Looking back.. 5 years back

Being a researcher has its own pros and cons but the opportunity this profession provides to learn new things is big enough incentive to be a researcher. The last six months period has been a blur considering the events, fieldwork, report writing and fighting deadlines of several other things in between. When I walked into IIFM for my post graduate diploma I never thought being researcher as one of the possible career options. But again someone wisely stated that the most of the career paths are never planned. And that happened to me as well.

If you are wondering why I am getting nostalgic and IIFM-sick, there are a couple of reasons, a) exactly five years back I landed up at IIFM, so five  years of being an IIFMight. b) last few days, I have been heavily referring to books on SPSS, statistics and quantitative research, something which dominated the first two terms at IIFM. It reminded me of my first two terms at IIFM, those two terms would be surely be remembered by most for Levin and Rubin/Sweeney and Anderson and late night prowls for the elusive fellow students who could throw some light on quants assignments to be submitted next morning. Now, when I go back to those books or SPSS/SAS, some memories of those days do stretch their limbs and try to push me in a reverie.

Oh..again now you realize how a mention of IIFM is always accompanied by some memories, I started with talks of being a researcher and spent almost two paragraphs talking about IIFM. Though this time it was not too off target, as fortunately or unfortunately I am working for a sector which uses the same set of jargons, tools and techniques, and my research skills owe a lot to the exposure at IIFM. Now, with a lot of focus being shifted on Base of Pyramid markets, the unique course curriculum (sometime we wondered what is the use of topics such as tribal culture, forest produce etc.. if I am going to work for a bank or consultancy) would become more useful. Oh.. it seems I am writing a sales pitch for IIFM and I don’t think I need to.

On another note, my blog became five year old last week. …..

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Amidst Water, Mountains, Temples, Friends and Dreams -Part 2

http://santosh.wordpress.com/2008/02/26/amidst-water-mountains-temples-friends-and-dreams-part-1/ 

Since it was not only a fun trip, we had to accomodate the other planned activities for FDS. So our next stop was at Bhopal to meet some Profs at our alma mater and others. Though we had planned to spend only a couple of hours and then return to Jabalpur, but once you are in the campus (and it is not any campus, it is the beautiful IIFM Campus, everypart of this campus reminds me of the wonderful time I had here. Sheer Bliss.)

We spent considerable time, dicsussing many things with Profs, sharing the our concerns about IIFM, talking to juniors and and the visit was earlier planned as 3-4 visits became a two day visit to IIFM. It was nice to know some welcome changes at IIFM.  

We explored Bhopal for some shopping malls, so that we can buy wedding gifts for one of our batchmate, unfortunately (or fortunately?) Bhopal seems yet to get its share of shopping malls. We could not find any shopping malls in Bhopal. Finally we decided to gift ‘Gift Coupons’ and managed to get them from ‘Raymonds’ and ‘Fab India’. It seems that our batch has created some kind of record as there were as many as 8-10 batchmates (8-10 batchmates, 6-7 marriages) got married within a span of 2 months.

By the way, while I was late in updating my blog, Akhand updated his blog about our Jabalpur trip. Though the way I have been described there, I could only imagine to be like that.

Orkut Nama -2

After crossing different  orkut phases, my profile has got more than 160 friends and more than 6000 scraps (a prized possession on orkut land). I still remember, when I just played around some javascripts nuggets to flood some friends’ scrap book (those who used to complain that I did not scrap…) and immediately that was most requested thing by my orkut friends.

In between I did some constructive work (I think so.. you might differ…) and created a community for my alma mater and the community attracted almost 60-70% of our elusive alumni on one ‘active’ platform. A byproduct of this effort, I started getting more visits to my profile, more friend requests and more request to be an unofficial PRO for IIFM admissions.

But the best part of Orkut for me was Testimonials I wrote for people and testimonials I received. There are some testimonials which I have written with utmost of sincerity and some ‘template’ testimonials which can be assigned to any one!. But testimonials written about me… OMG. I never realized that they are about me. So ignorant of my own virtues…  These testimonials (or testis as they used to call on orkut.. without wondering what exactly it meant and how the habit of abbreviating everything can produce some really brillieant gems..) can be a replacement for confidence boosting steriods.

Here are gems.. sourced directly from my profile .. talking about some virtues and vices, which I only wished they were right..

“saw a storm coming from North, and then i saw a man walking head on from south..facing the storm bare chested, up front and conquering the devil in its full might“…..  The above lines are about me.. and for those who have not seen me.. If I go bare chested,I think I carry the risk of getting blown by the zephyr, forget about storm.. The weight of my clothes used to  give me some weight…… (This testimonial was written 15 month back… ). I must say this guy (one of my fav juni at campus) had really wild imagination and this was probably  result of some highly ’spiritual’ thinking.

“Was the real Dark Horse in our batch at IIFM whether it b excelling in the Academic Performance or gaining Popularity among the Fairer Sex..” … Here the only thing which goes with me is word ‘DARK’.. nothing else.. . A similar testimonial “ has been admired n loved as well by majority of people in IIFM” .. probably the writer forget my ‘behali’ in GBMs (General Body Meeting).  And this one should be really the best.. “.His list of Girlfriends will leave you in AwE!! (but I ll still say he s not a Casanova a wonderful Friend (truly-in-deeds)” …Hmm.. my list of girlfriends.. I am just looking for the list.. I would love to move from “Havnots” to “Haves” status. (and  those who are moving to comments section after this line.. the definition of ‘Girlfriend’ is key here.. and it is surely not about ALL  THE FRIENDS WHO ARE GIRL.). 

In nutsell, the testimonials were as true depiction of personality as Musharraf’s poll stats  about his popularity in pakistan. But anyone you love reading/receiving  them….

(The post is getting long.. so rest in next posts… or whenever I am free to do some BC..).

the week gone by…

Got one year older last week. Though no celebration, got some calls from friends, some scraps, SMSs and that all. Though it reminded me of my IIFM days, when got numerous kicks on places you need not mention. People settled their account book, by hitting as hard as possible and result was … a tough day in class room. Kept on changing position on chair to adjust myself in some comfortable position, without any success.

On professional front, the financial year ended on 30th June and following week was all about documentation, ensuring everything is in order. Still managed some time to think over the blog I initiated IIFMights which is surviving on contributions of Nitin and occasional contribution from this guy. Though there are many contributors who have contributed in past, but now they are dormant. So now onus lies on me and Nitin to keep this blog alive and I have put my thinking cap on for that.

Books and movies have taken backstage.. no time for that. But, yes did a lot of surfing and got some cool sites, which I ll share in my next post. Actually planning to write some regular stuff on technology and computer, so it might be the first installment.

Tags: personal, blogs, iifm

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Some reasons to cheer

Yesterday was one of the most memorable days. IIFM has given me a lot more than I expected and deserved and Kalpataru (our annual function) added some more items in that list. First, it was Director’s Prize for The Best Organizational Training (I) which I shared with my friend (Anup Singh) for my Organizational Training at Grasim Industries, Harihar. It was followed by the most coveted Director’s Prize for The Best Student. I was never expecting this award to come to me. But it was pleasant surprise to receive that, I must thank my juniz for that. (The award is given on the basis of OGPA and Votes given by junior batch). It was overwhelming to have almost entire batch supporting one person. I never knew I was so popular among my juniz.

“Thank you, PFM 2007.”
The Director’s Prize for The Best Organizational Training (II) was bagged by Anup Singh. Anup Singh did a clean sweep by grabbing Directors Prize for both the OTs.

When I joined IIFM, there were a lot of discussions going on about the placements and how to get maximum out of IIFM stay and the best placement and some of my friends had told me that it would be very difficult for you to cope up, as I had some four years of academic gap and was pitted against better profiles (a simple science grad vs. engineers). I thank those friends. You egged me on and you showed me the way forward.

Congo Calling

Only 23 days are left of my stay here at IIFM Bhopal. And probably 30 days in India. While all my friends are happy that they are going to spend some time with the family, I am feeling a bit low as I will get less than 10 days to spend with my family. But looking back, it gives a mixed feeling, when I joined the institute in 2004, there were a lot of dreams and uncertainties, today I feel lucky that I got what I was dreaming for.. its not exactly that, but that’s damn close to it. And uncertain, where future will take me. It’s a proud feeling when you have offers pouring down to you and you are facing problem of plenty. But, you have to make a decision and I took a bold one. To go to a country, which name gives a very different feel altogether. Ya, I am going to Congo. The war prone country in Central Africa. I could have easily opted for a cozy job in one of the leading banks at Mumbai or Hyderabad. But, I could not resist Africa (or US dollars!!). I am trying to get hold of French (Congo is francophone country), as I had a tough time there on my summers due to no knowledge of French.

• Life is a bit different right now after that decision. Some changes I could feel right now.
• India seems to be more dear that it was earlier. I never knew I would miss India that much.
• Indian movies… though I did not watch much in my last 2 years stay here at IIFM, Bhopal, but right now I am not letting any opportunity to see some good movies.
• A regret that I could not see places around Bhopal and now I am leaving Bhopal. But really I loved this city. I’ll back to explore.
• I feel scary thinking of a life where I have to search to get some good English books (what I could find were only French books.). My god.. how will I survive. Let’s see whether Amazon.com has shipping facility there or not.
• People are saying I would be a changed person in Africa.. I don’t believe them. An Ass will be An Ass anywhere.

Going to miss a lot my friends .. and student life..

Technorati: Africa Gabon IIFM

My days in Africa II

Sunday, 30^th October, 2005
 

After breakfast, there was nothing to do, so I just spent some time on my laptop, listening to those songs which I have stored, just for single reason, that I got it from somewhere and my laptop had a lot of space. Sometime you have so much time that if you believe in the old saying that time is money, you will feel like billionaire. It was just like that. My guide here has gone to Libreville for a meeting and I was here alone, fighting with French language and giving very tough time to the person whom I am talking too.  One of my seniors told me, don’t take tension that you don’t know French, make other person tensed that you don’t know French. And let him understand. So basically I was doing the same thing.
Afternoon, Paul came to pick me up and in his heavily accented but fairly good English explained me that we are going to visit the city and places around it. What more I could have asked for. Really great. Outside my hotel, there was a Landcruiser waiting for me. I just took my laptop, camera and passport was ready for action.
First we visited a near by village to Makokou and it was really beautiful. Located on the banks of river “La river de obendu�, I asked for the name but Paul’s heavy accented reply and my ear’s refusal to get accustomed to that accent, suggested me not to waste time getting the right name. By the way, some Mr. Shakespeare has already explained the futility of names.
I went to the river and was surprised to see that the color of water was black. O my god, I am seeing a black river in this Dark Continent! I asked the reason to Paul, expecting some really interesting answer. But the result was a dud. He simply told this due to high content of iron ore.
Suddenly something caught my attention, some people were there washing their cars in the river and alongside them some girls having bath. I hurriedly avoided eye contact with the girls, who knows they might get offended and then I will have to spend some really good amount on doctors to get my face straight. There one punch is good enough to change the geography. But that did not happen luckily and Paul asked me to follow him and we went to them. I was greeted with ‘bonjour’, really these people are very courteous. I asked Paul “Can I take some photographs ?� and he replied me in affirmative.
I clicked some really good shots there.
Returning back to my hotel, I was lucky enough to meet ‘bady bhaiya’ and that too ‘sabse bade wale’. On the way, Paul suddenly stopped the car, and I could see some people moving and making noise. I asked the reason and he told me ‘get camera, photo, photo.. ‘ I was unable to understand anything what happened, why this fellow is asking me to capture pics of these people.
‘Se’paan’
What ?
Snake….
Then I looked at the crowed, on the ground there was huge black snake moving and two three person equipped with small sticks were there to tackle and him and 20-30 people around them. I took out my camera and from the car itself took some snaps. I asked about the snake and the answer was “it is black cobra�. One of the most deadly snakes on earth. And those people were treating him like harmless non-poisonous creature. Within few seconds, two-three strike with the small sticks and ‘bady bhaiya’ was flat on the ground. Though still moving rapidly, but unable to go anywhere. I was mesmerized by their skill.
The first thought that came to my mind was, there must be a number of ‘bade bhaiya’ and their family members in bush. (I was supposed to visit  bush next day.) I quickly put my query to Paul.
“Not many�
You idiot. One is enough. I uttered some good expletives in hindi.
He explained that they are normally found in and around homes. Not normally in bushes. It gave me some hope.

My days in africa

 

Saturday, 29^th October, 2005
 

After 7 hours of train journey I reached to a small place called Booeu. And my god, if you do not know French here your life is hell here. So far I was always accompanied by one or another person who helped me in interacting with these. But in train, no one was there to help me out. And I was damn worried about how I am going to alight at my destination. It was night journey and everyone was sleeping and me thinking that if I go to sleep, might miss the station. I tried to know from other people that when I ll reach at Booeu, but what I managed to get from them is ‘later’, I thanked (‘merci’ the French for thanks) them for such ‘useful’ information. So I did my own calculation based on the info provided by my Libreville friends and slept for 3-4 hours and set the alarm in my cell, quite well earlier to my calculated arrival at Booeu.
Somehow or another I managed to alight at Booeu. The station was very small station, just like any small station in divine land of Bihar. So a feeling of nostalgia crept in. Four-five people were there on the station. I did an exploratory scan of the whole place to find the person, supposed to be there to receive me. Buy I realized the futility of the exercise, how I am going to recognize that fellow, to me all faces are alike, alien. I waited and waited, no one so far. With a laptop on my shoulder, a camera hanging at my hip and a face, distinctly different, were giving invitation for trouble at 4 am. After 15 minutes, I saw person approaching towards me, 6 ‘5� tall, double my width, dressed in blue denim and t-shirt. My heartbeat forgot its rhythm, from Indian classical, it changed to hardcore rock. I thought, its over. That fellow is going to bash me up and relieve me of extra burden of my laptop and luggage.
He pointed his finger to me and in voice which sent  chill through my spine, barked
“u mr. singh?�
I couldn’t belive my ear. All I could manage was ‘yes’ and deep sigh of relief.
But for make it doubly sure, I asked “you from Olam ?�
Answer was a soothing “ouis�.
He took my luggage and I followed him to Toyota pick up van, I hurriedly snuggled into back seat. I was happy that within a few hours I am going to reach my hotel and settle for at least 20 days. No more travel with the entire luggage. But I was mistaken. We started for Makakou and after few minutes it started raining heavily. After 15 minutes of concrete road, we shifted to ‘kachha’ road. And after another 10 minutes we were surrounded by big giant trees and no trace of any human being. Huge trees, and here these kind of forests are called ‘bush’, I couldn’t help smiling. I remembered my trip to Vellore, Tamilnadu, where all they had was some patches of 2-3 feet tall Acacia nilotica, and Subabool plantation and they called that forest.
It was a journey which seemed never ending. After 20-30 killometer drive I could see some small house made of wood. The population density is very low in all part of Africa. Barring a few countries or for that matter cities. Kinshasha (capital of Cango) was an exception, when I visited the local market there, it was very similar to any market in India full of people and a lot of buzz.
After 3 hours of journey finally I reached Makokou. Small city with big wide clean roads. Very less population. My first stop was to Mr.Anand’s house. The only Indian family in Makakou. And there I was greeted with south Indian breakfast and lunch. It was delightful to get some really good homemade Indian food.
After visiting the Olam Office here, I checked in my hotel. Belinga Place. Nice hotel by any standard. If you just remove food served here as one of the parameters. For a person, who prefers vegetarian food, its tough life here. You have to take non-veg food or starve. There is no other option, if you are not cooking yourself. So, I had only one option to resort to non-veg foods. Here, the first thing I learnt was what they call chicken and eggs. As they serve hell lot of different types of meat. So it is better not to experiment, unless and until you know what they are going to serve. You get monkeys, frogs, beef and god knows what not.  So I decided not to experiment and go on staple breakfast of Omelet, coffee, orange juice and breads. Even the bread served here is different. It takes hell lot of time to explain them what I want. I got hold of some French words but the pronunciation, these idiots right something and speak something entirely different.
In the evening, Mr. Anand too me to a round trip to city which lasted for 45 minutes and I had seen all nook and corners of the city. Nice clean city. And best thing is that, it is as safe as any other city in India, or even safer than that. So I can easily roam around without any fear. A relief from security concerns, which were quite restrictive in Kinshasha, where I could not move out from my hotel room.

AIMA-Infosys B-Games

AIMA-Infosys B-Games.. what to say.. a nightmare for me and my team. Being the last years national champions IIFM was having quite a lot of expectations from us. And we failed and failed in the prelims. Since we missed the regional competition at Indore and New Delhi, due to our exams we had to participate at Coimbatore in a non descript (never heard before) engineering college, named Sri Krishna College of Engineering and Technology. Somehow we managed to reach there and got to know that accomodation has been arranged in a Aishwarya hotel and we have to adjust in one room. Imagin four ppl in one room. The visitors registers gave us a glimpse of participants as many participants were living in the same hotel. the only name we have heard was of IIM K, the other names were quite alien to us. When we reached SKCET the venue for the competition, we were pleasantly surprised by the infra of the college and got to know in the briefing that 57 teams are participating from Tamilnadu and nearby states. Though only 9-10 institutes were participating, almost each institute in that regions has sent 4-7 teams for the competition. Probably IIM K, XIM B, KIAMS, IIFM were the only institutes with one team. When the competition started they divided all the teams into a group of 7-8 and we had 8 teams and as per our knowledge based upon the results of the games played a couple of days ago, 2 teams were to qualify from each group. After two days of stress and labour we finished second in our group, but before that we got the news that only one team is going to be in the next round so we were out of the race along with IIM K, XIMB, KIAMS and many others. We could not digest our failure.. but accepted gracefully untill Mr. Natrajan asked for the feedback and some startling facts came out…

• The gazettes which describe the market situations in the simulation games were same, as earlier distributed for other participants a couple of days earlier.
• Almost all the local team have before hand knowledge of scenarios to be given in the game.
• They told us even with the given scenario, one cannot do anything with the game… what can i say?
• the local team (especially the host team) was having advantage of knowledge of all the gazettes and scenario and even though most of them 5 out of 7 lost but two managed to win.

I am still wondering what happened to AIMA.. how could they make such mistakes..

 

Kissa Midterm Exam ka

The whole story can be described in one line, what I studied was not in the paper, and what was in the paper, I did not study. So you can guess the results… The Climax of the story was my Livelihood Paper (Livelihood and Natural Resource Management). It was my optional paper. Probably my inclination to work for uplift of the downtrodden and poor was somewhat responsible for the decision, though considering the present scenario and situation, right now I am open for any sector, and for any organization (depending upon some key parameters…. You all know what those parameters for an MBA ) from Olam International to Pradan. Okey, I was telling you about my livelihood paper. The class notes provided were of around 300-400 pages, along with a lot of reference books provided. And my strategy from the first term was to start just before the examinations (being attentive in the class used to make me competent enough to adopt this strategy), and I did not realized the loopholes in the strategy until I saw the paper. Though, I always remember God before writing anything in examination, but in this paper I was doing throughout the exam. I just glanced at my other friends and they were in the same position.

Vo mujhe dekhe ja rahi thi, main usko dekhe jaa raha tha

Na paper mujhe aa raha tha, na paper usko aa raha tha

(courtesy my pagalguy friends…)

Ultimately I had to write something. And my tried and tested theory came true once again. “You write the longest answer to the question you have not studied. In our terminology “Gola Dena. So, a lot of Gola in the paper and lets pray that I get something for my “golas‿  Otherwise …. Few lines which I got in a mail forward aptly describe my midterm examination..

Samundar bhar syllabus hai, nadi bhar padh paate hain, baalti bhar yaad rehta hai, magga bhar likh paate hain, chullu bhar number aate hain, doob ke mar jaate hain.”

Lets pray that I don’t have to go for “Chullu bhar pani….

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