All the Best for the aspirants..Was there in your position last year..See you here at IIM Visakahapatnam this July:)
Sharing an article which I wrote after our first week here at IIM V.
One week after I opened my gift:
Day 0: I anxiously stepped into the hostel though was virtually familiar with some of the batchmates through whatsapp. Ms. Komala Devi Madam eased a lot of pressure off me with her warm welcome.We also had senior student representatives coming down from IIM Bangalore to help us out. I checked into my room still curious to know people with whom I would be sharing my dream journey with. The anxiety continued through out day until I went for a dinner with my batch mates and faculty organized by IIM B at Gateway Hotel. I met some really interesting and motivating people here.
Day 1: Nervously excited about what's in store, I set my foot in the Indian Institute of Management, Visakhapatnam campus for the registration .We had an inaugural ceremony with the Honourable HRD minister for the state Ghanta Srinivas Rao garu as the Chief Guest .We proceeded to Fourpoints by Sherathon for lunch. It was rare honour to share a table with Dr.Sushil Vachani ,the Director of IIMB and Prof Saurav Mukherjee,Dean(Programmes),IIM B and Ms G Janaki Ramachandram,Head-Academic Programmes and Administration at IIM V).After lunch, we had a video conference with Honourable Minister for HRD Smt.Smrithi Irani followed by an address by a 1976 batch IIM B alumnus Mr.T. Shri Nagesh,CEO-Advisors Ltd.(PAL).There was also an election nomination process conducted by some of the past Student Affairs Council (A student body of IIM B)members for the posts of student representatives.If you think the day ended there, it is a mistake. They gave an overview about the case based method of learning which is very popular at IIMs, divided us into teams and gave a case to be solved before 4 59 59AM the following day.They explained how sacrosanct these deadlines are. "Welcome to the IIM!" we all thought. So the first day lasted for 22 hours! This made me understand my capability to push my limits and do more. Not to forget the gags we shared through out the day. Some haunting questions, beginning of great friendships-this day for sure will last long in my memory.
Day 2: PGP Course Introduction, gender diversity, disability services were some of the key takeways from the day. We also had a 'Life at IIM' presentation done by some of the alumni of IIM B.
Day 3: Navgati Foundation got the turtles of ego on our shoulders out, made us put on the coat of confidence ,made us take a vow not be judgemental for a day. It was a day for getting to know each other well (really well)through theatre. A day to build a team that will create the culture at IIM V that will stay for long. We made images of our hopes and dreams by molding the clay(our classmates) and sealed them in the memory . As the session proceeded, we realized images make a strong impact on self and others. Molding my hopes increased my desire to turn them into reality. Being part of others' hopes made me understand the impact that we have on others' lives. Needless to say that after a day of fun ,we can confidently say that we are friends more than classmates. It was important for such a transformation considering the diversity of the class(People from 14 different states ).This was just the dawn for many friendships that will be cherished for long.
The day ends with people starting to work on their resumes for summer placements and having a crack at the CASE that was up for tomorrow in the class.
Day 4: Excited about the case study mode of learning, I set my foot forward to the class. Prof .L.S.Murthy was going to handle the case discussion in the class. The way he started off and gave analogies to make me look at THE PROBLEM was something that will stay with us for the rest of our lives. For example, If I have a problem with the Sun, I should try and block the sun and not do any measures to escape from it .The way the professor unfolded it gave us the feeling that we were watching a edge of the seat thriller with the so called culprits dodging away from time to time. The case just gave the right kind of impetus to keep the Sherlock in every one of us alive for the rest of our lives.
Alumni Talk: We also had some of the distinguished alumni of IIM-B come to the class and share their insights about the IIM journey ahead and some key takeaways that we should be looking at. It was so inspiring to see them talk about their batches and how their IIM journeys drove them to become what they are now.
Day 5: With an outbound activity scheduled and nothing more revealed , made me wake up with a sense of nervous excitement. Immediately after going to the campus, I saw 'Break Through India' promising us fun. We were then divided into groups and were asked to perform activities like rope walk , crossing a spider web to name a few. If you are thinking about the means of support for doing that, let me cut across your imagination. PEOPLE were my support. The way they ensured that I walked on the rope safely or lifted me (I was feeling so safe and relaxed in their hands)to cross the spider web. This experience made deep impressions on my mind about team work. It made me understand that leaders do need to work in teams and need the support of people for doing anything. Experiential Learning at its best!!
The rest of the day(Yes, the day never ends here!)was spent working on our resumes for summer internships with able guidance from our placement committee representatives from IIM B.
Day 6: This day was reserved for us to get sensitized with social surroundings. The group picture with all of us wearing the IIM V T Shirts set the mood for the day. We went to the Bhagavatula Charitable Trust(BCT) , Haripuram( A village located around 30 km away from Visakhapatnam).The village is right in the womb of the greenery that was covering up the Eastern Ghats(What a scenary!)We had a warm welcome from every one there including the dog which was wagging its tail in happiness (I will never forget that sight!)We were then explained about the vibrant community there. Then, the moment of the day arrived in the form of our visit to BCT High School. It was astonishing to see kids make so diverse products(Cloth material using a charka, medicines from plants, various exhibits),perform diverse activities(dance, singing, reciting slokas, tailoring). The sight of differently abled kids(some hearing impaired and partially/fully speech impaired) expressing their names, feelings gave me goose bumps. I am sure every one of us had similar feelings. These will be one of our greatest sources of inspiration. The icing on the cake was the specially arranged Andhra sumptuous meal .Needless to say, this will be one of our most memorable days for us.
Yes, it was a very long week. This past one week gave me a lot of learning that will stay with me for long and also gave a toast of the journey ahead.
Cheers!
Sai Aditya Velichety