THE TNA HOSTEL MESS EATING CHAMPIONSHIP

TNA Hostel has all sorts of legends. Some were made on the football field, some in the classroom, and some of the most interesting ones were made in the hostel mess!

Category 1: The Gods

There was a long-standing legend that the undisputed champion of eating in TNA Hostel history emerged during the SAI days. His name itself sounded legendary- Nippa Macha.

He apparently came from Manipur. Back then, a whole lot of students from the Northeast lived in the hostel for years. They were a breed of their own- formidable in their respective sports and equally impressive when it came to their diet. Boys and girls alike.

Apparently, nobody ever came close.

The record?

15-16 plates of rice!

Category 2: Our Very Own

Then came our very own Anum Handsome Dumsi Lepcha from Lower Dzongu, who apparently managed 9-10 plates. The identity of this particular Anum will not be revealed, mainly because I value my physical well-being and have already experienced the consequences of provoking my seniors. And yes, “Anum Handsome” is an entirely appropriate name.

Category 3: The Mere Mortals

This is where the rest of us could actually compete. Hostellers- boys and girls, from different generations entered this battlefield. I am sure some brave souls must have managed 6–7 plates.

My personal best?

5 plates.

And remember, these were TNA hostel mess plates. Each plate came with enough rice to qualify as a geographical feature. It was basically a mountain of rice. No cheating. No half-plates. No spreading the rice around to make it look like you had eaten more. This was serious business!

Looking at this photograph, I can almost hear the old mess again: the clatter of plates, the conversations, the laughter, and somewhere in the background, that silent and very serious competition…

In the picture, L to R: Sonam Wangdi, Dathup, Pempa, Yenthen, Potay, Karma Trin Trin, Sonam Wangdi (Rabbit), Phurba, and one unidentified hand sporting sweatbands.