After a really really long hiatus, I am back here to write a bit about the semester gone by and with it half of my final year. It has been an eventful journey. With the reopening of college in August, we were suddenly put into the limelight of being the senior-most students, the know-all omniscient creatures that have the answers to life, universe and everything. But for most of us, fourth year started off with sadness at not finding the familiar faces that we used to look up to, discuss stuff and seek advice from. Gone are those people who showed us the way when we were a newbie in this great college, embarking upon the adventure of college life. Looking dispassionately at the hoards of kids who join in, one can't help but look down at them with a little disdain. But over time, I guess, when you get to know them, you realize they aren't so bad after all.
This semester was largely about placements, the crazy monsoons, the commonwealth games, and the MBA/MS junta scurrying to find their dream destination for a Masters. I, for one, get really annoyed with the coaching institutes peddling their courses as if its the stairway to heaven and then some. It's all a sham, taking money from kids who are often as confused as one will ever see anyone to be, and who join it in the hope of getting some clarity into what they want to do in life. Of course, most, if not all of these institutes are too good to be true, and if I were to pick the only motivation that I had to give MBA entrances this year, it was to show these institutes the finger and prove my point. Whether I have succeeded at doing so, time shall tell.
Though many in India consider an MBA to be that singular thing that puts your career progression graph from slow track to fast track in two years, I beg to differ. Because of most of these CAT coaching institutes promising magical results, it has increasingly become a case of hard-working wannabes being pushed into doing one, and coming out as an arrogant pseudo-biz savvy executives who "have arrived", all thanks to an MBA!
I have seen, defended and been on both sides of the argument as to whether doing an MBA straight out of graduation is the way to go or not, but keeping this argument aside for a moment, the central argument that finds flavor with me is that you should not use a crutch to achieve this goal. Far too long, we have been spoon-fed by tuition's and coaching institutes and what not. There comes a time when you have to draw the line, the so-called Lakshman Rekha that tells you it's time to take on something on your own. You do this by outlining what you want, and how you are to get it, and then proceeding to ensure those outlines are met.
Many have a common excuse that they are lazy, confused and need a tough regimen to push them into working for getting through to an MBA, in turn giving credence to the Theory X by McGregor. But IMHO, if you aren't that motivated to prepare for an MBA, it's very probable that it's not the right choice for you, just yet.
But the arguments can go on and on. The mind can, most certainly, rationalize pretty much anything and everything. So there is no way of looking at it in black and white. Who knows, after all this rant against MBA's, I might cross over to the dark side like our senior and BDFL to the QC, Debasish.
Coming back to the 7th semester. (Yes, that is what this post was about!) Placements were by far the single most time-consuming thing in the entire semester. Being in the PlaceComm is a huge responsibility. One, under whose weight, I have many a times lost my cool in this sem. But placements of this batch have been one of the best till now, and hopefully will continue in the same way. The job is a demanding one, intensive in terms of time as well as effort, but not always bearing fruits to the extent to which it would be expected.
Quizzing has been going on as usual. MoodI awaits us this time around, and an entire contingent from the QC will be there. The juniors show promise in their numbers, and I do hope they continue to make NSIT proud in the years ahead. The most memorable quizzing moment of this season would have to be at BVCOE, winning back the Vikram Sarabhai Rotating Shield Quiz Competition for a third time, out of the 4 times it has happened since its inception.
The end semesters, which concluded 3 days ago, were a class act. Having arguably one of the shortest semesters ever, owing to Placements and the Commonwealth Games, the exams befuddled, confounded, foxed and flabbergasted even the very best (read DR's), let alone us poor mere mortals.
I think it's been a fairly long post already. Especially my rant on MBA. Should write on something better. Anyway, Peace. More to continue later.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Sunday, April 11, 2010
I read a couple of books. Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse and Train to Pakistan by Khushwant Singh. I spent over a month on the former, while I finished the latter in just around 3 days. I found both incredible, though at different levels. I think i'll need to re-read Siddhartha to thoroughly absorb it. It is incredibly heavy in thought. The fact that he has condensed it to just over a 100 pages doesn't actually help. The transformation in perceptions and thinking happen in a matter of a couple of paragraphs. It needs to be read really really slowly. Train to Pakistan is on the other hand, something that I am glad to have read, and it thoroughly shook me from the inside. I will elaborate later, giving more details in a proper review that it deserves. But here's just a small update to act as a mental note.
P.S. I am tired. I am a little frustrated with the internet. The sheer mental addiction to which I put myself through is insane. And for what? Just to be on that bloody facebook page for the hundredth time in a day? Screw it man, get a life. Signing off in the hope of doing something more constructive for a change.
Cheah!
P.S. I am tired. I am a little frustrated with the internet. The sheer mental addiction to which I put myself through is insane. And for what? Just to be on that bloody facebook page for the hundredth time in a day? Screw it man, get a life. Signing off in the hope of doing something more constructive for a change.
Cheah!
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Here I am, back again!
An anon comment on my last post made me realize how much I have been neglecting this blog. Though I was under the impression that I was writing this blog for myself, it seems a few people do end up chancing upon it now and then. Thank you all, whoever you are. :-)
Ok, so since my last post, a lot has happened. 5th sem passed by quite eventfully. After my trip to Mumbai and Pune, during the summer holidays, it was back to college, and how!
Welcoming the new batch, followed by their induction into various college societies was both interesting to see and a tad nostalgic as well, bringing back memories of our first year. I also spent most of my time juggling the various societies with which I found myself affiliated to.
The rush of Wednesday, 3:30pm is one that's going to remain fresh in my mind for a long time to come.
Apart from Preview, the documentary and movie screening society which me and my home-boys (Vabby and Row-hill ;) ) started, there were the weekly sessions of the NSIT-QC and the sporadic but significant amount of work in the PlaceCom.
It was both exciting and unsettling to see the future careers of so many people being decided right in front of us, and many times it made us aware of our responsibility in placing the batch. But it is a long drawn affair, and the duration of our placements period is enough to make one feel frustrated with the efforts needed to be put to make it successful. And yes, I must add it is a pretty thankless job.
IEEE-NSIT also saw its share of students registering with it. A number of events were organized in this semester, the credit for most of which goes to Siddi Jai Prakash for doing a splendid job as its Chairman, and also keeping everyone else on their toes, and in turn keeping the huge IEEE body moving in the forward direction.
Much of the fifth sem went contrary to what I had planned to achieve out of it. I saw myself involved in so much more than what I wanted to take up. The responsibilities never stopped coming. I ended up achieving more in some ways, but lesser in others. My academics remained stagnant. 4th Sem results came out, bringing none too great news for me. 5th Sem exams also didn't go as great as I would have liked. The honour of being taught by Prof. Raj Senani and the dedication with which I attended classes was not matched by my performance in the semester exams, and I felt bitterly disappointed at losing my last opportunity to redeem myself to some extent prior to placements. It was not to be. But hey, life goes on. The mind can find ways of rationalizing practically anything, and over time, I have also rationalized my setbacks in my mind.
Quizzing has given me a lot. I feel enriched by it, but have also had to face many pitfalls and tough times due to it. The non-qualifications at IIT-D were painful, but the win at Panache '09 at DCE, in addition to the victories in various other DU quizzes made it worth my while. NTPC Electron '09 continued to see NSIT do well, though it was a matter of so close, yet so far at the end. Losing in controversial circumstances is always tough, especially in big quizzes. Yet, NTPC Electron was one of the more fond moments of quzzing that I have accumulated over time. I won the online quiz at BITS-Goa, but still wait for prizes from them. Same goes for Panache. I was also announced as winner of the IIM-Cal online quiz just a few hours ago. Thanks to IIM-Cal in being generous in the amount of money on offer, and I eagerly await to get my prize. :-)
Here is a concise list of all that I've been watching and reading in this past sem:
1. The Books that I've read:
2 States: Cute and entertaining. Love the humor poked at Punjabi's. Highly readable.
Zero Percentile - Missed IIT, Kissed Russia - Another IIT-novel, not! Though the premise of having young, inexperienced amateur authors writing loosely autobiographical works isn't original, the story and the perspective that the author offered was new. Written in as simple a style as Chetan Bhagat, if not more, but still a fairly good read.
2. Movies that I absolutely recommend you NOT see:
Dil Bole Hadippa! (over the top, arbit, songs so bad they're the only source of entertainment! )
Morning Walk (a sensitive topic dealt in a horribly mish-mashed and screwed up sort of way)
New Moon (have said enough on it)
American Pie: The Book of Love (If the entire series is like this, i don't understand it ... never found watching certain 'things' in a movie so turning off)
Nine and Half Weeks (disturbing, though mickey rourke and kim basinger make for good eye candy together)
Van Wilder - Freshman Year (so gross and repulsive in parts, you have to see it to realize the sheer pits of crap they've shown, but apart from them, its ok :P )
3. Movies that I would recommend -
21 (Man, the entire movie is so smooth! Never a dull moment, fundoo movie, totally watchable)
The Great Debaters (Fabulous movie, highly inspiring and it really moves you.)
Some Like It Hot (My first Marilyn Monroe movie, it's highly funny, entertaining and enjoyable)
The Departed (yeah, i know, too late i have been to catch it. But yeah, its pretty kick-ass! Jaw-dropping end)
Reservoir Dogs (Another cult movie I somehow missed till now, loved the attention to detail. Its pretty awesome)
Andaz Apna Apna (No, its not like I haven't seen it earlier, but watching it again brought back so many great memories! Funny through and through... it's a must re-watch! :-) )
4. TV Shows that I have been watching AND would recommend:
Dexter: An awesome TV Show, with its gripping storyline, excessive blood and gore and interesting dialogues. It makes for great viewing, and is perhaps the only TV Show I can boast of having watched straight from season 1 through season 4. Still watching season 4, which looks good from what i have seen. Surya is pressuring me to finish it soon before he blurts out the ending to me, but i'm still taking my time. :-)
Big Bang Theory: I am always a bit wary when it comes to hopping onto the Sit-coms band wagon, especially when you see so many around you raving about it. But BBT has stood its ground and has been a good source of entertainment for me in the winter holidays, along with Dexter.
House: Medical drama, interesting use of gut and instinct which Dr. House puts to use. Though after the first few episodes, the trend seemed a little monotonous and I shifted to other things.
My sister's return from Amreeka along with a trip to Bangkok and Pattaya for New Years with family, added to a fine end to another year.
Well, that is all I can think of right now, but will keep posting with a little more regularity I hope! As per existing plans, Enigmata as part of Innovision, shall keep me busy in January, followed by Mid-sems in February, Moksha in March and End-sems in May. April will in all probability go in keeping up with classes and thinking about "optimum utilisation" of time, but let me try and prove myself wrong. :-)
Cheers!
Ok, so since my last post, a lot has happened. 5th sem passed by quite eventfully. After my trip to Mumbai and Pune, during the summer holidays, it was back to college, and how!
Welcoming the new batch, followed by their induction into various college societies was both interesting to see and a tad nostalgic as well, bringing back memories of our first year. I also spent most of my time juggling the various societies with which I found myself affiliated to.
The rush of Wednesday, 3:30pm is one that's going to remain fresh in my mind for a long time to come.
Apart from Preview, the documentary and movie screening society which me and my home-boys (Vabby and Row-hill ;) ) started, there were the weekly sessions of the NSIT-QC and the sporadic but significant amount of work in the PlaceCom.
It was both exciting and unsettling to see the future careers of so many people being decided right in front of us, and many times it made us aware of our responsibility in placing the batch. But it is a long drawn affair, and the duration of our placements period is enough to make one feel frustrated with the efforts needed to be put to make it successful. And yes, I must add it is a pretty thankless job.
IEEE-NSIT also saw its share of students registering with it. A number of events were organized in this semester, the credit for most of which goes to Siddi Jai Prakash for doing a splendid job as its Chairman, and also keeping everyone else on their toes, and in turn keeping the huge IEEE body moving in the forward direction.
Much of the fifth sem went contrary to what I had planned to achieve out of it. I saw myself involved in so much more than what I wanted to take up. The responsibilities never stopped coming. I ended up achieving more in some ways, but lesser in others. My academics remained stagnant. 4th Sem results came out, bringing none too great news for me. 5th Sem exams also didn't go as great as I would have liked. The honour of being taught by Prof. Raj Senani and the dedication with which I attended classes was not matched by my performance in the semester exams, and I felt bitterly disappointed at losing my last opportunity to redeem myself to some extent prior to placements. It was not to be. But hey, life goes on. The mind can find ways of rationalizing practically anything, and over time, I have also rationalized my setbacks in my mind.
Quizzing has given me a lot. I feel enriched by it, but have also had to face many pitfalls and tough times due to it. The non-qualifications at IIT-D were painful, but the win at Panache '09 at DCE, in addition to the victories in various other DU quizzes made it worth my while. NTPC Electron '09 continued to see NSIT do well, though it was a matter of so close, yet so far at the end. Losing in controversial circumstances is always tough, especially in big quizzes. Yet, NTPC Electron was one of the more fond moments of quzzing that I have accumulated over time. I won the online quiz at BITS-Goa, but still wait for prizes from them. Same goes for Panache. I was also announced as winner of the IIM-Cal online quiz just a few hours ago. Thanks to IIM-Cal in being generous in the amount of money on offer, and I eagerly await to get my prize. :-)
Here is a concise list of all that I've been watching and reading in this past sem:
1. The Books that I've read:
2 States: Cute and entertaining. Love the humor poked at Punjabi's. Highly readable.
Zero Percentile - Missed IIT, Kissed Russia - Another IIT-novel, not! Though the premise of having young, inexperienced amateur authors writing loosely autobiographical works isn't original, the story and the perspective that the author offered was new. Written in as simple a style as Chetan Bhagat, if not more, but still a fairly good read.
2. Movies that I absolutely recommend you NOT see:
Dil Bole Hadippa! (over the top, arbit, songs so bad they're the only source of entertainment! )
Morning Walk (a sensitive topic dealt in a horribly mish-mashed and screwed up sort of way)
American Pie: The Book of Love (If the entire series is like this, i don't understand it ... never found watching certain 'things' in a movie so turning off)
Nine and Half Weeks (disturbing, though mickey rourke and kim basinger make for good eye candy together)
Van Wilder - Freshman Year (so gross and repulsive in parts, you have to see it to realize the sheer pits of crap they've shown, but apart from them, its ok :P )
3. Movies that I would recommend -
21 (Man, the entire movie is so smooth! Never a dull moment, fundoo movie, totally watchable)
The Great Debaters (Fabulous movie, highly inspiring and it really moves you.)
Some Like It Hot (My first Marilyn Monroe movie, it's highly funny, entertaining and enjoyable)
The Departed (yeah, i know, too late i have been to catch it. But yeah, its pretty kick-ass! Jaw-dropping end)
Reservoir Dogs (Another cult movie I somehow missed till now, loved the attention to detail. Its pretty awesome)
Andaz Apna Apna (No, its not like I haven't seen it earlier, but watching it again brought back so many great memories! Funny through and through... it's a must re-watch! :-) )
4. TV Shows that I have been watching AND would recommend:
Dexter: An awesome TV Show, with its gripping storyline, excessive blood and gore and interesting dialogues. It makes for great viewing, and is perhaps the only TV Show I can boast of having watched straight from season 1 through season 4. Still watching season 4, which looks good from what i have seen. Surya is pressuring me to finish it soon before he blurts out the ending to me, but i'm still taking my time. :-)
Big Bang Theory: I am always a bit wary when it comes to hopping onto the Sit-coms band wagon, especially when you see so many around you raving about it. But BBT has stood its ground and has been a good source of entertainment for me in the winter holidays, along with Dexter.
House: Medical drama, interesting use of gut and instinct which Dr. House puts to use. Though after the first few episodes, the trend seemed a little monotonous and I shifted to other things.
My sister's return from Amreeka along with a trip to Bangkok and Pattaya for New Years with family, added to a fine end to another year.
Well, that is all I can think of right now, but will keep posting with a little more regularity I hope! As per existing plans, Enigmata as part of Innovision, shall keep me busy in January, followed by Mid-sems in February, Moksha in March and End-sems in May. April will in all probability go in keeping up with classes and thinking about "optimum utilisation" of time, but let me try and prove myself wrong. :-)
Cheers!
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