Here comes the convocation, the most awaited event for any MBA student. 2 years of hard work (????) is going to result in this much awaited MBA degree, based on which the careers of most of us hinges upon. Tomorrow onwards, all of us will go in different directions, pursue different career paths. Today will be the last day when the whole batch of 2005-07 will be seen in action, together. It gonna be interesting and emotionally challenging too. After all, nothing is permanent in this world and I am sure everyone will come to terms quickly.
Eagerly waiting for the first convocation of my life…………
Friday, April 27, 2007
Final Countdown
From Curd Rice to Pastas - Part II
And thus life went on. Gradually, 7.35s became 8s and then 8.30s. The college presentations and projects really taught me to handle pressures (obviously it will be a pressure if one starts working in the last minute) and work with a bigger team (every member with different opinions and wavelengths). We all learned to make PPTs(Did we??). Group formations used to be too much of a fun with people vying with each other (and arguing with the professors) to select group members of their choice.
The best part was, as days went by and we began making presentations after presentations, they became a routine one that we would prepare on any topic the previous day (or the same day) and submit some report which would look like a professionally made one. Thanks to Mr.Google and thousands of unknown saviors who upload their various projects on the net, there was no dearth of information on any subject. Any topic in the world, reports/ppts can be made in a day (maximum).
This is just one side of the coin. I am not trying to say that all project reports are made like this. I have come across various projects (few of mine included) where the group members (or a few of them) have taken enormous pains to go into details, visit organizations personally and make it a really professionally made one. When such hard-worked projects are appreciated by the other students and professors, the happiness that brings can be the best experience one can get in an MBA life. CGPAs not always matter. They are highly subjective and discriminatory.
Enough of boring. Coming back to the topic, I got introduced to chatting (Yahoo messenger) by one of my friends. This was when I came to realize how addictive chat can become (even though the addiction levels depend on the gender of the person chatting with you :)). I remember rushing back from classes, even without waiting for friends at college, to chat on yahoo messenger. It was an interesting phase I admit.
Another event in my first year used to be participating in various inter-college paper writing competitions. One of my papers (along with a friend) got selected for IIM Indore competition. Then on, competitions became a craze. After the IIM Ahmedabad event, where out team won 2nd prize in a simulation event defeating top teams, the craze had gone beyond its limits. Sleeping timings got reduced, thanks to these competitions and the yahoo messengers. In between, there were quite a lot of academics too. It was this period, mainly the 2nd and 3rd trimesters, when I really felt under pressure. Despite all these, managed to increase the time I spent with my friends here as well as watched lots of movies (which I never used to watch when I was working). Whenever I went to college parties, made it a point to mingle with everyone and more than that, DAAAANCCCCCE.
Overall, first year was a mixed bag. I tried to change from a (supposedly) geeky reserved naïve guy to someone who can also be active in the social circles. I am not sure whether I ended up being perceived that way by the end of first year. But it was an eventful one year which brought in new perspectives.
Then came an even more eventful second year…. I will write about it shortly in Part 3 (promise promise... it will be the last one in the series :))
The best part was, as days went by and we began making presentations after presentations, they became a routine one that we would prepare on any topic the previous day (or the same day) and submit some report which would look like a professionally made one. Thanks to Mr.Google and thousands of unknown saviors who upload their various projects on the net, there was no dearth of information on any subject. Any topic in the world, reports/ppts can be made in a day (maximum).
This is just one side of the coin. I am not trying to say that all project reports are made like this. I have come across various projects (few of mine included) where the group members (or a few of them) have taken enormous pains to go into details, visit organizations personally and make it a really professionally made one. When such hard-worked projects are appreciated by the other students and professors, the happiness that brings can be the best experience one can get in an MBA life. CGPAs not always matter. They are highly subjective and discriminatory.
Enough of boring. Coming back to the topic, I got introduced to chatting (Yahoo messenger) by one of my friends. This was when I came to realize how addictive chat can become (even though the addiction levels depend on the gender of the person chatting with you :)). I remember rushing back from classes, even without waiting for friends at college, to chat on yahoo messenger. It was an interesting phase I admit.
Another event in my first year used to be participating in various inter-college paper writing competitions. One of my papers (along with a friend) got selected for IIM Indore competition. Then on, competitions became a craze. After the IIM Ahmedabad event, where out team won 2nd prize in a simulation event defeating top teams, the craze had gone beyond its limits. Sleeping timings got reduced, thanks to these competitions and the yahoo messengers. In between, there were quite a lot of academics too. It was this period, mainly the 2nd and 3rd trimesters, when I really felt under pressure. Despite all these, managed to increase the time I spent with my friends here as well as watched lots of movies (which I never used to watch when I was working). Whenever I went to college parties, made it a point to mingle with everyone and more than that, DAAAANCCCCCE.
Overall, first year was a mixed bag. I tried to change from a (supposedly) geeky reserved naïve guy to someone who can also be active in the social circles. I am not sure whether I ended up being perceived that way by the end of first year. But it was an eventful one year which brought in new perspectives.
Then came an even more eventful second year…. I will write about it shortly in Part 3 (promise promise... it will be the last one in the series :))
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Rebuilding of an University
Just read an article about the Bihar Govt's plant to rebuild one of the ancient Universities of the world, the Nalanda University. The University, which was set up as early as 5th Century was in existence till 12th Century before being destroyed by invaders. In fact, it is a news to me that it was destroyed twice, rebulit again before being finally destroyed. It attracted students and scholars from across the world and was considered one of the best places in the world for education.
Back then, India was one of the major powers of the world. Sadly, these invasions have taken away lots of treasures from us, this University being one of them. The article talks in detail about Bihar Govt's plans about rebuilding of the institution and making it a professional one. Hopefully, all these plans will eventually get executed as envisaged and we get back the glory of the past.
This also shows how famous and prosperous ancient Bihar was. Sadly, due to a combination of various factors, it had completely lost everything and is mired in corruption and inefficiencies. One only hopes that the state works towards betterment and prosperity and attain its true potential which is still vastly unexplored.
Back then, India was one of the major powers of the world. Sadly, these invasions have taken away lots of treasures from us, this University being one of them. The article talks in detail about Bihar Govt's plans about rebuilding of the institution and making it a professional one. Hopefully, all these plans will eventually get executed as envisaged and we get back the glory of the past.
This also shows how famous and prosperous ancient Bihar was. Sadly, due to a combination of various factors, it had completely lost everything and is mired in corruption and inefficiencies. One only hopes that the state works towards betterment and prosperity and attain its true potential which is still vastly unexplored.
The article can be read at http://specials.rediff.com/news/2007/apr/24sl1.htm
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
From Curd Rice to Pastas (or Amrita Rao to Rakhi Sawant??) – Part 1
Just feel as if I joined NMIMS yesterday. The trip from airport to the institute is still in my mind, where I took half an hour in an auto searching for the hostel which was just near the college. I wasn’t still sure whether I had taken a right decision of leaving my job and joining NM. Even my MD was asking me about the appropriateness of the decision. Somehow had an inner feeling that I should take up this, so as usual, went by my gut feeling. Moreover, it was about to be the first college life in my 26 yrs of existence. And would be the last chance too.
Initially, took some time to adjust to the new environment. For someone who had been born and brought up in the conservative city of Chennai, it was a kind of cultural shock. Shit, what are these gals wearing? How come they wear such clothes (if at all they were wearing some) and roam on the streets so freely?? What are their parents doing?? While I don’t claim to have avoided looking at them (resulting in frequent neck sprains :)), the shock was still there.
Then came the class room sessions. I still remember the ice breaker session wherein when Kartik introduced me, on hearing my experience details, people would’ve thought I am over 30 years old. With a moustache and a thilak, they would have probably thought what is this geeky oldie doing here… without knowing that the real face will be revealed in a few months time :)
My main purpose of MBA was not just the degree, it had more to do with trying to come out of d shell that I felt I was in. I wanted to have a college life, mingle with more people, try to understand this world, be a smart and brave communicator, blah blah blah....(balance GAS in my exam answer papers). What best way to do all these than a short stint at a city like Bombay n moreover, at a place near Mithibhai??
And thus, my sojourn at Bombay started. The moustache disappeared on the third working day. Hair style would have definitely changed but for this rigid hair which was never listening to what I was saying… It was thinking as if it was still in Chennai. I had to continue with the same for fear of becoming bald. But what is the use of changing/trying to change the physical appearances?? The mental attitude was still the same. Same Sriraman remained, who once used to go to 5 star hotels and have curd rice and come back. The trend continued at college parties too. Anything other than Indian food (Chapati, sabji included now) was considered a taboo. ‘Oh shit, how are these guys eating these Chinese noodles and Manchoorians.. Should have been man-eating monsters in their previous birth’ was the thought process in my mind.
Classes were going on as usual. I will normally be the first one to get up for classes (excluding Dr.Roshan). For a 9 o clock class, I would have been the only MBA student in the world (again Roshan not included) who gets up at 7.35 every day. So pathetic I was then. I used to be one of the first ones to be in class. Which idiot will be on time for a 9 o clock Dhondy’s class other than me? (and here Roshan is included :)). And thus my MBA life started.
One thing needs to be mentioned here, I was never confident of my communication skills. And my speed at whatever I do (except eating) was being a trouble, especially in my communication. This was one of the areas where I wanted to see a change in myself in the 2 yrs. Seema Khanwilkar’s communication skill classes clubbed with innumerable presentations in the classes did help me though in improvising in this area, albeit a lot more to be done on a continuous basis. Certain traits are born, they cannot be altogether abandoned. Let me see how it goes.
Its time I sleep, rest later in Part 2…
Initially, took some time to adjust to the new environment. For someone who had been born and brought up in the conservative city of Chennai, it was a kind of cultural shock. Shit, what are these gals wearing? How come they wear such clothes (if at all they were wearing some) and roam on the streets so freely?? What are their parents doing?? While I don’t claim to have avoided looking at them (resulting in frequent neck sprains :)), the shock was still there.
Then came the class room sessions. I still remember the ice breaker session wherein when Kartik introduced me, on hearing my experience details, people would’ve thought I am over 30 years old. With a moustache and a thilak, they would have probably thought what is this geeky oldie doing here… without knowing that the real face will be revealed in a few months time :)
My main purpose of MBA was not just the degree, it had more to do with trying to come out of d shell that I felt I was in. I wanted to have a college life, mingle with more people, try to understand this world, be a smart and brave communicator, blah blah blah....(balance GAS in my exam answer papers). What best way to do all these than a short stint at a city like Bombay n moreover, at a place near Mithibhai??
And thus, my sojourn at Bombay started. The moustache disappeared on the third working day. Hair style would have definitely changed but for this rigid hair which was never listening to what I was saying… It was thinking as if it was still in Chennai. I had to continue with the same for fear of becoming bald. But what is the use of changing/trying to change the physical appearances?? The mental attitude was still the same. Same Sriraman remained, who once used to go to 5 star hotels and have curd rice and come back. The trend continued at college parties too. Anything other than Indian food (Chapati, sabji included now) was considered a taboo. ‘Oh shit, how are these guys eating these Chinese noodles and Manchoorians.. Should have been man-eating monsters in their previous birth’ was the thought process in my mind.
Classes were going on as usual. I will normally be the first one to get up for classes (excluding Dr.Roshan). For a 9 o clock class, I would have been the only MBA student in the world (again Roshan not included) who gets up at 7.35 every day. So pathetic I was then. I used to be one of the first ones to be in class. Which idiot will be on time for a 9 o clock Dhondy’s class other than me? (and here Roshan is included :)). And thus my MBA life started.
One thing needs to be mentioned here, I was never confident of my communication skills. And my speed at whatever I do (except eating) was being a trouble, especially in my communication. This was one of the areas where I wanted to see a change in myself in the 2 yrs. Seema Khanwilkar’s communication skill classes clubbed with innumerable presentations in the classes did help me though in improvising in this area, albeit a lot more to be done on a continuous basis. Certain traits are born, they cannot be altogether abandoned. Let me see how it goes.
Its time I sleep, rest later in Part 2…
Saturday, April 21, 2007
The unwanted
Anger…... What to do to control it?? They say anger is one of d worst sins one can commit. There have been various suggestions and articles on how to control anger. But why is it that I am not able to practice any one of them?? The easiest one I suppose is to count 1 to 10 when one gets angered, so that the intensity of the same will be reduced by the time 10 arrives on the scene. How easy it is to advise this?
I always remember the rule after the damage is done. Sadly, in my case, the damage is too severe to rectify it later. The kinds of words that emerge out of my mouth are even surprising me. When did I even think of those words earlier?? Where did they hide all these days and come out exactly at the time they shouldn’t have?? Is my inner self so corrupted that its not even allowin me to realize that my words could seal my fate anytime? Is there any solution? Meditation?? Silence?? Prayers?? Shlokas?? Help pls..
I always remember the rule after the damage is done. Sadly, in my case, the damage is too severe to rectify it later. The kinds of words that emerge out of my mouth are even surprising me. When did I even think of those words earlier?? Where did they hide all these days and come out exactly at the time they shouldn’t have?? Is my inner self so corrupted that its not even allowin me to realize that my words could seal my fate anytime? Is there any solution? Meditation?? Silence?? Prayers?? Shlokas?? Help pls..
A speech
The recent speech by Mr.Rahul Gandhi about his family's role in creation of Bangladesh smacks of his immaturity and lack of knowledge on the subject. Agreed, it was the courageous Indira Gandhi who took the decision of sending army to help the cause, but to take sole credit for the same is reprehensible. He has completely forgotten the role played by the East Pakistanis against the oppression by their western counterparts. He talks as if it was India which had preplanned the matter completely against the wishes of East Pakistanis. This undermines the role of East Pakistanis as well as against the official stand of the Government that it is the result of internal raising that created Bangladesh.
The so-called future of India (Courtesy: Dr.Manmohan Singh) needs to be cautious before such utterances. This is adding fuel to the fire. There is already a section of the Pakistani society which is vying to take revenge against India for its role in creation of Bangladesh. And Mr. Rahul is giving them more ammunition and troubling the already fragile peace process.
And he just has mentioned about the creation of Bangladesh. He chose not to talk about the aftermath of the same. For years, both the Central Government and various State Govt's have failed to find a solution to the refugee problem from Bangladesh. Various reports put the number of immigrants to millions of numbers, which is a serious security threat to the country. This has the danger of changing the demographics of that part of the country to India's disadvantage.
One only hopes that such people who want to play major roles at the national and international level think of the consequences before they open their mouth.
Saturday, April 07, 2007
Those 15 days
Back to blogging after a long time :). Thanks to my laziness... nywz..
College life is coming to an end.. i ll write abt d experiences of d last 2 yrs later.... for now, lemme write abt my sojourn at Belapur for a training (SMTP of ACS) for 15 days... initially, was so pissed off when i realized that this training is compulsory for my job... wat a way to end a college life? travel from Andheri to Belapur everyday, n that too, in a bombay suburban train.. ?? i thot i ll be dead at d end of 15 days, unable to bear d hectic schedules at d training n d nasty train journey....
alas?... it turned out to be oderwise... d distance was still d same... d schedules were still d same.... but tiredness was never d same.... there was a gang of arnd 25 which attended d same training.. wat else does one need than having 25 companions, all young n energetic (like him :) ).. d whole compartment was in jubilation whenever this gang entered... antaksharis, dances, jokes, n wat not?? One started feeling as if Belapur is d next stop to Andheri... n yeh, d 15 day association has also resulted in a new couple :) . .
Not only d train journey, even d classes were interesting.. meaningful lectures were arranged by d institute n of course, d breaks were reserved for d andheri gang to get back to action again.... n this project presentation in between really helped me realize d dynamics of working in a team of 10 ppl... i had worked wid groups earlier too, but never in such a big group... was an enriching experience though...
overall, i never realised that 15 days were over so fast... n then comes d separation from ur pals of 15 days... felt really sad although i m used to these separations now.... we all promised to be in touch thru' yahoo groups n orkut... lemme see where it takes us... how can i forget the group that had conferred me d 'Mr.SMTP' award? :)
Finally i realised one thing - Never crib abt anything. All is well that ends well and everything will eventually end well.
College life is coming to an end.. i ll write abt d experiences of d last 2 yrs later.... for now, lemme write abt my sojourn at Belapur for a training (SMTP of ACS) for 15 days... initially, was so pissed off when i realized that this training is compulsory for my job... wat a way to end a college life? travel from Andheri to Belapur everyday, n that too, in a bombay suburban train.. ?? i thot i ll be dead at d end of 15 days, unable to bear d hectic schedules at d training n d nasty train journey....
alas?... it turned out to be oderwise... d distance was still d same... d schedules were still d same.... but tiredness was never d same.... there was a gang of arnd 25 which attended d same training.. wat else does one need than having 25 companions, all young n energetic (like him :) ).. d whole compartment was in jubilation whenever this gang entered... antaksharis, dances, jokes, n wat not?? One started feeling as if Belapur is d next stop to Andheri... n yeh, d 15 day association has also resulted in a new couple :) . .
Not only d train journey, even d classes were interesting.. meaningful lectures were arranged by d institute n of course, d breaks were reserved for d andheri gang to get back to action again.... n this project presentation in between really helped me realize d dynamics of working in a team of 10 ppl... i had worked wid groups earlier too, but never in such a big group... was an enriching experience though...
overall, i never realised that 15 days were over so fast... n then comes d separation from ur pals of 15 days... felt really sad although i m used to these separations now.... we all promised to be in touch thru' yahoo groups n orkut... lemme see where it takes us... how can i forget the group that had conferred me d 'Mr.SMTP' award? :)
Finally i realised one thing - Never crib abt anything. All is well that ends well and everything will eventually end well.
Mystery
One of my juniors Aditya Patel passed away unexpectedly a few days back. It is shocking that one dies at such an early age... i cant imagine d plight of his parents... i pray that they r able to come out of d trauma at d earliest...
I have not interacted wid him but have seen him many times. Always had a smile on his face n I heard he was also very jovial n fun-loving. Its really sad that he is no more.. no amount of consolation will help his close freinds get out of this tragedy for some time to come..
Such incidences bring to d fore d reality of life - nothing is permanent in this world n too much of affection on anything will only lead to disappointments when something goes wrong. But still we all continue as usual after a few days and get trapped in this vicious circle. May be that is how we are meant to be..
I have not interacted wid him but have seen him many times. Always had a smile on his face n I heard he was also very jovial n fun-loving. Its really sad that he is no more.. no amount of consolation will help his close freinds get out of this tragedy for some time to come..
Such incidences bring to d fore d reality of life - nothing is permanent in this world n too much of affection on anything will only lead to disappointments when something goes wrong. But still we all continue as usual after a few days and get trapped in this vicious circle. May be that is how we are meant to be..
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