Monday, December 28, 2009

Something Arbit....

Ek sadi si beet gayi khayalon main,
Bikharte armanon main,Tutte sapnon main.

koi batade muqaddar ka sahi pata,
Taki jiten hum, jab na ho koi khata.

Kashmakash main dubi thi kaynaat,
Jahanum si thi jannat ki halat.

Bahane dhund rahe the khush hone ke,
Khushiyon ko gale lagane ke.

Khushi kabki khatkata rahi thi dil ka darwaza,
Humne hi di thi apne hosh ko saaza.

Ki suna ko ansuna kar diya,
Umeed ko andekha kar diya.

Dhaaga jab mila sahare ka,
Aas na thi tab jeene ki

Mushakat kaun kare ab dhagge ko pakadne ki,
Nakaami pe hai iljaam humare iradon ko jakadne ka.

Ab bas,bahut ho gaya,
Hausla jaga aur darr so gaya.

Lo tod diya humne sarhadon ko,
Tham liya aashayon ke bahon ko.

Ab chatta hai nakaami ka andhera,
Khul ke aaya umeedon ka savera.

Ab keematon ki parwah nahi,
Saahilon se darna nahi.

Ab manzil hai panahon main,
Chal pade hain hum jeet ki rahon main.

Gaata rahe mera dil sunlo,
Rok sako to rok lo....

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

The Curious Case of Missing Pinki


The first question that comes to your mind is “Who is Pinki?”. The first answer that comes to your mind is the Oscar-winning documentary, “Smile Pinkie”. My blog’s protagonist is also named Pinki. Pinkie’s story had a happy ending. But, my story’s Pinki is not so lucky. Let’s hear from her, what she wants to say.

“Hello, everyone. My name is Pinki. I want to tell you all today about my dreams. My dreams are omnipresent, omnipotent and omniscient, like God. Yes, I know...... a bit too stereo-typical.
But, today, my life changed. Before, I had heard my father and mother talking about me. They used to argue about things like dowry, abortion and burden which I did not understand. Later, I heard my mother, “How can you kill my daughter?” Some woman was forcing my mother to kill me. I laughed it off. My mother will perhaps kill her for telling something so absurd. But, my mother kept silent. More and more people used to harass her physically and mentally forcing her to kill me. I used to cry out loud hearing my mother cry. But, I could not do anything.
Within days, I realised my life is going to end within my mother’s womb. Continually, I could hear my mother’s sobs. She was so helpless. I felt so sad for her, but I felt sadder for myself. Atleast, people could console her. Who will console me?
It appears like I am the sacrificial lamb. Why was I conceived and nourished, if I were to be murdered one day. I know you might be feeling sad for me, but sadly it is of no use. Now, I will sleep a bit. I will catch up with you later.”
As a matter of fact, there are many Pinki’s around us and away from us. Let us ponder over the reasons of female infanticide (also known as sex-selective abortion) -
1. Future and Present - The thinking among people that they will ave to spend a lot of money on their daughters, who will finally leave them along with huge settlement money.
2. Honour killing - Giving birth to a daughter is a disgrace. A son is a source of pride.
3. Unplanned pregnancy - When people allow desires to take over sense and get pregnant, they decide to abort the baby.
All the above factors are in a way related to the theory of comatose conscience. According to this, an individual tricks his conscience into believing that the newborn has not taken human shape, so killing him is not a big deal. In other words, the murder of an unborn baby is too minimally significant to be treated as a homicide.
These reasons may be sounding oft-repeated and boring to you. But, these problems actually do persist in many places.
Who told we Indians are not good businessmen. We are brilliant at it. We treat sons on the asset side and daughters on the liabilities side. We increase our assets and decrease our liabilities. The biggest problem is many of us have become Ramalinga Rajus. There is a Satyam going on in some place near you.
A remarkable aspect of the female infanticide is the fact that these practices are not limited to rural areas, they are equally prevalent in urban areas. Take the example of Jaipur which boasts a sex ratio of 899 girls among 1000 boys as against the sex ratio of 940(which in itself is dismal).
One of the biggest reasons for the high female infanticide has been the evil called dowry. Though dowry has been made illegal under the “The Pre-conception and Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act”, in which there can be imprisonment for a 3-year period and a fine of Rs. 50,000 for the culprits and suspension/removal of registration license of medical practitioners who are accomplices in the crime. Sadly, the law has not been so effective.
Easier said than done, just keeping a law in place doesn’t solve matters. Families are encouraged to register complaints and voice their opinion against dowry. This solution can reach only the tip of an iceberg. The problems associated with this solution arise primarily because the families are not financially strong and the daughters are not so well educated. The families are not in a position to oppose dowry. In some cases, the dowry thing is treated as customary. The girl’s parents insist upon giving “gifts” to their daughters after marriage. The word “dowry” is never uttered (like “You-know-who” of Harry Potter fame).
Sitting behind newspapers in closed rooms and with closed mindsets, we comment on the degradation of the society oblivious of the outside environment. But, what do we do for the society? We do practically nothing, theoretically everything...... like giving discourses about how the society should be, how we hate our politicians and how our favourite hero wears his undies over his pants. I think it’s time we stop pointing our fingers at atrocities and social frictions and then forgetting it all together, which is typical of us, Indians.
As such, there are no sure-shot solutions. When there is a need of solution for a social problem, either it takes the government to curb the problem or it takes someone like Raja Ram Mohan Roy to begin a revolution. With a weak-willed government is the helm, we need many Raja Ram Mohan Roys. I believe the contemporary women folk of India must actively participate in the solution to the problem of missing Pinkis. It is a tragic irony that they are an accomplice in most of the cases of infanticide.
Let’s hear Pinki for the last time.
“Hi, I am back. As a matter of fact, I could not sleep. I want to move my legs, my hands, my head. This place is so cramped. I have heard that it hurts while dying. Yeah. I know you cannot hear my cries when I die. Anyways, the cocoon in which you live is sound-proof and light-proof. You are no less hopeless than me. I can see you resigned to your handicaps and miseries. I will die soon, you are already dead.”
Before I end, please have a look at the following stats -
At birth: 1.12 male(s)/female
Under 15: 1.10 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
65-over: 0.90 male(s)/female
As you can see, the heading high male:female ratio at birth will progressively appear across all the age groups. The things promise to get worse. Congrats to all....

PS – I might have been too preachy, but please try to understand the intention behind this blog.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

KBK - Kaun Banega Kangalpati

I belong to the state of Orissa. Yes, I from one of the most backward states of India. One of my professors in IIM B keeps on giving the example of Oriya’s being increasingly employed as guards, washer-men and servants to project Orissa’s backwardness. According to him, Orissa is the new Bihar. What he is actually forgetting is the economic situation in Orissa. The situation in rural Orissa is so pathetic that people just have to venture out to earn money.
Let us analyse the reasons for the backwardness of KBK(Kalahandi-Balangir-Koraput) region of Orissa.
Lets start with the political scenario.....
While the manifesto of all the major parties for the KBK region during the elections included the subsidy on rice, there were no provisions for what the KBK region really needs - intensive irrigation projects, medical colleges/services, safe drinking water, housing, new railway line, state highway, new bridges and downstream industrial development.
Perhaps, the prevalent image of KBK being a malnourished region is so overpowering that the politicians feel that subsidy is the only solution to KBK’s problems.
An interesting result of the elections was the miserable performance of BJD in western and southern Orissa and its victory in the Orissa assembly elections. KBK comes under the western Orissa belt. The western parts of Orissa especially the Ganjam district is not progressing as smoothly as the eastern Orissa. In the last five years, Mr. Naveen Patnaik has visited Kalahandi four times out of which three times were just before this election. BJD's failure in western Orissa was attributed by some experts to the anti-industrial sentiment (anti-Vedanta rally in Lanjigarh). Infact, it was the poor performance and apparent indifference of the government that prove to be its undoing.
According to the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report, as many as 1450 projects for the development of KBK have been either closed or are incomplete. The funds allocated for the KBK region by the central government under the Revised Long Term Action Plan(RLTAP)have not been being utilized properly. The RLTAP came to an end in the year 2006-2007. The government had launched a Biju KBK Yojana as an alternative measure in the interim period. As of now, Orissa government has presented a new 8-year RLTAP plan(2009-2017) of Rs 4550 crores for the development of Orissa before the Centre. The Planning Commission is in favour of the plan, but has said it will take some time.
Let us analyze the performance of the schemes taken under RLTP(1999-2007)....
The performance audit of various schemes under RLTP by the CAG has some startling facts to mention. It is noteworthy to mention that BJD has ruled over Orissa since 1999, the inception year of RLTP.
A review of the popularly successful Watershed and Biju Krushak Vikas Yojana (BKVY) projects. The metrics targeted were :-
1. Projects scheduled for implementation - While the target was 2872, the projects completed were 1422 with a success percantage was 50%
2. Area planned for treatment - While the target was 7.49 lakh heactares, the area treated was 4.98 with a success percantage of 66.48%.
Remarks
Participatory management was poor and contribution in pani panchayats and watershed development funds did not take off creating apprehension about future maintenance of projects

A review of the other schemes
  • The Sampoorna Grameen Rozgar Yojana (SGRY) failed to achieve the targeted employment days under RLTAP.
  • The afforestation programme aimed at conservation and extension of forests fared miserably. Employment targeted in the scheme was not met.
  • The Indira Awas Yojana could not provide dwelling houses to the entire targeted group. In the rural areas, success ratio was merely 27 per cent of the target.
  • Short supply of rice and dal affected emergency feeding to the beneficiaries.
  • Inadequate deployment of medical and paramedical health workers and shortages of medical equipment in the Mobile Health Units handicapped the basic health services.
  • Safe drinking water could not be ensured in many habitations.
Most importantly, there was virtually non-existent monitoring of schemes at state, district and block levels.
Inspite of such apparent flops, the Orissa government is buoyed about its ambitious plans. Had money had been the solution to all problems, Midas would have been the happiest person ever. Money can be the source of big problems, it can never be the solution of big problems.
The Orissa government would do a world of good for the KBK if they put in more heart into the initiatives rather than begging for money time and again.
P.S - Blogging after a loooonnnngggg time. Life @ IIM B doesnt give you time to blog.
P.P.S - Hopefully, I will try to be a more regular blogger.
P.P.P.S - Please read about the KBK region of Orissa. It really needs attention of all.

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Taare Zameen Par - The Final Story


In January, I came to know that I had done well in my CAT exam. I had got calls for GD/PI from all 6 IIMs. My GD/PI prep was first on my priorities from January to March. Everything else took a backseat.
I used to take the classes regularly, barring the Sundays on which I had the mock sessions of GD/PI. I feel sad to say that I couldn’t make solid prep for the classes for the students. I used to decide on-the-spot as to what I should teach them. Inspite of that, I did a seemingly good job, with the help of SH.
Meanwhile, AJ and AM took up the initiative for the higher education of the students and their sponsorship. Our Nai Disha volunteer team took the initial step of approaching the schools for deciding the intake of the students for the school and the possibility of tuition waivers for the under-privileged students. We successfully negotiated with the different schools and got some good bargains. We followed up the initiative with the task of convincing the students and their parents to continue the student’s education. Both the initiatives were successful. We also finalised the schools in which the students have to be admitted into.
Next up was the funds for the sponsorship of students. Somehow, I had the knack of convincing our managers on the CSR initiatives. Others before me had tried to do it but had failed. Maybe I was too good to be refused...lolz....
I took up the issue with our manager. And he gave me the green signal. I compiled a good mail and mailed it to all Samsung employees, insisting them to contribute them whole-heartedly. Finally, when the mail was sent, the initiative was a success. We managed to arrange for the annual full-time sponsorship for 7 students.
Others in the team went ahead with the sponsorship initiative in her company. They managed to arrange 5 donors. In the end, we had a very successful initiative. We also conducted essay-writing and debate competitions. The funds for the prizes came from the surplus amount from the library initiative.
Later, we gave farewell to the passing out batch. We gifted pencil-boxes, our pictures with them and greeting cards with something written especially for them.
In one of our meetings, we discussed about our future initiatives - publishing a newsletter, blogging about the initiatives(I have been doing that) and archiving our earlier initiatives.
Later on, a new volunteer joined us, PR. Initially I doubted it whether she will continue the classes. But, she did continue and has done an excellent job of adjusting with the students and our Nai Disha volunteer team. A very cheerful gal, she can put all at ease.
After a fruitful association of 1.5 years, it was bye-bye time for me at Nai Disha on May 31st.
I could feel the love of the students for me on my last day. I could feel the sadness in their faces at my farewell. The one year that I had spent with the passing batch was a very enriching experience. It was full of fun, emotion and learning. I hope I have planted the seeds of ambition and hope in their lives.
I would like to thank the entire Nai Disha team for their support and encouragement.
P.S - This is my last blog on Nai Disha. Apologies to those who had expected my last story on Nai Disha soon.
P.P.S – My next blog will be about the initial horrid and later pleasant first week had in IIM B.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Taare Zameen Par - The Story(II)

While the classes were going on unhindered. We were moving ahead with our other initiatives.
With the various entrance exams, my attention was sort of dwindling. Just when we thought, we needed more volunteers. We got more than we had asked. We had PR, CH, GA, KUN and AS.
All of them brought something new and novel into our group. Whenever we used to have our group meetings after the Sunday classes, there was a surfeit of ideas. This time though the ideas were discussed within the realms of feasibility. Some of the ideas did went on to become true.
While we were seriously thinking about a new plan for the betterment of the students. I came up with the idea of setting up a library in Nai Disha. But, the real problem was the funds.
In this regard, I founded the “Samsung Social Welfare Committee” in Samsung with the permission of our managers in SISC. With the help of funds collected from employees of Samsung, we set-up the library in Nai Disha. We asked them to read the books and tell us what they understood. The next week, the enthusiasm of the students for the books justified our belief. I believe the students gained a lot of knowledge and the employees of Samsung got a chance to contribute towards the betterment of society.
Papa John(A pizza restaurant) was conducting a painting/drawing competition for students of class IV and V.
We had to take them in the chilling morning at 9 am to Papa Johns. As usual, I was more interested in the free cold drinks and chips offered. Enough of joking round. The students had painted so well, I was stumped by their creativity. I could realize the talent that these kids had. Coming from a background where creativity and dreams are shoved away into obscurity and preferred to be ignored, it was all the more incredible. One of the students, Pinky actually won an award.
The students were very excited after the event. Social events do help us shed off our inhibitions and coyness. It helped them be more confident. I could see the glitter in their eyes at the mention of a competition.
P.S – I had forgotten to mention RB in my last post. She was very much a part of our Sunday classes. My sincerest apologies to her. Her contributions have been immense. She’s soon going to tie the knot. Congratulations to her.
P.P.S – Next up is the final chapter of my TZP story. I will cover the most initiative we had taken and had completed successfully. This chapter will cover the year 2009. This and the previous one covered the year 2008.

Sunday, June 7, 2009

Taare Zameen Par - The Story (I)



I begin from where I had left in the last blog. It was for 3-4 months that we had been taking classes, but not with a lot of enthu. A lot of volunteers used to come and teach the students but they never used to return after 2-3 weeks.
In June 2008, 3 new volunteers AJ, AM and SH joined. I had my initial doubts about their continuity. After 2-3 weeks, I could sense here were the folks who would infuse the much needed stimulus into our activities. So they did.
Before, there was so much dependence upon me that if I was not able to come to Nai Disha, Sunday classes were invariably called off. I felt really guilty. With the oncoming Sunday AIMCATS(Mock CAT), I was really worried how will I be able to manage both. So, there was no escaping from the guilt pangs.
But, AJ, AM and SH gelled excellently into our team. I could realize the importance of working in a team. A team can overcome all hurdles only if all members work selflessly towards the all-important goal. In our case, the goal was the empowerment of the under-privileged students.
Before the trio joined, I was working in Nai Disha for my satisfaction. But, now, I could feel that we were actually shaping the grassroots of our society. Coming from a background where survival is the issue, it is very tough to dream.
Our limited teaching period of 2 hr on Sundays looked very limited in comparison to the regular classes on weekdays and Saturday. But, I could sense that we were making a big change to lives of the under-privileged students. We were teaching them to dream. The students were idolizing us(Funny…I know…But not from their context).
They wanted to come out of the shackles of insufficiency and limitations, they wanted to become like us. They wanted to make it big. Our bakar sessions had worked. Though not all of them would become a winner, but even if, 10 students take their studies seriously, our initiative is a success.
The team didn’t stop growing. Later, there were many new members in our group. I will cover their contribution and the various initiatives we took in our next blog.
PS – I have used initials to represent people, so that they don’t feel awkward.

Monday, June 1, 2009

TAARE ZAMEEN PAR - Prologue


While studying at NIT, Rourkela I was associated with a leprosy colony. I was appalled to find them segregated from the mainstream. Some of the youths had ventured out to earn their livings. The children used to get their basic education from volunteers. The colony used to survive on the basis of the funds from government and voluntary agencies. Those children who studied beyond class VI studied in outside schools.
When people used to know about my Samaritan works, they used to praise me by saying, “You are doing a good job”. Sadly, the encouragement ended there. When I used to tell them to come with us and meet the lepers, there were a lot of unfulfilled promises. Occasionally, some of my very good friends used to accompany me on the visits. But, the initiative was limited within a small circle of people.
Initially, I had supposed people would feel motivated by me and themselves would take up the cudgels for the suffering, in some way or another. But, the support was very limited, which was primarily monetary. I decided I would go alone with another of my dear friend of my institute, whom we fondly called Bada. The chap was otherwise notorious for his pranks(especially against girls), but he had a heart of gold. He and I used to lead the initiatives for the lepers. We used to interact with the lepers and supply them with books and other stationeries from our own pockets.
But, I was never satisfied with our efforts. My realization of the need to help came very late in my 3rd year. In final year, I was busy in my placements, projects and parties. So, I couldn’t make a prominent difference to their lives, which I regretted for a long time. With a powerful student base of NITRKL, I felt I could make a major change to the lives of the lepers. But, the lack of support, financially and person-wise, somehow downed my confidence.
Finally, when I joined Samsung in end 2007, I decided to make a better impact. I browsed through various NGOs in Noida. I had heard a lot about CRY foundation. I wanted to join CRY. But, after several requests to enroll as a member, I didn’t even get a suitable reply. Instead, there were arbitrary requests to contribute money to their NGO. Probably, they had no shortage of manpower and they needed money.
After a lot of searching, I found an NGO, Nai Disha. The name sounded good. I surfed through NGO’s website. It was impressive. It was an NGO which provided free education to under-privileged students upto class V.
I found the name of a volunteering guy, Sandeep. We had presumed he must be some khadi-wearing social worker types – The ones with big rhetorics and inferior motives. Nonetheless, we decided to give it a try. I called up and enquired about the procedure to enroll as volunteers. No procedures as such. We were asked to drop in Sunday at 10:30 am in Nai Disha.
The memories of the Sunday, 6th Jan are a distant one. As such I have a very weak memory, I think I am growing senile.But, I do remember Sandeep. The initial impression turned out to be so wrong. We found him a soft-spoken and down-to-earth guy who was ready to help in all ways. Later, when he told us that he was a graduate from IIT Kharagpur and was working in Mentor Graphics, I felt embarrassed about my initial notion of him.
After a month, we got a bit bored of teaching the students. We could find our interest waning. The similarity in this endeavor and the previous one in NIT, was the lack of support. There was a sheer lack of volunteers. We had to make do on our own.
Nonetheless, Sandeep’s will to work for the students irrespective of the outside support, inspired us to carry on. For some 3-4 months, it was just me and Sandeep.
I felt it easier to motivate the students to go for higher studies than to motivate our team. Though we had big ideas, we didn’t have the manpower to implement those ideas. Somehow, the ideas were lost with the passage of time.
But things changed for the better. I understood what it is to work in a team. It was great to work with like-minded people. We could easily relate with each other.
I will capture the “How and When things changed for the better” in my next blog.
P.S – Details about Nai Disha can be found out at http://naidishanoida.googlepages.com/

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Paisa Ye Paisa

On May 15th after I had converted IIM B, I had to withdraw my admission from IIM C. Sounds so easy, but it isn’t.
It was downright awkward to inform an institute that I am not going to join your institute. An institute as legendary and iconic as IIM Calcutta with a history of almost half-a-century. I took about 10 minutes as to decide what to say. The moment I told the admissions-in-charge that I am not going to join. He told me okay. Huhhhh. Much ado about nothing. Probably they were expecting it. Or maybe they accepted my withdrawal rather gleefully as they can offer admission to one who is on-hold, thereby decreasing the erosion of their brand-value.
I asked I wanted my initial deposit of Rs 1 lakh refunded. He told me very casually “you will get it in end of June”. End of June…..Did I hear it right? Asked him to repeat. He said the same thing, this time rather rudely. Before I could ask him anything else, call went blank.
I had to send Rs 1.55 lakh to IIM B within June 1st. From where the hell, I am going to manage such a huge amount. Therein I realized the value of money. Money needs to be saved to meet such eventualities. Unfortunately, I was very ill-prepared to meet the situation.
One major concern was treats. Some I had already given and a couple were still due. It’s a caught-between-the-devil-and-the-sea situation. At one hand, you cannot refrain from giving the treats and at the other hand, you don’t have the money to give the treat. Pretty dicey, you know. Well, I decided treats will have to wait.
I requested IIM B to extend the deadline. IIM B asked me to fill up the fee-waiver form and then they will consider the request. But, the form had more to fill up than even my Tenth’s history exam and probably more confusing than map reading in the geography exam. I decided against it.
So, I had to sent them the money. In these moments of helplessness, I fell back upon the people closest to my heart. They helped me a lot financially. It really feels good to have such people around you, who can see you through all rough moments.
P.S – I will take a break from IIMs. You have got bored of it and so have I. So, my next blog will not be about IIM. It will be about something very close to my heart.

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Picture Abhi Baaki Hai Mere Dost

Just when you know where you are heading, life throws a beamer at you. The beamer may give you some free runs or it may hurt you real bad.
While I had almost made up my mind to join IIM C, there was this something that I missed. I knew studying in IIM C is itself a dream to die for. The fact was that I had always dreamt of joining IIM A or IIM B.
But this yearning was a minute element of my thought at that time. I was so happy that I would study in IIM C. I was attending the TIME felicitation ceremony. While I was thinking I would say this and that in my speech, I didn’t get the opportunity to speak. Not that I was dying to speak, I nevertheless expected that I would be asked to speak. As it happened, the students who had got thru IIM A or IIM B were given more opportunities to speak. Felt sad at not getting the acclaim I had thought I deserved.
Cut-back to 2008, I was so frustrated that I could even kill someone to join MDI if I would have converted. And now in 2009, though I had got a GD/PI call from MDI, I didn’t even attend the GD/PI. Circumstances can change so dramatically. You can so easily change from a pauper to a king and vice-versa.
In the TIME meet, after the speeches, we went for a lunch. The food was good, so were the junta. I didn’t allow any disappointment or inferiority complex to creep in. I decided to be satisfied with what I had. Life’s bliss only if you believe it to be. Depends upon what you find bliss in. One of my friends who had got thru IIM A told us that IIM B is coming out with a 2nd Waitlist. Though he had already converted 5 IIMs, he wanted to convert IIM B so that “it would complete the picture”.
I remember a famous dialogue from the word “picture”, “Picture Abhi Baaki Hai Mere Dost” .
Strangely, the aforesaid dialogue applied for me. As if life had not taken enough ups and downs. I found my name in the waitlist on May 2nd.
When the results had been declared, a first waitlist of 50 people had been declared. I wasn’t there. In the second waitlist of 50, I was way down at 37.
I asked myself now what. Chances didn’t appear rosy. My admission into IIM B depended upon how many people from the waitlist didn’t accept the offer of admission. On May 2nd, 15 people of the 50 waitlisted guys were offered admission. Some hopes arose.
Subsequently, on May 9th, 15 more offered admission. My new waitlisted number was 7. So near yet so far. I used to check the pagalguy threads time and again waiting for updates. Felt like two strong forces were attracting me towards each other. I didn’t know whether to love IIM C or IIM B at this crucial juncture. At one end, I assure myself that IIM C is a great institute. But at the other end, unknowingly, I would start dreaming of IIM B. So, typically confused. I used to pick up the mobile to call IIM B and know about my chances and then used to keep it down, thinking they will call on their own.
I was really afraid of disappointment. Here I was dreaming of IIM B, what if I don’t get thru. I called up IIM B and asked them about the status on May 13th. The lady told me that the status can be only known on May 16th Saturday. I told ok. Back to square one. Had had enough.
It was on May 15th, that the unexpected happened. Got a call from IIM B. I had been offered admission. Took some moments to recollect and then accepted the admission.
But my admission let loose another tide of problems which I will capture in the next blog.

P.S – This blog was not as funny as the earlier one, "Why MBA". My apologies.
P.P.S – People are not leaving comments. I mean it’s nice to receive comments. Atleast, I can know someone is reading the shit I have written. I will be inspired to write more shit…..hehehe.

"Why MBA"

I, for one, really don’t know why exactly I want to do an MBA. The “Why MBA” question used to give me nightmares during my preparation for the PI process of IIMs. I used to get virtually raped during the mock PIs. From an all-knowing Harry, I used to become a bloody Mary.
During my prep, if there was any question that made me nervous, it was this question. “Why MBA”.
This question is a torture for all aspirants. People cook up all sorts of stories to convince the interviewers. The interviewers are shrewd enough to understand that. Anyways, they get some inkling of the logical thought procedure I guess. It’s purely suicidal to get emotional and think by the heart, while answering the question. The best answer any aspirant has given to the question, “Why MBA” is “Why Not MBA!!!!!!!!!”. Pretty tongue-in-cheek. Not wise to try it out during an actual PI. Remember the warning on TV, "These actions are performed by professionals, please don't try it out at home". Replace professionals by fools and "home" by "PI".
Somehow, I had prepared an essay as to why I wanted to do an MBA. I had connected one of my tech projects and my social service initiatives and came up with a decent answer to the killer question, ”Why MBA”. Although, I was not entirely convinced, I had decided to project as if it’s my raison d'ĂȘtre, my sole goal of life. How inspiring!!!!!!!!!!
You have the best profile, you have the best percentile and you are the best orator, but the “Why MBA” can stump you by a long margin.
During the IIM PIs, whenever I was asked the “Why MBA”, I used to repeat the same answer again and again. Yes, like a parrot. LOL. I used to say it with such passion, that it looked very authentic.
However, All’s Well That Ends Well. Now, that I have cracked IIMs, I can make a mockery of the question, “Why MBA”. Else, it would have been the IIM’s way of asking “Why MBA, dude????? Don’t care to apply again”.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

CAT - Capricious Admission Test

Life changes so drastically.
Just when you settle down in you cocoon and think that life will go on as it is. It takes a sudden turn and throws you into the maelstrom of uncertainties. If only life could be predicted.
I had prepared well for CAT exam for two long years 2007 and 2008. But, I was able to muster a very average performance. Such is the cruelty of CAT, that not only do you have to manage a certain percentile in total but also in the individual subjects(For those who dont know Maths,English and Logical Ability).
People can have all the ability in the world and all the determination in the world, but when it comes to CAT, it all boils down to the 2.5 hours of the exam. It took me two long years to realise this. I used to belong to an older school of thought that believed in the benefits of hard work. But hard work is hardly a pre-requisite in CAT. Its only a minor factor.
In mid 2008, I got a call to join IIM Shillong, the newest IIM. I had almost decided to join it out of my frustration(that I might never ever crack CAT). But, some good sense prevailed and I didnt join it. Yet, I had left all hopes of cracking CAT. My preparation came down to a only a week of brushing up, just to convince myself that I had put in some effort. Infact, my efforts were in some other direction.
I realised the absurdity of CAT. How can we gauge a person's ability on the basis of a 2.5 hrs exam. The entire concept appeared misleading.The people who were too smart will put it across any exam they give. They comprise maybe 10% of the ppl who cract CAT and 0.0000000000000001 % of those who appear for CAT. For the rest 99.999999999999% it's luck(Atleast, that's what I think, I maybe wrong.).
The day results came. I was sure I will not make it. It was because that I was out of hope that I decided to check late.Finally, I did check my results after some days and I had made it - BLACKI . The interviews came and went in a hurry with no time to introspect.
Now that I have got thru IIM Calcutta. I can feel how my time has changed, how luck has favoured me.........Touchwood.............
From a loser who appeared to squander the minimal triumphs he deserved, I changed onto a lucky dawg who has over-achieved (By over-achieving, I don't mean IIM C is heaven. I know I have a long fight to fight. I simply mean over-achieving from my own perspective).
When I had accepted my bad luck before, now I have to accept my good luck and move ahead.
A new battle......A new life..........

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

IIM C - Fiasco

It was Saturday evening.A perfect chill-out time. The next day will be a holiday as well.
Saturday's are typically more fun than Sundays.
Cut back to the moment...
Swamy calls me and gives me a heart-attack. "IIMC ne results update kar diya.Pagalguy main bhag dad mach gayi hai....".
WTF.My best call and a disaster in reckoning...
A and B ne ditch mara, joka ka hi tha sahara, ab tera kya hoga Amartya ( Stop cursing me...I know it's not rhyming...)
Swamy,"Kitne logon ka kaal selected tha, aaj on-hold aa raha hai. Maine apne chk kar diya,mera selected aa raha hai.".
Me,"Mera bhi chk kar liya,My reg no is XXXXXXXXXX"
I could feel my heartbeat in my mind.
Swamy,"Tera selected dikha raha hai...."
I take a big sigh of relief.
After I reach home, I recheck my status atleast 10 times.
I have been rechecking my status each day since. Pata nahi in IIM C waalon ka,de mite push me onto on-hold status nyday.
Meanwhile, waiting for my call-letter.....

April 10th - Judgement Day

Started checking the results from 9 am onwards. I was not aware that IIM L and IIM C results had already been out.
I started surfing the different sites for the results. I didnt have much hope though. Was already thinking of joining NITIE, which I had converted.
First up was IIM Calcutta. My father has had a special attraction towards Bengalis and Calcutta.
I like Bengali men(meek and chain-smokers), but not women(very shrewd). I know....very tongue-in-cheek :D
Results were out.
Closed my eyes with a silent prayer on my lips... I was through.
I went berserk....Started dancing...For 2-3 mins,checked again and again my name....
I didn't worry anymore. IIM A ka dekh lenge baad main. I was so relieved.... Called up mom and told her the good news. And was she not happy. I felt really happy that finally I have made my dad and mom proud.
Later, checked IIM L,I,K results. All were converted.
I was in another room, when I got a call that IIM A results are out. I haven't got thru. I felt a bit dejected. Had always dreamt of studying in IIM A.
Took solace from getting a seat in IIM Calcutta.....
I guess life has a taken different and unexpected turn. Life at Joka will be fun...

My Horrid Nite before the IIM results - 9th April

The results of IIMs were du on 10th....
On 9th nite, was otherwise quite cool. Had thot the results will come out the next day, so I can just relax....
I was surfing through the Pagalguy threads. Some one had copied the list of selected candidates of IIM Bangalore. So early...................
Had a lot of expectations from B....Was my best GD/PI actually.......
I Surfed through the list in real panic. I couldnt find my registration no....Felt there must be some mistake. I went on the IIM B site,no results had come out there.
Felt it must be a hoax, as I read more across the thread, I found someone had attached the shortlisted pdf. Downloaded the pdf. I opened the pdf with prayers. Was shocked not to find my reg number in the list. The dream appeared over.....

Lets have a summary of my other IIM experiences
IIM A had gone very bad(I was asked about radiowave,microwave,speed of a delivery in cricket,microwave oven and more bullshit....).IIM C was quite uneventful and short....
IIM L,I,K had gone well, but had always dreamt of getting into ABC. IIM B was my best.

Lets get back to 9th nite....
Didnt break the news to my parents.Wanted them to have a good nite's sleep.
Had told them that results were due.Went off to sleep, with a bruised heart and battered soul, a la, Dev D.
Having been eliminated in SP Jain interview and the IIM B rejection, I felt somehow I didn't have the potential in me to convert. Was dreaded to think that I might not convert any of them.
Kya socha tha aur kya ho gaya....
I actually didn't want to sleep. Yet just slept off.
Dad called me up at 2:30 nite to know the status. I lied to him, said I didnt know the results. I felt will break all the bad news together....

Monday, April 13, 2009

My IIM C GD/PI Experience

IIM – C

Venue – IMI, New Delhi
Reached the venue about 1.5 hr before the start. Had heard there would be a lot of verifications. So, had to go early. My interview slot was first again.

Was searching the entire campus for the room. Finally, found the room in the ladies hostel. Wat a place to have the GD n PI????

The locale of GD didn’t look like a premier B-school’s GD. It was the residential room a guest house.

GD process –
Time to think – 2mins
Time for discussion – 10 mins

So, our 3 panelists began the proceedings.

The topic – Artists must know mathematics. (…….WTF…….)

The GD – The start was uncharacteristically tepid. No one was starting. Atlast one guy (The Smartie) started it. Gave a good enough start, then all hell broke loose. Everybody wanted to make his point.
I usually used to have a laid-back attitude for the initial 2 minutes. Used to compose myself and then used to chip in.
Tab yaad aaya, kya kar raha hai yaar. GD bas 10 min ka hai. Gave the example of the greatest artist, God as to how he must have used his maths.
There was this guy who used to give a big smile while asking “Please lemme complete”, whenever he was interrupted. He did it 2-3 times.
Several more examples came in. Someone mentioned Chabria. The smartie mentioned Leonardo Da Vinci. Someone mentioned Einstein.
I chipped in with the xample of AR Rahman(pata nahi ye kaha se aa gaya)
Also made the point of poetry. How maths calculation comes in handy in writing poetry(meters) and how there are romantic poets who write directly from the heart.
There were good examples like the angles used in architecture.
I made the point that maths isn’t a must for artistry, though it definitely is an add-on for an artist. Reached a consensus on this. The point was repeated 2-3 times more in round-about ways. J

Summary – Everyone was asked to summarise. Everyone gave decent enough summaries.
Some chap asked whether he has to give his own point or what the group discussed. The senior prof(panelist) told it’s his wish. I decided to stick to the group view. Out of 10, I was the 8th one to be asked. Was feeling nervous, don’t know why. Somehow, gave my summary. To be honest, I could have done better. The chap after me, was very anxious and in his nervousness grunted 2-3 times. One other chap, mentioned the Leonardo Di Caprio instead of Leonardo Da Vinci( lol ….)

Luckily, some other guy also had a PGDCM PI. So he went in first, I went in 2nd.

The PI
Scene:
Panelist – Three gentlemen.
Left(L) – A moustached guy.
Middle(M) – A senior Prof
Right(R) – Looked like an alumni.
Me – The innocent and meek kid J

M – So, ur name is Amartya.
Me – Yes Sir.

M - Have you heard of Amartya Sen(Have been asked this question a lot of times).
Who is he?
Me – Sir, He is the Nobel-prize winning economist

M – Do u know any of his books
Me – An Argumentative Indian

M – What was it about
Me – Told the summary I ahd written

M – I was initially of the same idea. But, its different. Its like this……
Me – I was also saying the same thing. I mean arguing is a good way of logical reasoning….

M – I think argument is taken negatively....
Me- Yes Sir(…….Aur kya bolun main. Apne bol diya to sahi hoga….)

R – So, u r from Rourkela. U must b knowing abt rourkela steel plant.
Me – (Interrupted him) Actually, I have done my engg from Rourkela…..(Uncharted territories….)

R – Anyways, u must b knowing about it… Tell me with whose contribution was Rourkela Steel Plant started
Me – Germany

R – Wat abt Bhilai Steel Plant?
Me – Don’t know

L – So, u have written over here in the career goal that you want to work in the social sector… The Sir over here(M) is a professor in ethics. He can see through you if mean what you have written over here..

Me(All smiles) – I believe in what I have written. Infact, I have a background for it.

L – what is it?
Me- I had worked on a project “A decision support system for disease surveillance for rural India”. Should I elaborate it?

L – of course
M – don’t worry, we are not going to steal it. All 3 start laughing
Me- I smiling. No Sir, I have nor problems. Went on for 1-2 mins about the idea.
Was cut in by R(alumni). Is very impatient.

R – What algorithm u used for clustering
Me – k –means

R – Do u know what is P-means
Me- The cluster centres are found out by fuzzy logic.

R- Do u know how exactly it’s found out.
Me- Don’t know much about fuzzy logic.

R – What is the diff.between supervised and unsupervised analysis
ME – Gave him a general difference

R – Actually, what gave u was a very general difference….is a more specific answer is the rules classification
Me - Ok, Sir( All smiles)

M – So, u r from Orissa. If I come to Bhubaneswar, where all will you take me.
Me – As u know, Bhubaneswar is the temple city. I would take you to Lingaraja temple, Dhaulagiri, Udaygiri, RajaRani temple. Then there is Konark temple. Puri, Konark and BBsr form a triangle

M – Tell me something about Jagannath temple. Have u been there.
ME – Yes, Sir

M – So, there is bhog served out. When is it served out
Me – Between 1-2 pm

M – I have heard they cook food throughout the day
Me – That’s because a lot of people come there. The food is given in earthern pots. We have rice, sweet dal and….(Interrupted)

M – U have written dancing as ur hobby. Wat dance do u do, Bharatnatyam, Kuchipudi???
Me- No Sir..I dance on Hindi movei tracks

M – Give me the names of some classical dancers
Me – Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra(Cudnt recollect more)

M – Give me the name of 1 classical singer
Me – MS Subbulakshmi

M – What singer is she
Me- Carnatic

M – Good, good…From where is she
Me – She is from South. Im not sure where exactly she is from

M – She’s from Tamil Nadu....
Me – Ok Sir

M- we are done with you. Thank you
Me- Thank you Sirs.

PI lasted for just 12 minutes. A very short one.
Cant judge anything as such. There were some “ I don’t knows”.
Fingers crossed for the results. Lets hope for the best.
As such , they don’t get enough weightage for the work-ex or acads(both are seemingly good for me)
Anyways, its over….

Status - Converted

My IIM Lucknow GD/PI Experience

IIM – L
Venue – IIML, Noida
For the 1st time, found people with 4-5 years of experience(Yahan pe kya kar rahe ho bhai????). Just underlined the point that IIM L really values experience more than anything…

GD process –
Time to write summary – 10 mins
Time for discussion – 20 mins

So, our 2 panelists began the proceedings.
Old Lady(OL)
Young Man(YM)

The topic – The start of Germany is not success(Germany ye kaha se aa gaya bhai, Germany ke unification ke baare main hai kya)

Peeped into the sheet of the chap sitting besides me. He had written “The start of joining is not success”............(Abhi se joining?????)

Asked YM to repeat the topic. Then finally got the topic
“The start of journey is not success”. Didn’t want to commit a suicide by writing down the wrong topic. Again asked for the topic. He appeared perked up…Came up to me to show the paper with the topic……(Lo Dekho……..)

Writing – For first 2 minutes, went really blank. Kya likhun bhai, isme.. Then, slowly composed myself and wrote some good points….

The GD – The start was characteristically chaotic. 3-4 ppl started at the same time. One went on and gave a decent intro. Out of the 8 ppl, 7 ppl got a chance to speak. Told how achieving success in the beginning leads to complacency.
We were interrupted midway as it was getting a bit chaotic according to OL...didnt appear though to be chaotic.....
I compared the journey to a life, How life is full of ups and downs like a journey. So, a person must carry on inspite of all troubles. The group discussed how planning is important, irrespective of initial success. I told the popular proverb, “A good start is half the job done”. Told it’s only half the job done, the rest half remains to be done. Someone chipped in with the luck factor. Another chap, chipped in with the project management techniques. I told we should consider a journey in night and day, u cover-up more distance and rest during night.
One guy was trying to reach a consensus. I interrupted him. Felt had more examples to give. Gave the example of tortoise-rabbit story and climbing the mountain. The other guy still concluded after another person had concluded. I gave my mini-conclusion.

The PI
Scene:
Panelists
YM – Young Man
OL – Old Lady
Me – The innocent and meek kid

I was first up.

OL – So, Tell me about urself
Me – Blah, blah, blah…

OL – Why does every candidate now-a-days learn dancing. Just for the sake of interview
Me – Maam, I have been dancing since 2nd yr

OL – Have u learnt dancing
Me – Yes Maam, For 1 month. From them on, I have choreographed my group’s dances....

(YG was busy tallying my matriculation marks)

OL – What is the latest political development in Orissa
Me – Told about the BJD-BJP fallout. Gave the reason…Also told about the attacks on Christians. Couldn’t recollect the name of the Swami…

YM – Have u heard of POSCO
Me – blah,blah,blah

YM – So, what do u work upon in Samsung.
Me – Blah, blah, blah

YM – What are the different hardware developments of late....
Me- Sir(kaha jaa rahe ho)…I am not much into h/w

YM – What are the different subjects in h/w
ME – AE, DE( Forgot to mention Microprocessors and all)

YM – U didn’t have a lot of h/w in ur subjects?
Me- We had very less exposure to hardware
YM didn’t bug me more.........Thankfully............

OL – Tell me about the marketing strategy of Samsung.
Me – Blah, blah, blah

Cant recollect my project came somewhere into the discussion…

YM - we are done with you. Thank you
Me- Thank you Sirs.

While leaving asked them about whether work-ex docs need to be provided..They told nt required......

PI lasted for just 15-20 minutes.
Was found wanting on the h/w questions. Didn’t sound confident.
Might have appeared aggressive in the GD.
Fingers crossed for the results. Let’s hope for the best.
An ominous weightage for work-ex..

IIM L over

Final Status - Converted