Life@ MDI...

Almost completed a month in “My Dream Institute” and I would be lying if I say that I have experienced something of this sort before.

First Date with MDI

16th March 2012…I had a date with MDI. All I knew was it was one of the best B-Schools in the country. Took a flight from Mumbai and it was one of the most hectic days of my entire life. It was one such day when I had butterflies in my stomach and I was wondering that how can some institute give a run for money to the IIMs. With all these questions popping in my head, I entered MDI. And then was the movement of truth for me. I was completely dazzled. Was it the amazing infrastructure, or the positive vibes that I was getting from this campus, I am still not sure. After my interview process got over, I met one of the Alums and had an amazing talk with him regarding the institute. While leaving I just saw something catchy on his tee-shirt. The word was “Mandevian” and I could not decipher what the word exactly meant.  Finally before leaving, I had this wish to come back to the campus as a student. And I the will turned so strong that finally I am writing this from my hostel room in MDI…

MDI- Description

37 acres - but it is not just the magnitude - the campus itself tells a lot of tales – MDI is one of the most beautiful campuses to study. All I can say is campus is amazingly planned and you can find the kind of decorum you expect to find in the best b-school in the country. The name of the buildings set the tone in the campus. Few of them are Gurukul, Lakshya, Nalanda and Parthenon, which definitely give a larger than life feeling to the ones associated.

When it comes to food, I have to admit that I came with no expectations. But I have to agree the mess serves delicious food, fabulous breakfast (my favourite part), non-veg is served thrice a week and veg food is better than decent quality too. Big thanks to the mess people for real awesome food.

Enough of briefing about Campus…lets go back a little to the very first week i.e. THE INDUCTION WEEK. Induction here at MDI was an experience of a lifetime. As much as my batch mates hated it when they were going through those hectic days, they cherish it now when they recall. The way the Induction week concluded was absolutely amazing. And I totally missed all the fun. “Work hard, party harder”...that's the mantra for every ManDevIan.

And after all the thrills of the induction, we stepped in  to deal with the academic rigour- The existence of which, was made very clear to me on the first day of the academic session, with me along with 17 others waiting one and a half hour outside the class for being late by a minute. Discipline is a byword at MDI, and the professors here bring one back to reality - HARD! No second thoughts, they are the best in the business. I am sure no one who ever attends a class at MDI will be satisfied with any classes anywhere else, ever.
Let’s jump to the month long Club Selection Process, which is presently on going. The Clubs are simply amazing here. From Placement Committee to Samaritans, there is something for everyone here. And one has to give a good amount of fight to get in any of these prestigious Clubs.

To bring the fun part to this rigorous life there have been lights of freshers’ night & the rangmanch in the last one month and these are not just parties, they are a way of life here in MDI. They kick off at 9 in the night and continue till morning. If you have attended any of these, there is lot to fall in for. Even the Few Alums, I am in touch with got nostalgic when they heard about the events. The sports enthusiasts are totally in love with the lush green outfields. 1st month also saw MDI Premier League which was a kick-off to the Sports season.
With mid-terms just a week away, feeling of an MBA experience is finally seeping in. The group assignments and quizzes have been in full fledge from past two weeks.  And this has had an effect on the junta. A lot of them are seen with dreamy eyes because they have learnt the idea of sleepwalking and attending classes in sleep. To keep us alive during the nights there are joints like Sharma Ji, Jha Ji. The canteen is open almost 20 hours a day. Though most items are strictly ok but the cheese omelettes are a real retreat to the ones studying late in the night. They also serve as Birthday Celebration Points. Life is really hectic here. Just coming back from a walk, wanted to charge myself for the rest of the night, but that’s the way it is going to be. And I have to say I am in really in love with life@MDI.

And today I know and feel what a Mandevian is. It for sure is one of the best feelings what I have experienced in my entire life.

Not a lot of Choice..!!

Simply fell in love with the lines: 

“Every morning in Africa, when a gazelle wakes up, it knows it must run faster than the fastest lion or it will be killed. Every morning a lion wakes up, it knows it must outrun the slowest gazelle or it will starve to death. It doesn’t matter whether you are a lion or a gazelle. When the sun comes up, you better start running.” 

So all that matters now is how fast I can run for NITIE and MDI.  All it needs is some effort for next 15 days or so.

Go!Go!!Go!!!=)

A Date with IIMs

So I m done with the common WAT/PI process of the 6 IIMs. Here goes the story:


Date & Slot : Feb 23, 2012
Location: IIM L-Noida Campus
Cat percentile: 98.20 ( QA-97.45 VA-95.66)
Work Ex: 28 months as of today
WAT Topic : Democracy is hindering the growth of Country
WAT Experience : It was a descent topic to think about. Started well with terminology. Coined few terms and I think, I was able to do justice.


Details about interview panel (no of interviewer etc) :2 panelists lets say P1 and P2 and myself A


Questions asked in PI :


P1: Abhinav can tell us something about yourself?
A: Started with my graduation. Came to work and then told how I landed up in my present job.
P2: Interrupting, which city are you from?
A: Sriganganagar, Sir.
P1: I know this city.
(I was about to add about the city, interrupted by P2)
P2: So you worked in Infosys. Asked me reasons to leave Infy.
A: Answered(they looked satisfied)
P1: So, why din't you try for a Biotechnology company earlier?
A: Told 'em it was recession when I passed out. More over I was more interested in a combination of software and Biotechnology.

P1: Define Biotehnology.

A: Answered

(In all this time P2 was looking at my folder and checking my certificates)

P1: So how is it diferent from Biosciences? And how both are different from Microbiology?

A: Told. 

P1: Looked satisfied. Asked me have you heard about Stemcells, can you tell us about that?

A: Tried to explain it in layman terms.

P1: Asked me something why do we take the cells from umbilical chord, why not we graft person's skin?

A: Answered (P1 convinced but wished to know more and I could not dwell it into technicalities)

P1: Asked me about Mummies. The Technique used to preserve Mummies.

A: Answerd how the aging process is delayed by chemicals.
P1: Do you know the chemicals the mummies are wrapped with?

A: Admitted I knew but cant recall.

P1: Can you tell us the Major players in healthcare ?

A: Answered well. Told them about my client Merck.

P1: So tell us what are the different Verticals in Johnsons and Johnoson?

A: Could tell them only the few ones I knew.

P1: How about Pfizer?

A: Told them what I knew.
P1: Pushed me further.

A: Sorry Sir, can't recall of any other.

P2: So what are you interested in?

A: Sir Business.

P1: No Abhinav, we don't want to hear about your long term goals. Looks like you have not been to any institute for gdpi prepration.

A: No Sir. 

P1: Very Evident from your answer (smiles all around)

P2: We wish to know about your hobbies. How you spend your free time.
A: Sir I like playing cricket and solving puzzles.

P2: Puzzles. Both the panelists gave me a sarcastic smile. 

P2: If you are given 8 balls and out of which one is heavier. And we give you a weighing machine. Find the heavier ball for us in just 2 weighings.
A: Thought for a moment. Sir Lets take 6 balls on first go. Weigh them 3 Vs 3. Now if this is equal we can get the heavier ball from the other two in another reading. Sir there can be another case in which the heavier ball is present in first 6 balls we choose.
P2: Smiling, its ok solve another one.
A: I solved this one too in a minute (Pannelists looked satisfied & pleased)

P2: So which state you belong to?

A: Sir, I come from the state of Rajasthan.
P2: Do you have any idea about the states touching your state?

A: Yes Sir. Five states Punjab, Haryana, UP , MP and Gujrat. In the left we have Pakistan Border.
P2: Punjab touching Rajasthan, are you sure?

A: Yes Sir its just 5 kms from my home city.

P1: Yes he is right. 

P2: How about Delhi? Does it touch Rajasthan Boundry?

A: No Sir.Just the 5 states ( Both Panelists look satisfied)
P2: Ok Thankyou (Smiling)

P1: All the very Best (Smiling)

A: Than kyou Sirs.

Interview Experience : Good
Any other details you want to mention : Keep ur Calm.
Advice to other candidates : Enjoy the process.
Verdict : Awaited.

The CAT Meows..

IIMs are really punctual when it comes to dates. So, I knew it was obvious going to be out on Jan 11 but never expected it to be right at 00:00 am. I wanted to finish my post on this blog before the results, just wanted to be true to myself for what I want. A lot of calls plugging in at the same time. A client was on the roll to, I could not say a no to her. Moreover, I wanted some peace to see my results, so preferred to wait a bit.

I still say the journey was amazing :)

Never really cared that much about the results but today it was different. I could exactly feel my heart beat. Just before entering my registration number,I offered my prayers. Glad that, they were listened. And yeah, English saved my day. 


So here goes the CAT story:

I have given my whole night to ponder over this result. Will get back soon probably in a day or two, with my plans for upcoming days.

Thanks Mom  for believing in me and letting me attempt CAT again..

Signing off for the Day..!!

PS: War is won but the Battle is still on. 

Almost Time..

Results can be out anytime now. Lots of speculations are going in PG. One thing is certain, I will have my result in the next 24 hrs And I am not getting enough words to explain how I am feeling right now. I do not know what is in the store for me. But all I have told myself during past two and half months is, whatever it will be, I am goin to accept it whole heartedly. 

It can be anything from a 90.xx to 99.xx. From the past week or so, I am recalling how things went for me. It reminds me of the tantamount of efforts I gave in for this exam. How I started of the season in a fashion got marks that were hard to believe in any of my previous years. Then I went down especially the two section thing did me. Then again got up to the levels I had in my mind for myself. I can see the constant change in myself that happened in the whole journey. I have no idea with how many 9's I end up this season. But CAT 2011 changed me for the good. It took me out of the trauma I was into last year. I never have seen this kind of ZEAL in myself. The motivation to spend countless weekends in the office, sleeping for 3 odd hours and then back to office again to study.So many things, I can recall right. Its hard to concentrate on anything else especially when I am in office. I have lived this CAT prepration. And still believe I am going to do it.

Got a call from a friend, the results are out and I guess the result link is down. I haven't checked it by now. Just wanted to complete this post before I see my most awaited result.

This Blog Needs To Come Back To Life :)

Oh Yeah..!!

Next Stop..NMAT

After loosing the spark for past few days giving thoughts what finally happened in those precious 140 mins of CAT. Finally I have this feeling that it was better in fact way way better than any of my Yesteryear's' CAT. Now, its time to get up,  gear up for all what is coming this season. Next stop is NMAT yeah NMAT...my most favorite exam, the exam which came to my savior when I was down and out after Infosys almost an year and half ago. Cleared cutoffs twice in this in past two years. But this year it is not about cutoff..isn't it. NM we have some scores to settle. Next four days are going to be heck. Loads of practice. 


Go!Go!!Go!!! =)


Signing off for the day!