Hakim finally gets a job!

For those who don't know him, Hakim is my school time friend and one of the best friends I've ever met in life. Our journey started in Standard X when this guy, who used to pass by grace (a system of letting the student pass if he's failing only by a few marks or so) in 2-3 subjects every exam, suddenly popped up as a new entry among all us toppers during the half-yearly examination and caught everyone's attention. Well, my prime reasons of approaching him were different (related to some her) but we finally ended up studying together in the board exams and we cracked it too. And we never saw back again!

Hakim: His normal self!

To some extent, I can be attributed (or blamed as some may call :-P) for his choosing Science as the subject. The combined study (catalysed by aunty's exotic food which I still relish) continued for 2 more years and we went to Kota after Standard XII. Our ways first parted when I came to Mumbai whereas he landed at VIT (Vellore).
His field of study, Biotechnology first appeared to him as the field of the future but he realized later that he is not game for intensive research which Biotech is all about. In my knowledge, he should be at least in the top 100-150 students at VIT both in terms of his abilities & skills and his CGPA score. However, destiny had more difficulties in store for this guy (well before this, he had found difficulties on the front of Girls and GOD :-P) and even after a placement of some odd 500 people, this guy stood unplaced for reasons which even he couldn't determine.
Things are relatively easier in IITs as we're done with 70% of our placements in less than 3 months and that too has been great. On the other hand, he has been waiting for a job for the past 8 months and it has been very frustrating, given the fact that a lot of junta supposedly less-deserving than him got one. Anyways, his run ended today when he got his employer in form of Easy Solutions (a software firm). And I can't express my elation in words!
And this stupid didn't call and rather messaged me about the job. On enquiring, he says he didn't do so because his pay is a bit less. So foolish of him! I just told him two things which two elders have told me at different times:
- You have to make a start, even though it isn't all that BIG
- Things even out in long run if you are dedicated and talented
I'm sure things will even out for him as well and just some patience is required.

I would also take this opportunity to tell that Hakim bhai is already engaged to Naiz, a beautiful girl who stays just in pichwada of Hakim's house :-). The engagement itself is a story worth a blog!

Naiz

He has so many plans ahead now that he is settled in life (mind you, marriage is not the one in the near future). And these plans also ensure that restlessness doesn't end for him here ;-). But well, it will surely be a sweet one!

Update/Edit:

Just came to know that another very good school friend of mine, also a room partner during JEE preparation - Chirag too landed up with a job with International Tractors and guess the placement site - one and only the Balle land of tractors - ooye Punjab!

Final midsems and some concerns!

Just coming back from CL442 mid-semester exam. And with this, we are done with our final midsems of IIT stay (there might be one of Prof. Roy next week, but lets take it officially done). Like the quiz, the paper was a good one (given that it was theoretical) and had good variety of questions which could be done well if one has attended the lectures. The only midsem other than this was 'Principles of Management' and had good problems - general in nature but demanding careful dissection of the associated aspects and good insight into the management concepts.
However, my experience of examinations throughout my IIT stay hasn't been very cheerful (and I am not talking about grades here, which if not the best are quite good). Somehow, I have found that most of them don't demand much creativity and intelligence on the part of the student and most of the questions are routine classroom examples and problems quoted in the book (to the extent that me and Mayank joke many a times these days - "Yaar yeh log (Profs) chahte hi nahin ki hum padhe").
Thanx to the IIT Junta (including myself) that most of us don't even care to do that minimum and the grades we get reflect the need of an examination of same or lower standard for the next time. I remember how Prof. Anurag Mehra had once turned down the request of an open-book examination in the Mass Transfer II course saying that we don't even perform well in routine exams and an open-book exam will just add to our worries (for reasons I guess everyone knows).
At this point, I would also like to refer to Rishi Jajoo, the Harvard Student who was at IITB for a semester on a study abroad program. In the latest InsIghT issue, he pointed out some more issues concerning the academic front including teaching style and competency of Profs (to which I would also agree to a large extent) and the lack of hard work on the part of students (copying assignments and lab work). Since he wasn't here for long, he didn't realize that most of the examinations are also easily passed by just mugging up the notes and cogged assignments.
By now, I am pretty sure that I must have invoked fury of most of the IIT Junta who is reading this blog but may I ask them (and I have asked myself too) our purpose at IIT? Of course IITB provides a ground for all-round development of one's personality which should be properly utilized, the topmost priority remains as academics. I have seen people arguing - Nahin padhna, kya kar loge? or Hamaari apni priorities hain and IIT is no one to decide on that. This is like spitting on a road where it is not allowed except the fact that this is not directly punishable here. But there are some indirect consequences of that.
India and especially IITs & IIMs haven always been applauded for producing great leaders. But as Rishi points out - it is not for the academic grilling here but the so-called cream that churns out of the competitive IIT-JEE and CAT examinations. And sadly, JEE is becoming easier every year. I am not sure about its effect on the quality of the students clearing the coveted examination, but it can only be neutral or negative. What I want to reason from this fact is that despite the quality of input to IITs, a good atmosphere of learning and development (possible only when both sides do their job well) will surely foster better leaders of tomorrow than what they are producing now.
Rishi also questioned the lack of diversity of interests of students at IIT Bombay. Since this is another BIG and important issue, I would like to cover it in a different blog sometime (of course after some approval of the ideas posted in this blog :-P).
I don't know who is to blame in all this matter. Profs of course want their students to score good and feel better and then an overall bad performance of students raises questions on their performance as an instructor at the Department level (which mayn't always be the case). On the other hand, a collective transformation in the attitude of us students will be nothing short of a miracle.
It is always better to take some positive moves for change rather than keep playing the blame game. On part of Profs, sincere personal efforts have to be made in the direction of improvements in teaching style, course content and problem selection for class and examinations (don't know who'll tell the profs who don't introspect). As students, we should approach courses and professors with a more positive approach, try to take interest (and believe me, that half battle is won when an attempt is made) rather than staying prejudiced just by our own outlook or senior's feedback.
I would end the blog by telling about my discussion with a non-IITian friend of mine who has apped this year and is still awaiting a positive response. I was just telling her about the crack app scene at IIT Bombay this year (especially the Chem Engg Dept) and the immediate response was, "Yahi to problem hai ki hum IIT se nahin hai". I am still positive about her getting an app and so for the waiting junta here at IIT Bombay, but would just like to add that this is a unique platform available to a only a meager point percentage of student population in India and properly utilizing this opportunity is in our hands.
There is a lot to change in myself too and I'll try not to give final-sem-excuse for not being sincere in class the next time. Individual change is our first responsibility and once that is done, we can take some steps in the direction of collective change as well. Wishing all the best to everyone!

A perfect day!

I generally don't like 'just reporting' on this blog and prefer dissecting the situation or happening but I'm limiting myself this time for the sake of occasion. Someone has truly said, "Great things always come unexpected." The yesterday's Pune visit was a perfect example of a perfect day I had, with almost everything unexpected.
It all begin on Monday night when Mayank buzzed and asked me to come with him, Sabby and Lord Voldemort (aka Bajjy) to Pune for ChEA Symposium work. I had a few works and 2 midsems on my head and I denied the idea. However, he kept pressing and I just thought, "Chalo yaar, chalte hain. Dekhte hain kya hota hai." Later, I also realized that it would be a good break from the bored routine life of a final year job-waala lukkha.
We were to leave the hostel by 6.30 the next morning and therefore I woke up at 4.15 am for getting done with bathing and meditation, and getting early was something I was really aspiring for (quite unlike my fellow IITians) from many days which the lukkha life was always denying me. And to my surprise, I was all fresh despite a 4 hr sleep. We left the hostel at 7 and went to Chembur for getting a bus. And to our great surprise, we ended up in a Volvo. The bus trip via Khandala and Lonavla (injected with good breakfast) was nice and we reached Pune by 11, discussing the work details in final 5 minutes :-P.

Volvo Pleasure

Mayank and Sabby left for Praj whereas I and Bajjy went for a light Brunch. Then after a few calls to Shobhana and Shweta, we charted our plan and left for Shivaji Memorial Society College. We did publicity in Chem Engg and Management departments and the respect we got there as IIT students by overwhelming. Daydreaming, we left for Cummins then (:X) and I must say that despite the less crowd at that time, which was disappointing (Bajjy was still elated), I could feel some axe-effect at the place which really took away all the tiredness and brought some fresh hopes in life ;-). Being the only guys there, we also earned some good glances :-D. After a lot of running around, we could locate Madam Jail (initially we took her for Jahil :-)) ) and were done with our work. Luck favored us and we also got to meet DY Patil College students there and we did that Publicity there itself. After that, we went to the reputed MIT and did further publicity in Polymer and Petrochemical Departments. Unimaginable respect was bestowed on us at these places too. Finally done with work, we met Mayank and Sabby and had some fattes at MIT Canteen (a broader and diverse version of our Coffee Shack).
From here, we left for NCL to meet Shobhana (old HLRC friend). I was under constant bantering with her name right from the time we left the Institute and well, these guys here started up murmuring songs like Ek baar aaja aaja and Bahaaron Ful Barsaao when we were standing outside NCL awaiting her and I was all ROTFL. Thankfully, they stopped as she came. Mayank and Sabby left for station from there whereas me and Bajjy roamed aroud NCL with her. Bajjy was sure missing Manisha as he was cornered and targeted by us two (I also appreciate his tolerance and conservativeness). We went into good old days and came to present. Bajjy showed some rare generosity too by paying for the treat in canteen :-P.

With Shobhana at NCL

Quite against the charted economical plan, we made a return from Volvo again. Watched Kalyug on our return in the bus (Gosh! How can they play such a movie in the bus with kids, girls and the old). Anyways, despite the unreal larger-than-life personality of the Protagonist (not only his physical strength and his perseverance but also his character ... aise log kahaan milte hain aajakal duniya mein?), I liked the movie's idea and its simplicity in execution. The music too rocks!
Thanx to Bajjy's perseverance, we ended up having dinner at BTC (Bhagat Tara Chand). The marginal utility of the food had decreased tremendously the last time I visited this place. But this time, it was just a perfect addition to the perfection of the day!

Basking at BTC

The whole day passed in a grand manner. Other than ChEA's generosity, I would also like to praise the execution capabilities of the Symposium's OCs here (and thank them too for such a great trip!). We just expect another such work-picnic (did I say work?) to Goa after the grand success of the Symposium and the B-plan competition. Amen!

Whats booze good for?

Just returning from our Batch daaru Treat. And well, I was the alone non-drinker and thus am still in a condition to write something.
Everyone was taken into non-stop laughter mania by Singhania's performance. Don't know what affected him like that but even people like Dopa and Jaini couldn't stand before him even once, leave alone the scapegoats Daga and Manav. I couldn't even have imagined that beer and the so-called 'joint' can take someone to that stage. Hehe...now I understand the Dum maaro dum, Mit Jaaye gam stuff. The party o/w too was a hit and I believe that everyone who came enjoyed. However, some other issues - some light and other serious left me thinking even after the treat at 4 am in the morning (and I am still sane :-P).
First of all, I have apologies for my classmates (especially Avinash) who really wanted me to participate in the daaru treat and I denied them till the end. I know that it breaks heart and more so of a drunken man (hehe) and I am really sorry for that but there are things where I really can't compromise. And I never understand this compulsion of literal daaru participation. I mean it all boils down to participating in the fun which I was really able to do (accepting the fact that one doesn't fully open before 20 people w/o daaru but then there are other priorities in life as well).
Another arbitrary thing worth noticing was the way some people were serving and pushing daaru (many a times neat) into other people, while maintaining mild and small doses for themselves. The pleasure they get from this indulgence is beyond my comprehension.
However, the most important issue that arose in my mind was the condition that these people end up with after having so much of daaru and dope. I always thought that these things help people forget stuff and enjoy some higher state of joy or excitement. However, to my great discontent, I saw some people indulging into dispute and asinine activities which I never saw them doing in sanity. A few others were totally out of their mind and were just clutching their heads. And then there is pressure of others not to sleep or rest but to stand and stay till the end which makes thing worse for these people. A few others would wake up tomorrow morning feeling all dizzy with a headache. Really very few in my opinion will wake up w/o thinking - 'I won't touch this thing again in my life'.
If done in control, I think this stuff won't come as bad as it came today with a few of us. I lack experience with this yellow liquid (or for that matter, the grass) and therefore might be wrong in my observation. Daaru lovers might want to highlight my mistakes which they are whole-heartedly welcome to do. Accept my apologies by default :-).

Dravid is the man

Well, I was going to write on India but this photo really did catch my attention. Such aggression on the face of a person considered to be a very calm and patient guy was surprising. However, a series win against Pakistan in such a convincing fashion and that too after a loss in Test series ... banta hai yaar.
India has displayed the best works of the game in the last three matches and the credit goes to everyone. The combination of youth and old is awesome and the way the batsmen (especially Yuvraj), the bowlers (on such flat pitches) and most importantly the fielders (wow, what catches!) have performed has left everyone in awe and wonder.
However, we are yet to prove our mettle against the likes of Australia and England, especially on their pitches which is not going to happen in the coming India-England series (when will India get out of subcontinent against these teams???). The coming series will be more of a confidence building activity and I am expecting a clean sweep in Test series and pretty good chances of winning the one-day series win as well.
I just wish that Rahul Dravid doesn't turn into another Sourav Ganguly (the aggression and self factor) and also that India doesn't become complacent with the recent success (hoping Chappell, Dravid and Tendulkar will keep a check). Amen!

The ever-killing despair

The app time is running hot and many here at IIT are getting admit/scholarship/fellow from Premier Institutes across the USA. However, many expectants are still waiting, including Shobhana and Ajinkya. The worst part is that these people (including many others; Ajinkya a little more positive though) haven't even got many rejects and this generally drives them into concluding that their chances are pretty dim.
Even from my experience, I can tell that this is a real tough time and I would not mind comparing it with slow and brutal butchering of one's patience and faith. However, I have always felt that we stand nowhere against time and that waiting is what is really expected of us. I know it's relatively easier for me to say this, given the fact that my waiting has rewarded me with Shell. But really speaking, who knows of future - not to be negative, but I may end up finding my career goal diverging from what all Shell can offer. So even Shell is just a superficial reward in one sense. Finally, everyone is looking for that tranquility and sense of satisfaction.
So how can a (supposedly) good app get one what he/she really wants ... because most of the times, we even fail to understand what we want from life. I hope that is not the case with my friends. But I've only one request to them - respect time. Referring to Steve Job's speech at Stanford University - Again, you can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future.
I know that most of my 'learned' friends would find this difficult to digest, but at any level, patience and faith transcends logic and intellect. One just needs to wait, observe and accept.

Shell :-)

Yes, this feels like it. Something I was missing when I got through PWC. And this is HUGE. I don't even remember how many times I hugged Zubin and Qavi in Placement Office (even poor placement nominee Bedi :-P), but it was definitely > n.
And today is Basant, a very auspicious day for me and now lucky too. What can I say? Training starts in Amsterdam and final placement in Bangalore <:-P. I'm in Shell!