It was just the first week of our classes in IIM Raipur, when we had just got adjusted to the harsh weather of Raipur and the rainy season had just begun. Well, we thought it was another normal day in our lives when we entered for our classes. And most of us were kind of blown away by the class taken by a finance professor – the way he taught the concepts easily and the practicality with which he explained them – I thought my life couldn’t have been made easier since I was coming from a background which is not usually seen in an IIM ( medical ). Then we had our second session – Operations – where again the Professor taught us by taking real-life examples like going to a hotel or atm. But it was the way he acted in the class while teaching which made it memorable. It was like seeing a ballerina (and it was not a female teacher) mixed with classical dance. Just when we thought that the day couldn’t get any better, we had the post-lunch session which stole the show. The Marketing class by one of our professors was the show stopper. Of course, he used unconventional methods like short skits and role plays to teach some basic concepts. But later while teaching some of the methods used for marketing, he started singing one of the famous songs from one of the old ads. (Trust me when I say it comes as a shock where you kind of expect the professors to be usually grumpy). Then we had 2 more ad songs by which time we got quite accustomed to it. But as they say, picture abhi baaki tha. He started enacting the role of Mr. Amitabh Bachchan from one of the famous ads of Cadburys and the most usually seen Pulse Polio. And he got into the role so well, that he even said the famous ‘Deenanath Chauhan’ dialogue from Agneepath. Our hands were quite paining from clapping but there wasn’t an end to be seen for the appreciation. Well, we talked to some of the seniors who told that it’s one of the ways he makes us understand the concept easily without making us bored. Finally, when we were wishing that the day would continue, it came to an end. So this was how we had one of the memorable experiences in a b-school and hoping it won’t be the last too.
Which Aditya Birla Group company would you like to work for and why?
I would like to work with the Aditya Birla Health Insurance company. As I have a medical degree, I have the basic knowledge which would help me understand even some of the smaller details related to the medical aspect. And with a management degree, I would know the intricacies, skills, experience and know-how to create and implement policy, make decisions and aid in the day-to-day function of an insurance company. I would also love to work with the Aditya Birla Skills foundation group which helps in training people, who come from an economically lower background and helping them get those skilled jobs which generally don’t require a lot of education but is necessary for smooth functioning of activities.
Sharath R - is a 1st year student at IIM Raipur