“Of course it’s happening inside your head Harry, but that does not mean it is not real!”
Any literate person with his head in the right place would be able to recognise (if not appreciate the wonderfully understated complexity of) this line, unless you have been living under a rock for the past decade (in which case I suggest you go right back because you have already missed the most magical creation of all times and nothing can measure up to that). For those of you who did understand my reference, do not get your hopes up thinking that I am going to launch myself into yet another ode to Ms Rowling, wonderful as she may be. No, on the contrary, this is the dialogue that we were discussing in the place you would least expect us to- our first Micro Economics lecture at SIBM, Pune!!!
Now you might say that microeconomics is a very serious subject, definitely not one to be trifled with, especially by the business leaders of tomorrow. Because economics is the very lynchpin on which the world as we know it rests and the laws of demand and supply are as real as the zero you would get if you quote Professor Dumbledore in place of writing the formula for price elasticity in the semester examination. And I echoed the exact same sentiments….until I had the pleasure of attending a class by a certain Mrs. Manasi Phadke.
A petite, fair, bespectacled lady armed with oodles of energy and disarming wit, she made an entire batch of disinterested students sit up and take into cognizance the magic of economics. The bamboozling and insipid world of markets supply and price elasticity came alive when she explained it. And she peppered her talk with loads of stories about her colourful (often exasperating) experiences with live projects, working with various government organisations. Numbers became notes of classical music, and we learnt how to overlook the noise to listen to the subtle patterns they reveal.
Three hours went by in a hurricane of stories, sums and some well-directed sarcasm, and as the class came to an end, I found myself wishing for it to go on. That day I learnt far more than just the demand curve. And I went back with lots of food for thought. And ever since then, I have never missed any lecture of microeconomics. Now that is what I call magical!!
Which ABG Company I want to work for and why??
I would like to work in Aditya Birla Group for Idea Cellular Company. I would want to work there because Idea is a truly innovative brand that has been the harbinger of many firsts in the telecom domain like Mobile No. Portability. Also its vision to connect India digitally resonates with me. Not to mention that the company has also been a recipient of several awards like ET telecom award, Golden Peacock Award among others, which only adds to the appeal of the company and speaks volumes about its core values and culture.
Pallavi Singh
HR, SIBM-Pune