IIPM Diaries

I guess this was the only thing I had not written on till date. Memories at the Indian Institute of

Planning and Management(IIPM), Hyderabad. Boy not a day goes by when I don't think of

those days or bug people and my friends about the days spent there. It was the Summer of

2006 during the month of May many bright young enterprising cheerful faces dressed in full

formals began entering the campus for the Orientation day and there were a lot of dreams and

aspirations for many entering the B School world. Some wonderful faces smiling and were

getting to know their future batchmates by interacting with them. At this moment it was like a

dream come true something an MBA grad hopes for the things he wants in his next 2 years a

wonderful atmosphere. We had a brief session at the orientation and were briefed on things that

lay ahead for us for the next 2 years. It was over and classes were to start next day. The story

unfolds now.


A bright sunny morning classes to begin at 8 A.M and this young MBA student took his

bike out and had to get to the college on time. Did not want day one to begin by being a late

Lateef. So fully dressed and ready the exciting journey began had to cover nearly 20km to reach

the place. So I reached before time. Then had to go and look for a place in the class few more

people waiting already outside then we go and seat ourselves. Introducing ourselves to one

another and smiles from the other end was making the start a pleasant journey something I

wanted and was blessed. This was all happening till the Professor for the first class of our two

years was to enter. So the first class was a Quantitative Techniques class well this was

something Maths haters like me would not be pleased to begin the day with. But it went off well

and had a couple of other classes for the day. Day 1 ended and we headed out to the canteen the

favourite hangout for any college student. So all handshakes around with batchmates

introducing ourselves and everyone sharing their background and other stuff. It sure was

interesting and soon after some chatting headed home feeling excited came home and narrated

the day's experience to mom and she was happy that I was happy and took a liking to the place.

Soon the first week was over and the Freshers party was to be held on May 29, 2006 at Bottles

and Chimney(B&C) one of the most sought after place in the city for pub hoppers. As expected it

was a grand affair with the batch turning up at the venue and it was exciting. This was a perfect

start to the B School life and being an extrovert I sure looked forward to it and enjoyed it. We

danced, chatted, did all things possible and let our hair down that evening. The event was

followed by nice dinner hosted by the college at the same venue. It was nearly midnight and the

day ended and we had to get back to college next morning at 8 A.M...It was a fantastic evening

that I for one would never forget.


Meanwhile slowly the assignments and presentations were given and life was getting tougher

slowly. The next week a list of extra curricular activities that would be held were announced.

Once again the excitement continued with all of us gearing up for the activities that were to be

held. We had events like tug of war, Quiz, Debate, Dumbcharades, best manager, antakshari, etc.

Took part in whichever I could and felt happy that things were really interesting as well as

academics was going side by side. Soon things were in full swing and we were getting used to the

campus life. Then came the fest Aagman which was to be held and the new batch is expected to

show its talents and skills through different activities in this event and the students ended the

day on a high by putting up a good show. After this soon days were going fast and we were

almost towards the end of first trimester where it was in full swing and then comes an

announcement one day that there would be a debate competition held by the college for the

batch and five of the best speakers would be selected to go to the USA for GOTA(Global

Opportunities and Threat Analysis) which was a part of the course where every student gets to

go on a industrial study tour for two weeks abroad. The debate competition was held and after

two rounds the final five students were picked up and as luck had it I was among the five

selected. I still remember that evening my friend Preetham called up and gave me the news that

I was selected and he also was selected along with three others Ajaz, Neha and Ruchi. Boy it was

a fine moment and I shouted with excitement and first thing told mom, dad and bro about it.

All were happy for me but the twist in the tale was still to come. I didn't have a Passport as I had

tried earlier three four times at the Passport office and had some issue everytime. Then I ran

helter skelter next few days and finally managed to get the passport. Then the D day came and

it was the 30th of September 2006 and we had to leave for the USA from New Delhi to Newark

in New Jersey. On landing in Newark I was thrilled it was the first time ever I was going outside

India and that to it was to the USA a dream for many Indians to visit it once in their lifetime.

At this moment I was living a dream and YES IT WAS A DREAM COME TRUE. Had a great

time in the USA visited New York City, Washington D.C and also visited the UNO, World bank

and some other top organizations like USIBC, Citigroup, Sanofi Aventis, NYMEX etc. It was a

great experience visiting some of these organizations as well as had a great time sight seeing in

these cities. The trip was over and came back to college and narrated our experience to other

batchmates who were yet to go for their GOTA. Meanwhile the course was on full fledge, more

presentations, case studies etc. Meanwhile we had college parties at Pyramids in Country Club

Hyderabad before Independence day, then a fest called Utsav, then Valentines day party at

B&C. Things were only getting interesting as days passed by though there were the boring

routine days as well. As days passed by our Summer Internship and Project trimester began

and we had a lot of running around to do but we gang of friends continued meeting, going for

parties, movies, lunch, dinners, our Hookah parties at Mocha, Deli9, Rhapsody etc continued. As

time passed 1 year was complete and we were now into our final year with just two trimesters

left. The 4th Trimester was the basic of our specializations which we had opted for and we were

focusing on the days ahead for our placements and other plans but we continued our parties,

hangouts in the midst of all this working on presentations. I had a nice gang of friends with

whom I frequently hung out and we painted the town red going to the most exotic and

happening places. Preetham, Ankit, Ajaz, Ansaar and I were a most frequent hangout gang and

the days we had together the fun, the parties, pulling each others leg were all some real fine

moments. Also the trip to Treasure Island with batchmates was a real thriller then the

Industrial visit to Pochampalli was also fun.

Then came the last trimester the 5th Trimester the Placement season was on. Companies

were frequenting campus and the heat was on with a lot of excitement as well. After all this was

one of the most crucial phases of our entire two year life on campus. I finally got placed in a

leading Asset Management Company and was really happy. The two year hard work and the fun

finally paid off and got the best of both. It was Feb 21st, 2008 and our last exam of our last

trimester was the last exam of our lives for most of us and the Dean came and announced that

we would be having the Farewell Party at Marriot Hotel at night. There was a lot of excitement

and emotions running side by side on that day happy we were relieved from the burden of

studying and emotional that we would all be parting ways soon and go in different directions

ahead in our lives. The Farewell like the freshers was a grand affair with achievers being

awarded for their respective achievements during the two years followed by the dancing on

dance floor, the grand dinner and finally the tearful emotional set of batchmates hugging one and

other many of us probably that night didn't want to let go of our friends and we were left

wondering "did it all ever have to end"? As I wrote the previous sentence I did get emotional

for a minute recollecting the two years in a flash. But I also know all good things have to come to

an end. And This fantastic journey did come to an end when we had our CONVOCATION in

June 2009.

The years 2006-2008 were some of the finest moments of my life and I'm glad I could pen it

down. From the parties to the USA trip, to the bunking for movies to other adventures I

Cherish it all. Wish those days come back. But life ahead has something else in store for us.

Cheers!!!