So let me begin by telling you something about the place where you will be if you decide to take up a semester in Peace and Conflict Studies with Kulturstudier in Pondicherry: If you visit Pondicherry, you will soon realize that it used to be under French control. The French came here in 1674 and sometimes it might seem like they never left. The buildings in the White Town area (well, most of them), will remind you of France. Walking on the Promenade will make many long days shorter. We live here in apartments in Maison Raja; it is located quite close to the best parts of the town in a quiet street called the Canteen Street. (Tip: Go try the burgers at Canteen 18 and the pizzas at Cafe Xtasi)

The people of Pondicherry take their colonial past very seriously, I hear. A well-functioning petanque club can be seen practicing their petanque skills on a ground opposite the Promenade. Bastille Day is celebrated here with as much enthusiasm as any other Indian festival (You’ll soon realize that there are many of them, almost too many). There are many things about its history that could interest but what is the most interesting thing to me about Pondicherry is its current location in its past, its passing romance with nostalgia.

If you decide to study Peace and Conflict Studies here, you will go to school every day at Alliance Francaise. It’s painted bright yellow (surprise surprise) and is on Suffren Street. In Pondicherry you’ll realize that the way to deal with the blues is a lot of yellow. While you flit between the bright town and the calm waters, you will end up falling in love with Pondicherry. Laughter and sunshine will glide in the breeze and you too will see that Pondicherry, itself is magic.

I should also tell you, that it’s called Puducherry now. I’m all for nostalgia though, as you can clearly see.

Here’s the thing about Pondicherry, it’s not some dream that came true. It is as real as places you can reach by flights and trains and buses can be. Do not think that you will walk into a place that you dreamt about all your life which is going to be full of magic. No, Pondicherry itself is magic. If places were to be assigned colours, Pondicherry would be the brightest yellow of all. Really, it’s like half the town is painted yellow. Pondicherry does not expand over kilometers and kilometers of land. Its narrow lanes give away to the calm churning of waves. It ends and begins, like a dream that ends in its definition but goes on with the sleeper who no longer sees it and is yet not awake to reality.

Namrata Agarwal