When the project started, the frustration of not doing anything was replaced with the frustration of people not honouring their appointment time. I may sound like a one frustrated being but my job required full primary research and little or no secondary research. Talking to people within the organisation was the only source of input and I learned how challenging it could be to elicit time and information from people. But during the two months, I interacted with more people than I ever did in three years in my previous organisation. My mentor turned out to be smart and sweet as well. Availability was always an issue but unlike other few interns, I was not delegated and always made to feel important.
Fridays were special in a sense we all waited for the after dinner party. We? Yeah, the bunch of 18 crazy people interning at the same place, met at company guesthouse and continued to stay together for these two months. Staying together was the best thing that happened to me. Returning home from a tiring day felt joyous. The trip to Pondicherry and Kodaikanal further strengthened our bond. Organising the XLRI alum meet at Chennai was yet another enriching experience. This is where I realised the power of XL Mafia. The bond which XLers share with each other surpasses the boundaries of batches and distinctions of senior and junior. Anita, she likes to be called Annie, requires a special mention here. From organising alum meet to exploring unique cuisines, she made our (the four XL interns) stay all the more enjoyable.
All in all, the Chennai experience was a breeze for me far from the sauna. I would long remember the 3 am cool breeze on weekends when we sat on the top of the water tank on the terrace listening to 90s Bollywood songs and gazing into clear skies admiring flying white parakeets. Those cool gusts of wind would make us forget we are in Chennai far from home and campus. I also got a wonderful and most honest feedback from my mentor. The only thing I would suggest my fellow students next year before they embark on this journey is that don’t try to answer all questions beforehand. Let some curiosity be with you until the end to amaze you at every moment. Every experience is different and so will be yours. There is no need to be nervous and anxious about these two months which is a natural consequence of those three days in SIP. Just take care of the small things which come to your way and the big thing will fall into place before you even realise.
P.S.: For all those curious souls who are wondering what a mind map is, I suggest you contact Prof. Bagchi at XLRI ;)
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About the Author:
Suhail Kutub
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