Look Ma... My new home..!

Every time you call... there's one question you always ask...

So, is it nice out there?

Well... it's nice for sure... though 'nice' no longer means what it once meant.

The new home gives me my own space...

...and yet holds some memories of the old one...

The village seems to have a life of its own... Seasons binded in a single day... 

The palace holds me in awe every time I see it...

The courtyard is like a Bengali's adda... forever abuzz with conversations...
Sometimes, it's quiet as well... which is when I love it even more...

Here walls mirror your attitude...

And knowledge walks down the stairs...

The new home has a large terrace...

That overlooks my village...

It's fit for a moment of peace... when I wish to reflect on life... and think about you...

But even fitter for a midnight drinking session... ;)

Here, there are long-winded ways.. it takes effort to not get lost...

But even when you do... you always meet someone who you can have a conversation with...

So well... yes.. the new home is nice... for sure..
Though 'nice' no longer means what it once meant..! 

The fairy and her broom

Finally met the angelic lady who turns into our fairy Godmother every afternoon. She comes tiptoeing into our quads, knocks on our door and does a mini singing jig “Howsskipping!”

I swear, she actually sings!!

Which set me thinking, imagine just how much this fairy Godmother might be knowing about us (considering she tidies up our Tsunami-stricken rooms every single day). She knows our hygiene habits, how orderly (or disorderly) we are. The books we own, the laptops we carry, the shoes lying in some corner, pictures of loved ones on our desks, everything! Yes, it’s possible she is least interested, but imagine if she’s the observant kind.

It was almost disconcerting to come face to face with someone who might know so much about me and I know zilch about her.

PS: Wanted to thank her, but she seemed quite shy. So didn’t bother :P

The training begins

The moment you enter ISB, your training begins. It's tough. It's intense. Far more difficult than you can ever imagine. So ladies and gentlemen, here's a glimpse of the rigorous process that churns out the top CEOs of future India.

Note to all future applicants:
I know it doesn't look easy. But guess what. In reality, it's tougher. So think twice before applying. You might not know what you are signing up for.

Leadership comes at a price after all.

The OHHH week!

One week is what we were given to make this place our home...

And hence, hereby, we pledge...

We, the ISB Class of 2012...

....Shall focus on all that matters...

...and conveniently ignore everything that doesn't ... :)

...Shall junk the herd mentality and stand away from the crowd.. (except when we are asked to do the shaadi dance)

... And doze off during presentations that dare ask for attention after a late night party...!!

Bring it on my friend. Are we ready or what!

ISB's morning alarm

Time: 6.30 AM

A loud screech fills my room. I sit up, jolted out of my senses.

What the FUCK on earth was THAT!?!!

As I force my eyes open, I see something sitting on the window. I rub my eyes in disbelief. Am I dreaming!??

I keep staring. Knowing that I am awake, the thing moves away and sits close to the window. To confirm that I am not dreaming, I reach out for my phone and take a picture.

And yes, I wasn’t dreaming. There was a peacock on the window!

PS:

Dear Peacock,

I appreciate your visit. However, next time, THINK before waking me up at 6.30. I shall not be responsible for the consequences.

Yours truly,

Sleep-loving me

Only if I was Bond... James Bond!

Pic: Prabhat Mittal

ISB, Day 2:

Situation 1:

Guy 1: Hi, I am Venkat.

Guy 2: DUDE! I KNOW THAT!! WE MET 5 MINUTES AGO!

Situation 2:

Vikas: Hi, I am Vikas.

Me: Hey, I am Vikas too, the original one *grins*

Vikas: Hehe.

*2 second silence*

Vikas: So, what’s your name?

Me: DUDEEE!!!!!

That, my friend, is how networking sounds like at ISB. Barely 48 hours into the campus, there’s an ardent pressure to NETWORK! Trust me, I am all in for networking, but the problem arises when there are 570 + people to network with. No matter how much you try, you always find yourself in some bloody corner with strangers all around you!! Like WTF!

For me, it’s come to the point where I simply sit with people, chat, laugh, and walk away. Sad, but true. There are some real gems in this class, and yes, it sucks that I won’t know all of them. The next business sensation of India might be sitting on the adjacent table and I won’t know. And that SUCKS!

PS: In picture above, a speed networking session.
People spoken to (on an average): 100.
People remembered: Err. Who?

Just cause...

As the ISB days come closer, a weird phenomenon surrounds you. The one where the world resembles Lalita Pawar and you become the coy newly-wed bride with the former shelling out some tangy taanaas at every step.

Allow me to demonstrate:

You say something stupid and...
WTF!? How on earth did you get into ISB?

You say something that mildly involves some stats and facts and...
Please haan! Just cause you got into ISB, you think you will show off?

You don't agree with a plan and...
You keep quiet. Go and do what you want in Hyderabad with your ISB friends.

You don't like what somebody else does/wears/eats (you too have a choice right?), but then...
Oh really!? Is it not cool enough for ISB?

And all through, you do nothing, but just stand there shaking your head.

I guess I might as well do some jhaado to complete the act.