>Inducted.. class of 2009!

>June 21st, 2007:
I had just stepped into the city of Nawabs, Lucknow yesterday and the morning breeze though a stranger to me, welcomed me with a cool hug. As I moved in the IIML campus, a hope and a belief crept in me – here is a launch pad for a successful career ahead in the corporate world. The welcome speech by the Director on the induction day was a clear indication of the mercilessly hectic life as well as the worthy returns thereafter awaiting me
In order to inculcate ethical business practices and sound value system in its new batch of students, IIML took the initiative of inviting Swami Muktinathananda, a monk of high stature, to inaugurate the new batch (23rd batch) of Post Graduate Programme in Management (PGPM) students.
The tempo started building up right from the first day both by professors and seniors, though on different platforms and at different degrees. The whole day was occupied with lectures by the various prominent people in the administration. The evening, we thought was free to sleep (Valued Pleasure) but the students council thought otherwise. We had a batch meeting in the evening, notifying of a test from 12 to 3AM. Yes, you heard me right the test is midnight. Now this was least expected after a tiring previous night spent on the informal induction at the hostel
Somehow went through the gruel, and the arrogant seniors, who would point mistake in every step, and make us feel that we are simply not fit to be here. At 3:15, just grippling over to my room, I was in for a surprise. Those merciless seniors have organised the official hostel induction tonight, probably because tomorrow happens to be the birthday of one guy’s girlfriend!! We get into the required dress form to suit the assigned character – Superman and ***( will be screened out for obscenity). After entertaining them till 5, we were allowed to have the very much required pegs of whiskey and vodka. Slept at 6AM

June 22nd, 2007:
The registration is scheduled at 8:30 AM. Now who would explain to the authority that we have not slept! And I don’t think anyone would like to take the risk of not registering, or rather confirming, and his seat after going through the grueling billi successfully.
In the evening, we were all called for a health run. A long marathon round of the entire circumcircle of the campus, not once but twice. Probably, the seniors wanted us to realize the vastness of the campus. It was one long tiring run, damn! My stamina has actually come down, but to think of it. I completed the run successfully!
Have the seniors fulfilled their sadistic pleasures? NO!! Mentors assigned, CV submission deadline given, case study late evening (that is upto 12), then GD’s extending till 3AM. So, no sleep for one more night!

June 23rd, 2007:
When will this ordeal get over? When will I be out of this place?? Or more predominantly, when will I sleep?? These are some lingering questions and the only respite is call up your girlfriend (plz, am not an MCP, just going with the majority), and crib. Else call up juniors and future aspirants and scare them with the reality. Its no fun cracking the CAT! HELL was showing its true colours.
One earlier rise, and rush to the class! This time sans breakfast! One gets a feel that the profs are so good, it is the seniors. One more hectic day in hell. Rushing to the mentors, whose faces we have never seen. Run your ass out to find the way out of the puzzle called H13. Rush for the CV submission, and in spite of all the bhagadoudi never reach on time. The clocks of the seniors are all set fast am sure.
Now look at the new notice at mess (we were asked to keep in track with notice boards every hour, later relaxed to every two hours understanding the absurdity). We the facchhas were all divided into groups of 4, and given a group topic each. Now this is the trip! We have no clue who the hell is the partner! And now we go about searching for them. This is where management helps! Ok, we do met up.. prepare the presentation, and get all ready. At the venue, some are sent away for not wearing ties, some for not shaving and some to get their entire group! It was hell showing again.
After the long presentations, in which we all grilled and mocked to the core, there’s an announcement of a batch meet. The overcrowded room is filled with tense air. Smile?? One cannot even see a concave posture on any face! The student’s council president ridicules the present batch saying it is one of the worst batches IIML has ever had, and the likes. He reads out a list of 57 students who supposedly are not fit to join any committee and would require extra mentoring. Well, my name figures in that coveted (is it?) list. Then he reads out another list of 7 people stating that they have indulged in malpractice and would be reported to the PGP office, threatened with fatal consequences.
The whole room is silent, Drop a pin and it could give a heart attack to the feeble. And……………….

Next I find myself, dancing out at the insti party, after having a lavish sumptuous dinner. Now this was very much required after those hellish 3 days. All top brands – Signature, Bacardi, Smirn off laid for us to grab. A dj playin foot tapping songs, and half of the junta drunk to the core. Come on dude, it’s a booze on the house party – first time for many.! I myself drank 6 pegs, and my friend who had limited himself to sips and smells till now, had a hang of 2 pegs. It was one awesome night, ofcourse sans much sleep!

June 24th, 2007
Slept at around 3 AM last night to wake up at 10 in time for the chairman, board of Governors – Mr. J. J. Irani ‘s welcome speech. Business ethics, value system and the likes were stressed upon, and he wuite nicely filled the hall with his witty anecdotes and also struck an emotional chord emphasizing values in the TATA context.

The rest of the evening was chilled, with nothing much to do. That implies the much required sleep. And get ready for the actual grilling beginning tomorrow.