IIM Shillong - Women On Guard

When I joined IIM Shillong, I was so engaged in admission processes, hostel allotments and adjusting in the new environment. The first time when I saw her, the very first thing that came to my mind is that she looks cute but how will this young little girl protect us if anything goes wrong. She was into her cell phone, sitting on a chair. The moment she moved her gaze away from her phone, looked at me and gave me a welcoming smile. But I didn’t respond as I was out of breathing, carrying my luggage all through the stairs to my room. I just wanted to dump these down and take rest.

There are four guards- two on the ground floor and one each in the first and second floor. For the first few weeks, we just exchanged smiles and said hello to each other whenever I go out or return back. Some of them had a very sweet smile- eyes closed and big smile showing their white teeth. One night, I was just wandering in the corridor and saw the guard. She was sleeping like a puppy trying to fit in between the two chairs joined together covered under a blanket and a heater under it. How can she sleep in such a small space in this cold breeze! Not bragging but yeah we are living much better life than her and also if we were in her shoes we won’t be able to do that. Since that moment, I started to look at her in a different way. You admire and respect women with a strong will, power, and great personality, get inspired from them but we never pay attention to those women who just do their job, never complain and still give you a warm smile. They also deserve respect and admiration.

As I was getting to know them more, I realized that they are not only sweet and hard-working but also really crazy and fun-loving women and get along with each other very well. During their off time, they talk and laugh, have lunch together, bring tea for each other. Sometimes when we face people who talk outside your room so loud and laugh out hard that you just want to get out and tell them to shut it. But it never bothered me. I just felt like want to hear some happy laughs. It seemed like that they have so deep and strong friendship between them. Friendship like I always wanted to have.

They also do some crazy things together. Well, they too need some source of entertainment, I guess. Like any ordinary day when I was returning back from my classes and saw them gossiping and laughing. The moment I entered the corridor, they stopped talking and there were some mattresses standing against the wall. As I was going down the stairs and suddenly turned back. I saw one of the guards was hiding between the mattresses. For a moment we had an eye contact and we laughed out loud for around five minutes along with other guards. She was just being silly and trying to make them laugh. I went on and said, “It’s okay, we do some stupid things like you with our friends too.” It had been a long time being with my friends like that. I missed my old days with them.

We have become so busy these days that we have forgotten to enjoy the little moments or people that come into our lives. We only meet and talk to people when there are some benefits for us. We don’t even bother to see the beautiful smiles, cheerful eyes that we meet every day. We have stopped admiring the peoples who struggle in their lives and still smile beautifully. We don’t become happy while seeing others being happy anymore.

Which ABG company would you want to work for and why?

I would like to work for Aditya Birla Idea Payments Bank Limited. I have always been interested to work in the banking sector and also have good problem-solving, analytical, interpersonal and networking skills. Also as the technologies are advancing, the banks are also progressing in serving their customers and the society. A prestigious company like Aditya Birla also gives you various difficult challenges that you will not face in any other banks. Working with this company with various roles and responsibilities will not only give a growth in career but also an opportunity to contribute towards the growth of the Indian economy.

  Simani Singh PGP 2nd Year IIM Shillong