First Week at IIML

37 AIMCATs, 16 GDPI sessions and numerous hours of AIMCAT analysis fetched me IIM calls. Odds were high, but I guess the planetary positions favored me and I converted IIM L. I immediately resigned from my cozy job and booked tickets to Lucknow. A new life was waiting for me.

The day I reached Lucknow the thermometer reading showed 44°C. I quickly checked the news paper, but as usual the weather forecast had nothing to pacify. I boarded a cab for the campus which was only 33km from Airport. As I entered the gates I was shocked to find two legendary gentlemen, one from history and the other from mythology moving in exactly opposite directions. I didn’t bother much and went to office of ‘Student Affairs’ (the name sounds funny) where the hostels were allotted. My room was arranged in no time all because of Sonu Singh. I was all set for the induction program tomorrow.

A thin but threatening PGP manual was handed to us as we entered ‘Bodhigraha’. I wondered why this simple academic block bears such a cryptic name. The session started with a pledge followed by series of Alumni sessions. The sessions became more and more soporific as time rolled. But surprisingly some students always have some question or the other. I wonder how they lead a life with so much ambiguity. Perhaps these were the people who grow up to become lethal DCPs. The session came to an end with an announcement from PGP2 about the night session. I could almost feel ‘Hell Devi’ whispering in my hears ‘WELCOME TO HELL’.

The night sessions were grueling. We were made to write SOP at 11.30 at night. Even the slightest of odd movement qualified us for a DISCO, which starts around 2AM every day. We were assigned groups and odd offbeat topics for presentation. Even a 24 pages case study was mailed to us with the strictest of deadlines for submission. I quickly added the word ‘sacrosanct’ to my vocabulary as it was spelled numerous time to make us aware of the deadlines. Even a 45 minutes ‘Mahabharath’ clip was projected to us as a case study. It was funny to see people fighting with each other to prove King Santanu’s lust at the age of 60 was justified. The presentations and role plays became comedy circus. The slides that we mailed as a part of our assignment were changed by some supernatural power. In some cases the presenters were taken by surprise to find that even the topic title has changed. This resulted in series of bashing from some of the most outspoken seniors. We were preys. Then came the Finance, marketing and QUAM sessions. At 2.30 night we were given fundas about Finance. It was pity to see some of the best brains in the country looking helplessly to the blackboard not understanding a bit. The lecture sessions were followed by a test the next day. The answer sheet looked all white. We reached the ‘Critical Frustration Point’ when at 2AM an announcement came that there would be a marathon at 6AM, and before that we had a series of tasks to complete. The sleep deprived eyes were giving up. It was impossible to hold back. We were on the verge of collapse.

The third day we were called a bit early. I was surprised to find some ever frowning seniors looking happy. I wondered if a mass PPO was offered. Then came the surprise as it was unveiled that the sessions were preplanned, a part of IIM L legacy. None of the assignments were evaluated and no actions would be taken against any one. A perfect example of organised crime. This was followed by an announcement of the ‘insti party’ the same night. Every one of us (except the few who had prior knowledge of the legacy) was relieved. The party was a much needed one. All of a sudden every senior became friendly. The party was a hit and everybody enjoyed thus setting a perfect launching pad for the 2 years ahead.