Teri- meri; Merry Christmas!! ...  ........... now that the world has not ended; now that our PGDM continues; now that New Year eve is fast approaching, let me wish you all great festivities and a marvellous inning ahead.

                          All our festivals and celebrations do carry some messages; subtle at times, loud and clear at others. So, here we are with X-mas, an occasion to forgive (to forget, however, remains pretty difficult)! And as I prepare to forget a thing or two that happened very recently, I would ponder over some related issues before shoving the whole thing into a deep, dark abyss. You see, any manual that deals with leadership, management, motivation and such like subjects, will tell you NOT to do a few things (considered SINS!). The first and foremost is being insensitive to people who are under your control (real or assumed...control, i.e!). If a person-in-charge starts to think himself/herself as someone around whom the earth rotates and someone who defines centre of the universe, the doom has just about begun. So, it helps in being compassionate! 

                                                          The next issue is of having an attitude. Professional arrogance comes with experience and after a lot of hard work. Amazingly, nature has so devised its ways that any one who works hard, begins to get humble as he/she embarks on the journey of self realisation (aberrations remaining). So, a learned person must not have an attitude that goes beyond the realm of a justified professional arrogance. And if it is there, someone is simply faking or living in a paradise of own creativity or both!

                                                                  And then comes truthfulness!  A famous saying goes that no one can fool everyone all the time. So, for a person on top, the perpetual issue is that of too many eyes staring at him/her (if not his/her bottom, ie...ha, haahhahaha). So, a man on top can not manipulate facts and get away every time. So, it looks funny when you, in all your smartness, say a few things that are false and make  few claims that are unfounded...... we are too many, each one with two eyes!

                                                            'Divide and Rule' .... historically the term gets associated with British policy leading to partition of our subcontinent some seven decades ago! (BTW, for those who know the history well, it is a misplaced notion. Indians and not Britishers caused the divide and suffered the consequences. Had it been their policy, it would have got legislated across the globe that was under British at that point of time. But our national character proves that we have this uncanny character of living in the shadows of rifts and divides...... anyways, irrelevant here.) Bad as it was then, bad it is even now and when someone tries to play this card, one is simply making a fool of oneself. 'Trade union'? well, we do not have one but a failed attempt to divide and rule does lead to unity at receiving end!

                                                       Vindictiveness... that is the last nail in any leader's coffin! Threats do no good when you have people who have lived a life of being expendables! Our nation looks at us as assets that would be spent at the right moment. At a personal level, every time we step out of an operational base, we are not sure whether we would be back for the next cup of coffee or not. So, when you threaten us, all that we can do then (if not to give you back) is to laugh out loud, LOL as youngsters call it! But such a behaviour affects younger students a lot...... what a pity it would be if they adopt it as a tool in future!

                               And like hell, let no one even get a notion that I do not need a job!

                                            Moving on (having forgiven; trying to forget), two issues have been bugging me through this weekend. First concerns our attitude as citizens of the country. As shared through a post on Facebook recently, all of us love Bhagat Singhs and Abdul Hamids but in neighbour's house. We admire our martyrs but do not want to lose our own during a conflict. So, when I look at the protests taking place in the heart of the capital city (post rape incident), I wonder as to how many of us really want to contribute to the voice rather than sit and watch the show during breaks in 'saas-bahu' serials. Having spent a night at Ram Leela Maidan when Anna was sitting on a fast last year, I vouch for the fact that nothing can replace the feeling of BEING THERE! Now, many of us actually want to be there and have been there already but then it is not one-time thing! Also, it would be nice if we get together and mark our presence there one day (at least) like so many other students who are doing the same. So, if we can be sent to Jaipuria, why can not we be spared for a day (without any official transport or support) by our esteemed EBS! In an attendance-centric environment, this is the least we would expect from our management so that we too, as they say in management parlance, become STAKEHOLDERS of some sort. Years later, let us also narrate to our children that YES we were there where (and when) it mattered the most; India's transformation has just begun after all. I still remember the tales from pre-1947 struggle as narrated by my grandfather who happened to be a member of Bhagat Singh's group! Give us an opportunity to have a similar privilege with our future generations.

                         The second issue is about 'All Work And No Play' syndrome! Now, whosoever (AICTE or MHR) has invented such a curriculum (two years without any FORMAL break worth a mention), has done a big damage to a generation of management graduates. What would be the result of such a regime? I am not sure but I do have an idea about the quality of products. The products of such a curriculum will make great workaholics - managers and functionaries who would never understand the importance of play in life; hard taskmasters who would never look beyond work and who will nip many promising careers in the bud if there were ever a voice of discontent. Unfortunately, things are accepted as such even at the levels where changes can be made. Likewise, we are getting no break during this week (except today; thanx to Indian Constitution) and we are expected to be present on 01 Jan 2013 too (hangovers and related hazards of driving to EBS in a semi-inebriated state notwithstanding!) And yes, years later, many of my present day colleagues will actually look back at such a 'professional' approach while denying some moments of fun and frolic to their subordinates and that would be really sad. Such events may be insignificant (especially, eg, say if everything (and hopefully) goes on smoothly and no one bangs his car or bike on the foggy morning after 31 Dec celebrations) in isolation but then somehow, such things tend to have a cascading effect and that too over years and over generations. No wonder then that we can not become a sporting nation like, say Australia, despite a huge population differential. We make good workers and managers but do we, as a community, make great leaders? Answer is obvious and reasons are many; this being one such reason.

             Anyways, life continues as it must........! Have a great time over and beyond the weekend and remember, never do to others that you would not like to be done to yourself (Do not do unto others as you would not have them do unto you......as Jews put it!) whether it is today or tomorrow or years later!

    MERRY CHRISTMAS ONCE AGAIN!

The New Projector

29 November 2012 - A new projector greeted us today..... that was a pleasant surprise, in fact! Even though it is too bright (needs to be adjusted) and projection is more of a trapezium rather than usual rectangle, things are looking up and one major irritant stands addressed. 

   

                                   The poor door (handle, in fact) has not been so lucky. After two faculty members tried to fix it the day before, even our CR tried all his engineering skills to fix it but in vain! So, as predicted earlier, fixture is now hanging with both its sides coming off even with a soft touch. How long will this state remain, is anyone's guess! Reminds me of the ongoing stand off in Indian Parliament; no one knows how long the state would continue to hang around!

                                         Seats.....!! No further comments; just hopes that no one breaks a bone or buys a bruise! 

                                   Back to campus life..... here is our own team of professional number plate FORGERS....

(BUNTY aur BUBBLY....Caught red handed, even though the pen is black in colour, the look out man tries to get away while his accomplice carries on unperturbed!!

                                          And studies seem to be catching up with all of us.....have a look at the reading material....

(Do not get perturbed by the actions of the man in the background....he is not setting books on fire; he is just blowing up money to paint his lungs black!!)

                                            A bit in posting it but just a glimpse of Diwali celebrations at Era Business School. It was a nicely timed gathering.... as our exams were getting over and we were setting off for a short break...

Bye.....so Long!

SoS

SOS........Well, this acronym has various meaning. Seen written across the walls of EBS, it tells us/reminds us/inspires us to "Switch Off Something" in order to avoid the wastage of electricity. Some noble thought this and so is the whole idea behind such an effort.

              During recently held exams, the same SoS would flash in my mind whenever I got stuck on some question, especially the ones that I would have definitely studied for the exam but would be eluding me at that very moment. Under such circumstances, I would simply curse this very concept when some part of our brain suddenly decides to switch itself off!

             Son of Sardar is another variant and pretty fun-packed too!

                And now, we are back to the more classical and original expansion of this acronym, i.e, Save Our Souls! It is really worrisome to see the chairs and general infrastructure dying inside our class rooms. As mentioned in a previous post, most of the chairs inside Section B are dangerously hanging on to their last nuts and we are literally staring at a situation. While a torn or stained mat may be alright, a shaky seat is a big No No! The projector appears to be getting dimmer by every passing day while the handle bar of our main door simply came off today and that too all of a sudden. A faculty member, in all her grace, did try to fix it but could not do so. If left like that, the handle bar that is now half anchored, will be hanging in a couple of days and will certainly come off by this weekend. Seriously, it is high time that someone did do a proper stock taking of such expensive assets that are deteriorating at an amazing speed!

                Today, another week began. With first period being an OTW (Own Time Work) in the library, it did give breathing space to many of us who had left city over the weekend. Such small concessions and thoughtfulness on part of the management needs to be appreciated. There is, after all, a difference between the needs to be at EBS at 0830h and 1000h, especially when you have just landed back from somewhere, say at 0700h. Such small little things matter a lot! 

                An oversight, mercifully, got addressed today. Wednesday is a National Holiday and thankfully, we are back in the national stream!

It is now in the media......

   Welcome to the Desert ......our floor is without water for last two days. Thank GOD, winters are here or else our water suppliers (mostly the members of fairer sex) would have died of exhaustion and consumers like us would have evapourated  due to dehydration!!

BACK TO THE WORK!

(Ladakh in heart and thoughts)
19 नवम्बर 2012 - The first Monday after the break and it all seems to be rolling again. With the First Trimester getting over, this is also an apt time to look back and analyse a few things. But this being the first post of a new trimester, I would rather pend the heavier subject for a later date and time. As you can make out, the first inning has left us pretty exhausted and tired. Some of us, could not even wait for the last exam to get over before   hitting the floor ....

(yeah, this floor and NOT the one you have thought about! It is tough to be a student, you see!)

                  So, we go back to last week when we returned to EBS after a break. The first thing, as expected, that hit us was a great sense of the Institutional Humour! (Have heard of Institutional Area but what on globe is this!) OK, let me explain. When we were closing down for a short break that followed the finals (as touched upon it in one of the earlier posts), there were talks about EBS re-opening for us on Thursday, the 15th. With most of the student community hailing from different parts of the country and with some of the biggest festivities lined up, it was expected, hoped and silently prayed that school will re-open on next Monday, ie, 19th. But our common sense was trashed by a sense of humour that forced us to turn up on a listless Thursday to mark the beginning of the second trimester. Now, look at the scene.... 

            *0825h and the gate next to the parking is still locked and closed; 

            *Out of 100+, only 40 (-) students turn up; 

            *The programme for the day is modified (getting nostalgic now!) after

            the first period because even some of the faculty members were on 

            leave;

            *And most of the faculty members who taught us over next two days,

           were forced to start slow (mercifully!) because of a greatly reduced 

           audience and likely effect of teaching 'too' much on the students who

           had been missing!

       

                 All this indicates a tremendous sense of humour wherein rationality had probably been mocked at. There appears to be no other plausible reason to a dumb mind like that of mine. May be it is a problem specific to a few nuts like me. Team spirit and espirit-de-corps, as I understand these concepts, come from mutual compassion and respect. Some of us are students today; who knows who will be a faculty here or part of bigger team, Era a few years down the line! The meaningful associations will only come when each one of us is looked upon as a member of the family before anything else. A free period in the morning and no classes after 1530h on Monday (today), eg, added insult to the injury. These two slots could have offset one day's curriculum last week and a similar tinkering would have made sure that everyone enjoyed his time with folks back home. Life, after all, is much more than studies and money.

                  The first day, however, had another thing in store for a few of us. As we all know, clocks in various class rooms and halls in EBS, follow different time zones. The very first issue during Foundation Leg was because of a clock running 10 minutes ahead in one of the classrooms. The matter had been reported by me personally and some corrective actions were taken at that time. In my organisation, we have a system of 'Ghadi Milao' or 'match the watch' wherein, on important occasions, all the stakeholders adjust their wrist watches to a synchronised time so that 'time' related issues do not crop us later. It has some other vital uses too. I am of the opinion that EBS must also have an electronic clock placed at a central place and the time shown in that clock should be treated and respected (without questions and arguments) as 'EBS Standard Time' or else incidents will keep happening without anyone's fault. I am a stickler for time but since a particular faculty's watch was one minute ahead of that of mine (incidentally, the one on the wall was one minute behind that of mine) during one of the lectures on Thursday, I ended up losing attendance (along with a few others) for that class. Mercifully, the respected faculty allowed us in and we did not miss out on the lecture. It was like getting out on the first ball after tea break in a test match! Instead of finding faults and looking for reasons (there were none actually!), why can not we, as Nike says, JUST DO IT!

                Talking of the clocks, just have a look...

(Gone with the wind....someone said, it too went for a date with our mistress, Ms CATS)

(Thank God, you are back)

                    Now, on to some real serious stuff. This is what greeted us in our new classroom.......

(If someone were to just walk around in Section B/205, he/she would find most of the chairs off their bases......)

(She is happy NOT  because she is sitting on a rocking chair BUT is happy that she has just prevented herself from tipping over)

      

       Now, whatever be the reason behind such a state of furniture in this particular room, it merits urgent intervention before someone gets injured or most of us become shaky in our dispositions or get too absorbed balancing ourselves to grasp anything from the faculty. And housekeeping, as usual, needs to be kicked up a bit.....

(Not a pretty sight this!)

(Gandhiji used to say that a cloth even if crudely stitched but washed looks good compared to a dirty but intact one, its quality being irrespective)

                      And before I shut down for the day, I would also share an incident that happened today in the morning! We do not have any CR yet and if we were to count the ones from the previous trimester, our section had two of them. But then one who had the moral courage, got the stick! And as the process was on, I was wondering whether symptoms were being treated instead of an ailment that needed to be addressed in the first place. Students, after all, remain students unless some role models lead them through personal examples!

       

                   And as an end note, I would just leave this pic from Naudie's notebook (mine is coded, as ever..... my handwriting being a natural code!) for all my non-EBSian friends who may think that it is all fun and no work in a business school...

(Such drawings send shivers down the spine of an ex-medical student like me!)

                                Take care and for Heaven's sake, do not sleep in the class since you are more likely to fall of your rocking chairs!!

                    

November Exam Fever

                  A Small Deviation....  Going back to the last post, I had intended to post only after the exams were over. I am still on the same track and I want to write in detail only after we get out of this fever. But I am just allowing myself a small deviation here. And the reason for the deviation is the currency of the subject I want to share.

           A shock awaited us (thanks to a failed/crashed ERP of the school.... a few things remain beyond contingency planning) on the very first day of the exams. Failure of the system notwithstanding, it was a sad state of affairs wherein we had to ride and dive over one another to collect an almost plain paper (well, it had a few lines....almost, I have said), fill it up and return it for signatures. The signatures were then put on behalf of someone by someone else. As a result, the first ball was delivered at 1015 instead of 1000h (am I stuck with time issues?). The crash in the system had happened a few days ago and I am sure, as I keep mentioning about leading by examples, a better approach could have been adopted. It is a different thing that that slip of a paper is now our passport to exam halls and just because of its appearance, many of us tend to leave it behind. To be on safer side, I have kept it on the display panel of my car.....just in case (short term memory loss, you see!).  Many things in life, unfortunately, enjoy certain privileges only when done properly. An admit card, after all, has to look like one before it gets the attention it deserves! And as it happens with every lapse at EBS, students attribute such an adhocism to our perpetual MISTRESS called CAT exams!

         One thing that has been disturbing many of us through this process (and the real cause of this deviation when I am writing this instead of preparing for tomorrow's test) is the amount of cheating that has been happening during exams. I mean we are shameless, to say the least. Mobiles (having a mobile is no big deal nor is having a second one) are used like anything. Once a presentation of document has been downloaded into an office enabled mobile phone, all that the user has to do is to be a bit smart and do his/her bit when no one is watching. And lesser mortals who do not have smart phones, do manage with stuff loaded as pics. We were having a brief chat before the commencement of exam today and I found many of the students genuinely disturbed about the whole issue. I did, from my side, offer an unsought for advice by saying that no one can do wonders by cheating (maximum would be scoring reasonably OK marks) but then they had a logic too. The issue is that guys had cheated through cellphones even during midterm exams when we had been made to fight battles on a losing ground (read chairs with extended arm-rests). Being a huge hall and also because of seating style and also being the first time for our 'honest' batch, that lapse been digested by many of us, of course after a few loud hiccups and burps. But this time around, it has been pretty bad. Two to three invigilators in a room with only 30 odd students and still no difference....! 

          It was really unfortunate to see a few students being sent out only for turning their heads around while at least one stalwart was left without penalties even after he had been  caught red-handed, copying from his cell. But then it had happened yesterday. Today, fortunately, things did start to turn around when, after a round by the Director, a few students were caught and sent out. Some  more thought needs to be given to this aspect since in addition to being unfair to others who play a fair game, it is morally wrong and can not be allowed. Unfortunately, numbers are pretty high. Like in today's case, for every person who was caught, at least three managed to get away. I hope some deterrence will now set in.

      It is something like delegation of powers. Before any powers are delegated to anyone, the superior authority needs to ensure that the other person who is being bestowed with such an authority, is fit and capable of handling the same. So, before management and faculty, in a good faith, decides to repose faith in us (we being the PGDM students), it needs to be ensured that we are up to it and do not take things for granted.

         More about it later. Tomorrow is IT exam and I do not want to be caught on a wrong foot and that too for a reason as ITish as writing a blog when I was supposed to study!!

           Good Luck and Adieu!

25 Oct 12

      25 October 2012 - Exam time is catching on as we are grappling with studies, apprehensions and a changing weather (last being the best of all). Actually, assignments-presentation combo is, in itself, pretty lethal BUT such a narrow gap between mid-term and finals have actually jacked us up nicely. As the generation ## would put it, "Free time ka 'feel' hi nahin aaya." Anyways, nothing can be done with this at this stage; so why crib!

       Well, this is also the time when we find all 20 sessions per subject/topic getting over one by one. It is nice to see attendances (in case of most of us) touching 100% in almost all subjects. Even though it has been a result of the positive stress related to threat of getting downgraded, some of us would actually like to think and pray and imagine and visualise a situation wherein all those students attaining 100% in all subjects in a trimester (I am not one of them though!) get some incentive like, say an additional grace of 05% in next trimester.That is to say that if, because of some reasons (though highly unlikely for such students), they fail to attain 80% attendance in the very next trimester, they may not be downgraded till they hit 75% unlike all others who would have their grades getting partially evapourated at 80% itself (5 v/s 4 permissible bunks). I mean this is just a thought and there could be many better ideas; adding a grade, though laughable, being one such radical idea.

                               I had mentioned about an unpleasant incident involving some smart (too smart, in fact) colleagues of ours. Today, the chapter was finally closed (hopefully) with one of the smarties making an ass of himself. Goes to prove the adage that lies have no standing!

                                         Gave my car for servicing and finding the clutch plate a bit unreliable, I insisted on a change despite works manager advising me to carry on for a while. I would never take chances, especially so when all eyes are set on ERA RIDE to Ladakh next year. That brings me to the information that I am still waiting for a response to the initial proposal. I shall share the news as and when it lands up at my end. BTW, it is heartening to know that we already have SIX volunteers for the expedition!

(An actor and now a fellow student and a buddy, Manoj is one of the Ladakh aspirants)

                     I am not very sure whether I shall be posting again before the month end. So, as an interim, I take this opportunity to wish all students of EBS (both batches) all the best as also to the faculty (they also need strength to absorb a few shocks here and there)!

                 

                        ALL THE BEST GUYS; Make EBS proud!!

19 October..... another week comes to close!

               THE THIRD WEEK OF OCTOBER draws to a close today. Well, it has been a pretty mixed week with all sorts of things happening around and amidst us. To start with, some of my colleagues were shocked to see this mug of mine of Monday! Do I look that horrible? All that I had done was to shed a few grams of weight by getting my crop trimmed and this was after an unsuccessful attempt to shed some ounces from elsewhere. At this age, weight only comes in; seldom goes away...... may be so because of our personalities that turn magnetic after 40!! 

                I dedicate this post to the community of responsible people called CRs or Class Representatives. This community is supposed to be one shot solution for anything and everything that may  go wrong inside the classroom. No wonder then that this is how the bag of our beloved CR looks like.....

 

(All these assets form part of the survival kit of a CR)

                           So, from IT related issues to AC, from markers to duster, from lists to announcements, they remain the only pit stop. While it is logical for the faculty to look in CR's direction whenever any such issue comes up, the student community, in a typical way, shouts out their names as and when anything is required (before the faculty can complete the statement of requirement). Well, that is the way some humour gets added and the resultant laughter does shake a few who may be in a slumber at that moment. And while carrying such assets (after getting the same issued from the PGP office) may appear to be a simplistic task, our CR has to protect these assets from other CR who may not hesitate in poaching as when an emergent situation arises!

               There has been a spurt in assignments, of late. It is, thus, natural for students to carry the pending tasks back to EBS. May be that such a practice will teach them how to carry work home from office in future. For me, it is a sin whether you carry tasks to the class or you carry work home from your office. Anyways, as of now, have a look- see....

(Sweating time......fully absorbed!)

 

(CHEPO is a tool; a powerful resource in the hands of students!)

                          Finally, one faculty member did try and put some light into our heads. It was a small, sharp talk about the attitude and stance that some of us have, unfortunately, taken after joining the EBS. I hope and pray that some good sense would prevail now that students have given their commitment to the faculty.

                      Time to move on and have a glimpse into the days gone by since 15 October....... 

(A home-made Kachori from Kanpur is something that she could not resist; nor me, in fact)

(From Kachoris to Revadis, she has been shelling all such yummy treats..... look at the beneficiary in the background)

(In casuals a few moments back and in more acceptable attire just before the beginning of the presentation.... students have their own exchange programs and supply chains) 

(You do not need a wi-fi when you can play games stored on your own console)

(Look at the sincerity, last few words of a call while others are in the process of settling down for the class as a faculty walks in)

(Poor guys.... how tired, how exhausted!!) 

(This post stands dedicated to this community)

                  Some of us were in a kind of shock when we were introduced to a unique way of assessment today. Having been a faculty myself, all that I can say (as much out of my own experience as out of sheer common sense) is that it is something that is better strictly avoided!

                 There was a negative incident towards end of the week. While a student was naive enough to post a controversial post somewhere on FB (before removing it), there were a few gladiators who tried to en-cash on the 'opportunity' in the most despicable manner. Two years is a long time and it is with time that we would be able to identify people with unusual characteristics like these. May people grow out of all this!

                   As the week comes to a close, there is plenty of action lined up for everyone.... the upcoming Dandiya Night at the EBS!

                                             Keep rocking, guys!

15 Oct 12

                         15 Oktober 2012.... They say that  22% more people have heart attacks on Mondays when compared to the average of other six days. Well, they must be pretty accurate. A weekend full of indulgence and sinful binges, when followed by an eye-opening Monday, would naturally make anyone's heart sink for a while. The luckier ones live on to have another binge the following weekend but the lesser fortunate guys just get hit! In any case, a heart attack no longer means necessary death (that is the good news) though life would never be same after that.

(Heart Attack or no heart attack, Monday forces you to do this)

(Thank God there are some First Aids like this available or else, a Monday could always be fatal!)

                   Fortunately, we all remained intact on this beautiful Oktober day. Weather had got a bit warmer suddenly, over the weekend, but things began to settle as the day chugged along. Needless to say, our ever freezing classmates, N and S, were at their wits ends while many others joined the chorus. The poor AC had to be switched on and off intermittently.

                       The CAT exam is on and our school lifts looked more impressive than before and rightfully so...

( Forget the photography part; just see the value added to the journey in a vertical plane)

(But then you have idiots who spoil the show!)

                       A few results were declassified today and as it happens with results, a mixed bag kind of a feel could be felt across the students. Our mid term has just got over and like a hungry wolf, the final exam is already staring at us. Now, whether we stare back or look elsewhere, the wolf would live on and attack us at the right moment. But as of now, the major concern of the students is yet another change that has come to haunt us!  We were supposed to be meeting the wolf on 29th of this month but I believe, the fresh rendezvous is going to be on 01 November or so. Under normal circumstances, such a push to the wolf would bring cheers to students, situation here is different. 

                       You see, majority of the students are from outside Delhi/NCR. That implies a substantial time required to travel to and fro from their respective native places during the upcoming festival season. Now, since the grapevine indicates change in the dates (and also that our preparatory session will also have organised classes), there are genuine apprehensions in the minds of such students about their ability or inability to visit their families during some of the most auspicious days of the year. There are also some gossips about school restarting on a Thursday or Friday (after Diwali) instead of a much liked Monday. While we do assume that management will help students spend quality time with their families, no clear cut inputs have been received till now. The most desired communication is awaited and I hope that someone clarifies the issue soon.

                                   Another bug bear is the fact that our foreign language classes have not started yet. The delay could  easily be attributed to us for not having given the choice in time. But the fact remains that someone, up the chain, could have got it extracted from a mob that we are. After all, when pending documents (MAT and degrees) had to be procured from the students, an innovative method had been applied. A similar action would have  been in order. Unfortunately, it is gone with the wind. So, with this trimester, we stand to lose 20 sessions of Foreign Language unless we consider English to be a foreign language in the same category. Yoga sessions have dried up too, surprisingly!

                                   Before I close for the day, let me share a good news with you all. I forwarded the proposal, for the bike ride to Ladakh next year, to the Director today. Now, lets wait for the outcome, keeping our fingers and toes crossed!!

                                        TC and GN!!

13 Oct 12......Phew!! gone with the wind! I hate it but this is the occupational hazard. I  started writing this blog at 0430h today and did finish it by 0730. And just at the end, while I was editing it, one wrong click and all the junk (of a work) that had been created during those three beautiful morning hours, became a history! Well, any amount of alertness and skill can not avert certain disasters. And it has not happenend for the first time nor does it happen frequently. Disheartening? yes! But WTH! Here, I am again...Life has to go on!!

                          Talking of 0400/30h, that is when I get up everyday. I have been an early riser, more so because of our spoilt brats (pets). Traditionally, on a normal day I would use 0430-0600 slot for writing but since my joining EBS, this slot has usually been taken up by assignments and related work (writing? yes, technically, at least). You see, three of us, among EBSians of our batch, have different issues in life. In pure practical needs, instead of families looking after us, we have families to look after (fair enough) and that means time and effort that needs to be given that side, leaves no time for studies and related work. So, while exams are on, it is OK to sit and study whenever at home but on a normal day, there is no time for the same. So, this early morning slot of 90 minutes comes to my rescue. I use it gainfully for assignments and presentations. And the best part is that once pets are back and I am through with morning routine, there is no one to distract me. Even ever bugging Facebook does not have many notifications to throw on us at that hour of the day. BTW, more pressing engagements at familial front also mean reduced participation in extra curricular activities in the school.

                          Getting up early also gives the luxury of feeling and sensing the cool breeze that hangs around at that hour. Believe me, it is different from what we find once the sun comes up and city wakes up only to pollute itself further. The present spell is also the time for the weather to change and there is no time better than early morning to feel the change happening at the daily basis. It is definitely nippy in the morning though I still go out in my shorts. This, however, reminds me of the nip that certain students feel inside the class room. With a very low tolerance for cool air, the AC gives them such a chill that they, left to themselves, may freeze even in the month of June...

(Youngsters have warmer blood but here are two of our outliers..... but look at the positive aspect- the bonding brought about through a common stoll that covers both of them)

                                             I had written about some lapses by us, the students, in my last post. But what is really worrisome is the fact that a few of us are yet to realise the importance of the days we are spending at EBS. The other day, we were having a casual chit chat over a cup of tea when I asked a friend  about it. And what he told me was nothing short of a shock. As per him, and unfortunately, for many others who think like him, obtaining the PGDM degree itself would be enough! Someone, in a formal environment and even at the cost of repetition, needs to tell them about the ticket value of this degree; about the fact that it will take them to a PI under normal conditions and a job at the most; that interviewers take no time to gauge the real worth of a candidate; also that even once you manage to get into a job, it would be their hard work, duly backed up by some solid knowledge, that will make them sail ahead; and that beyond a certain point (which happens to be very close to start itself), degree loses its impact unless and until professional acumen is there to back it up.At least some of us actually need a session or two with professional psychological counsellors, say at the cost of one or two yoga sessions! I strongly feel the need because when we look at cost of this course (i.e to their parents) in pure monetary terms, it is close to ₹ 50,000 per month (including fee). That translates into a financial equation of ₹ 12,00,000 (lower limit as per a conservative estimate). And more than anything else, it would be the reputation of the school at stake.....! 

(SHOCKED? ........ well, that is the fact!!)

                           So while you all have the right to enjoy yourself and make your youth memorable, you must neither lose sight of the goal nor must you forget the cost factor involved! Have a ball guys but follow a 'work hard - party hard' approach rather than ' hardly work- party hard' one.

                            This post, like the previous post, is getting serious. So, lets change the texture a bit. Lets have some glimpses of brighter things at EBS...

(The most important gain for me has been the addition to my acquaintances' list (gone up by 100+) and, of course, my new friends. No wonder then that a HALO appears in the background when you are with them........ and do not forget to take note of the protecting charm of our blog. She has managed to jump in at the last moment here!)

 

(There is never a dull moment when this celebrity is around; no wonder then that we call her our melodrama queen)

(This pyramid may look pretty shaky in its present shape but believe me, the glue that they have in their hands, will make them stick around with one another  for rest of their lives!)

                              There is one अन्नपुर्णा in our group. Aish or Ice as she is known and BomB as we call her, always brings two tiffins in her bag. One that carries breakfast, is openend during tea break and we all polish it off with not more than 5% of total food going to her. The story is repeated during lunch time and again she does not get more than 10% of the contents. And she does it happily and in fact invites the whole bunch of our group to share her food. And then when everything has been eaten by everyone else, she simply walks up to the counter and buys herself a plate of Chana Bhatura. But the trend of consumption remains similar and on an unusually good day, she gets to eat one bhatura out of the two. Needless to elaborate further as to how much does she love her food! Such an arrangement has many advantages; firstly, her mom is happy that her tiffins get emptied in the school, thus, implying the fact that their daughter has been eating well (alas!); secondly, we all feel blessed savouring all those yummy home made south Indian dishes.

(And they are looking up to find out where the bird, that was on the plate a few moments ago, has gone! Or is it that they are looking towards heavens, asking for more.)

                      While writing about sharing of food and meals, let me share an interesting thing about the same. I, for one, have always been a person who likes to eat in peace and with dignity (i.e, whenever and where ever it is possible). But scene on our lunch table is always the same...... as someone opens a lunch box, all others attack the same. After a couple of minutes, it is actually the owner (of the tiffin) who becomes a scavenger as he/she tries to pick up whatever is left out of their lunch box. People like me who buy the thaali from the cafe, generally get  spared but then it is not unusual to see our shirts and trousers getting soiled during such processes. BTW, for ₹40, thaali is pretty well served. The only fall out of this blog has been the fact that no papadum has been served to me for past two weeks or so!! Another occupational hazard or result of spilling my secrets in public?

{Abhinav and self sit across the aisle (it is now more of a fixed seating pattern that class has started to follow). And we have got so accustomed to each other's presence that absence of one, if and when, really bugs the other guy)

(Probability of sun rising from west one day is not an absolute zero but probability of  finding Ankit without his backpack is an  absolute zero. Look at the concern in his eyes as a friend tries his bag, and mind you, only for a moment)

(He is a cool cat who is very creative. But there are times when a cool cat also loses its cool..... he is so upset after reading the headlines in the paper that he is now fighting hard to keep his cool. Yes, he is meditating. ......... who said he is dozing off?)

(This is third innovation in a row; the first being cooling off with beer instead of switching on AC and second one (though not very hygienic) was sharing the sleeping space to share cost of running an AC. This one, however, is different. I, however, will never try this....... who will control the mouse that lives inside every laptop!)

( I have safeguarded my eyes all these years but sudden switching of gears after joining EBS is likely to change all that. I was just trying Naudie's glasses when Bhumil clicked this pic. But when following menu  is served for eight hours a day........

(......... the effects can be safely predicted, especially when I am across 40 already)

( How much I hate all these Mews, Sigmas and figures!)

( I would have been happier doing this instead..... picked from Czia's book)

         An input that may help plan ...... this projector in our classroom is nearing the end of its (bulb's) useful life. You can spot a few spots in the lower left portion of this pic. And that is a firm indication for the things that are about to happen.....

(There are numerous white spots towards left bottom of the screen and many such spots can be seen on the wall, well outside the projection screen)

     And I end today's post with this beautiful video that goes as my salute to all my friends at EBS...... Thanx for dragging me back to my college days, guys!

 C U all on Monday, the 15th!