72 hours at the Capital City

72 hours at the Capital City

Delhi was the next destination in line... It was a B school event and I was beckoned to be there !!!! The journey was the most exciting and at the same time the most thwarting one. The week was filled with a lot of activities..Fresher’s party, Leadership series and the B school event @ Delhi. Was required to miss the first two (felt bad missing the first one), A strategic decision turning out to be a --!$@#-- Off we left for Destination 3..An announcement @ The railway station which had the longest platform in the world – “Train no 2819/ORISSA S KRANTI Platform No 5 mei kadi hein”...The superfast express was supposed to have only 4 stops had an exponential increase in the number of stops as it was in the vicinity of Delhi...Delayed by more than 3 hours!!

But it an exciting journey..We had an Army Jawan ready to return to Siachen after a month’s break, An elderly and very knowledgeable person and then Mr Am Jho ver 2.1(No need of any introduction to this dude) As usual I spent time sleeping as much as possible, Global warming made things easier for me, the temperature was cold and I wasn’t concerned to get out my seat..Mr Am Jho , Mr active got into the act, woke up early kept reading books and started off a great engrossing conversation with the junta...Time passed on..each one narrating their stories...from Siachen to Chennai via Kharagpur.. At last we reached Delhi around 1am..The temperature was around 5 Degrees.. To a guy who stayed in Chennai for 21 years, enjoying temperatures around 35-45 Degress..It was easier said than done..

Delhi greeted us with arms wide open!.. We reached the B school needing much rest..Things started getting from bad to worse – temperature started dipping and We were put up @ at one hell of a place – a common room which had enough openings in the roof to help the cold wave take on us.. We had no other go, had to adjust...8 hrs of sleep and it was time for some action...

It was the flagship event and was always exciting to be a part of it. It had 6 rounds, none on them disclosed before hand to the finalists. Each round was enthralling and exciting. The third round was the most exciting – had to create an Ad for “Zipper Lungi”..It was an amazing experience creating the Logo, Brand Name, Radio Jingle, Video Ad and a Paper Ad.. Our creativity and MBA’s fundas were put to test..after 4 hours..the complete plan was ready..The next rounds made us solve a case study and then an interview round. Made it till the 5^th round...was completely worn out it. The event drew a lot of controversies and soon participants and organizers started fighting it out and to make matters worse there were “other students from the B school try to intimidate us by mocking us ” Matters got worse with some participants walking out..This can’t/shouldn’t happen atleast at a B school event where the future managers are groomed..these guys aren’t able to organize an event!!!! What the !$@( was happening!!!!... Enough is Enough things drew to a close..3 days of amazing experience, new friends...it was time to move on with a Certificate to cherish these memories..

The event gave me a real time experience of What not to do while organizing an event..

Here are some of the learnings...as what is to be done.. which wasn't done..

Plan Plan and Replan were the golden words..Plan for the unexpected..Time management, Get the right sponsors and always work in a team where each one knows the ultimate “Goal” of the work - be organized and be professionals @ work

Full Stop to event management... The stage was set for some fun... a great time @ one of the shopping malls. – Dj nite, Window Shopping, Miss F&L contest, dinner @ McDowell’s.... From Bird watching to some serious stuff it was all possible there....Kharagpur was beckoning us and it was time to bid adieu to Delhi, and the B school event ...The train journey was another exciting one with around 300 Russians travelling..All Shree Ram,Krishna Devotees..Reading Bhagavad Gita and Chanting Slogas..Got to meet people from another corner of the world..Language is no barrier with me speaking English and the other fellow speaking Russian..The experience was amazing..Got to learn Russian (Can’t remember much now – Reason – Read my previous post) I haven’t read the Bhagavad Gita and it was time for me to get one, Russians were reading it. the compartment was flooded with Bhagavad Gita..each one getting a copy for themselves...It sounds weird when we people don’t buy these books at the stalls (its available in any book store) but when we see foreigners selling it..Immediately everyone gets a copy of it..How strange the people are and So am I!!!!...It was time..Back to the longest platform in the world..Back to college life...Kharagpur has commmmmeeeeeeeeeeee.........the journey was over..one of the most exciting ones...in a different flavor...

Want to get back to Delhi but surely not for a B School event...

From the 'I' in "IT" to the one in "IIT"

Back to the Summer of 2005..The days when I Started to get a feel of What IT is ..."Get up @ Odd times..Sleep @ Odd Times"..I got my first job offer in an IT company..I gave my CAT,XAT and JMET in 2004..i didnt fair well in all and was forced to join..The 22 months I spent there were one of the best..Get up @ 8 am..got to office @ 10am..no tension finish ur work by 7pm..play TT after work( During Work hrs also sometimes :)).. enjoy life..and get back to home in the 9pm shuttle.. All that the work demanded of me was..read the spec..write some Asm prog..verifiy modules..training freshers... and done..thats it..no STUDYING !!!!! and the most important of all no EXAMS...
Then the big thing happened...I gave the same exams in 2006..i converted IIT kharagpur B School..aka..VGSOM..Yipee!!! I was going to do my post graduation , MBA -> A Future CEO in the making!!..Had great dreams .Back to Skool!! College and shud i say anything more it was a B school..everyone knows about the life one has in a B school....June 29th 2007, i was relieved from my work...July 25th was nearing..the registration date for all PGs @ IIT Kgp..
What I wasnt prepared was for the big things waiting in queue in front of me..Studies,assignments, placements..from no tension.i started become tensed..have i made the right decision.?? the most imp thing CAN I GET BACK TO STUDIES ? Whts the ROI?
I got answers to all..but the question that was unanswered was Can I study? Write exams? I thought, i could!!!
Classes started...
What followed was a series of nightmares..the very first week we had a quiz in Marketing and i got 5/20...It was a week and i could not define it!! Crazy it is!..I knew what it was ..but i cudnt study,cudnt remember what I studied a few days back.. i was like Surya in Ghajini ( Not Physically only Mentally)..Temporary memory loss..in fact it was permanent..i put in hours to study but couldn't concentrate..cudnt stay awake late night for completing my assignments..got used to typing could write properly..my hands starting giving up..i was lost in a dark world.. i was feeling the pain of being an IT prof..Wht it has done to me!!..
The worst part was when exams came..i felt burnt out.. i couldnt write for 3 hours...Hand started aching, head ache..and fever to make things worse..i felt weak..my USP's were only Browsing, chatting , forwarding mails as in the case of any IT prof..
Well all these experiences in the first sem ..hope will lead to a better rather a more energetic second sem ahead..
and a piece of advice to all those who wanna do PG after an IT job...Be fit !!!! and never lose the touch of studies..I know how hard it is to be back to sleep with books without being able to study them....

Hats off to all u guys who r able to study with work exp!!!!..

From Information Tech to Institute of Technology the transformation was amazing and has taught me a lot of lessons..

SWOT Analysis of Kochi

12th Sept 2005 , 12.00 o'clock..The HR manager announces "All those people who have their Location as Kochi might have to go there after the induction. The technical training will take place there @ kochi"..This day changed my life once and for all....Thanks Kochi and HR...

Here is a simple SWOT Analysis I have done of Kochi. [God's own IT Paradise]

Weakness

Regular Strikes ( Saddam Hussein’s Death was condemned) Narrow Streets People know only Malayalam Give no respect but expect respect policy Unions No development Stupid Auto Fare policies Food made of Coconut Oil Very Tough for vegetarians Pathetic Work Place Sunday’s Malls , main shopping bazaars are closed Wait and watch policy Only a handful of Good Theaters Bad climate ( Either is very hot or keeps raining heavily)

Threats

The King – CPI Labour force STOP!!! Policy..Let’s not grow Only one language known People not willing to change and let other change

Strengths

Small City Amazing Bus service Marine Drive – Kochi Port Nature @ its best Good Omane Kutti’s Amazing Temples SEZ Not much Environmental Pollution

Opportunities

Is the place where OFC network is present so amazing expansion possible Possibility of Dubai Smart city IT parks being setup Possibility of a Fabrication Plant Real Estate Growth due to IT firms expansion

The Fact is that ...I faced all the problems ..Didnt know Malayalam, was a Veggie, Was cheated often..Due to some crap Policy

But I thank This place for it taught me "How to Survive!" , "How to Cook", "How to Bargain"..Experiences are the best way to learn and I learnt a lot ...

Despite all the -ve's...I want to go to Kochi/kerala..Go there as a Traveler not as an Employee..Keep ur expectations low so that they are always met..

P.S : All these are based on Personal Opinion

Federer Vs Sampras

Grand Slam..FastForward...Rounds..Pause..Final..Federer..Play.."Fedex Lifts Grand Slam Title No 11" This has become a routine in Mens Tennis..Why??? Because Federer is playing the Tennis of his life.It started in 2001 when Fedex defeated four-time defending champion and seven-time Wimbledon champion Pete Sampras in the fourth round..I believe this was the turning point of his career and the tennis he started play after this was phenomenal.Tennis in this 21st century could be defined by telling FEDERER.. Fedex (a.k.a) Federer has won 11 Grand Slams so far.He is just 25 and he has achieved something that other stars took 13-14 Grand Slams more...Lets take a look at his opponents ..Nadal, Hewitt, Roddick, .....Hmmm cant remember anyone else !!!!..these are the current class players there are many more starts but the above 3 are his major threats..Are they really???? Just kidding.lets take a look at fedex titles

Wins (11)

Year	Championship	Opponent in Final	Score in Final
2003	Wimbledon (1st)	Mark Philippoussis	7-6(5), 6-2, 7-6(3)
2004	Australian Open (1st)	Marat Safin	7-6(3), 6-4, 6-2
2004	Wimbledon (2nd)	Andy Roddick	4-6, 7-5, 7-6(3), 6-4
2004	U.S. Open (1st)	Lleyton Hewitt	6-0, 7-6(3), 6-0
2005	Wimbledon (3rd)	Andy Roddick	6-2, 7-6(2), 6-4
2005	U.S. Open (2nd)	Andre Agassi	6-3, 2-6, 7-6(1), 6-1
2006	Australian Open (2nd)	Marcos Baghdatis	5-7, 7-5, 6-0, 6-2
2006	Wimbledon (4th)	Rafael Nadal	6-0, 7-6(5), 6-7(2), 6-3
2006	U.S. Open (3rd)	Andy Roddick	6-2, 4-6, 7-5, 6-1
2007	Australian Open (3rd)	Fernando González	7-6(2), 6-4, 6-4
2007	Wimbledon (5th)	Rafael Nadal	7-6(7), 4-6, 7-6(3), 2-6, 6-2

Lets know take the champion Pete Sampras..He has 14 Grand Slam titles under his belt..and was inducted into the Tennis Hall of Fame..Below is the list of titles he has won

Year	Championship	Opponent in Final	Score in Final
1990	U.S. Open	Andre Agassi	6-4, 6-3, 6-2
1993	Wimbledon	Jim Courier	7-6, 7-6, 3-6, 6-3
1993	U.S. Open (2)	Cédric Pioline	6-4, 6-4, 6-3
1994	Australian Open	Todd Martin	7-6, 6-4, 6-4
1994	Wimbledon (2)	Goran Ivanišević	7-6, 7-6, 6-0
1995	Wimbledon (3)	Boris Becker	6-7, 6-2, 6-4, 6-2
1995	U.S. Open (3)	Andre Agassi	6-4, 6-3, 4-6, 7-5
1996	U.S. Open (4)	Michael Chang	6-1, 6-4, 7-6
1997	Australian Open (2)	Carlos Moyá	6-2, 6-3, 6-3
1997	Wimbledon (4)	Cédric Pioline	6-4, 6-2, 6-4
1998	Wimbledon (5)	Goran Ivanišević	6-7, 7-6, 6-4, 3-6, 6-2
1999	Wimbledon (6)	Andre Agassi	6-3, 6-4, 7-5
2000	Wimbledon (7)	Patrick Rafter	6-7, 7-6, 6-4, 6-2
2002	U.S. Open (5)	Andre Agassi	6-3, 6-4, 5-7, 6-4

Looking at the above statistics..Look at the class of players out there..Agassi,Rafter,Moya,Becker,Courier...on and on.. His last Grand Slam title was a beauty where is overcame tough opponents and won..

P.S. The above data has been taken from Wikipedia

Lets compare both of them..Both of them have their own class. Sampras Back hand and Fedex Forehand..Fedex and Sampras are great servers but Sampras is better when it comes to Serve and volley..
Sampras and Fedex are Mr.Cool during a match..

The advantage Fedex is now facing is he is dominating amongst these youngsters in the present era..Nothing to take from Fedex but one final question.."Could he have won 11 titles had he faced the same quality of opponents that Sampras faced?? "

Last but not the least...FEDEX is like TENDULKAR and SAMPRAS Is like DON BRADMAN..the Current Master : All time Great