Saala Apun bhi Manager...

During my engineering days, for one subject I had a project called “Assembler Designing”. Well, how much I designed that assembler is something I don’t want to discuss here. But during that designing process, I asked myself- Do I want to do anything closer to what I’m doing right now? And the answer was a big NO. Then I started exploring of what I can do after my graduation. I came down to three options after a lengthy R & D: M-tech in India, MS in US or MBA anywhere in the world. But the first two were again something that I didn’t have much liking for. Then I met few people who were doing one of the three. And I decided that MBA suits more to my interests. I’ve always been good at Maths. Angrezi bhi theek-thaak thi (Thanks to Ms. Sadi, my english teacher in school). So, within 2 months I went through all the relevant material (syllabus only), magazines like BW, BT etc and then I joined the best coaching institute for MBA entrance exams in Indore. It was 2002.

When I went through all the stuff, I realized that this is something I would love to do. So my pursuit of MBA started from there and finally I got through CAT 2007. In between those 5 years, I had to go through tests and barriers but never did I feel even once that I’m pursuing something I should not. And in the 6th attempt, I finally got enrolled into a college as an MBA student, which was my dream from last so many years.

Last week, I completed my MBA and became officially a Manager. Got a good job too. When I look back at all these years, I realize that the personal resolve to achieve something is vey important. I had my temptations as well: a manager post with a fat salary in one of the leading coaching institutes of India and a 3 year stint in US for a top Indian software company. But I think fat salary and US can wait. Education cannot. There were friends and relatives who gave their unsolicited advices: stick to the job as you are earning good money. What they couldn’t understand was: It’s not about money, honey.

When I received my degree during my convocation, for the first time I felt like achieving something. Because this is what I wanted so desperately. And the presence of my parents with a proud look on their faces and glittering wet eyes made my degree more special. Anything for that look and those eyes.

Will Miss You IMT!!

It was one of the role plays where I was enacting the role of a Don with one of my friends playing the role of my deputy. One other guy, whom we were supposed to rob, had to “act” that he’s beating me and my deputy was supposed to save me from him. But I dont know what the other guy understood (i think the language problem as he’s a mallu) he started beating me seriously. When I got one tight slap, I thought it happened accidentally but the second one confirmed that he’s seriously going to give me few more. I buckled and as my deputy came to save me (not knowing that he too will get it from him) shouting “Bhai pit rela hai, bhai pit rela hai”, I pushed him onto the stage (or what had become a wrestling stage by then). He got some 4-5 slaps and a dragging from the mallu guy. He was astonished, his hair disheveled, and the look of “ What did I do wrong?”. The whole class was laughing at us.

Whenever we remember that day, we laugh like anything. We just need to say “bhai pit rela hai”. My deputy then became my roomie for one year. And, of course, one of the best friends I’ll take from IMT.

This one and many more. I think if I start writing stories, then I’ll need to write a complete book about my life at IMT.

Starting our morning with sleepy eyes, extending the alarm time by 10 minutes 5-6 times, rushing to the mess to grab a piece of bread, reaching the class late, sleeping in the class, then calling proxies and getting caught (I myself got caught thrice!), doing bakar with friends, watching movies on lappy, coffee at 4 a.m., laughing at people studying in library, doing projects and assignments the whole night, partying and dancing all night, our discussions on every thing we can think of, giving global answers during presentations, paranthas at Pahelwan dhaba, midnight chuskis as India Gate, searching for spoon in the mess and so many other unique IMT things!! Again, I cannot write all the things because of paucity of space.

My life at IMT. For the last 21 months, I have always said - “My life at IMT is rocking”. In 10 days time, that “is” is going to become “was”. But boy, what a life I’ve witnessed. And I know that after joining that damn corporate world in couple of months, I’ll give anything to re-live a single day of this life.

But thats what life’s all about. You go to a place, enjoy your time, collect memories and move on. Without asking any questions like “why I’ve to leave? Can’t I spend my whole life here?”. This is the most cruel part of life. Move on. The agony of leaving the ones you have spent some of the best days of your life be damned. Move on. Your job is done here. You got what you wanted. Now, move on.

This is not the first time we all had to do this nor is this the last time. I’ve done it before. And thats why I thought that it won’t be difficult for me to leave this place. But its actually killing me. I don’t want to leave this place. I want to stay here only.

The best thing is that I’m leaving IMT with me being richer than earlier. Friends. Learnings. Memories. Experiences. A better person.

Thank you IMT. Will miss you.