After having to wait for one long year toiling hard balancing work pressure and CAT prep,finally I got through IIMB .
3rd April,Hotel Sea Princess,2 pm: I was ready to face yet another set of people and yet another interview in the line.Most of the faces were already familiar and I started conversing with them whom I had already met at other interviews.As usual,I started chit-chatting listening to other people's interview experiences.
We were a group of 9 people.We were first called for the Essay writing which was of duration 35 minutes.
Topic: Private participation will help solve India's infrastructure problems.
When I saw this topic,I realised all my chances of getting through IIMB is over.I didnt have much knowledge about infrastructure sector of our country ,forget about the problems,companies,private players.Still I tried my level best to put some facts and figures and some points I knew about infrastructure and how privatisation would help.I wrote precisely in good handwriting and was able to complete in one page.You will be given only one side of the paper to write.
After this,we were sent back to waiting room and our rolls were called.I was the last but one to go.
In the meantime,I enjoyed tea,cookies,discovery channel with some show of Bruce Lee and talking with guys there.
Panelist: 2 Profs(Srinivasan Mam (P1)and a male prof(P2)),1 Alumnus(P3)
My interview duration was the shortest one of all ,around 10 mins whereas others had it around 20-30 minutes.
As I entered the room, P2 started talking to me in Gujarati and then I had to again convince him that I am not.He went through my form thoroughly and then P3 popped in.He started asking me about my work-experience.What is my role and what exactly is the process involved in the product I work in?(in short,he grilled on that for a while).
After a while,P1 came in with snacks and asked me what are your hobbies?
I answered reading novels and drawing.
Then both P2 and P3 said "All people good at drawing come towards the end of the interview process".
As i said sketching,mam then asked me to sketch her face and asked me how much time i would take .I said around 5-10 mins and then she gave me a yellow paper.
The panelists were talking among themselves that one of mam's students had sketched mam's face and it looked like manisha koirala and so they were teasing Mam :)
I kept drawing looking at mam's face and finally she took the paper from me after some time and said the sketch is not looking like her :( :( But she told she will keep it as a souvenir with her. :)
After this,P2 asked me 'Why MBA?'
I answered in brief 2 lines.
P2 looked satisfied and looked towards P1 and asked her "Do you want to ask her anything ?"
She nodded 'No'
And then my interview ended !
I felt satisfied with my interview but since it was quite short one as compared to others,I was a bit apprehensive but then all's well that ends well.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Friday, April 23, 2010
Go the unconventional way !!
First break all the rulezzz!!!
John Henry Fabre, the great French naturalist, conducted a most unusual experiment with some "processionary" caterpillars. These caterpillars blindly follow the one in front of them. Hence, the name. Fabre carefully arranged them in a circle around the rim of a flowerpot, so that the lead caterpillar actually touched the last one, making a complete circle. In the center of the flowerpot he put pine needles, which is the food of the processionary caterpillar. The caterpillars started around this circular flowerpot. Around and around they went, hour after hour, day after day, night after night. For seven full days and seven full nights, they went around the flowerpot. Finally, they dropped dead of starvation and exhaustion. With an abundance of food less than six inches away, they literally starved to death, because they confused activity with accomplishment.
Many people make the same mistake and, as a result, reap only a small fraction of the harvest life has to offer. Despite the fact that untold wealth lies within reach, they acquire very little of it because they blindly, without question, follow the crowd in a circle to nowhere. They follow methods and procedures for no other reason than "It's always been done that way."
--Zig Zigler
John Henry Fabre, the great French naturalist, conducted a most unusual experiment with some "processionary" caterpillars. These caterpillars blindly follow the one in front of them. Hence, the name. Fabre carefully arranged them in a circle around the rim of a flowerpot, so that the lead caterpillar actually touched the last one, making a complete circle. In the center of the flowerpot he put pine needles, which is the food of the processionary caterpillar. The caterpillars started around this circular flowerpot. Around and around they went, hour after hour, day after day, night after night. For seven full days and seven full nights, they went around the flowerpot. Finally, they dropped dead of starvation and exhaustion. With an abundance of food less than six inches away, they literally starved to death, because they confused activity with accomplishment.
Many people make the same mistake and, as a result, reap only a small fraction of the harvest life has to offer. Despite the fact that untold wealth lies within reach, they acquire very little of it because they blindly, without question, follow the crowd in a circle to nowhere. They follow methods and procedures for no other reason than "It's always been done that way."
--Zig Zigler
Inspiring Speech of Azim Premji@IITM
Azim Premji's Speech at IIT Madras convocation
Its long but really good. I really liked it specially the miracle story and about Stanford.
I am privileged to be with you here today and to share this significant moment of your life. The convocation marks the culmination of all the endless nights you worked through, all the anxieties you have gone through facing one examination after another and all the preparation you have put in, not only to enter this prestigious institution but also to graduate from it successfully. It is no small achievement. Only a handful of the most talented people in the world have shared this success with you. Let me say
that I am very proud of each and everyone of you.
I am little wary about giving you advice - because advice is one thing young people all over the world do not like receiving. I cannot fault you for that. The world does look very different when it is seen with your eyes. You are filled with enthusiasm and are straining at the least to get on with life.
And the world is very different from what it was when I was your age. Never before has the role of technology been so pervasive and so central. The Internet has breached all physical borders and connected the world together like no other force has done before. For the first time, opportunities for creating wealth in India are at par with the best in the world. There is no need for you to sacrifice the joy of remaining in your own country any more.
All opportunities are accompanied by their own challenges. I thought I would share with you a few of the lessons I have learnt in my own life, while leading the transformation at Wipro, from a small company three and a half decades back into a global corporation listed on the New York Stock Exchange. I hope you find them useful.
Lesson #1: Dare to Dream
When I entered Wipro at the age of 21, it was sudden and unexpected event. I had no warning of what lay ahead of me and I was caught completely unprepared. All I had with me was a dream. A dream of building a great organization. It compensated for my inexperience and I guess, also prevented me from being overwhelmed by the enormity of the task before me. What I am happy is that we never stopped dreaming. Even when we achieved a position of leadership in every business we operated in India. We now have a dream of becoming one of the top 10 global IT service companies.
Many people wonder whether having unrealistic dreams is foolish. My reply to that is dreams by themselves can never be realistic or safe. If they were, they would not be dreams. I do agree that one must have strategies to execute dreams. And, of course, one must slog to transform dreams into reality. But dreams come first.
What saddens me most is to see young, bright people getting completely disillusioned by a few initial setbacks and slowly turning cynical and some of them want to migrate to America in the hope this is the solution. It requires courage to keep dreaming. And that is when dreams are most needed - not when everything is going right, but when just about everything is going wrong.
Lesson #2: Define what you stand for
While success is important, it can become enduring only if its built on a strong foundation of Values. Define what you stand for as early as possible and do not compromise with it for any reason. Nobody can enjoy the fruits of success if you have to argue with your own conscience.
In Wipro, we defined our beliefs long before it became a fashion to do so. It not only helped us in becoming more resilient to stand up to crises we faced along the way, but also helped us in attracting the right kind of people. Eventually, we realized that our values made eminent business sense. Values help in clarifying what everyone should do or not do in a business situation. It saves enormous time and effort because each issue does not have to be individually debated at length.
But remember that values are meaningful only if you practice them. People may listen to what you say but they will believe what you do. Values are a matter of trust. They must be reflected in each one of your actions. Trust takes a long time to build but can be lost quickly by just one inconsistent act.
Lesson #3: Never lose your zest and curiosity
All the available knowledge in the world is accelerating a phenomenal rate. The whole world's codified knowledge base (all documented information in library books and electronic files) doubled every 30 years in the early 20th century. By the 1970s, the world's knowledge base doubled every seven years. Information researchers predict that by the year 2010, the world's codified knowledge will double every 11 hours. Remaining on top of what you need to know will become one of the greatest challenges for you.
The natural zest and curiosity for learning is one of the greatest drivers for keeping updated on knowledge. A child's curiosity is insatiable because every new subject is a thing of wonder and mystery. The same zest is needed to keep learning new things. I personally spend at least 10 hours every week on reading. If I do not do that, I find myself quickly outdated.
Lesson #4: Always strive for excellence
There is a tremendous difference between being good and being excellent in whatever you do. In the world of tomorrow, just being good is not good enough. One of the greatest advantages of globalization is that it has brought in completely different standards. Being the best in the country is not enough; one has to be the best in the world. Excellence is a moving target. One has to constantly raise the bar.
In the knowledge-based industries, India has the unique advantage of being a quality leader. Just like Japan was able to win in the overseas market with its quality leadership in automobile manufacturing, India has been able to do the same in information technology. At Wipro, we treat quality as the No.1 priority. This enabled us
not only to become the world's first SEI CMM Level 5 software services company but also a leader in Six Sigma approach to quality in India.
However, even today I am dissatisfied with several things which we are not doing right in the area of customer satisfaction. Doing something excellently has its own intrinsic joy, which I think is the greatest benefit of quality.
Lesson #5: Build self-confidence
Self-confidence comes from a positive attitude even in adverse situations. Self-confident people assume responsibility for their mistakes and share credit with their team members. They are able to distinguish between what is in their control and what is not. They do not waste their energies on events that are outside their control and hence they can take setbacks in their stride. Remember, no one can make you feel inferior without your consent.
Lesson #6: Learn to work in teams
The challenges ahead are so complex that no individual will be able to face them alone. While most of our education is focused in individual strength, teaming with members is equally important. You cannot fire a missile from a canoe. Unless you build a strong network of people with complimentary skills, you will be restricted by your own limitations.
Globalization has brought in people of different origins, different upbringings and different cultures together. Ability to become an integral part of a cross-cultural team will be a must for your success.
Lesson #7: Take care of yourself
The stress that a young person faces today while beginning his or her career is the same as the last generation faced at the time of retirement. I have myself found that my job has become enormously more complex over the last two or three years. Along with mutual alertness, physical fitness will also assume a great importance in your life.
You must develop your own mechanism for dealing with stress. I have found that a daily job for me, goes a long way in releasing the pressure and building up energy. You will need lots of energy to deal with the challenges.
Unless you take care of yourself there is no way you can take care of others.
Lesson #8: Persevere
Finally, no matter what you decide to do in your life, you must persevere, persevere, persevere. Keep at it and you will succeed, no matter how hopeless it seems at times. In the last three and half decades, we have gone through many difficult times. But we have found that if we remain true to what we believe in, we can surmount every difficulty that comes in the way.
I remember reading this very touching story on perseverance.
An eight-year old child heard her parents talking about her little brother. All she knew was that he was very sick and they had no money left. They were moving to a smaller house because they could not afford to stay in the present house after paying the doctor's bills. Only a very costly surgery could save him now and there was no one to loan them the money.
When she heard daddy say to her tearful mother with whispered desperation, ``Only a miracle can save him now,'' the child went to her bedroom and pulled a glass jar from its hiding place in the closet. She poured all the change on the floor and counted it carefully.
Clutching the precious jar tightly, she slipped out the back door and made her way six blocks to the local drug store. She took a quarter from jar and placed it on the glass counter.
``And what do you want?'' asked the pharmacist. ``Its for my little brother,'' the girl answered back. ``He is really, really sick and I want to buy miracle.'' ``I beg your pardon?'' said the pharmacist. ``His name is Andrew and he has something bad growing inside his head and my Daddy says only a miracle can save him. So how much does a miracle cost?'' ``We don't sell miracles here, child. I am sorry,'' the pharmacist said, smiling sadly at the little girl.
``Listen, I have the money to pay for it. If it isn't enough, I can try and get some more. Just tell me how much it costs.'' In the shop was a well-dress customer. He stepped down and asked the little girl, ``What kind of a miracle does your brother need?'' ``I don't know,'' she replied with her eyes welling up. ``He's really sick and mommy says he needs an operation. But my daddy can't pay for it, so I have brought my savings.'' ``How much do you have?'' asked the man. ``One dollar and eleven cents, but I can try and get some more,'' she answered barely audibly. ``Well, what a coincidence,'' smiled the man. ``A dollar and eleven cents - the exact price of a miracle for little brothers.'' He took her money in one hand and held her with the other. He said, ``Take me to where you live. I want to see your little brother and meet your parents. Let's see if I have the kind of miracle you need.''
That well-dressed man was Dr. Carlton Armstrong, a surgeon, specializing in neuro-surgery. The operation was completed without charge and it wasn't long before Andrew was home again and doing well. ``That surgery,'' her mom whispered, ``was a real miracle. I wonder how much it would have cost?'' The little girl smiled. She knew exactly how much the miracle cost.one dollar and eleven cents.plus the faith of a little child.
Lesson #9: Have broader social vision
For decades we have been waiting for someone who will help us in ``priming the pump'' of the economy. The government was the logical choice for doing it, but it was strapped for resources. Other countries were willing to give us loans and aids but there was a limit to this. In the millennium of the mind, knowledge-based industries like information technology are in a unique position to earn wealth from outside. While earning is important, we must have mechanisms by which we use it for the larger good of our society.
Through the Azim Premji Foundation, we have targeted over the next 12 months to enroll over a million children, who are out of school due to economic or social reasons. I personally believe that the greatest gift one can give to others is the gift of education. We who have been so fortunate to receive this gift know how valuable it is.
Lesson #10: Never let success go to your head
No matter what we achieve, it is important to remember that we owe this success to many factors and people outside us. This will not only help us in keeping our sense of modesty and humility intact but also help us retain our sense of proportion and balance. The moment we allow success to build a feeling of arrogance, we become vulnerable to making bad judgments.
Let me illustrate this with another story:
A lady in faded dress and her husband, dressed in a threadbare suit, walked in without an appointment into the office of the President of the most prestigious educational institution in America. The secretary frowned at them and said, ``He will be busy all day.'' ``We will wait,'' said the couple quietly.
The secretary ignored them for hours hoping they will go away. But they did not. Finally, the secretary decided to disturb the President, hoping they will go away quickly once they meet him.
The President took one look at the faded dress and glared sternly at them. The lady said, ``Our son studied here and he was very happy. A year ago, he was killed in an accident. My husband and I would like to erect a memorial for him on the campus.''
The President was not touched. He was shocked. ``Madam, we cannot put up a statue for every student of ours who died. This place will look like a cemetery.''
``Oh, no,'' the lady explained quickly, ``we don't want to erect a statue. We thought we would give a building to you.''
``A building?'' exclaimed the President, looking at their worn out clothes. ``Do you have any idea how much a building costs? Our buildings cost close to ten million dollars!'' The lady was silent. The President was pleased and thought this would get rid of them.
The lady looked at her husband. ``If that is what it costs to start a university, why don't we start our own?'' Her husband nodded. Mr. and Mrs. Leland Stanford walked away, traveling to Palo Alto, California, where they established the University as a memorial to their son, bearing their name -the Stanford University.
The story goes that this is how Stanford University began.
I wish you every success in your career and your future life.
Thank you.
Its long but really good. I really liked it specially the miracle story and about Stanford.
I am privileged to be with you here today and to share this significant moment of your life. The convocation marks the culmination of all the endless nights you worked through, all the anxieties you have gone through facing one examination after another and all the preparation you have put in, not only to enter this prestigious institution but also to graduate from it successfully. It is no small achievement. Only a handful of the most talented people in the world have shared this success with you. Let me say
that I am very proud of each and everyone of you.
I am little wary about giving you advice - because advice is one thing young people all over the world do not like receiving. I cannot fault you for that. The world does look very different when it is seen with your eyes. You are filled with enthusiasm and are straining at the least to get on with life.
And the world is very different from what it was when I was your age. Never before has the role of technology been so pervasive and so central. The Internet has breached all physical borders and connected the world together like no other force has done before. For the first time, opportunities for creating wealth in India are at par with the best in the world. There is no need for you to sacrifice the joy of remaining in your own country any more.
All opportunities are accompanied by their own challenges. I thought I would share with you a few of the lessons I have learnt in my own life, while leading the transformation at Wipro, from a small company three and a half decades back into a global corporation listed on the New York Stock Exchange. I hope you find them useful.
Lesson #1: Dare to Dream
When I entered Wipro at the age of 21, it was sudden and unexpected event. I had no warning of what lay ahead of me and I was caught completely unprepared. All I had with me was a dream. A dream of building a great organization. It compensated for my inexperience and I guess, also prevented me from being overwhelmed by the enormity of the task before me. What I am happy is that we never stopped dreaming. Even when we achieved a position of leadership in every business we operated in India. We now have a dream of becoming one of the top 10 global IT service companies.
Many people wonder whether having unrealistic dreams is foolish. My reply to that is dreams by themselves can never be realistic or safe. If they were, they would not be dreams. I do agree that one must have strategies to execute dreams. And, of course, one must slog to transform dreams into reality. But dreams come first.
What saddens me most is to see young, bright people getting completely disillusioned by a few initial setbacks and slowly turning cynical and some of them want to migrate to America in the hope this is the solution. It requires courage to keep dreaming. And that is when dreams are most needed - not when everything is going right, but when just about everything is going wrong.
Lesson #2: Define what you stand for
While success is important, it can become enduring only if its built on a strong foundation of Values. Define what you stand for as early as possible and do not compromise with it for any reason. Nobody can enjoy the fruits of success if you have to argue with your own conscience.
In Wipro, we defined our beliefs long before it became a fashion to do so. It not only helped us in becoming more resilient to stand up to crises we faced along the way, but also helped us in attracting the right kind of people. Eventually, we realized that our values made eminent business sense. Values help in clarifying what everyone should do or not do in a business situation. It saves enormous time and effort because each issue does not have to be individually debated at length.
But remember that values are meaningful only if you practice them. People may listen to what you say but they will believe what you do. Values are a matter of trust. They must be reflected in each one of your actions. Trust takes a long time to build but can be lost quickly by just one inconsistent act.
Lesson #3: Never lose your zest and curiosity
All the available knowledge in the world is accelerating a phenomenal rate. The whole world's codified knowledge base (all documented information in library books and electronic files) doubled every 30 years in the early 20th century. By the 1970s, the world's knowledge base doubled every seven years. Information researchers predict that by the year 2010, the world's codified knowledge will double every 11 hours. Remaining on top of what you need to know will become one of the greatest challenges for you.
The natural zest and curiosity for learning is one of the greatest drivers for keeping updated on knowledge. A child's curiosity is insatiable because every new subject is a thing of wonder and mystery. The same zest is needed to keep learning new things. I personally spend at least 10 hours every week on reading. If I do not do that, I find myself quickly outdated.
Lesson #4: Always strive for excellence
There is a tremendous difference between being good and being excellent in whatever you do. In the world of tomorrow, just being good is not good enough. One of the greatest advantages of globalization is that it has brought in completely different standards. Being the best in the country is not enough; one has to be the best in the world. Excellence is a moving target. One has to constantly raise the bar.
In the knowledge-based industries, India has the unique advantage of being a quality leader. Just like Japan was able to win in the overseas market with its quality leadership in automobile manufacturing, India has been able to do the same in information technology. At Wipro, we treat quality as the No.1 priority. This enabled us
not only to become the world's first SEI CMM Level 5 software services company but also a leader in Six Sigma approach to quality in India.
However, even today I am dissatisfied with several things which we are not doing right in the area of customer satisfaction. Doing something excellently has its own intrinsic joy, which I think is the greatest benefit of quality.
Lesson #5: Build self-confidence
Self-confidence comes from a positive attitude even in adverse situations. Self-confident people assume responsibility for their mistakes and share credit with their team members. They are able to distinguish between what is in their control and what is not. They do not waste their energies on events that are outside their control and hence they can take setbacks in their stride. Remember, no one can make you feel inferior without your consent.
Lesson #6: Learn to work in teams
The challenges ahead are so complex that no individual will be able to face them alone. While most of our education is focused in individual strength, teaming with members is equally important. You cannot fire a missile from a canoe. Unless you build a strong network of people with complimentary skills, you will be restricted by your own limitations.
Globalization has brought in people of different origins, different upbringings and different cultures together. Ability to become an integral part of a cross-cultural team will be a must for your success.
Lesson #7: Take care of yourself
The stress that a young person faces today while beginning his or her career is the same as the last generation faced at the time of retirement. I have myself found that my job has become enormously more complex over the last two or three years. Along with mutual alertness, physical fitness will also assume a great importance in your life.
You must develop your own mechanism for dealing with stress. I have found that a daily job for me, goes a long way in releasing the pressure and building up energy. You will need lots of energy to deal with the challenges.
Unless you take care of yourself there is no way you can take care of others.
Lesson #8: Persevere
Finally, no matter what you decide to do in your life, you must persevere, persevere, persevere. Keep at it and you will succeed, no matter how hopeless it seems at times. In the last three and half decades, we have gone through many difficult times. But we have found that if we remain true to what we believe in, we can surmount every difficulty that comes in the way.
I remember reading this very touching story on perseverance.
An eight-year old child heard her parents talking about her little brother. All she knew was that he was very sick and they had no money left. They were moving to a smaller house because they could not afford to stay in the present house after paying the doctor's bills. Only a very costly surgery could save him now and there was no one to loan them the money.
When she heard daddy say to her tearful mother with whispered desperation, ``Only a miracle can save him now,'' the child went to her bedroom and pulled a glass jar from its hiding place in the closet. She poured all the change on the floor and counted it carefully.
Clutching the precious jar tightly, she slipped out the back door and made her way six blocks to the local drug store. She took a quarter from jar and placed it on the glass counter.
``And what do you want?'' asked the pharmacist. ``Its for my little brother,'' the girl answered back. ``He is really, really sick and I want to buy miracle.'' ``I beg your pardon?'' said the pharmacist. ``His name is Andrew and he has something bad growing inside his head and my Daddy says only a miracle can save him. So how much does a miracle cost?'' ``We don't sell miracles here, child. I am sorry,'' the pharmacist said, smiling sadly at the little girl.
``Listen, I have the money to pay for it. If it isn't enough, I can try and get some more. Just tell me how much it costs.'' In the shop was a well-dress customer. He stepped down and asked the little girl, ``What kind of a miracle does your brother need?'' ``I don't know,'' she replied with her eyes welling up. ``He's really sick and mommy says he needs an operation. But my daddy can't pay for it, so I have brought my savings.'' ``How much do you have?'' asked the man. ``One dollar and eleven cents, but I can try and get some more,'' she answered barely audibly. ``Well, what a coincidence,'' smiled the man. ``A dollar and eleven cents - the exact price of a miracle for little brothers.'' He took her money in one hand and held her with the other. He said, ``Take me to where you live. I want to see your little brother and meet your parents. Let's see if I have the kind of miracle you need.''
That well-dressed man was Dr. Carlton Armstrong, a surgeon, specializing in neuro-surgery. The operation was completed without charge and it wasn't long before Andrew was home again and doing well. ``That surgery,'' her mom whispered, ``was a real miracle. I wonder how much it would have cost?'' The little girl smiled. She knew exactly how much the miracle cost.one dollar and eleven cents.plus the faith of a little child.
Lesson #9: Have broader social vision
For decades we have been waiting for someone who will help us in ``priming the pump'' of the economy. The government was the logical choice for doing it, but it was strapped for resources. Other countries were willing to give us loans and aids but there was a limit to this. In the millennium of the mind, knowledge-based industries like information technology are in a unique position to earn wealth from outside. While earning is important, we must have mechanisms by which we use it for the larger good of our society.
Through the Azim Premji Foundation, we have targeted over the next 12 months to enroll over a million children, who are out of school due to economic or social reasons. I personally believe that the greatest gift one can give to others is the gift of education. We who have been so fortunate to receive this gift know how valuable it is.
Lesson #10: Never let success go to your head
No matter what we achieve, it is important to remember that we owe this success to many factors and people outside us. This will not only help us in keeping our sense of modesty and humility intact but also help us retain our sense of proportion and balance. The moment we allow success to build a feeling of arrogance, we become vulnerable to making bad judgments.
Let me illustrate this with another story:
A lady in faded dress and her husband, dressed in a threadbare suit, walked in without an appointment into the office of the President of the most prestigious educational institution in America. The secretary frowned at them and said, ``He will be busy all day.'' ``We will wait,'' said the couple quietly.
The secretary ignored them for hours hoping they will go away. But they did not. Finally, the secretary decided to disturb the President, hoping they will go away quickly once they meet him.
The President took one look at the faded dress and glared sternly at them. The lady said, ``Our son studied here and he was very happy. A year ago, he was killed in an accident. My husband and I would like to erect a memorial for him on the campus.''
The President was not touched. He was shocked. ``Madam, we cannot put up a statue for every student of ours who died. This place will look like a cemetery.''
``Oh, no,'' the lady explained quickly, ``we don't want to erect a statue. We thought we would give a building to you.''
``A building?'' exclaimed the President, looking at their worn out clothes. ``Do you have any idea how much a building costs? Our buildings cost close to ten million dollars!'' The lady was silent. The President was pleased and thought this would get rid of them.
The lady looked at her husband. ``If that is what it costs to start a university, why don't we start our own?'' Her husband nodded. Mr. and Mrs. Leland Stanford walked away, traveling to Palo Alto, California, where they established the University as a memorial to their son, bearing their name -the Stanford University.
The story goes that this is how Stanford University began.
I wish you every success in your career and your future life.
Thank you.
Karthik calling Karthik
I just finished watching the movie :).I watched the movie even after hearing almost from everyone that it was not worth to watch.Still,I watched it.Its because I had heard it's based on schizophrenia,a mental disorder.I find it interesting because I like studying different personalities and analysing them.And moreover,what everyone dislikes,I tend to like that a lot.I watch a movie and have an opinion of myself on it.And I liked KCK.I dont care much what others say and like to explore things myself.People would say the story is just rubbish but they actually fail to see through the story.The phone call was just a medium of portrayal here but this disorder might actually happen with some of us we never know.Its rare but not impossible.I liked the first part of the movie much more than the latter.Specifically,the first lesson to learn to 'Say No' .Sometimes its absolutely necessary.Even I have this weakness of not being able to say 'No' to people which is why most of the times I suffer.The first half teaches a lot about self confidence,self esteem, independence and simply being yourself.Life is an inverse function.You can live it forwards but can only understand it backwards.
Psychology always fascinates me right from childhood.Each one is unique and our minds are different in ways of thinking .Some people are biased by their environment and some by stereotypes and tend to project that in their mind.In B.Tech 1st Year,we were taught a subject Industrial Psychology which talked about various aspects of mind,personality,intelligence.I used to love studying it.Moreover,my mother teaches Psychology so I had a natural instinct towards that subject.Our brain is too powerful and can imagine anything.Everything is stored in the subconscious mind.Mood swings is quite a common phenomenon.I have come across two persons at home too whose personality I keep trying to understand till date and keep reasoning out their behaviours.Again,telepathy and coincidences - why do they ever happen and how does that happen are all inter-related.I introspect a lot :) .I like analysing personalities a lot as to why one did something or why one did not do something. Well,till date I havent read any book on Psychology though my mom keeps telling me to go through some of the books in her rack but I was lazy to bother.After watching this movie,I am again reminded that I should start reading some such stuff or some research papers on personality disorders and also telepathy because it happens with me a lot:P In the later years of my life,I wish to be a free lance psychiatrist or counsellor.
Psychology always fascinates me right from childhood.Each one is unique and our minds are different in ways of thinking .Some people are biased by their environment and some by stereotypes and tend to project that in their mind.In B.Tech 1st Year,we were taught a subject Industrial Psychology which talked about various aspects of mind,personality,intelligence.I used to love studying it.Moreover,my mother teaches Psychology so I had a natural instinct towards that subject.Our brain is too powerful and can imagine anything.Everything is stored in the subconscious mind.Mood swings is quite a common phenomenon.I have come across two persons at home too whose personality I keep trying to understand till date and keep reasoning out their behaviours.Again,telepathy and coincidences - why do they ever happen and how does that happen are all inter-related.I introspect a lot :) .I like analysing personalities a lot as to why one did something or why one did not do something. Well,till date I havent read any book on Psychology though my mom keeps telling me to go through some of the books in her rack but I was lazy to bother.After watching this movie,I am again reminded that I should start reading some such stuff or some research papers on personality disorders and also telepathy because it happens with me a lot:P In the later years of my life,I wish to be a free lance psychiatrist or counsellor.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Delhi Again ..
I will be travelling to Delhi again tomorrow.Its going to be hectic as I will be returning to Pune in the evening.I will have to pay the fees of FMS as the deadline is on 16th April and IIM results are not yet out.I was so happy I will be meeting one of my best friends but she had to go for her project work to Ambala.As it was a week day,no friends would be free to attend to.I have planned to do my work at FMS and then go to airport straight after having lunch.I have planned to finish a novel I am reading these days- iCon(The Biography of Steve Jobs) by Jeffrey Young and William Simon.I am also excited about my only sister's wedding coming up :) ..Going to sleep now.
IIM Calcutta PGDM Interview
IIM Calcutta :) I wish I had converted IIMC .But I believe whatever happens,it happens for our good.
IIMC was my first MBA GD/PI.It was scheduled on 22nd March,2010 (World Water Day) at 2:00 pm in Mumbai.
I reached the centre around 1:00 pm and as I entered the waiting room for IIMC, I started feeling jittery :)
Soon,we were called for verification of documents and then taken for Group Discussion.It was a group of 11(9 M +2 F).
GD Topic: Every problem has the seeds of solution in itself.
(Quite generic topic,discussion tended to be a fish market,points on terrorism,naxalism,finance,cloud computing,women's bill,education cropped up..at last each one was asked to summarise).
Time: 13 minutes
Personal Interview: I was second in the roll to be called in.
Didnt have to wait for much time (Thats the best part).
Panelists:Three Profs(1 Lady)
Q.Have you submitted your payslips?
A.Yes
Q.Relax . What did the guy who went first tell you about us?
A.Just that he was asked about me and education stuff.
Q.How many students have scored above you?
A.4.36 percent ..
Q.Say 2 lakh students have appeared for CAT ,then?
A.4.36/100 * 200000
Q.Tell us something which is not there in the form.
A.Told
Q.What do your enemies think about you?
A.Told
Q.You are good at drawing and you like to read novels,why didnt you go for Arts Stream?
A.I am good at artistic subjects as well as technical side too .I have won in many olympiads and member of technical clubs in my Institute.
Q.What are your career goals?
A.Told
Q.Dont you think you should have scored much higher in CAT when we compare your excellent academic scores?
A.Yes Mam,I expected to score above 99 ptile but I am happy that I have got so many calls .I had given my best.Rest I wasnt able to evaluate myself where I went wrong because I didnt have the question paper because of online CAT system.
(Prof): Yeah,you raised a good point there.
Q.What is it in teaching that excites you?
A.Innovation,out-of-the-box thinking,can think beyond the books..blah blah
Q.From where all do you have calls?
A.Told
(Prof) You are a good student,a good daughter but you talk a lot.Think more and then speak ,that will create a great change.You will do good wherever you go.
A.Thanks Sir.
Results out on 10th April,2010 : Rejected :(
I forgot to mention that I was allotted mentor from IIMC after my interview got over :)
Anyways,it was just the start of the chain of interviews of the hectic month.
IIMC was my first MBA GD/PI.It was scheduled on 22nd March,2010 (World Water Day) at 2:00 pm in Mumbai.
I reached the centre around 1:00 pm and as I entered the waiting room for IIMC, I started feeling jittery :)
Soon,we were called for verification of documents and then taken for Group Discussion.It was a group of 11(9 M +2 F).
GD Topic: Every problem has the seeds of solution in itself.
(Quite generic topic,discussion tended to be a fish market,points on terrorism,naxalism,finance,cloud computing,women's bill,education cropped up..at last each one was asked to summarise).
Time: 13 minutes
Personal Interview: I was second in the roll to be called in.
Didnt have to wait for much time (Thats the best part).
Panelists:Three Profs(1 Lady)
Q.Have you submitted your payslips?
A.Yes
Q.Relax . What did the guy who went first tell you about us?
A.Just that he was asked about me and education stuff.
Q.How many students have scored above you?
A.4.36 percent ..
Q.Say 2 lakh students have appeared for CAT ,then?
A.4.36/100 * 200000
Q.Tell us something which is not there in the form.
A.Told
Q.What do your enemies think about you?
A.Told
Q.You are good at drawing and you like to read novels,why didnt you go for Arts Stream?
A.I am good at artistic subjects as well as technical side too .I have won in many olympiads and member of technical clubs in my Institute.
Q.What are your career goals?
A.Told
Q.Dont you think you should have scored much higher in CAT when we compare your excellent academic scores?
A.Yes Mam,I expected to score above 99 ptile but I am happy that I have got so many calls .I had given my best.Rest I wasnt able to evaluate myself where I went wrong because I didnt have the question paper because of online CAT system.
(Prof): Yeah,you raised a good point there.
Q.What is it in teaching that excites you?
A.Innovation,out-of-the-box thinking,can think beyond the books..blah blah
Q.From where all do you have calls?
A.Told
(Prof) You are a good student,a good daughter but you talk a lot.Think more and then speak ,that will create a great change.You will do good wherever you go.
A.Thanks Sir.
Results out on 10th April,2010 : Rejected :(
I forgot to mention that I was allotted mentor from IIMC after my interview got over :)
Anyways,it was just the start of the chain of interviews of the hectic month.
this too shall pass.....
I read this article on the eve of women's day and wished i had read it quite earlier :).
An Article on Times Life,7th March,2010 by Rajashree Birla
AS a teenager, I recall a tale that has had a telling impact on me all through these years. It has a philosophical resonance that is akin to the Geeta, which is the scripture I lay great store by.
Once upon a time there lived this Jewish king named Solomon. In a grumpy mood, he thought of teaching Benamiah Ben Yehoyada, his minister, a lesson. So he assigned to him a seemingly impossible task. He ordered Benamiah to find him a magic ring with extraordinary features. And that was — if you were happy and wore the ring, you would feel unhappy. And vice-versa. If you were joyous and wore it, you would feel absolutely sad!
Solomon gave him a six-month timeline for the search. Deep down in their hearts, both Solomon and Benamiah knew that such a ring did not exist in this universe. Benamiah prayed hard for a miracle. A little before the deadline was over, and having walked all over for such a ring, he decided to go to one of the poorest places in Jerusalem.
There he saw an old merchant who was spreading out his goods on a carpet. Benamiah was quite intrigued. He thought, “Let me take a chance with him.” Therefore, he asked the merchant whether he had a magic ring that could make a happy person forget his happiness and a sad person forget his sorrow. The merchant smiled. He took a gold ring from his wares and etched four words on it. Benamiah took the gold ring. When he read the inscription he was extremely happy. He felt that his mission was accomplished. He went back to Solomon. Solomon and all his ministers began making a mockery of Benamiah, teasing him as he would have returned empty-handed. Benamiah smiled and offered the gold ring to His Majesty. As soon as Solomon read what was written, he stopped being a tease. The words were “this too shall pass”. Suddenly, Solomon felt that everything in life was ephemeral, and nothing lasts forever.
These four words - ‘this too shall pass’ — have always given me tremendous strength, resilience and a lot of hope. Subsequently, I learnt that the phrase gained global fame when Abraham Lincoln, the former US President, used it in one of his speeches.
A little aside, I believe that if you view life through the lens of a positive prism, you will only be greeted with positivity. I have found that reading books like Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff… & It’s All Small Stuff by Richard Carlson, Joy 24 x 7 by the spiritual Master Sadhguru, Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey, also help enormously in stoking positive thoughts, which enable us to go with the flow.
(Rajashree Birla is the chairperson of the Aditya Birla Centre for Community Initiatives and Rural Development)
An Article on Times Life,7th March,2010 by Rajashree Birla
AS a teenager, I recall a tale that has had a telling impact on me all through these years. It has a philosophical resonance that is akin to the Geeta, which is the scripture I lay great store by.
Once upon a time there lived this Jewish king named Solomon. In a grumpy mood, he thought of teaching Benamiah Ben Yehoyada, his minister, a lesson. So he assigned to him a seemingly impossible task. He ordered Benamiah to find him a magic ring with extraordinary features. And that was — if you were happy and wore the ring, you would feel unhappy. And vice-versa. If you were joyous and wore it, you would feel absolutely sad!
Solomon gave him a six-month timeline for the search. Deep down in their hearts, both Solomon and Benamiah knew that such a ring did not exist in this universe. Benamiah prayed hard for a miracle. A little before the deadline was over, and having walked all over for such a ring, he decided to go to one of the poorest places in Jerusalem.
There he saw an old merchant who was spreading out his goods on a carpet. Benamiah was quite intrigued. He thought, “Let me take a chance with him.” Therefore, he asked the merchant whether he had a magic ring that could make a happy person forget his happiness and a sad person forget his sorrow. The merchant smiled. He took a gold ring from his wares and etched four words on it. Benamiah took the gold ring. When he read the inscription he was extremely happy. He felt that his mission was accomplished. He went back to Solomon. Solomon and all his ministers began making a mockery of Benamiah, teasing him as he would have returned empty-handed. Benamiah smiled and offered the gold ring to His Majesty. As soon as Solomon read what was written, he stopped being a tease. The words were “this too shall pass”. Suddenly, Solomon felt that everything in life was ephemeral, and nothing lasts forever.
These four words - ‘this too shall pass’ — have always given me tremendous strength, resilience and a lot of hope. Subsequently, I learnt that the phrase gained global fame when Abraham Lincoln, the former US President, used it in one of his speeches.
A little aside, I believe that if you view life through the lens of a positive prism, you will only be greeted with positivity. I have found that reading books like Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff… & It’s All Small Stuff by Richard Carlson, Joy 24 x 7 by the spiritual Master Sadhguru, Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey, also help enormously in stoking positive thoughts, which enable us to go with the flow.
(Rajashree Birla is the chairperson of the Aditya Birla Centre for Community Initiatives and Rural Development)
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