 428-­‐4119 General Convenience Stores Name Type CVS Pharmacy CVS Pharmacy Giant Eagle Giant Eagle Kroger Kroger Target Pharmacy, Grocery Pharmacy, Grocery Grocery Grocery Address (Columbus, OH) Phone # (614) -­‐ 1634 Neil Ave. 247-­‐5910 2160 North High St. 294-­‐2105 2801 North High St. 777 Neil Ave. 2913 Olentangy River Grocery Road Grocery 1350 North High St. Retail, Pharmacy, 1717 Olentangy River Grocery Road 31 | S a n d e s h 2 0 1 3 268-­‐0976 224-­‐3065 265-­‐2800 294-­‐2545 298-­‐1070 Indian Restaurants in Columbus
Aab India 1470 Grandview Ave. Columbus, OH (614) 486-­‐2800 Amul India 7676 Sawmill Road Dublin, OH (614) 734-­‐1600 Bamboo Garden 3535 West Dublin Granville Road Columbus, OH (614) 793-­‐5270 Banana Leaf Rest. 816 Bethel Road Columbus, OH (614) 459-­‐4101 Chutney’s 195 East Campus View Blvd. Columbus, OH (614) 430-­‐0090 Flavors of India 59 Spruce Street Columbus, OH (614) 228-­‐1955 Cumin 1025 Polaris Parkway Columbus, OH (614) 854-­‐0775 Apna Bazaar 810 Bethel Road Columbus, OH (614) 326-­‐2762 Bollywood Bistro 2584 Bethel Road Columbus, OH (614) 457-­‐5000 Dosa Corner 1077 Old Henderson Rd. Columbus, OH (614) 459-­‐5515 Indian Oven 427 East Main Street Columbus, OH (614) 220-­‐9390 Indian Kitchen 2346 North High Street Columbus, OH (614) 784-­‐9549 New India Rest. Indian Palace Reethika 5226 Bethel Center 5720 Frantz Road 2661 Federated Blvd. Mall Dublin, OH Columbus, OH Columbus, OH (614) 889-­‐6654 (614) 659-­‐0889 (614) 442-­‐7705 Tadka Sher-­‐e-­‐Punjab Taj Mahal 3535 West Dublin 1140 Kenny Center Mall 2321 North High Street Granville Road Columbus, OH Columbus, OH Columbus, OH (614) 538-­‐9790 (614) 299-­‐7990 (614) 791-­‐3800 Udipi Café Taj Palace Tandoori Grill 2001 East Dublin 3794 Fishinger Blvd. 808 Bethel Road Granville Road Columbus, OH Columbus, OH Columbus, OH (614) 771-­‐3870 (614) 326-­‐3777 (614) 885-­‐7446 32 | S a n d e s h 2 0 1 3 CABS Map
CABS is the Campus Area Bus Service which provides convenient transportation in and
around the Columbus Campus. It is part of the University's Transportation & Parking
Services department. No ID or bus pass is needed to ride on regularly scheduled oncampus CABS buses! Just hop on the campus bus at any of the bus stops located on
campus and throughout the surrounding neighborhood.
33 | S a n d e s h 2 0 1 3 COTA Map
Central Ohio Transit Authority or COTA connects the university with rest of the
city of Columbus.
34 | S a n d e s h 2 0 1 3