A year ago at this time, bags were being packed to be taken to a new unheard place perched in some part of Uttarakhand- Kashipur. The feeling of getting selected in an IIM was magical but the fact that this one was situated in an unknown place, a tad eclipsed my bliss. After completing my graduation from Delhi University, the thought of spending the next two years in Kashipur seemed a little dull and boring. But after weighing the pros and cons, I decided to go ahead with it.
And then with some uncertainty, the 245 km journey began. The road to Kashipur was full of vast picturesque stretches of lush green farms with bridges over quiet rivers, large and small. The fresh and immaculate breeze of the countryside had a soothing effect on me. I felt welcomed. When I finally reached college, I already knew this place was going to be a lovely home for the next two years.
From filling every scrap paper with questions to gaining ten pounds (actually fifteen), preparation phase had taken its toll on me. But it never stopped me envisioning the first day at IIM. Finally, it had arrived. As our induction began, I realized, the happiness is going to be short-lived.
Consistent classes, club and committee work alongside a slew of assignments (some were sent at 11 pm with a deadline of 7 am) were unending. Our calendar was as intense as it could get. The inability to manage everything with occasional failures inundated a few of us with self-doubt.
Be that as it may, it is rightly said by B. F. Skinner, “A failure is not always a mistake, it may simply be the best one can do under the circumstances. The real mistake is to stop trying.”
We tried harder every day and learned more and more through our shortcomings. From that point forward, failure, criticism, success and praise is the cycle we ran over consistently. Every day is a new challenge and IIM Kashipur gives us a platform to overcome those challenges and emerge as a stronger individual.
Aside from customary scholastics, we are into different clubs and committees which are like running a little organization. Through astonishing guest lectures and insightful conclaves in all fields of management, we get the opportunity to meet with top-notch industrialists and gain from their experience. I remember the words of wisdom from a number of guests. Vinod Sawhny, CEO at Reliance Communications, Amit Kumar Sinha, Inspector General of Police, Uttarakhand, and Gunjan Srivastava, MD & CEO at Bosch and Siemens Home Appliances Manufacturing Pvt. Ltd. to name a few.
Not just the weeks, weekends too were constantly brimming with work. But my lovely friends and I have never missed an opportunity to explore the magnificence of Uttarakhand. Bike trips, bicycle rides, and long strolls have given us ample opportunities to appreciate nature.
In order to give something back to the society, we started putting small efforts like teaching students in government schools, organizing blood donation camps, and cleanliness drives as part of Parivartan Club.
I was always dynamic and therefore passionate about extracurricular activities. The rigorous environment of the college has not diminished it. Rather it has given me numerous chances to keep my interests alive. With the coolest Director any institute can have, IIM Kashipur is pleased to have Mr. Gautam Sinha, who makes sure tough academic schedule is followed by fun learning workshops, simulation games, and plant visits. To ensure females are strong and independent he attends Taekwondo classes with us which is obligatory for all girls. He is a companion to us. Additionally, he orchestrates bike trips to some of the most beautiful places in Uttarakhand. This year it was Kausani.
Some of us have already become entrepreneurs. To have hands on work experience and address the issue of the batch, people have come up with a startup named Grub-Bite. It is an online retail service for students and faculty which connects them to all city restaurants and delivers the orders at their doorstep.
Phew! Eleven months expressed in eleven minutes. The journey so far was eventful. I can see next year full of countless hours on case studies, midterms and end terms, weeks of group assignments and days of minimal sleep. But I know it will all be worth it. It will not get over by any stretch of an imagination, but the start of a transformation into the world of business. There will be ups and downs, highs and lows, but all on a path to change the future. All thanks to a simple offer letter!