Pages From A Student's Diary - IIM Shillong PGPEx. 2018-19

9^th October  Today,  we officially became a part of IIM Shillong as PGPEX-MBIC 2018-19 batch. Amidst the beauty of Shillong and the serenity of the campus, we took the Oath beside our respected Chancellor Prof Rohit Joshi and the entire IIM Shillong  PGPEX fraternity. A batch of 33  with wide professional diversity and experience (Average Experience 7 years and Highest 14), we began our journey for learning, exposure and unity, together. Our individual introductions revealed the calculations done for opting this unique programme. MBIC- Managing Business in India and China is a distinctive full-time residential programme offered by IIM Shillong. One year of Executive MBA with 4 months of China Immersion, this programme is a strategic step just at the right time for India to strengthen its business relations with China, the emerging market leader. In view of the recent events at SCO, there lies a plethora of opportunities in the cross-cultural exposure and knowledge –A symbiosis for both the countries. MBIC via its collaboration with Ocean and Fudan Universities offers access to explore Chinese culture, business, strategies, markets and research avenues. One in all its kind, MBIC PGPEX is a promising platform not only for the students but for the nation as a whole to imbibe and implement Guan-Xi, in today's scenario when India China trade relations and partnerships are gaining impetus. Addressed by Mr. Sumeet Chander, Country Head -eValueserve (Greater China & Asia-Pacific Region), and an alumnus of IIM Ahmedabad, we got valuable insights of Chinese business and culture, and wider horizons for entrepreneurship, research and innovation. 10^th  October Today, We had an orientation session and warm up by the students of the previous batch in order to facilitate a live experience sharing between the two. They churned and brought out the multiple future avenues offered by China, the emerging business leader. 11^th October Back to college after at least 7 years of job, is in itself a big change but worth adapting to and we all were ready with the zeal. And perhaps this psychological change is being well accounted for by the institute. The course started with an ice-breaking session by Prof Rohit Dwivedi and next  5 days of intriguing Behavioural Classes with Prof Mahesh Deshmukh. These 6 days of psychological introspection, contemplation and sharing of reflections of our life automatically brought understanding, acceptance and co-existence among us. 12^th October Filled with a new strength, mutual respect gravity of being one team, we began climbing the slopes, bowered with cherry blossoms, towards the beginning of the academic sessions, perfectly carved by the eminent faculty of IIM Shillong. 14^th October Till now, the academic sessions have been complemented by consistent industrial insights via our well-acclaimed channel of LEAD sessions. Business Leaders and Senior Executives of Industrial giants have addressed and quenched the pragmatic and strategical curiosity of the students. 17^th October  The city lightened up with the arrival of Goddess Durga – and we too, with the spirit of togetherness, welcomed her. 18^th October The day witnessed a unanimous urge for adventure and outing.  All the way from Meghalaya, mesmerised by the sublime view at  Mawlynnong(The Cleanest Village of Asia), crossing the Living Root Bridge, unleashing the energy at BorHill Waterfall, we travelled all the way from Khasi hills (Meghalay) to Dawki, in the arms of Jaintias via Bangladesh border. Our camps and bonfire were lit at the foot of the lofty Jaintia hills in Snongpedan,  resounding with the gurgling of  river Dawki and the waxing-gibbous Moon. 19^th October The morning unfurled a picturesque River Dawki .  We started exploring the river from 5 am, wandering from their camp straight to the river. Later,  we also adventured with kaiaks, zip-line and boating. The more we engaged, the closer we came, as a community- a fraternity. 20th October Back in the institute, while we walk along with our mentors and faculties in the pursuit of knowledge, much more was yet to explore which IIM Shillong has in store for us. 28^th October The IIM Shillong Golf Committee organised the Corporate Golf Tournament inviting Business leaders aka golfers across the nation.  Phenomenal  - is all we could say. What we learned will take an entire chapter to explain. As we watched and walked with the golfers towards their next hole, we demystified many knots of the professional world and its changing hues. The crux is we explored the deep relation between golf, life and profession- the Zen of Corporate. 12^th November It's being said that in every walk with nature, one receives far more than what he seeks; the sporadic drizzles of Shillong are a powerful medicine for rejuvenating an exhausted mind. It seems as if every niche and corner of Meghalaya has something to absorb from, to abide by and to take away. Likewise, every nation, every civilisation has its own richness and when it comes to the Eastern side of the continent, we share a lot in common with our neighbours. All are required to explore without prejudices.  MBIC is one such unique programme which will provide us with a four-month opportunity to observe, analyse and leverage the richness of one of our prominent neighbour and business partner. We have the edge to spread our tentacles in whatever interests we follow – whether its Research, Entrepreneurship, Innovation or any other. As we are waiting patiently for China Immersion, each one of us is hunkered to capture the best off of this programme, carving goals and formulating strategies.