That's one of my favorite phrases - from Sagan's Cosmos. I guess that beautifully captures the essence of the past few weeks at ISB. Things move so rapidly here that it's like falling into a black hole - everything seems to slow down and accelerate at the same time.
Term 3 ended in August. Not a bad outing - I had some apprehensions about Managerial Accounting, but did well in the end. Operations was as I had expected - did just about average. No big surprise there - Ops was never my favorite subject. Entrepeneurship was...interesting. A different class experience where we got to intereact with a lot of entrepreneurs on a first hand basis. And then there was Corporate Finance. Prof. Bhagwan Choudhary really brought the discussion alive and made seemingly complex concepts sound simple. Combined with his sense of humour and the energy, we devised a new slogan - In Bhagwan, we trust!
And then, in September, something snapped, and ISB has just burst forth in a wave of creative orgy. Music, dance, painting, drama, workshops, speakers, conclaves - all seem to be swirling in a majestic kaleidoscopical experience. The PaEV projects and the ideas that came up were amazing. Most of them would fail in the real world - but some of them, like the on-demand singing choir - turned out to be really interesting. I wonder what has changed but a sense of energy has come back to campus, that was sorely lacking in terms 2 and 3. Everyday there are at least a couple of events for us to sample.
Time has moved on to a new plane that I'd like to term continuum. One really can't decide where a day ends and the next one begins. People might freak out at the amount of work students put in. But the good thing about this is that it helps us test our limits. It teaches us to prioritize and makes us understand the importance of each activity we undertake.
At ISB, I learned that you need to adapt, you need to stand still, you need to learn, you need to unlearn, you need to chillax, you need to focus, you need to listen to others, you need to make yourself heard, you need to be practical, you need to be moral, you need to bullshit, you need to mean every word, you need to....always push yourself.
I've been kept busy with the BTC and ELP activities. The conclave is coming up in October and preparations are in full swing. Now that we have won ourselves a ELP, there has been some additional learning on the sidelines, combined with the demands on time, of course. These days, I see more sunrises than ever before - and not voluntarily I tell you!! But the campus has begun to look really pretty. With just a hint of light rain, the cicadas singing and the stillness of early morning, it's hard not to simply fall in love with this place.
The short trip home in August was a big boost. Rest, recuperation, rejuvenation - perfect! Combined with the Ganesh Utsav, it provided for some fun and entertainment. Neha's having a hectic schedule at JBIMS, makes mine pale in comparison.
Anyways, been interacting with a few guys from PG and if that's any indication, ISB is going to have some interesting profiles next year as well!!
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Exhale
This is pretty much going to be a rambling post. Term 2 is at an end and we're in the vortex of timelessness before the next one begins. Time for reflection, rest, rejuvenation, movies, music, masti !!
The campus wears a deserted look, since most have gone home to seek solace from the rigor of term 2. Somehow, it seems more imposing with the clouds hanging around, windswept trees and the peacocks singing themselves hoarse. Indian Hogwarts, anyone ?
LRC is empty and I feel for once as if it's home. Books surround me and I have no distractions from people mistaking this for a cool place to hang out. Term 3 sounds like a finance-laden term, but I expect it to be slightly easier except for the submissions.
I've finally gotten time to work on the BTC activities. 1st order of the day is to get the pages on the website up to standard. I hope to add some more depth of information to these pages and work simultaneously on the insider. Technology will make or break placements this year for many of us and efforts are already under way to make sure that we are well-prepared.
2009 placement stats are out. And things are much better than expected. Apart from the drop in the salary figures, what might concern me is the quality of the placements that might not have been reflected in the placement statistics. Many-a-time, people accept jobs which may not pay highly, but are excellent spring boards. I wonder if this desire for quality was not sacrificed last year.
PG is buzzing again with profile evaluations. I don't see the point of these questions. I mean, come on, is your life so uni-dimensional that a 5 lines can enable a complete stranger to put a number on it ? Some people just don't see the uselessness of these questions. And suppose I tell you that there's no way in h**l you'll get into ISB, is that deterrent enough ? Would you give up so easily ? If not, why ask ?
I'm contemplating forming a book club out here. Lots of well-read people, but the LRC has a severly limited collection of fiction. OIC is on to it, but a book club might bring like-minded people together. Let's see how things pan out.
At home, things are looking up. Neha's JB course should start by July end. Hopefully (I think that's not a recognized word), dad should be around to get her started. I would have loved to be there to welcome her back from the 1st day though...
That's it for now, expect a few more posts before the term starts. Until then, so long...
The campus wears a deserted look, since most have gone home to seek solace from the rigor of term 2. Somehow, it seems more imposing with the clouds hanging around, windswept trees and the peacocks singing themselves hoarse. Indian Hogwarts, anyone ?
LRC is empty and I feel for once as if it's home. Books surround me and I have no distractions from people mistaking this for a cool place to hang out. Term 3 sounds like a finance-laden term, but I expect it to be slightly easier except for the submissions.
I've finally gotten time to work on the BTC activities. 1st order of the day is to get the pages on the website up to standard. I hope to add some more depth of information to these pages and work simultaneously on the insider. Technology will make or break placements this year for many of us and efforts are already under way to make sure that we are well-prepared.
2009 placement stats are out. And things are much better than expected. Apart from the drop in the salary figures, what might concern me is the quality of the placements that might not have been reflected in the placement statistics. Many-a-time, people accept jobs which may not pay highly, but are excellent spring boards. I wonder if this desire for quality was not sacrificed last year.
PG is buzzing again with profile evaluations. I don't see the point of these questions. I mean, come on, is your life so uni-dimensional that a 5 lines can enable a complete stranger to put a number on it ? Some people just don't see the uselessness of these questions. And suppose I tell you that there's no way in h**l you'll get into ISB, is that deterrent enough ? Would you give up so easily ? If not, why ask ?
I'm contemplating forming a book club out here. Lots of well-read people, but the LRC has a severly limited collection of fiction. OIC is on to it, but a book club might bring like-minded people together. Let's see how things pan out.
At home, things are looking up. Neha's JB course should start by July end. Hopefully (I think that's not a recognized word), dad should be around to get her started. I would have loved to be there to welcome her back from the 1st day though...
That's it for now, expect a few more posts before the term starts. Until then, so long...
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Once more unto the breach...
So the all-too-short term break came to an end and my Mumbai trip seemed to be a distant dream as the grind began, this time under the new avatar of Term 2!! The Term 1 results too were released last week. It seems I did just about OK - neither too bad nor too well - Above average in most cases. Most of the class was just waiting to exhale, and when the results came out, it's as if the campus heaved a collective sigh of relief that they had made it to term 2.
Prima facie, term 2 seems to be much more interesting than term 1. With Marketing and Competitive strategy, it now feels like a B-school !! However, underneath the veneer, it's a non-stop roller-coaster of assignments, homeworks and presentations. So thrilled was I to read that there would be only two mid terms, only to discover that the MarkStrat decisions require much more work :(
Speaking of MarkStrat, it's one of the more interesting ways to teach a management student. By giving you almost complete control of a firm, it provides a very realistic simulation of a typical business environment and allows you the chance to apply all the concepts taught in the classroom. In many ways, it's similar to the Management Game that's taught at various US B-schools. How did we do ? Just one decision into the game, we are already facing a price war. How we respond will determine our survival.
Overall, the focus this term seems to be on the practical side of things. Even though Optimization seems a little theoretical, its application certainly is not. Combined with the MarkStrat simulation, the Competitive strategy cases and Macroeconomics, this term will be critical in shaping our understanding of the world of business.
On the co-curricular side, now that the GSB core is in place, things are beginning to get a little more traction. If I can only manufacture time, I'm sure this avenue will be equally critical in building up a perspective of the real world.
On another note, the admissions for Class of 2011 have begun. I met some prospective students on campus and I could sense their trepidation. Deja Vu !! When I get some time, I'll put up a comment on the essays this year.
Until then, be good !!
Prima facie, term 2 seems to be much more interesting than term 1. With Marketing and Competitive strategy, it now feels like a B-school !! However, underneath the veneer, it's a non-stop roller-coaster of assignments, homeworks and presentations. So thrilled was I to read that there would be only two mid terms, only to discover that the MarkStrat decisions require much more work :(
Speaking of MarkStrat, it's one of the more interesting ways to teach a management student. By giving you almost complete control of a firm, it provides a very realistic simulation of a typical business environment and allows you the chance to apply all the concepts taught in the classroom. In many ways, it's similar to the Management Game that's taught at various US B-schools. How did we do ? Just one decision into the game, we are already facing a price war. How we respond will determine our survival.
Overall, the focus this term seems to be on the practical side of things. Even though Optimization seems a little theoretical, its application certainly is not. Combined with the MarkStrat simulation, the Competitive strategy cases and Macroeconomics, this term will be critical in shaping our understanding of the world of business.
On the co-curricular side, now that the GSB core is in place, things are beginning to get a little more traction. If I can only manufacture time, I'm sure this avenue will be equally critical in building up a perspective of the real world.
On another note, the admissions for Class of 2011 have begun. I met some prospective students on campus and I could sense their trepidation. Deja Vu !! When I get some time, I'll put up a comment on the essays this year.
Until then, be good !!
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Dazed and Confused
It's been exactly a month since I landed up at ISB. And as I celebrate the fact of having survived 30 (thirty !!) days of this never-ending roller-coaster, it's perhaps time for some reflection.
Classes here are nothing like the ones I was used to at the under-graduate level. Heck, it was an achievement if you even showed up in class back then. Out here, you have to show up and contribute !! Some do buckle under the pressure to put the best foot forward, succumbing to the foot-in-mouth disease. Compared to other sections, though, mine has fewer horror stories to report. For an understanding of the quality (or the lack of it !!) during class discussions, check out ISB Co10's Bakwas Band Karo blog. And all for a fistful of CP points :)
While some of the classes are top-notch, others not so much (yet), the overall quality is still pretty high. You're expected to hit the ground running. Sometimes, even that is not enough as the prof dashes through 2 hour sessions, leaving you wondering what the hell just hit you. With, pre-reads, reads, post-reads, assignments, planned and unplanned quizzes, club meetings, dunkings, parties and sports, I and Mr Sandman haven't had much time to catch up !!
I do wonder whether such concentrated and intense doses of academics will help me retain things in the long run. Perhaps ISB subscribes to the theory that pressure brings out the best in a student. For example, some teams have to submit 2 assignments, solve 1 quiz and prepare for another in 3 days. Relaxed learning that allows you to delve into a particular subject in detail is probably not going to happen out here. Already the strength of club meetings is dwindling. BTC found it tough to even fill up a Mini LT.
On a lighter note, a classmate of mine was particularly targeted by fiends of the slithery variety. Not one, but THREE snakes in his quad. Now that is probably an unforgettable experience. I leave you with some amazing pictures from the 1st month:
Classes here are nothing like the ones I was used to at the under-graduate level. Heck, it was an achievement if you even showed up in class back then. Out here, you have to show up and contribute !! Some do buckle under the pressure to put the best foot forward, succumbing to the foot-in-mouth disease. Compared to other sections, though, mine has fewer horror stories to report. For an understanding of the quality (or the lack of it !!) during class discussions, check out ISB Co10's Bakwas Band Karo blog. And all for a fistful of CP points :)
While some of the classes are top-notch, others not so much (yet), the overall quality is still pretty high. You're expected to hit the ground running. Sometimes, even that is not enough as the prof dashes through 2 hour sessions, leaving you wondering what the hell just hit you. With, pre-reads, reads, post-reads, assignments, planned and unplanned quizzes, club meetings, dunkings, parties and sports, I and Mr Sandman haven't had much time to catch up !!
I do wonder whether such concentrated and intense doses of academics will help me retain things in the long run. Perhaps ISB subscribes to the theory that pressure brings out the best in a student. For example, some teams have to submit 2 assignments, solve 1 quiz and prepare for another in 3 days. Relaxed learning that allows you to delve into a particular subject in detail is probably not going to happen out here. Already the strength of club meetings is dwindling. BTC found it tough to even fill up a Mini LT.
On a lighter note, a classmate of mine was particularly targeted by fiends of the slithery variety. Not one, but THREE snakes in his quad. Now that is probably an unforgettable experience. I leave you with some amazing pictures from the 1st month:
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Hello, ISB !!
Obviously, my absence after the last post has been rather long, busy as I have been in moving to Hyderabad. Let's get the first impressions out of the way - the new airport is smashing, its location bad and the city center clean and green.
Staying at Lakdi-ka-pul for the first day meant that we were almost in walking distance from Hussain Sagar lake. It's kept neat and clean and the surrounding gardens lend an excellent ambience. I did manage to take in the view from the Birla temple (heavenly), a quick walk in the NTR and Lumbini parks (pleasant) and a jaunt in Snow World (fun), before I landed up in Gachibowli for the registration. Mom, dad and sis did manage to catch some more spots before they left, though.
The registration was a rather stressful affair, but passed off without any glitch. I should have been better prepared for the heat out here. It makes even walking out for lunch a laborious affair. Thankfully the apartments are air conditioned !! Speaking of the accommodation, I've been put up in the new student village - SV4. The quality of the construction and furniture is quite good, although it looks a little morose since the landscaping hasn't been completed yet. However, my room affords me a beautiful view of the setting sun each day !!
The campus as such is very well maintained, with lots of trees around. It's a far cry from the wild but humongous campus I was used to at BHU. At around a 100 acres, it's quite small compared to the 1300 acres that BHU occupied. However, the quality is infinitely better.
The first week was the O-week. We were bombarded left, right and center about ISB's capabilities, the professional clubs, the social clubs, the various departments and the honor code (hmpf). To top it up, we've had a talent night, a sports meet, a treasure hunt, painting, team building, movies, alumni interaction sessions and three parties. Already, the duration of my sleep has dropped by close to 50% !!
"Get Future Ready" is ISB's tagline. However, as I look at the course details, I'm reminded more of "Abandon all hope, ye that enter here" from Dante's Inferno. ISB's academic rigor is very high. However, this time, the batch admitted has a very diverse profile, with representation from almost all industries. The average GMAT has dropped a little to 716 while the work-ex has increased to 5 years. A brief write-up can be found here.
I was pleasantly surprised to find quite a few of my friends from BHU out here. Already, the class is beginning to gel rather well, making us feel as if we've been here for 7 months instead of 7 days. On a lighter note, though, I haven't had so many introductions in my entire life, as I have had in this 1 week. Stepping outside the campus for the first time yesterday, we realized how comfortably enconsed we are within our own little world.
Well, time's running short and I gotta rush to the library (surprise ! surprise !). I'll keep this blog abreast of the development as time goes along.
PS: To clear the air:
Staying at Lakdi-ka-pul for the first day meant that we were almost in walking distance from Hussain Sagar lake. It's kept neat and clean and the surrounding gardens lend an excellent ambience. I did manage to take in the view from the Birla temple (heavenly), a quick walk in the NTR and Lumbini parks (pleasant) and a jaunt in Snow World (fun), before I landed up in Gachibowli for the registration. Mom, dad and sis did manage to catch some more spots before they left, though.
The registration was a rather stressful affair, but passed off without any glitch. I should have been better prepared for the heat out here. It makes even walking out for lunch a laborious affair. Thankfully the apartments are air conditioned !! Speaking of the accommodation, I've been put up in the new student village - SV4. The quality of the construction and furniture is quite good, although it looks a little morose since the landscaping hasn't been completed yet. However, my room affords me a beautiful view of the setting sun each day !!
The campus as such is very well maintained, with lots of trees around. It's a far cry from the wild but humongous campus I was used to at BHU. At around a 100 acres, it's quite small compared to the 1300 acres that BHU occupied. However, the quality is infinitely better.
The first week was the O-week. We were bombarded left, right and center about ISB's capabilities, the professional clubs, the social clubs, the various departments and the honor code (hmpf). To top it up, we've had a talent night, a sports meet, a treasure hunt, painting, team building, movies, alumni interaction sessions and three parties. Already, the duration of my sleep has dropped by close to 50% !!
"Get Future Ready" is ISB's tagline. However, as I look at the course details, I'm reminded more of "Abandon all hope, ye that enter here" from Dante's Inferno. ISB's academic rigor is very high. However, this time, the batch admitted has a very diverse profile, with representation from almost all industries. The average GMAT has dropped a little to 716 while the work-ex has increased to 5 years. A brief write-up can be found here.
I was pleasantly surprised to find quite a few of my friends from BHU out here. Already, the class is beginning to gel rather well, making us feel as if we've been here for 7 months instead of 7 days. On a lighter note, though, I haven't had so many introductions in my entire life, as I have had in this 1 week. Stepping outside the campus for the first time yesterday, we realized how comfortably enconsed we are within our own little world.
Well, time's running short and I gotta rush to the library (surprise ! surprise !). I'll keep this blog abreast of the development as time goes along.
PS: To clear the air:
- ISB has admitted around 575 students, close to its target of 560, not the rumoured 630.
- Around 300 students are now out of the placements. The tentative time frame is June 09, but can be extended if required.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
T minus 10
I'll be leaving for Hyderabad on April 10, just around the corner. It's been a long and arduous journey for my MBA, and I do hope that it will be worthwhile. The last few days have been quite hectic. The preliminary shopping has been done with, all that remain now are miscellaneous items and last-minute food stuff.
I'll be accompanied by Mom, Dad and Neha, presumably to take in the sights and sounds of Hyderabad, but I suspect it's more to ensure that ISB doesn't admit that it made a mistake in letting me in and turn me back at the gate :). Time permitting, they should be able to take in a city tour, Ramoji film city and the Jyotirling.
I'm finished with all the pre-term exams as well. It was fun getting re-acquainted with Mr Calculus. I realized how much I had missed the beauty, symmetry and unpredictability of maths while working in IT. Quant and Stats presented no real problem; it was Accountancy that I was worried about. Thankfully, with a little bit of reading, I was able to pass this test as well. After reading up and chatting many ISBians, I had decided that the pre-term was better spent networking and learning core subjects. The fact that the pre-term was not graded also weighed against it.
Finally, my housing at ISB was finalized yesterday. I'll be king of SV4-I11, dispensing favors from my high throne !! SV4 is the new student village, not even found on the current ISB map. Perhaps we'll all be put up in a 5-star hotel like the 1st batch of ISB was. At the very least, we'll get first use of a brand new hostel.
On an unrelated note, Neha cleared the written portion of the CET with flying colors - 166/200 with a 99.99 %ile, thereby almost guaranteeing her a place at JBIMS. In fact, she's done so well that she'll probably finish off with a single digit rank. Quite an accomplishment considering that CAT was so disappointing. Anyways, to get into JB is ordinary, to get in with 99.99 %ile is extraordinary.
As expected, mom's over the moon that both her kids will be starting MBA simultaneously. I think she's still unconvinced of the horrors that await us at placement time. Until then, she can bask in the glory of having taken the final step in the implementation of a plan that started many a year back.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Marhaba Bahrain
Dad's back in Bahrain since Nov 2008 and I finally found the time to visit the place where I spent the best part of 16 years. Woweeeeeeeee !! This place has morphed into something way more hip than when I saw it last in 2002.
One can almost see the petro dollars at work here. New construction has popped up everywhere. I might venture to say that it even eclipses the boom in India. The spending on infrastructure by the government is astounding. New marinas coming up in the city to house the new bussinesses. Free-hold apartments are also being offered. Bahrain is probably the best place to settle to a quiet, luxurious life.
Bahrain is positioning itself well as a financial hub. Throw a stone in the Seef area and you're likely to hit a bank. It's the Middle East's Bangalore of Banking :) Lots of diverse people are joining in and the population has pretty much exploded. Shopping malls have mushroomed all over the place.
It was great fun visiting some of the old landmarks, checking out new ones and mourning the loss of others. The Indian School is still pretty much the same, too bad I couldn't meet all the teachers. The Bahrain F1 circuit is quite beautiful, with lots to do.
Well, rapid development has come at a cost. Traffic snarls are now the norm in the city. The open spaces where you could catch a game of football at any time have almost disappeared. Children now hang out at malls and around PS2s. The scenic roundabouts in the city have been replaced with soulless traffic signals.
Still, Bahrain continues to offer the perfect mix of sun, sand and shopping that make it unique. To anyone who wants to visit, all I can say is Marhaba !!
PS: This post comes to you courtesy of my new laptop - HP DV4-1225ee
One can almost see the petro dollars at work here. New construction has popped up everywhere. I might venture to say that it even eclipses the boom in India. The spending on infrastructure by the government is astounding. New marinas coming up in the city to house the new bussinesses. Free-hold apartments are also being offered. Bahrain is probably the best place to settle to a quiet, luxurious life.
Bahrain is positioning itself well as a financial hub. Throw a stone in the Seef area and you're likely to hit a bank. It's the Middle East's Bangalore of Banking :) Lots of diverse people are joining in and the population has pretty much exploded. Shopping malls have mushroomed all over the place.
It was great fun visiting some of the old landmarks, checking out new ones and mourning the loss of others. The Indian School is still pretty much the same, too bad I couldn't meet all the teachers. The Bahrain F1 circuit is quite beautiful, with lots to do.
Well, rapid development has come at a cost. Traffic snarls are now the norm in the city. The open spaces where you could catch a game of football at any time have almost disappeared. Children now hang out at malls and around PS2s. The scenic roundabouts in the city have been replaced with soulless traffic signals.
Still, Bahrain continues to offer the perfect mix of sun, sand and shopping that make it unique. To anyone who wants to visit, all I can say is Marhaba !!
PS: This post comes to you courtesy of my new laptop - HP DV4-1225ee
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