My first year at IIM Indore

I was boarding a bus to Goa on the night of April 30th, when I received a seat confirmation for IIM Indore. The next three days were a roller coaster ride, and so was my first year as a PGP student.

My first term was about getting adjusted to the course structure, which I found to be hectic initially. The excitement of joining an IIM, and the enthusiasm to perform and make a mark, did wear me off. I had to read lengthy cases before attending 75 minute long lectures. Then there were the pre-processes (for clubs and committees), assignments, quizzes and exams. All of this changed my sleeping cycle, which was followed by frequent mid-lecture naps and swollen eyes. But, I eventually got used to the rigor. It made me come out of my comfort zone.

The bustling campus life of Planet-I, had a myriad of things to offer to pursue my interests. The activity clubs and committees played a major role with respect to this, by constantly tossing fun competitions and events. The college possesses well maintained hostel blocks, and other facilities like the sports complex (with an ‘Olympic size’ swimming pool), basketball court etc. Being a fitness enthusiast and a basketball player, I had the right opportunities to follow my hobbies, and socialize with students with similar interests.  

I observed how the college functioned as a self sufficient society. Self sufficient because the graduates here always sought for chances to be occupied even after classes, which led to student run services and stores.  The college has its own laundry service, retail store, food stall etc. operated by students.

The campus lights up in the evening, teeming with people moving to the food stalls. The eateries will be crowded with friend circles chattering and munching on their favorite snacks. The college remains alive throughout the night. There is always someone awake.

My first year was a great time for me to interact with students coming from different parts of the country and make many friends.  All the major festivals are celebrated inside the campus and DJ nights are arranged for special occasions. This allows students to enjoy and indulge, and also meet new people. IRIS, IIM Indore’s annual festival, is also a wonderful time for students to take a break from their academics.

The campus, located on a hillock, surrounded by farmlands and pastures, is decorated with several pleasing view points.  The college is packed with greenery, which when soaked in rain during the rainy season, is a delight to experience. The winter, I found to be raw and bitter, breaking the campus from the monsoon reverie. With so much of life around, students are allured to get out of their rooms every now and then. I often enjoyed going on long walks through the campus.

Having never lived in a hostel before, I understood the importance of being independent. I learned from my mistakes and also the things that I did right. I made a close set of friends in my first year, who have been very supportive and inspiring. I am constantly learning from them as well.

My summer internship was in a travel start-up, and it was a rewarding experience. I was able to apply the concepts which I learned over a year to solve my firm’s issues. Working on practical situations was challenging and fulfilling. I also learned where my interests lie after my internship, and I now have a clear picture about what I aspire to work on in the near future. This course has taught me the significance of adapting to changes, and time management. It has helped me gain a new perspective towards business operations.

So, this is the snapshot of my first year at Planet-I, and it was worth every bit of it!

Silence

Silence is not defined as a state of non - existence of, physical and non-physical, noise and distractions. Whereas, it is the very acceptance of these disturbances. Resisting any thought or emotion, which arises from anything which distracts you, being a common human response in such a situation, locks you from attaining silence. This transports you into a state of chaos. And, Chaos leads to pain. This pain, which arises from the absence of silence, forces you towards social withdrawal, because of the conception that emotional and physical isolation garauntees silence. Whereas, it uncomplicatedly adds to the chaos, and this leads to a vicious cycle. A cycle which breaks only when there is a realization that, neither the indulgence in emotional and physial isolation, nor the indulgence in desperate companionship, both of which clearly are methods of resistance, will lead to silence, but the acceptance of your distractions will.

Altering the words of Alain de Botton, "love, in general (which implies, for instance, the love for a possession, sport, person, friend, mother etc.), is an essential and alluring distraction from one's existential lonliness". It is easy, and above all, ecstatic, to accept it, provided there is emotional reciprocity, and/or, physical presence or connectity. But, when there is an absence of one or more of them, acceptance becomes demanding. Resistance under such a phase leads to the vicious cycle of chaos, as explained above. Approval of such distractions, though being arduous, is the only way towards silence. Only under such a moment of acceptance will there be an acknowledgment, and maybe an appreciation, of one's existential lonliness. And, also an awareness of the substantial and pronounced, difficulty, and resitance, to accept one's existential lonliness. The result of such an acceptance is something which I am unaware of. But, it is not easy to attain silence, is something which I'm aware of.

Benefits of travelling

The significance of travelling, and its definition, differs depending on how a traveller is influenced by it. It is an experience which I love indulging in, and at occasions crave desperately for, as a result of which I endeavoured to find its importance in my life. Travelling swaps my current state of affairs, favourable or not, with a different one, distracting me physically and mentally, because of which I get a broader perspective of my status quo, and a solution if I have a problem. I end up with a list of goals on my way back home, because of my changed perspective. 

Though, the consequences travelling can have on a person differ widely, there are a few familiar benefits which every traveller earns. 

Benefits of travelling alone

1. Self-discovery: Travelling alone makes you respond to various situations, which help you learn more about yourself. You get a better understanding about your likes and dislikes, making you feel all the more confident about your nature.

2. Acquire a state of calmness: Spending days without talking much to people, unless you find companions on your tour, makes you embrace silence and tranquillity. You tend to move in to your 'zone', and feel extremely placid. The increased composure assists you in sorting out issues, if you have any. Your sense of awareness builds up, helping you to make the best of your travel time, and plan accordingly. 

3. Appreciate relationships: Being alone makes you realise the importance of connections, friends and family. You learn how the people in your life influence you, and make a difference. This makes you humble, and congenial. 

4. Time for creative endeavours: Solo travelling can be the best time to flex your creative muscles and pursue your favourite hobbies, be it painting, writing, poetry, singing etc. There is ample amount of time for yourself, with little disturbance. The beauty and spirited vibes of your travel spot inspires your expressions, shaping your creative works. 

Benefits of travelling with a group

1. You learn about your companions: Travelling with friends, family, or even strangers, helps you to understand more about them. You get to know their interests, likes and dislikes. This assist in stemming deeper associations with your peers.

2. Improves coordination among the group: Office team outings are perfect examples to witness improved coordination because of travelling together. Group dynamics come into picture. Each member understand her/his role in the group, and takes responsibilities accordingly. One manages the bills, one the travel itinerary, one clicks pictures, one entertains the group and so on. This way you accept each others weaknesses and strengths, elevating the 'group chemistry'. When you meet again, you will sense the difference, influenced by travelling in a group.

3. Less hassles: Travelling together, with responsibilities shared among the members, can make planning easier and hassle-free. You will rarely come across a situation where something was forgotten. It is also safer to travel in a group. It allows you to visit certain spots which may not be safe to travel, if you are alone.

4. More fun and energy: Joy is contagious. The vigour and energy of the group lifts you, irrespective of your mood. If your are going through a rough patch, then travelling in a group can help you cheer up. There may be occasions when you do a certain activity or visit a certain place, which you were wary about, but eventually go on with it because the group wanted to. Trust me, you won't regret a lot of such moments, and may end up having a gala time.

To Experience

To experience is to sense the intricate details, functionalities and the being of one's surroundings and the numerous states of mind. Comprehension follows an experience, which leads to accumulation of intelligence and wisdom. Intelligence and wisdom assists one to serve, create and provide companionship, which are, I learned, the avenues to serve one's purpose. The understanding of this, sparks an impulse to experience, forming a virtuous cycle of existence. Hence, experience to exist.

Grow to die

When I was a seed - I was sown inside the earth and protected. Water and minerals nurtured my growth in a dark and secluded space. Waiting patiently, I wondered about the numerous possibilities outside this sphere. I grew excited and anxious.

When I was a sapling - I came out of the earth and got exposed to air and sunlight. They were the first ones with whom I interacted, from the world outside. Both were really charming. So enticed I was by their company, that I started growing inclined towards having utmost contact with them.

When I blossomed - With my pace of growth slightly reduced, I became stronger and exuberant. This stage of my life was the most memorable one. Attention was received from every being around. Birds, bees, insects and squirrels visited me frequently. Some of them thought I was so congenial, that they decided to live with me. They built their abodes on my branches, while a few drilled through my trunk. But, I did not care, for the interest they showed. People stood next to me to click photographs. A few painted portraits of mine and wrote about me, appreciating my presence. I was humbled by all the love. I wished for this phase to stay for ever.

When I withered - Growth stalled. Flowers and leaves started to shrink and fall. All of my friends, the birds, the insects abandoned me. They moved on searching for another one. Someone young and vibrant, like how I was a before. No one wished to stand next to me for photographs. But still, a few irregular beings wrote about me and painted sketches of mine. They felt there was still something left in myself, which could be described. This was amusing, and made me feel significant. But, it couldn't match the happiness I had before. Now, the sinusoidal nature of everything was evident.

When I died - Nothing more was left of me. I fell right on the same ground from which I emerged. Germs, insects and animals fed on me as I decayed. I was consumed completely, and made a part of the world now, deprived of the physical presence, though. 

I served a lot of beings, after being introduced in to the world, as a habitat, as a source of energy, food and air. I brought down rain, inspired poets, artists and writers. I was even responsible for gravity to be discovered. I feel accomplished to have grown and died. I wish to become a seed again.

Window Stare

The winds sweep pleasantly
sweeping where?
The sparrows chirp their way merrily
going where?
The sun light drifts like a snail
drifting where?

To be Water

To be able to contrive the path desired,
and to dance and frolic about it.
To be able to mirror the sky,
the trees and even the mighty sun,
When it wishes to be concealed.
To be able to transmit and refract,
when it wishes to be known.
To be able to absorb any stone pelted,
and to simmer down with ripples.
To be able to die and ascend,
to form pale ghostly heaps above.
And to dive down violently,
to slake the thirst for life.
To bend, twist and swirl,
to its whims.
To be Water.