'Bandhan' and PDS

I am sure the last weekend was the busiest we can expect to have at ISB. I wanted to write something about two important events of the last week, but could not. Even though it is 1 week since we celebrated the event ‘Bandhan’ on the Independence Day, I am putting a few photographs of the event now. From sports, dances, drama and singing, the visiting kids participated in every thing and wanted to perform more, even beyond the timings of the programme. Some of the moments were specially very touching.

Then there was another event which became important from my perspective. The 8 members BCG team visited the campus with two Principals. In their previous visit some of us had requested for information about the actual projects handled by the consultants. So this time they were prepared with presentations on three projects: on launching a product, on the Public Distribution System (PDS) and one on the IT Sector.

What actually drew the maximum attention was the project on improving the delivery of the PDS. The first hand experience of Ashish on the topic and the information he had gathered working in the Orissa and Chattisgarh villages was eye opener for many. Despite all the complications, social sector remains one of the most exciting and tough sectors to work in. But the satisfaction of, may be, having been of help to poor, helpless Indians is immense.

I might write some of my experiences with the PDS after the end of third term next week. And that reminds me, time is flying at ISB. Only one more core term to go and then people will be opting for their specializations. Doesn’t that mean making some of the crucial decisions of life in next one and a half month? Any advisors?

On Cultural Differences

I think every good B-School has its own cultural trademarks. These traits are the ones with which people can associate themselves, years after they have left their alma mater. One of these ‘culturally differentiating trademarks’ at ISB is that of ‘dunking’. Since pictures speak more than words, I have put two photographs of the first ‘Day time Dunking’ of our section. And if you are confused what a suited- booted Paah Ji is doing in a swimming pool, then that’s dunking or rather having been dunked.

Normally the Birthday kid and his/ her study group members are the first ones to be dunked; until the madness rises when most people end up getting dunked. But what drove the Section to break the tradition of Dunking at Mid-night was the fear of Corporate Finance Mid-term exam. So the dunking seems to be appropriate in the sense that people are washing the (bad) memories of the just concluded paper.

Preparations are also on at ISB for the Independence Day celebration. The best thing about the events planned for this 15th August is the visit of a number of school kids along with some NGOs. People here are planning games, music, arts and what not for the kids. And I know being in the reception committee for welcoming the kids is a much needed change than being escorted to the stage set up for district celebrations in the Collectorate. After all the responsibility to organize a successful show is the responsibility of the ADM General.

It also reminds me of the events I had planned for the Independence Day celebration at the District Headquarter in one of my postings. Amongst all the other things, I was most impressed was the performance of a flute player who played almost divine music. After a few days I had called for him only to discover an untrained rustic villager who was out of earnings, job, shows and a group to perform with. His previous group having dumped him for all the attention he used to draw.

Ranjan had brought with him a lot of certificates along with newspaper cuttings showing his kuchha hut and stories from his village where he works as a day labourer in others’ fields. All I could arrange was to tie him with a professional group with the help of District Information Officer. Now Ranjan is staging shows again and has been to some foreign countries as well. At times if my mobile buzzes and someone cries for a few minutes before speaking a word, I know it must be ‘Babu Moshay’. After all, places have their unique cultural trademark.

Indian Railways' Turnaround: The story retold

Here ended another weekend which I passed clearing the backlog of studies. I just submitted my second assignment for the evening, though the one on Finance was due for Wednesday.

This week General Management Club organized a speaker session with Mr Sudhir Kumar, IAS. The presentation about the turnaround of the Indian Railway has already been covered by some other B-Schools. However, it still mesmerizes the audience. It was a good learning experience for many to see how the organization could earn profits despite providing services at huge subsidies. The fun is that the change was managed once again by the age old bureaucracy. May be when it comes to the ‘people skills’, where conflict of interests is common, bureaucratic experience has no parallel.

This weekend we also concluded the Leadership Development Module, making presentations on diverse topics. We also discussed and watched some of the famous oratory skills demonstrations in movies and literature. Al Pacino in his Oscar winning role in Scent of a Woman was the favourite of the class. But my doubt remains; how many times can one create such sensation and excitement in business boardrooms, through speeches that are made without ‘Re-takes’.

My immediate concern remains about my inability to find out time to complete two of my literary projects. And as Ghalib had said, ‘Hazaaron Kwahishen Aisi….’ Every time I promise myself to comeback to my incomplete tasks- I end up beaten by the speed of the time.