Rohit's Weblog

What do you do when your Fin paper seems like Greek and Latin??

a. Stare at it

b.Fill up theory for problems(given data)

c.Think about how to express it on FB/Blog

d. Look at the distress levels of others in the class and feel a little better( our grading is relative )

e. All of the above

What I chose? Option E    ……………………………..!@#$%^ #FML

It is just the first of my 6 exams of term 3 which will call it a year for me in IIM Lucknow.  Now for option C. What all came across my mind that I wanted to write about? My experiences in my first year. After having thought of what it would be like and actually experiencing it, I realised it is actually contrary to “popular belief”. A few(many) things I can distinctly call out .

There is a dhaba on campus. It is called Fauzi. It also has a TV. And interestingly enough Zee Cinema is the only channel that plays on it. I watched a full length Telugu movie dubbed in Hindi. Hilarious

Our mess has a TV and as not expected the only things we watch are sports and trailers. I have never seen NDTV Profit on it.

Most eateries on campus run 24 hours.  The  business generally starts only after 12.

On any given day, there will be more people in the library after 10pm than before. And the issue section closes by 9pm.- There is AC and it is happening.

This is to all my VIT junta. Anyone can enter any hostel at any time .

We have a gym. The only time it is busy is in January(resolutions time), before placements( its all about looking good) and when there is an aerobics session for the girls

Whatever people think about networking in IIMs is true. People need a reason for association. And it is competitively encouraged. Hostels,sections,committees,regions,mother tongues, clubs , UG colleges, idols – you name it and there will be a group for it.

Blame it on the hecticness of the course. People always need a reason to party. Every ‘group’ mentioned above has a fresher party,farewell party, placement party, monthly party blah blah. Do we have the time for it? We make it.

To add to this there are the Insti parties. An all nighter where people drink and dance to forget. And they do.

Most of the sports happen under lights and are mostly all night long. It brings the college alive. There is commentary,there is sledging and there is action.

Not just people, but even buildings are called names in Campus. Samanjasya is the auditorium, Annapurna is the mess, Patanjali is the guest house. Complicated enough for a non sanskrit educated South Indian to get offended.

Birthdays are dreaded. You never know what you will end up with on your head by quarter past midnight – Coke,Ketchup,flour,maggi,coffee,moong dal, cake( we get one specially made with old cream), mayo,redbull,egg,tomato and then the spanking with chappals.

The Holi I played here was the dirtiest and the best ever. We have a fountain pool where every one is just flung(literally) into.

Lucknow has about 5 malls. End of exams, any mall you visit, you will find 1/5th of IIM there.

The world famous Tunde kabab has an acquired taste. And off late I have started loving it.

Gyaan is free for all here. Everyone shares it. Neccesary or not, it is always dispensed. and by everyone.

Placements are huge. They bring out the best and worst in people. You can see the best of solidarity and the worst of nervous breakdowns. It is the time when the men and women are differentiated from the boys and girls.

We have a horrible male/female ratio. major demand supply problem. Another avenue to compete.

Our business concalave is called MANFEST. Before you start judging, it is the biggest management fest in India. But it was publicised more for the Swedish band ‘Pain of Salvation’ playing for the first time in India. talk about priorities and promotion.

Our college band is called 3.4. There is a board on the highway which says IIM 3.4kms(off the highway). Kind of a landmark for most of us.

It is not always fun.There is huge amount of mindless competition.But lot to learn. From books and from people.  I miss home and my earlier workplace but I like this too.

…And I better start studying for my next exam.