IIM Shillong - Memories - “Campus In Clouds”

In the words of William Hazlitt,” First Impressions are often the truest, as we find to our cost, when we have been wheedled out of them by plausible professions or studied actions. A man's look is the work of years; it is stamped on his countenance by the events of his whole life, nay, more, by the hand of nature, and it is not to be got rid of easily.” My first impression of Shillong resonates well with this sentence. I still remember the day when I was travelling from Guwahati to Shillong the path to the campus itself is a dream. As soon as we cross Assam border and enter into Meghalaya, you are welcomed by clouds true to its name.

The beautiful journey takes us to “IIM Shillong”, landlocked within the barriers of Khasi hills in a sleepy corner of the city called “Nongthamyi. As soon as I walked into the campus, I was hit by gusty wind and pouring rain through the canopy of the pine trees, thus etching the scene in my memory. Initial few days were spent in awe of the place and thinking of those countless up-coming treks. To give a little prologue, I am interested in trekking and have finished quite a few treks including the famous Roopkund, Hemkund treks.  I was told by our seniors about a mandatory trek at the end of a weekend sustainability course and there it was. Our professor, Dr Tapas Kumar Giri had arranged a trip to the sacred groves of Mawphlang for the entire batch, after the end of our orientation programme followed by a scenic trek on the banks of umaim river. The wonderful trek in the unexploited forests makes us realize how nature is above all of us and it can heal us.

Starting the precedent with this trek, I had a chance to go on many treks around this place including the famous David-Scott trail, Nongriat and the “Legacy-trek” to “Door darshan tower”. Apart from the treks Squeezing out the time from a hectic B-school life and exploring “Meghalaya” are some of the moments in the life that go down with me apart from the usual buzzing life in the campus. Learning in IIM Shillong not only happens in classrooms it happens through those tall pine trees in around the campus, the mighty hills in the background and those mighty clouds that is the characteristic of Shillong.

Which Aditya Birla Group company would I like to join?

If given a chance, I would love to work for Idea Cellular Limited. Idea Cellular is at an interesting phase now with the Vodafone – Idea merger. The growing base of customers demanding for more at a less price in telecommunication sector provides an interesting set of challenges for anyone willing to enter into the sector. My prior experience in the telecommunication sector, the above mentioned points of interest and the brand image of “Idea” are compelling reasons for choosing this company in the group.

  Mitnala Karthik PGP 2nd Year IIM Shillong