0 days to go... its all over

Convocation day.

It felt so formal, so awe inspiring, yet so distant.

Brijmohan Lal Munjal gave us a very down to earth convocation address, filled with anecdotes from his life. From the reaction of people sitting around me, I got the feeling that people didn't appreciate it as much as they should have. However, I thought it was brilliant. Insights from his life, examples of how he went about handling problems in life. To me, these were worth much more than some foreign rich dude coming over to give us motherhood about the Indian economy, and how we should make a difference to the world.

The afternoon began with a formal lunch with parents, faculty, invitees and the board of governors. After that, the batch went on to take our photograph.

The board of governors walked in. One man stood tall. Sunil Bharti Mittal, Founder, Bharti Telecom, and the father of the Indian telecom revolution. The man came and took his seat humbly among the other governors. It was a humbling experience, to be in the same frame as he was, to be in the same institute that he governed.

The photograph was being taken, the batch settled down, with great difficulty. After the photograph was taken, the photographer came up looking at the students and said, "Teek hai, abhi hum faculty ke photo kheenchenge, abhi aap sab log..." (Now we're going to take pictures of the faculty, you all can now...)

The students echoed in one voice, "kat lein?" (Hindi slang for, "get lost?")

Every student in the gathering was clapping, the faculty was laughing, and the board of governors gave a wide smile too.

It was a moment which would remain frozen in time. It was a moment that told me that this batch, the class of 2006, IIM Lucknow, would not succumb to an occasion. This batch would not remain silent when it felt like saying something, just because a Munjal or a Mittal was in the picture. This batch meant irreverence, because freedom is what we had learnt here in two years.

Good luck my friends. Our time here is over, but we really do have miles to go before we sleep.

Go on. Make a difference. Don't stick to boring jobs because they pay well. Follow your dreams, have lots of fun, get married, have children, keep a dog, wait for it to have children, and so on.

This blog has been a good friend to me. A friend who didn't say anything back, but listened patiently while I rambled on. I hope it didn't pain you too much.

Thank you all for reading. Good luck. Bye.

1 day to go...

The night 3.4 rocked

3.4 is the IIML band. Legend goes that the concept of a band was thought upon by two guys who were walking to IIML from the Sitapur Road. By the time they reached the campus, the concept was ready. In memory of that road on which they thought up the band, it was named 3.4, the distance that it takes from campus to the Sitapur Road.

Ive seen them perform over the past two years, on different occasions. They usually organize a show on Manfest, and also once a term, when they feel like it.

The early few shows used to be held in Samanjasya, the indoor auditorium, but after a while, the outdoor show bug bit them, and most of their shows were held in an outdoor auditorium.

An immensely talented bunch of individuals, it has always been fun to sit through these shows, for the sheer stage presence of many people in the band, coupled with the talent of some others.

3.4 scheduled a show tonight, one night before convocation.

When we walked in with our parents, we expected a show that was a lot like their others, a mishmash of bollywood numbers, own compositions, and some drama on stage.

As they began with a few sedate numbers, I sat back on my chair, knowing that it was going to be just another 3.4 show, an enjoyable experience, but nothing to write home about.

When Harish walked in to sing "Aadat" by "Jal", I had no idea what I would be witnessing. Absolutely perfect rendition, complete with the lyrics and modulations that make a fantastic song, Harish blew me over.

Soon, the show was taking a pace never witnessed before, with a buoyant audience on the verge of leaving IIML, two comperes who kept the crowd dancing to their tunes. One brilliant song followed another, with Manasi, Ramki, Harish and of course, the keyboard by Anand Bhan leading the way.

The crowd on its feet, and asking for more, 3.4 settled into one of its own compositions, the "Liril song". Now this is a number which combines "Dil ko.." from "Rehna hai tere dil mein", with the liril advertisement. A stroke of genius by our senior batch, it has been finding its way to most of our shows till then. However, it was never the same again, because a senior, Krishna, used to render it in his own special way. He was a classical singer by training, and used to use his high pitch and modulations to give life to this song.

As Harish and Arnab began singing the Liril song, I realised just why this 3.4 show was going to be a very different experience. They gave it all they had, with a wonderful rapport between them, and Anand Bhan hitting the keyboard with his usual panache.

As the "Liril Song" reached a cresendo, I was transported to a time when Krishna was singing this song, and I was just into IIML. I was standing in the last row, booing and cheering quite randomly to the beats of the songs.

I was younger, and had two years ahead of me at IIML. Studies were a priority, high paying jobs were the in-thing, and MANAC (Management accounting) was the mantra of the day. I had just got in, from South India, into one of the premier management institutes in the world. Stars in my eyes, hope hitting the skies, full of belief and commitment. I was so different. I thought I knew so much, I thought I could have the world, and I did not know what failure meant.

IIML had changed me so fundamentally, so drastically, that I could no longer identify with the guy who had walked into these hallowed portals.

The song got over. Harish walked off the stage. It was not Krishna anymore. It was a new generation. It was time for the old to move over. One more day, and I would no longer belong here.

2 days to go...

The night IIML went hungry

Last night, after a luxurious Holi sleep, I woke up at 7 PM, all hungry and ready to attack the mess for my favorite Aloo curry with Aloo paratha and Aloo rice. (basically, Aloo)

I got online to check mail, and I realized, much to my horror, that every single eatery on campus was closed. The mess, the Canteen (fauji's), Nescafe, Pepsi stall (whatever that is called), everything!

I mean, I knew it was a "holi"-day, but this came as a shocker to a hungry soul. I also walked from room to room, realizing that either parents were in town, or the students had taken off to the city to get a bite. Now travelling in the city was also not easy, with colors all over, and most transport insensitive to the calls of a poor and hungry IIML-ite.

Finally, I ordered in from Southern spice, which btw was inundated with orders and hence had to deliver only at 10 o clock, by which time I had almost died with hunger, just two days before convocation.

Heart warming tales about Southern Spice Lucknow. Apparently, a student who had gone to find something to eat, saw that the restaurant was closed. He met the owner and found out that it was closed for today. However, the owner asked him if he was from IIML. When he said yes, the owner let him in from the back door and gave him food. As a marketing student, we learn about how such support in crisis makes us a LOYAL customer for life. Also, orders were placed from campus, and Southern Spice opened its shutters for one institute and its hungry students.

Of course, the food was cold and it arrived only at 10 PM, but if not for it, I shudder to think of how the students' would have managed last night.

Sometimes, I think this batch, PGP20, has got to be the most eventful batch in the history of IIM Lucknow. Almost everything under the sun (good and bad, passionate and hateful) has taken place in our two years here. Maybe this was the perfect finish.

3 days to go...

As my previous post suggested, I was dozing off to sleep when I was woken up by the sounds of loud drums beating outside my room. I went to the window, half dressed, and good ol' council was waiting there, asking me to come down for celebrations.

Now, how could I refuse?

I walked with a large part of hostle 11 (most awakened by this racket) who walked together, past the football field, past nescafe, into the vast expanse of the Commercial plaza.

The first look at commercial plaza, A burst of colors. Colors everywhere, Bhaang (both the intoxicating and the childrens version), sweets, snacks, and of course, guys and girls deep in celebrations. Some people were so unrecognizable, that some almost got beaten up while being misunderstood for ruffians who wandered into the IIM campus.

The fountain in IIML, that famous fountain that works only for two weeks in a year, mysteriously the week of the convocation and the Manfest week, was an odd mix of pink and dark green. My first thought at looking at this strange color was, "Mera wala green!"

Most of this water was filled with members of the IIML community, a lot of them being children of faculty and staff of the institute. The guys seemed in a very savage mood, tearing at each others shirts, and throwing at others what remains of theirs.

Of course, within ten minutes, I found myself in the pool.

The faculty joined us in the celebrations, and we went around coloring them and wishing them a wonderful year ahead.

Seldom in life would we witness such amazing bonding within any community. Lets just hope we feel so strongly about each other even years after passing out. This community should make us proud, keep us together, and be the toast of the nation. Good luck guys.

Sale of the year: I will be selling off a Alcom Nostalgia T shirt, colored pink, blue, green and yellow. Only one copy available. $24.00 only. Hurry, offer valid only until t shirt washed.

4 days to go...

A trip to Banaras rounded off my series of trips for these two years. Whirlwind trip of two days, I happened to meet so many people there, that I began to get worried campus would be devoid of students.

By the way, holi celebrations have been announced on campus. With convocation in three days, you can be assured of pictures of pink students in black robes receiving certificates from the PGP Chairman for successful completion of a PGP degree at IIM Lucknow.

Update: In a unique strategy, the cultural secretary has hired drummers to beat drums as loud as they possibly can outside my room. I was planning to sleep off holi. Tsk, what can a man do with this racket outside his room.

Later people, its time to party!

5 days to go...

Interesting stories emerge when students talk about their parents' reaction when they announced where they got a job.

One student tells me:

Me: Ma, I got a job.
Ma: Oh thats great. Where?
Me: PriceWaterHouse Coopers ma.
Ma: What water?
Me: PriceWaterhouse ma. Its a good company.
Ma: Oh, why didn't you join a good bank like ICICI? Didn't you make it?

Of course, regulars on the corporate circuit would know that PwC is one of the most coveted jobs on campus, and PwC on your CV can truly throw open many new great options.

Another student reports:
Me: Ma, I got a job.
Ma: Oh thats great. Where?
Me: Ernst and Young ma.
Ma: Oh, but isn't that a tax audit firm?
Me: Yes ma, but they do consulting as well.
Ma: How much do they pay you?
Me: Seven lakhs ma.
Ma: What?? Why? Could'nt you get a better paying job?

Of course, regulars on the corporate circuit would know that E&Y offers money with no hidden costs, and you could actually end up taking a lot more than people with much higher CTCs.

Tsk tsk, does it matter? As long as "Ma" thinks that you are not earning enough, you aren't!

6 days to go...

Upon waking up again at an unearthly hour (3 o clock), I realised that these would be the last six days of my life when I would be allowed to wake up so late in the morning, and yet enjoy a complete waking day (18 hours).

Did that make me sad? I don't know. I guess everyone has to move on, at some time or the other. Maybe the next phase of my life will be more fun.

By the way, during dinner, suddenly noises of wild cheering could be heard from nearby hostels. Investigation revealed that the greatest one day international ever was being played, as I was enjoying my biryani. I went back, and caught the last few moments.

It was true. History was truly created. And it was fun watching it with people from campus. Maybe I will never again see so many crazy cricket fans in the same common room, rooting for one foreign side, against another foreign side, yet feeling like they were rooting for their own country.

7 days to go...

I walked into the mess at 4.30 in the evening, right after waking up, hoping to get a bite. The food was unusually good, and I over-ate.

I walked out from the mess, wondering where to go. I found myself wandering towards the classroom block, for the first time since the placements. I walked past the PGP block, that place where I had such wonderful experiences. The Pandal was just being set up in the convocation ground, and I walked past it.

I opened the door of the library, and walked in wondering why I was there. The place was so silent, you could hear a newspaper rustling in the corner, where someone was reading it. I walked past them, and noticed that the library was almost empty.

I walked into the books section, and looked at a series of tables, all empty and beautifully set, like waiting for someone to come and sit on them. Those beautifully designed chairs, well set tables, and the wonderful lighting, it all seemed so familiar. The silence was overwhelming, and the slight buzz of the air conditioner seemed to break the silence occasionally.

I blinked.

All of a sudden, I could see the place full of students, buzzing with noise.All the chairs were either occupied, or had books on the table, an indication that some study group had gone for a cup of coffee. In one corner, three students were poring over one book, with one student trying to explain something to them very animatedly. It seemed like accounting. Beside them, in the two seater table, one student had taken off his spectacles and laid them on the table. He had another chair pulled up, and he was resting his feet on it. He had a book on his stomach, and he was dozing away. I walked towards him. A little before I could get there, six students were sitting at a table and whispering loudly, right in front of the "Maintain Silence" board. One of the students, a nerdish looking, poorly dressed guy was doodling away in his book. I looked at him intently, knowing there was something familiar about him.

It was me. In August 2004.

I smiled, and turned around. It was time to leave.

8 days to go...

The movers are here.

The council has been kind enough to arrange three different movers, to let us leave comfortably. However, these are not the only movers around. It is often noticed that a Government vehicle would be packing stuff for a student, in good ol' babu ishtyle.

People are also leaving campus, for whiter pastures (the mountains), to have a bit of fun before the parents get in.

I also hear rumors that the college band, 3.4, is planning another one of its gigs. Now lets see if that happens.

Over and out...