My First week at Banglore

The 28^th of July, I started from Roorkee on my journey to the career of my life i.e. PGPM (MBA) from ISME (International School of Management Excellence). I was worried about each every bit of life. After all it would be a new and challenging environment for me. I was going to be away from Home for the next year & a half. Thinking several things I landed at Bangalore. I was to get registered on the 29^th of July, 2007. I reached the college at 9:00Am. I was really in full mood. I was happy & had a will to do something while I was entering the ISME premises. Wearing one of my favorite shirt. I was finally going to a place may be the right place for. As I entered the hall a guard asked me to enter the visitor book. Well counting was not long as it was numbered. I was the lucky third. Soon I heard “hi Utsav” well that was Sucheel he recognized me “curtsey orkut”. We shook hands. Soon Sandeep (Sandy) joined in ‘hi’ & hand shaking part. Not knowing this Hyd3rabadi would be my Room mate we greeted. I was looking around and could see that 51students joined a day before. I thought “ab sabse kharab room mile ga”. I was in my own thought process. We kept waiting in the place we were asked to wait. We were talking & soon Shalini our immediate senior came inside greeting her students busted with questions. How is life here? & stuff like that. We were being called in a group of two together. I went with Sandy, Got the registration done & went to meet the director. We both went; Sandy asked one question he will die without that. Sir, Dual specialization in M & F? Director, very cleverly saying no ended up. I was looking at his personality. My perception of the Director being a 60+ person but he was something nearing 50`s. Meeting him I had a confidence; he will make a difference to my life. I was really surprised & came down with 412/1 keys which were not a complete set. Sitting in the bus & helping Sandy with his huge Jumbo bag was a real trouble. I kept waiting as Ranganath Sir who later took us to the hostel. I knew the route so kept counting the turns. Well reaching the hostel was a surprise such a good place it was. I met Sahil, Manoj, etc there. Akshat (My cousin) called & came in a while. Looking at the room & the awesome Balcony we were happy. I was worried about the keys as my level of insecurity rose about my stuff. I was unaware that one week later I will not care weather my Elmira is open or locked. Well with such insecurity it was not good to stay here & I went to Richa Didi`s (Cousin) place, living near by.

Day 1:

I reached the hostel in the morning by hopping on to a two different buses. I was in a mood of thrill. I reached the hostel & realized the necessity of living in the hostel for at least a minimum of 3-4 days to be familiar in the environment & make my adjustability easier. I was in some thoughts as I got down to catch the college bus. We reached college in few minutes. We went for breakfast which was in itself confusion between rice & chipped rice. Anyways having no choice I had the Chipped Rice or Rice. Life was not normal as thoughts of unwanted & immense nature were in my mind. I was worried for no reason. Anyways the special thing about this breakfast was that it was my first brake fast in tie & blazer. In another instance I heard a voice “hi Utsav” relying to the “hi” I saw Aditi. Seeing people around I went down for some workshop. Well it was by Sibichian Mathew, Additional Director Income Tax. Following it was the introduction of the staff. Mr. Mathew made us play several games which were really required to break the trouble in the thoughts. I was in my own self trying to show some false happiness. Soon the first session got over & we were asked to have lunch which certainly was good followed by lunch was the introduction of students by Madam Preeja. She is a nice person with a smiling face & command over English language is something unbelievable. Things ended easily. I came back home & told didi I will shift tomorrow to hostel off course she said “Why?” I explained the adjusting point of mine. She agreed & I shifted to the hostel in the evening. Tensed is what I was trying to be happy in some way or the other. I slept early to get rid of this tension shooting my mind. I was in sleep with one objective i.e. to face the next day to of challenge.

Day 2:

Getting up with alarm, thinking the world to be new to me. I was thinking & doing all the natural morning things. Got ready around 35mins in advance & continued thoughts was something I could not avoid. Waiting for bus and students, I saw a few coming wishing Good Morning. I went to catch the bus. The bus was a bit late or we were early in excitement. The bus started and ISME was just 10mins away from us. Breakfast was served; eating it I met many a number of people. It was fun then suddenly a personality inspired me, he was Mr. Srinivias Bapu. A tall guy with curly hairs stood saying ‘hi’ replying to ‘hi’. I started talking to him a nice man he was. His perception about life was inspiring & motivating. I was flattered but unfortunately he was a man. Going to the class which was Mr. Sibichian Mathew’s continuing workshop. It was fun & learning. The workshop ended before lunch. We had our lunch & after lunch we were asked to sign the document stating “We will follow all the rules & regulations.” This got over & next was the bus to hostel. We reached there at around 6:00Pm. Changing clothes, I went to COSMOS with Sandeep and all. They kept looking for some clothes and other stuff. Then in a short while, we returned back to the hostel. Today also after having my dinner, I slept early. With some thoughts of adjustability and stuff like that I slept. I was a little happy that the next night I will be at Didi`s place.”

Day 3:

I got up early as usual. I was 35mins in advance after getting up & doing the usual stuff. In my thought process, I soon reached the college. College was fun starting with samosa`s in brake fast. Getting to the class we had Professor Sunil Pavekar`s class. He started speaking on Management and it’s strategies. He had a good command on his language. Speaking all the stuff in a flow with humor & examples. He continued & went through few principles of Management. His class ended before lunch & we went for lunch. I could meet a few new people here. They were inspiring. Time ended with chana bhatura. Then was Professor Ramesh Tathgat`s lecture. His lecture after Chana Bhatura was indigestible even I did not have the capacity to sit for so long. Patience is something I lack in. Somehow I could manage to sit & keep listening to each & every aspects he told. He told several things about ISME as well as about Management. He told several examples of different aspects of planning which we have learnt as theory earlier. I was happy that day with a hope to go to Didi`s place. I went to hostel. Where didi sent the car & I went to her place. Meeting everyone I knew. I was happy & I slept early with again some challenges to be faced next day.

Day 4:

Got up early in the morning. I kept waiting for the car to leave me at the gate. I was tensed. I was worried. I don’t know why it was but yes I was not happy. Having no choice I reached the gate & hopped on to a bus to my college. College was about 6Km. I had to change the bus but unfortunately I could not find another bus & went for an Auto. I reached the class, everyone was waiting after the lecture. I was unaware of things which were going to happen. I went and sat in the class. Today it was again Prof. Pavekars class. He was a good teacher. I kept silent & attended the class. Somewhere in my own thoughts. I was confused but showing full attention. I could check out all the practicalities he taught us. He was inspiring. He was funny at times, serious at another. He was practical at time, logical at another. His examples were quite motivating. The class ended before lunch. I did not had my lunch as I was not feeling good after coming back from home but I kept sitting at the Lunch place. Aditi introduced me to two of her friends. They appeared to be good & simple. I went to Preeja mam and told her about my Passion of writing. I even handed her some of my writings so that I can be involved in other things around. I was again not very happy but found some way to be. I went to the class & now it was some rules and regulations from Library mam & from other teachers too. Library mam was good she guided us with a number of things. I felt happy to be a part of the library. Then a session on MS Office it was yes boring for me. The college ended after the lecture, we were given some Anchor books. I came back to the hostel. Later I went to the market to eat something & just called Aditi. She said she was going to do Statistics. I was happy to know that I can also do that & I started off with it in the room. I did not go to the Gymnasium even. I was a bit disturbed even didi asked me to come home but I wanted to adjust so I did not go. Finishing off with a few things. I talked with Sandeep for few hours & went for even a walk where I met Eshant. Eshant was the army guy. He had some warmth in his talks. I felt better with this good thought I came back & slept in room.

Day 5:

Again an early morning. Hanuman Chalisa was something new today. It was curtsey Sahil`s Laptop. I was listening to it. Getting usual to life I was even a bit happy. Today was the first motivational lecture from Professor Athical. Talking about a number of things. I could analyze to find some better ways to fight challenges. Thinking continued as the lecture continued. I was still somewhere in my thoughts of being alone. I was feeling better after his motivation. I went for lunch. Lunch was good with kofta & roti. I was happy after it. I was analyzing things. Talking to several people I was happy. Continued was Professor Pevekar`s lecture. His inspiration again was astonishing. He was new in his own way of teaching, involving the whole class in his discussion. I asked some queries. He answered all what I wanted to know. Then in-between the lecture Vasant Sir & Athikal Sir came. They told us about next day schedule of the introductory function followed by Bangalore sightseeing. Prof. Pavekars class ended & we went back to the hostel. I don’t know but yes I was disturbed. I even called didi she again asked me to come home. I wanted to but did not go. Didi is so caring I thought & became happy. I went to my room talking to Ajay(my flat mate) & Sandeep I slept late around 1:30Am.

Day 6:

I got up a bit late as we were to reach at 9Am and did the usual things. I was bit fine today may be because I knew I will be at Didi`s place the next night. I went to the bus. Today something was different in my mind may be a poem was emerging. I bought an apple that too for Rs.16./=. I soon reached the college. I opened the laptop & started to write something which was in my mind. I soon realized it came out in the form of a good poem may be. I showed it Preeja Mam & her comment was “good”. I asked her if I can deliver it in the Introduction function. She agreed. The function started & I delivered the poem. I was happy that everyone clapped. The function ended with the chief guest’s speech. I continued to sit there. We had a group photo & then lunch. We soon sat in the bus & left for Hostel from where we had to go to Lal Bagh & Forum. I had asked Akshat to come to Forum. Lal Bagh was boring but some talks with Srinivas & Aditi were good.

We reached Forum. Akshat came and we had something at MC Donald. We were to leave that place by 8:00Pm. I left Akshat & I left the place. I was happy as I was going to Didi`s place. Chatting with Aditi, Manju & Priyanka, we waited for the bus. The bus soon started & soon I was at didi`s place. My orientation week was over. Next day was a rest day & the day when I am writing what you are reading. I slept comfortably with just a hope to do things with full confidence.

This week taught me a number of things but I learnt MBA is learning practically what I have learnt earlier. Hoping things in my favor. I just pray to God to help me when I need. He knows everything and everything is in his hands. This is the belief I have formed in my mind.

Thanks for reading

Utsav