Saturday, September 22, 2007
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Salute to Saral Da!
The Don and her henchmen (and the rest of the class) sang this song in OM class a coupla days back:
Ye mera dil, OM ka deewana,
Deewana deewana, WOW ka parwaana,
Socha tha maine OM mein A laana,
Mushkil hai ab to D se bach paana.
Ye mera dil, OM ka deewana,
Ye mera dil, OM ka deewana.
Safety stock woh hai jo mushkil mein kaam aaye,
Quality control processes ko kaabu mein le aaye,
Steps ke badle mein grades do sahibaana......
Ye mera dil, OM ka deewana,
Deewana deewana, WOW ka parwaana.
Pal pal ek hulchul dil mein taguchi tha,
Mid term mein baithe hue wo hi to yaad nahi tha,
Calci se fight kiya phir bhi answer aaya na....
Ye mera dil, OM ka deewana,
Deewana deewana, WOW ka parwaana,
Socha tha maine OM mein A laana,
Mushkil hai ab to D se bach paana.
Ye mera dil, OM ka deewana,
Ye mera dil, OM ka deewana........
Ye mera dil, OM ka deewana,
Deewana deewana, WOW ka parwaana,
Socha tha maine OM mein A laana,
Mushkil hai ab to D se bach paana.
Ye mera dil, OM ka deewana,
Ye mera dil, OM ka deewana.
Safety stock woh hai jo mushkil mein kaam aaye,
Quality control processes ko kaabu mein le aaye,
Steps ke badle mein grades do sahibaana......
Ye mera dil, OM ka deewana,
Deewana deewana, WOW ka parwaana.
Pal pal ek hulchul dil mein taguchi tha,
Mid term mein baithe hue wo hi to yaad nahi tha,
Calci se fight kiya phir bhi answer aaya na....
Ye mera dil, OM ka deewana,
Deewana deewana, WOW ka parwaana,
Socha tha maine OM mein A laana,
Mushkil hai ab to D se bach paana.
Ye mera dil, OM ka deewana,
Ye mera dil, OM ka deewana........
Term 3
Yes, it's been a long long time since I've posted... but then it's been a crazy term.. and an amazing one at that..
It's not the studies.. it's the experiences that I've managed to have over the term...
Started off with me running for the post of placement secretary of our college.. I didn't win, but I think at the end of it I had one of those epiphanies or flash moments that people keep talking about.. An event that makes you think of what you really want to do in life and what it is that you want to achieve... Something that makes you realize what your priorities are and how the environment will either work with or against you to help / deter you from achieving it..
Anyway, then life turned chaotic and I spent my days selling T-shirts for Chaos 2007.. It was a brilliant experience that brought out the true salesman in me.. Now I know what people say when they talk about the thrill of the sale.. Beautiful!!!
Right, so after a lot of soul searching I decided to apply to the placement committee as a member.. I figured I've always wanted to do so many things and make things better, here's a chance that I'm not willing to let go.. Thinking back, I'm glad I made that choice.. It's been an interesting experience so far, with a promise of getting very exciting in the future...
Then came Brandstorm... We wrote an analysis for L'Oreal Brandstorm 2007 and got selected for the national finals.. Preparing for the finals was a great experience in it's own, where we discovered an entirely new industry we'd never thought of before... The briefing session with the L'Oreal management team was one of the best lectures in marketing that I've had, where we had the chance to truly get into the head of the brand manager and see a brand from their perspective.. Phenomenal! I still remember the high at the end of that day.. :)
D-Day.. L'Oreal Brandstorm 2007 national finals at Mumbai.. After lots of night outs and really stretching my presentation skills, we made a great presentation and got kudos at the end of it from lots of L'Oreal managers... But then, life isn't always fair and we came a very very close second... Looks like I'll have to wait a while longer before my next trip to Paris..
So here we are, at the end of a very exciting and eventful term.. Waiting with a huge grin with the finishing line visible just meters away..
One more week, and I shall no longer be a fachha.. I'll no longer be at the receiving end of the tempo shout and XtaC will cease to exist.. At least on paper..
Memories, however, (and digital photographs ;)) will last with me forever!
It's not the studies.. it's the experiences that I've managed to have over the term...
Started off with me running for the post of placement secretary of our college.. I didn't win, but I think at the end of it I had one of those epiphanies or flash moments that people keep talking about.. An event that makes you think of what you really want to do in life and what it is that you want to achieve... Something that makes you realize what your priorities are and how the environment will either work with or against you to help / deter you from achieving it..
Anyway, then life turned chaotic and I spent my days selling T-shirts for Chaos 2007.. It was a brilliant experience that brought out the true salesman in me.. Now I know what people say when they talk about the thrill of the sale.. Beautiful!!!
Right, so after a lot of soul searching I decided to apply to the placement committee as a member.. I figured I've always wanted to do so many things and make things better, here's a chance that I'm not willing to let go.. Thinking back, I'm glad I made that choice.. It's been an interesting experience so far, with a promise of getting very exciting in the future...
Then came Brandstorm... We wrote an analysis for L'Oreal Brandstorm 2007 and got selected for the national finals.. Preparing for the finals was a great experience in it's own, where we discovered an entirely new industry we'd never thought of before... The briefing session with the L'Oreal management team was one of the best lectures in marketing that I've had, where we had the chance to truly get into the head of the brand manager and see a brand from their perspective.. Phenomenal! I still remember the high at the end of that day.. :)
D-Day.. L'Oreal Brandstorm 2007 national finals at Mumbai.. After lots of night outs and really stretching my presentation skills, we made a great presentation and got kudos at the end of it from lots of L'Oreal managers... But then, life isn't always fair and we came a very very close second... Looks like I'll have to wait a while longer before my next trip to Paris..
So here we are, at the end of a very exciting and eventful term.. Waiting with a huge grin with the finishing line visible just meters away..
One more week, and I shall no longer be a fachha.. I'll no longer be at the receiving end of the tempo shout and XtaC will cease to exist.. At least on paper..
Memories, however, (and digital photographs ;)) will last with me forever!
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Monday, December 18, 2006
Tickle me silly
Here's what a test at OkCupid had to say about my sense of humour. Comments?
the Ham |
CLEAN | SPONTANEOUS | LIGHT Your style's goofy, innocent and feel-good. Perfect for parties and for the dads who chaperone them. You can actually get away with corny jokes, and I bet your sense of humor is a guilty pleasure for your friends. People of your type are often the most approachable and popular people in their circle. Your simple & silly good-naturedness is immediately recognizable, and it sets you apart in this sarcastic world. PEOPLE LIKE YOU: Will Ferrell - Will Smith  The 3-Variable Funny Test! |
Saturday, December 16, 2006
Sitting in at the Nanavati Commission
Today, I had one of the most unique experiences of my lifetime. As part of a course (and the topic that we've chosen), I had the opportunity to sit in on a proceeding of the Nanavati Commision, which is trying to decipher what really happened at Godhra back in 2002.
The prosecution (Mr. Mukul Sinha and troupe) were presenting their case today. The presentation centered around how the Gujarat government and their side has systematically created a conspiracy theory which triggered off one of the largest genocides of recent times. It was very interesting to see Mr. Sinha use years of evidence and simple deductive logic to uncover the web of deception that's been so vehemently propounded by the Government.
One of the best 2 hours that I have spent, I had a number of take aways from that presentation.
1. Never give up - Here's a man who's worked for 4 years through arduous circumstances, death threats and a hostile government to uncover the truth. In today's world, resilience is everything.
2. Nothing beats logic - Even a hostile judge couldn't counter facts and pure reasoning. No matter what the other individual thinks, you can always get to him using logic.
3. The powerful people - Many cliches come to mind. Wrong people come to power way too often in our country. People in power abuse it too often. Influential people with dogmatic views are a scary bunch. The only way to control them is to have more citizens raise a voice for justice and the truth. Luckily, that's happening more among today's youth. There's hope.
The prosecution (Mr. Mukul Sinha and troupe) were presenting their case today. The presentation centered around how the Gujarat government and their side has systematically created a conspiracy theory which triggered off one of the largest genocides of recent times. It was very interesting to see Mr. Sinha use years of evidence and simple deductive logic to uncover the web of deception that's been so vehemently propounded by the Government.
One of the best 2 hours that I have spent, I had a number of take aways from that presentation.
1. Never give up - Here's a man who's worked for 4 years through arduous circumstances, death threats and a hostile government to uncover the truth. In today's world, resilience is everything.
2. Nothing beats logic - Even a hostile judge couldn't counter facts and pure reasoning. No matter what the other individual thinks, you can always get to him using logic.
3. The powerful people - Many cliches come to mind. Wrong people come to power way too often in our country. People in power abuse it too often. Influential people with dogmatic views are a scary bunch. The only way to control them is to have more citizens raise a voice for justice and the truth. Luckily, that's happening more among today's youth. There's hope.
Monday, December 11, 2006
Another brilliant weekend!
Started off with the lecture by Mr. Sitaram Yechuri that I'd mentioned earlier. Turned out to be a damp squib though with the usual jingoisms and pro-marxism speech of the CPI(M). Had hoped for an interesting session where we got some good answers. Although that didn't happen, it was refreshing to see a politician who at least backs up his comments/stances with statistics.
Next headed for an exhibition at NID showcasing creations by the students from various departments. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm no design connoisseur, but some of the concepts were really interesting. Gave me a few business ideas and showed some great possibilities for synergies between the students at IIMA and NID.
Next was the first rooftop party at IIMA open to the entire batch. We had a massive turnout of around a 100 people, and me, as the designated bar tender, had my hands full!!! It's always been a dream of mine to learn bartending professionally. I've seen some phenomenally skilled bartenders over the years and would love to be able to entertain like them. Oh well, for the time being, I'll have to be happy with the fact that I can measure and serve 2 drinks at the same time!
As the party wound down, had some interesting conversations (I find people to be more lucid sometimes after a couple of swigs) over a bonfire. Thank God for the heat, coz I think that's what helped me survive on our bike ride to Modhera.
We traveled 99km from Ahmedabad to the Sun Temple at Modhera, a beautiful ancient temple. A nice sight, but the best experience by far was the bike ride. Difficult to put it in words, there's something about riding on a bike at 100kmph at 13° C, with the wind blowing in your face. There were fleeting moments when I thought I would've been better off sticking my head in the freezer back home, but I managed to somehow hang on for dear life and make it back home, alive!
Here's some pics from our little expedition. Enjoy!
Next headed for an exhibition at NID showcasing creations by the students from various departments. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm no design connoisseur, but some of the concepts were really interesting. Gave me a few business ideas and showed some great possibilities for synergies between the students at IIMA and NID.
Next was the first rooftop party at IIMA open to the entire batch. We had a massive turnout of around a 100 people, and me, as the designated bar tender, had my hands full!!! It's always been a dream of mine to learn bartending professionally. I've seen some phenomenally skilled bartenders over the years and would love to be able to entertain like them. Oh well, for the time being, I'll have to be happy with the fact that I can measure and serve 2 drinks at the same time!
As the party wound down, had some interesting conversations (I find people to be more lucid sometimes after a couple of swigs) over a bonfire. Thank God for the heat, coz I think that's what helped me survive on our bike ride to Modhera.
We traveled 99km from Ahmedabad to the Sun Temple at Modhera, a beautiful ancient temple. A nice sight, but the best experience by far was the bike ride. Difficult to put it in words, there's something about riding on a bike at 100kmph at 13° C, with the wind blowing in your face. There were fleeting moments when I thought I would've been better off sticking my head in the freezer back home, but I managed to somehow hang on for dear life and make it back home, alive!
Here's some pics from our little expedition. Enjoy!
Friday, December 08, 2006
The genius of creativity
The great thing about IIMA by far is the quality of the people you meet. The campus offers a bouquet of the best minds of the country, both in terms of the faculty and its students.
However, there's something beyond these minds. The minds of the distinguished guests that grace us with their presence. All stalwarts of the fields they've chosen, they at times can transform the audience to a new plane with a journey of learnings and insights that you never thought possible. Their personalities drag us to them like bees to honey and the audience gets hooked on every word they say, simple because they're.. well, them!
Take the case of Kishore Biyani, who was here to talk about the retail industry during Confluence. Here's a man who started from nowhere, but has the conviction of a man who knows where he wants to be and how to get there. From small beginnings, he's now considered the king of the retails industry in India, and everything he touches turns into a money-spewing machine. He didn't talk about where he is today, but where he wants to be. He didn't talk about giving solutions to consumers, but of transforming their future and helping them live out their dreams. He didn't speak about bringing customers into his stores, but of creating customers by increasing consumption.
Today, we had a talk by Alyque Padamsee, the world-renowned king of Indian Advertising. A prolific speaker and true entertainer, he delivered one of the most riveting lectures on marketing and brand building that we've heard. He used numerous examples of how creativity and imagination has led to huge brands and sales that have changed the lives of the consumers and the fortunes of the companies that sell them. He spoke of the importance of being creative and turning creativity and ideas into reality. About building a brand that everyone desires. Helping the viewer be what he wants to be.
Although both speakers were from different industries, there was one common thread that through their speech. And that was, "Go, explore!". Be creative and run through ideas. Don't be afraid to do something different, and don't give up on what you think, nay, you know you can do. Never let your dreams die down, cause as Mr. Padamsee says, ideas and not money is true wealth.
Tomorrow we have a talk by Mr. Sitaram Yechury, another renowned speaker. Hopefully, he'll be able to hold the audience and inspire us like the others before him.
However, there's something beyond these minds. The minds of the distinguished guests that grace us with their presence. All stalwarts of the fields they've chosen, they at times can transform the audience to a new plane with a journey of learnings and insights that you never thought possible. Their personalities drag us to them like bees to honey and the audience gets hooked on every word they say, simple because they're.. well, them!
Take the case of Kishore Biyani, who was here to talk about the retail industry during Confluence. Here's a man who started from nowhere, but has the conviction of a man who knows where he wants to be and how to get there. From small beginnings, he's now considered the king of the retails industry in India, and everything he touches turns into a money-spewing machine. He didn't talk about where he is today, but where he wants to be. He didn't talk about giving solutions to consumers, but of transforming their future and helping them live out their dreams. He didn't speak about bringing customers into his stores, but of creating customers by increasing consumption.
Today, we had a talk by Alyque Padamsee, the world-renowned king of Indian Advertising. A prolific speaker and true entertainer, he delivered one of the most riveting lectures on marketing and brand building that we've heard. He used numerous examples of how creativity and imagination has led to huge brands and sales that have changed the lives of the consumers and the fortunes of the companies that sell them. He spoke of the importance of being creative and turning creativity and ideas into reality. About building a brand that everyone desires. Helping the viewer be what he wants to be.
Although both speakers were from different industries, there was one common thread that through their speech. And that was, "Go, explore!". Be creative and run through ideas. Don't be afraid to do something different, and don't give up on what you think, nay, you know you can do. Never let your dreams die down, cause as Mr. Padamsee says, ideas and not money is true wealth.
Tomorrow we have a talk by Mr. Sitaram Yechury, another renowned speaker. Hopefully, he'll be able to hold the audience and inspire us like the others before him.
The Awakening
So i've decided to end my hibernation from the blog-world and finally got around to uploading some photos of my life at IIMA.
It's been a crazy journey so far, feels like i've spent 6 months on a roller coaster with the finish line nowhere in sight. Ups and downs happen here on a daily basis, and there's enough happening at any given time to keep superman busy.
Will add details about my experiences out here as soon as i get the time. Till then, enjoy the pics at http://www.flickr.com/photos/keepingsanity
It's been a crazy journey so far, feels like i've spent 6 months on a roller coaster with the finish line nowhere in sight. Ups and downs happen here on a daily basis, and there's enough happening at any given time to keep superman busy.
Will add details about my experiences out here as soon as i get the time. Till then, enjoy the pics at http://www.flickr.com/photos
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