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.
