College Gate - Management Fest

Trin……Trin……Trin….Mr. YK mobile rang. Of course, that sound was olden days phone ring. It has been tradition to use that as phone ring for writing. Let me break the rules. Let us restart.

Tin tada tin tin tina dida tin tin ta..Mr. YK mobile phone rang. He was taking attendance and almost end of that session. He picked up the call said hello. The voice from other side said ‘am calling from ICICI Bank. We are offering personal loan at less interest for our esteem customers.’ After listening to this he turned towards class and upheld the mobile in front of the class. He asked ‘does anyone want personal loan?’ Entire class shouted NO. He spoke over the phone ‘did you get the answer’ and ended the conversation. Entire class broke into laugh.

During these days, college got an invitation from RNSIT Management for management fest. There was an audition for selection for team. I took the initiative for registration and grouping the team. We were all excited about management fest. We all reached the place on time. Principal Mrs. GR has ordered us to get few picks for college magazine from fest. I have asked the team to pose for photo in front of the management fest poster. But some of them laughed at me for asking them do so and passed sarcastic comments. I did not mind as my goal was achieved. None of us went into second round. We all lost in first round battle. We decided to stay till end and enjoy the fest as there was sponsored lunch...!!

There was a business quiz at the end of the day. It was conducted by the renowned quizmaster Mr Avinash Mudaliar. It was an amazing quiz session. His anchoring was fantabulous. It was informative too. I am a big admirer of coffee. For that matter entire my Dad side relatives too. He asked the question on Kopi Luwak. Wondering what is it? Kopi Luwak is one of the world's most expensive and low-production varieties of coffee. It is made from the beans of coffee berries, which have been eaten by the Asian Palm Civet and other related civets, then passed through its digestive tract. A civet eats the berries for their fleshy pulp. Passing through a civet's intestines the beans are then defecated, keeping their shape. After gathering, thorough washing, sun drying, light roasting and brewing, these beans yield an aromatic coffee with much less bitterness. This coffee is widely noted as the most expensive coffee in the world with prices reaching $160 per pound. Being a coffee lover could not digest the digestive tract funda…!!!!!

Next day, we were back to college. After first period, I told the team that we should go and meet principal. They asked why? I tired explaining them that we need to share the experience of fest with her. It is a minimum commitment from student to faculty. Someone told ‘will go during lunch break and meet her.’ I decided to go alone at that time only. I went there spoke for 4-5 minutes with her. She was happy at least someone came. During lunch break also no one went. Afternoon first session was Mrs Jayashree’s. She told “principal is disappointed because none of you went and spoke to her about fest. I think Suraj went and spoke already." The team was looking at me puzzled and few were angry on me. I don’t understand what was wrong in my action. In spite of doing right things always fall in trouble. After the class team met with principal.

What was the reason they were hesitant to face principal. Failure? Fear of principal? Failure is not final unless you accept it. It happens. Move one. Face it. Be courageous. I think we need to learn how to take defeat. Fear is not good for life as well as for health. Be true to yourself. Fear will fear to cross your path. I know it is difficult. Life has taught me to take everything to my stride. Life is a celebration..!!!

I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can't accept not trying….Michael Jordan