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

College Gate – ICON

The second semester we had operation management. For that the faculty was Mr. Raghavan – Retd. Captain. The entire college used to fear for him. He is very disciplined and honest person. Because of this people used to fear for him. He taught us operation management in this semester. Students had respect for him, but they are not happy with disciplined way of teaching. Generally, lecture teaches their subject concentrating only on concept. But he is different. The film taglines “man with different dimension” aptly suits him. He not only taught the concept but also how to study. He taught us the art of learning. Neha, Naren, Bharati, Shiladitya Lahiiri, Arun, Niranjan, Sheela, and myself never used to bunk the classes.

He wanted the assignment and project to be submitted on time. He always respected the substance in work rather than quantity. Quality always mattered rather than quantity. I think even Toyoto, who brought quality revolution, might be failed to match him. Such was his standard. In between the concepts, he used philosophy also to educated students. But though he was a strong person has a very good heart. When there is free time he mingled with our team as one of the friend. His expectation from the above mentioned people are very high. He wanted us to do well. If we fail to explain, then he felt he did not taught us well. It was his failure rather than team. Such a wonderful faculty.

He used to take revision classes. Students never used to attend. But our team never missed it. He would question us and ask to find the answer in which page that concept is present. Never thought reading will be so easy. This method never stresses and keeps the hunger for reading. That is the mark of best Guru. Whenever, we took more time he used to cry “oh come on”. I used to do the same with team whenever went for breaks or outing.

Though, he was disciplined, used look for students problems. If someone not able to meet the deadline if they go and speak to him with proper reason, he would make exception. He always encouraged honesty. If you have problem, speak out, do not hide that in lie. Never comfort with lie rather hurt me with the truth. This was his attitude. Whenever his class was there we used rush for the classes to settle down before he enters class. Some of the classmates used ask ‘why do you fear for him?’  I could not explain them. Somehow I enjoyed his style.

Suraj: Ek satcha khiladi hi, satche khiladiko samj saktha hai.

Readers: That was too much Suraj. Don’t act over smart.

I was enjoying his classes and being with him. Once he gave the project and need to give presentation on it. The time slot has been allotted for each student. He used to allot time for lecturing and taking presentation. It was a Friday, that day he over ran his lecturing time and only 10 min left for class to finish. That day I needed to give presentation.

Mr. Raghavan: ‘I will take the presentation on Tuesday.

Suraj: we have 10 min left, let me give the presentation.

Mr.Raghavan: why do you want it today only?

Suraj:  Today is  my allotted time. Secondly, let me finish it, so that I can concentrate on other projects on weekend.

My thinking surprised him. He might have thought ‘where did this guy come from?’ There is a saying in Kannada “suryange torcha”. He allowed me to give the presentation. Did I fear for him? The moment kid finds his/her mother, it runs towards her. Is that the fear? Once we see our best friend we generally rush and hug him. Is that the fear?

Think over it. I will be back in sometime….(wink)

College Gate - Fun Time

Now, I have reached a point, on this article, where to take it from here. It is always easy to write on struggling days. Now I know, that is why these daily soap serials have only struggling people stories. How to take it further?

We were getting ready for summer internship program. The classes were going on for resume building and interview skills improvement.  During this time, Mr Yashoda Krishna told me “resume writing skills to be learnt by Sujatha Sathya”. This was the first time I heard that name. I was wondering who is she? Came to know that one of the soft skill faculty who is on maternity leave. She is going to be back soon. I was curious to meet her.

There has been cultural fest in the college. I was part of the organizing team. During this time I met Mrs Sujatha Sathya. As usual, typical of me, did not had much conversation with new people. Mr. Yashoda Krishna was passing some comment on institution. She objected saying at least in front of student do not speak like that. He said, “even if we do not, they know it”. We all went to see the Gurunanak Bhavan hall where the event to be organized. We decided to book that hall.

As a first year student we needed to give some cultural program. Few of my friends planned for Fashion show and some for dance. The committee wanted some skit to portray on college culture. I took the initiate to write the skit and enact. This surprised some of the faculties as I always came to them as studious student. Along with Arun, Bharathi, Niru, and Vasu decided to do it. Arun and Bharathi forced me to write few scenes to portray classroom. I was explaining them this is not the way to portray it. It should be enacted through our skills and dialogue. But they did not listen, the first two scenes were sad. Once I wrote only I know it wont click, because of my previous involvement in Mudra drama troop. Creator should be given full freedom. If not, the creativity will suffer and end result too.

The cultural program day has come. Our turn came and first two scenes were pathetic. Audience felt sorry for us.  But next scenes enacted by Vasu and Niru was good and audience had good time. Next Scene, I was in and able to capture attention from audience. The audiences were happy after the act. This cultural fest ended with big success.

Our senior batch had good cricket team. There has been a rivalry between autumn batch and regular batch. Regular batch team also had rivalry with JP Nagar Branch. Once they were practicing. I had free period, so accompanied them for practice. Girish was happy with my skill, but Sajith was against me. Practice was intended to play match against JP Nagar.  Some how Girish convinced team to take me in.

Match day came, Piyush – my classmate, was also in the team. He has taken sick leave to play match and I did not know this. I did not tell anything and just took leave. During attendance in class they called my name and I was absent. Match was on as our team scored well and given target to JP Nagar team. Our team was lacking the fourth bowler. First over was bowled by Pradeep. The other two bowlers were Girish and Sajith. They wanted to hide the fourth bowler by giving the second over. So they called me to bowl. The first ball I bowled was skidded and did not bounce. The opposition batsmen complained the umpires, as it was dead ball. I got angry. Next ball, I bowled bouncer to him. Batsmen got surprised. Next again bowled the zipper ball and got the wicket. Next over I bowled maiden over. Three overs I bowled and spoiled the JP Nagar Team party. Our team was very happy because last match they have lost and they were desperate for the win. I have filled the fourth bowler slot for team.

Next day came to college. Mrs Jayashree – Faculty, asked where were you yesterday. I explained her that been to play cricket match. She was also my mentor. Each student has been allocated with one of the faculty as mentor. Class also explained her I bowled well and that caused the team victory. She was happy and asked who else were there. I said Piyush. He was in a fix. He refused by saying I was sick and was not there. My honesty has given trouble to someone else too. She told ‘it is okay once in a while you should enjoy’. I was fortunate to have her as my mentor. Always be honest - this will gratify some and astonish the rest.

Though I am not naturally honest, I am so sometimes by chance…William Shakespeare

College Gate - Turning Point

There was a soft skill internal assessment for mid term exams to give internal marks. One of the core subject lecturer and one soft skill lecturer was part of the panel of this viva. The same quantitative lecture was in the panel. Soft skill lecture did ask me the questions. He asked me who is your inspiration. I said my mother. He asked me to describe her with five adjectives. I did give all the five. Also asked some hypothetical question. I have done fairly well. I have done my schooling in Kannada medium. But high school did it in English medium, but it was in rural Bangalore district town called Magadi. The exposure to English language was limited. But I worked for medical transcription, which really helped me to pick my English. But in spite of me doing well in viva they both gave me 5.5/10. I was surprised because people who did not speak proper English sentence while answering question in classroom did get minimum around 8. The marks were allocated on communication skills and English grammar. I have fulfilled both but still got less marks.

The mid term exam went on well. Probably, first time in my life felt so happy after giving exam. I was really in kind of depression mode after these internal assessments. Because, the exam paper had concept oriented multiple-choice questions. I was always under some traditional approach lecturers. They need pages of writing to give marks rather than concept. Also my explanations were usually bit different from traditional thoughts. So this has made me score less marks because of traditional judgments. Here this will be corrected through computers as these are OMR sheets and the only human involvement is feeding the right code, which is minimal. After first paper, my confidence and mood has lifted and did well in mid-term exam. I was waiting for result.

The post mid-term classes started. The sector analysis was back but with surprisingly announced to give presentation. The team was not ready. The team was like out of currency ATM machine. They were yet to fill it up with knowledge post mid-term exams. Team was in panic and asked me to do the entire presentation on aviation industry so that they can escape from the embracement. Without any second thought I agreed to do it. Some craziness drove me to accept it. I was in the firing line now. We were waiting for our team presentation chance. Principal Suryanarayan, IIM graduate, was also present. Our turn came. I did give good presentation. Never saw the slides to explain, which other team presenters did. Also handled question and answer session well.  I always do things with passion and not just because I have to do it. This always helps you understand thing better and remains for long. It was time for feedback. Ms. Jyothi Narayan, soft skill faculty, did scold our team, as there was no teamwork, since I was sole presenter. But she did praise on my confidence and approach for the presentation. She was the one who really gave me confidence even during classes.

Mid-term result came and I have scored relatively well and did not know the impact. Grading is done on cumulative basis (CGPA) once the final term exam is over. This established me in the class as a studious person. In a way I was happy with this tag. But it made me bit relieved and lacked intensity for few days.

One day, I was absent for the class since been out of station. Marketing lecturer Mr.Giri has announced that next day he will take up case study and asked to come prepared. Next day in class, he asked ‘is class ready for the case study?’ But none of them responded positively. He was disappointed. He turned to me and asked ‘even you are not ready with the case study?” I said ‘yesterday, I was absent’. I was taken aback by the word “even you are not”. It is a small thing, but this motivated me to the core. I have set some standard in class even for lectures. This question was turning point for my MBA study. So decided always to meet the dead lines and target for assignments. You need to gather confidence with these small-small things. We always try to draw inspiration from outside. Yes, of course, that is also one way. But never forget you can draw it from yourself too.

College Gate - Testing Times continued

The next was the day of announcement of the internal marks on Quantitative methods. I was curious to know the marks. Morning three sessions passed as if it is three days. Lunch hour, I was not hungry since was in tension. Post lunch second session was on quantitative methods. I was thinking he would announce the marks before the class. But Murphy’s Law proved again. When you are waiting for the particular bus, all busses will come except the waiting one. But he started the class with the topic. Tension meter raised its count on my body. Most anticipated moment has come. He started announcing the marks by alphabetically. My name starts with letter ‘S’, supposed to be at the end. But my initial was ‘BJ’, so the name was in top half. He said BJ Suraj 10 marks. I could not believe it. My friend also got, just pass marks. When the lecturer was leaving the classroom, I conveyed my thank you.

During this course, there was test on financial accounting subject. This is one more subject, which is interesting to me. I was a keen listener in these classes. Though I used to solve problem before anyone in class, used to keep answer myself. This is not good habit. Those were initial days so it is typical of me. Test was given for 30 marks in this subject. This time I was careful not to indulge in ‘Malpractice’. Of course, experience counts. Entire class has done very badly. When going gets tough, tough gets going. So is Suraj…!!! I was the first for the class. Got 12.5 out of 30 marks, which is the highest. I was not happy with the score. I know I could have done better. This is was the first time in class people started looking at me. I don’t know why the class clapped on me being first. I did get 10/10 in quantitative methods, but no one recognized. But in this case different. I felt as if it is a rectification entry from class…..(hahaha).

The curriculum contains lots of presentation need to be given. There were presentations on sector analysis. They have divided the class into 5 teams to present various sector. Aviation sector is the one, which came to my team. There was a group inside the team who had good rapport. So they were the decision makers for team. I started working from my side. The team could not get the origin of aviation industry in India. Due to my experience in medical transcription, helped me to find it on google search. So I had important information with me. Information is wealth. We are always true Indians, last moment preparations. I was good in typing and formatting so team allowed me to prepare presentation. We finished it without going for lunch break. We rushed to the presentation hall. We were waiting for Principal and lectures to come. But due to mid-term exams approaching the presentation has been postponed. Teams got relieved and decided to prepare better for this presentation. But life is always full of twist in tale..!!!

To be continued….(but I promise this time turn around time will be soon)..!!!

College Gate – Testing Times

From the childhood days, I am fond of mathematics. Quantitative methods one of my favorite subject. There was a mid semester test on this subject. Generally, I was the first to crack the problem during lecturing hours. So this skill got me few college mates. Lecturer gave three problems and asked to solve two of them. I finished two problems quickly.  One of the college mate’s sitting beside me asked to show answers. My head said this means encouraging malpractice. But my heart said allow him. Usually, if someone ask help from me, I always help them irrespective of difficulty. That is my nature. So deferred my answer script submission due to this.

But lecturer saw this and asked me to submit if am finished. He has copied only half of it. I could not help further and submitted the paper. But continued to sit in my place and started resolving third problem for practice. This I showed it to college mate. It was a simplex method. While drawing a table there is one critical step for iteration. That is the key for this method. He did submit his paper. Lecturer caught him and asked to explain the problem. He failed to explain this critical step. He asked from whom did you copy. He kept quiet. Then he turned towards me and asked did he copied from you. I said am not sure. By this answer lecturer got wild. Since, I was realtively new, he pressed full throttle on me and said come out with the truth otherwise I will give one of you the marks. The test is for 10 internal marks added onto mid-semester exam. I was worried.

Lecturer collected the papers and went to staff room. I followed him along with the college mate. There he again scolded me for showing answer.  I said sorry sir, i just wanted to help him and he should not feel bad, so only showed him. If I give you marks to you, he will feel bad. So decide who wants marks, any one of you will get it as it has been copied and qualified as one answer sheet. I was in a fix. I cannot leave marks also and this college mate also. In a jungle, one side there is a fire and other side tiger, where should I go? But fortunately, that college mate told to lecture ‘I don’t want the marks, please give it to suraj, he deserves it’. I was touched by this friend’s gesture of sacrifice. I don’t know if can put his name here but his name will be there in my heart. Lecture said leave for the day as it was end of the day. I was in confusion. What will happen? Suraj will get marks or not?

Tab tak keliye padthe rahiye Suraj Begur BlogSpot…J