IITB GD/PI: A Different Experience

[ Disclaimer : This Post may not make sense to a casual reader. But if you are one of those MBA aspirants prowling for some info. on the GD/PI process, go ahead, u will find enough. ]

Last time when I visited Mumbai, it was on a cool November evening. Even then, I got a clue as to how hot and humid Mumbai climate might turn to be in the summer. Two years being a long time, I forgot the observation. But when I stepped out into the Dadar Rly. Station for my IITB GD/PI, I felt it. The sweat that couldn't be contained even by a double spray of Deo, the heat on the head and the hot breeze on the face .. Gosh! Summer has already arrived in Mumbai.

I could rant on and on on Mumbai, But I shouldn't Digress..

Coming to my GD/PI, mine being the afternoon slot, I had plenty of time to rest and laze around. And then when I was dressing up( gearing up ) for the GD/PI, my roommate walked in with an exasperated expression on his face. He completed his GD/PI that morning and obviously he had screwed it up. 'WIERD', he said and sat down. After cooling off, I tried to find out what exactly was weird. He narrated his PI to me esp. those Questions which he considered ( and I thoroughly agreed ) were weird. To cut short the long story, the questions were not the typical MBA ones: No why MBA ?. No Tech or Acads or Workex related ones. The Questions were biased towards maths and stats, co-ordinate geometry to be precise. And there were some GK questions like Women CMs of India, Tax slabs etc. I knew then, that it would be an altogether different ball game this time.

At 12:45 PM, the process started with a presentation on SJMSOM and a small photostory on SOMites. Certificate Verification followed and then our GD followed.

GD was actually a HR case study. A classical case of labour union problems. A very old and boring case I would say. Though there weren't many fresh perspectives, everyone got a chance to put forward their ideas. Due to lack of overtly aggressive guys, we had a pretty cool GD. Barring a few, everyone else should have scored the same points.

Then the PIs started. Being the 12th person in our panel, I had another 3 hours to laze around. And now, being the last person also has its advantages. One gets a chance to guage the expectations of the panel from the initial feedback. The first person came and left without talking. The second person came with another just-outta-hell kind of expression. And his feedback, again the same single word:'WEIRD'. Lotza GK questions, a few math and few workex related questions. Well, my GK stinks and my Math sucks...so I left it to my guardian angel to take care of me and patiently awaited my turn.

At 5:45 PM, taking a deep breath, I entered the room. After wishing the panel a Good Day( hoping the day would end Good too !! ), I tried to draw thier attention to my SOP, so as to steer them to a discussion on my career goals. See..MBA aspirants generally mug up answers to the typical career-related questions and hence find little difficulty in answering them. Perhaps, the panel knows this too, they didn't fall for my trick.

"What is Theory of Computation and Explain Its Significance in Computer Science ?" -- was the first question. Hmm... After dusting my three-year old memory shelves, finally gave a vague answer. Then followed a volley of questions on PPP, GDP, rupee appreciation, imports and other economy related questions. I was answering in a cool manner and everything seemed to be going fine..

Then came the googly: "How do you find the inverse of a 3x4 Matrix?". I started recollecting my secondary school math. Although, I suspected that the question was tricky ( Does it really have an inverse ?!!) .. I started explaining about how I would come up with a 4x3 matrix. After a bit of cross-questioning by the prof., I finally acknowledged that only square matrices have inverses :( . Basics, boss, Basics.

With a condescending look, he asked me why I was not able to come to that answer sooner. I accepted that I was rustic in Maths and that coding has nothing to do with Maths. He looked surprised and asked me again if coding and maths are not at all related. I firmly maintained my stand. I had been in S/W field for almost 2 years, but with a few exceptions, never had I strained my brain even a little .. I dunno if it was positive or negative, point was taken.

OK..then onwards questions moved to more generic ERP stuff. And in between, there was another interesting question. "Given 6 refrigerators from 6 different companies, how would you decide on which to select ?". After struggling for a few minutes I got it this time : Weighted Average of Different Parameters. Well, a simple answer.. afterall B-Schools select their students that way!! And then the last Question: "What are the states in North East India ?". Well, took some time again, and came up with the correct number of states: Seven. But I missed Tripura and added Sikkim. Finally, with a thank you, it ended.

Whether I had done well or not can be decided only on the D-Day : 30th March. But overall a different experience. It wasn't like the stereotypic MBA interview. It was more like a Job/PG interview. All objective Questions, a very cool panel, supportive not stressing out...A memorable experience.

SJM SOM... sure ROCKS!!!

Bird Flu: The new face of Terror.

It seems Darwin's Theory of Evolution is not limited to human beings. It is applicable to disease carrying micro-organisms too. As man grows stronger with vaccines and medicines, Nature finds a way to attack back.

Small Pox had been eliminated. AIDS has become a cliche. Even clinical trials are in progress for HIV Vaccine. SARS had a brief but frightening spell in between. And now arrives the new death machine - The Avian Flu.

As the cartoon( courtesy : 6 Faces ) depicts, Avian Flu has become the new face of terror. Last time, when it struck in 2004, the effect on human life was insignifant. But in 1918-19, the Spanish pandemic has killed about 50 million people. So the threat is real and very near.

Looking at the basic details : Avian Flu is an Influenza-like fever caused by virus esp. in the foul birds. It spreads through bird droppings, meat and eggs. The current virus strain is called H5N1. Through birds it can affect human beings and could spread very rapidly. Currently, the flu is mild in human beings but scientists fear that the virus may transform itself into a deadly Human Flu. If that happens, It could make the 1918 pandemic look minor.

So, How to prevent it? Turn Vegeterian. I am an Eggiterian, Hence the chances of infection are much less than the Non-vegeterians. And for strict Non-vegeterians who couldn't survive without meat, cook in healthy conditions and be very careful next time you go to the poultry shop to pick up your chicken.

Now that the Health Department has been woken up from its stupor, I hope it wouldn't be much long before the disease is contained.

Calling all Telugu Fans ..

Are you from Andhra Pradesh? Are you an ardent fan of Telugu Language ?
Then have you heard about wikipedia in telugu ? No, then you should be thanking me for this post.

Wikipedia is an online encyclopedia where anyone can go and find information about almost every topic. This is not a corporate encyclopedia like the Britannica, but a free-for-all encyclopedia. So who compiles the information ? It's we. We can add/edit/append information about topics we know about and share our knowledge with others. Drop by drop we build the ocean.

The orginal wikipedia, which was started by Jimmy Wales can be read here . Thousands of articles can be found here. Inspired, Our telugu community has started a wikipedia in telugu: Telugu Wikipedia. This gives information in telugu about telugu society and culture. In addition to the exclusive information on our state and culture, it covers a broad range of topics like history, science, politics to name a few.

If you are a novice seeking information on telugu culture, go and exlplore the telugu wikipedia. If you are a stalwart who knows enough about telugu culture, contribute and share your knowledge with our community.

Telugu wikipedia is an Encyclopedia written by telugu people for telugu people about telugu people. Let's contribute to this sea of knowledge. Even if it's a drop, It makes a difference.

P.S: I have posted this inspired by chaduvari blog. Take a look at it.

Google Blog Search

Recently came across this through a link on a friend's blog.
With Blogs gaining popularity as media.. Google has already come up with a search facility.

Google Blog Search

The latest from google. The UI is as simple as the Google Search..Only difference is that this Search is limited to the Blogs. It is still in the Beta Version. But the results are cool.

I will have to say that google is 'Nokia of IT'. Nokia is known for its unrelenting focus on Innovation. The fact is reflected in the numerous numero uno mobile phones it has brought into the market. By the time people get used to the existing models, Nokia comes up with a new one. It is the same with Google. Always, in the front, leading the markets with its highly Innovative and Creative Products.

But the common key strength of all Google products is the Simplicity. They don't have any fancy stuff, just light-weight UI that is fast. Google focusses more on the core requirements rather than on the extravagant paraphernalia. Its results are always faster, though the features are fewer.

But, in some cases, I felt that some necessary features were left out. Look at Google Talk. I prefer Yahoo Messenger to Google Talk, bcoz the latter is too simple. It is excellent for Voice Chat. But It doesn't have emoticons, BUZZ and above all the facility to login in invisible mode. Maybe we can expect them in the later versions.

Unreal Tournament : Frag 'em all

Started playing a new PC game : Unreal Tournament. Though years have passed since its release, didn't get a chance to play till now. Arena games are worth the money only when played on LAN and I didn't get access to LAN till now. So, Gaming Fraternity, do excuse my delay at realizing a wonderful game.



For those who are not aware, UT is a First Person Shooter(FPS) arena game. Several players play in a map, and the objective is to kill as many other players as possible. Each kill is known as a frag. The person who frags the preset number of times faster is the Champion.

So, this weekend, in order to utilize the 100 mbps bandwidth of our office LAN, I have joined my fellow gamers( and colleagues) in this DeathMatch tournament. Initially, I felt it was similar to Quake 3. I tried playing Quake thrice, once every time a new version was released, but each time I had given up in less than two days. Now Quake did connect with most of the arena fans, but still the bouncers and transporters have ruined the gameplay. The shooting was more of luck with people jumping around and vanishing..So I quit that game. But UT is more decent. Of course translocators, lifts and other fancy stuff of Quake is present here too, but it does not interfere with the gameplay. And graphics are much better than Quake's.

Within a coupla games I loved it. I decided to complete the single player scenarios too.So, created my character and started fragging.Here is my avatar - Infernus.

UT has a variety of characters to choose avatars from; You can be a Soldier or a Rogue, Alien or a Robot, Machine or an Animal and for those insatiable funkies there are some hybrid versions too ;-)

I selected this character coz he looked quite decent.
But still, decency doesn't stop him from fragging..

IIT Delhi GD/PI: A Mixed Bag

[ Disclaimer : This Post may not make sense to a casual reader. But if you are one of those MBA aspirants prowling for some info. on the GD/PI process, go ahead, u will find enough. ]

Completed my IIT Delhi GD/PI too.. the second in the series.

I reached IIT Delhi the day before itself( Not bcoz I was anxious, but the air deccan flight got resheduled ). IIT Delhi was a HUGE Campus. It was a MiniCity in itself. One can easily get lost. Anyway things went fine and I ended up in my accomodation. Delhi was very cold, touching 4-5 C in early hours. Thank God, I took my Jerkin or else I wouldn't have survived to survive the interview.

Plodding along the dusty road, I reached the venue just in time. A presentation was going on about IIT Delhi. A cool one...these guys do know how to market their institute. One thing i liked about the seniors there is their sense of humour and helping attitude. There were some alumni too, and they were very keen on taking any questions we had on the course.

Then, 12 of us were sent for the group discussion. It was a conference hall with participants sitting on either side of a long table in the middle. The professor gave us the topic: "Should IIMs be privatised?". I was ruminating about the ideas when the chaos started. The people were very keen on putting forward their points that they have successfully ended up creating a fish market, where no one was heard. All along the 10 min GD, at least 3 persons were speaking at any given instance. I tried to make a few entries, but failed miserably. Three person with loud voice, agressively used their lung power to consume as much airtime as possible. And nothing much was discussed or decided upon.In fact, nothing much was heard.

The Group failed and I failed even miserably. Then we all came out and sat down waiting for the Interviews to begin. One of the guys who shouted the most and devoured almost all the allotted time, started complaining that people did not allow him to speak. And I had to resist a strong urge to punch him in the stomach.

And then I was called for the interview. No cell this time and No interests in tourism. I went in confidently and wished the three persons sitting there. The panel has three persons: 2 industry experts and 1 professor. Each one of them looked very professional.

The Interview started with "Why should we take you?" and went along very well along the lines of my career goals, work experience, problems in the industry, extra-curriculars. The persons looked like no-nonsense guys and cut me short every time I tried to blabber. They wanted precise answers and I feel that I have done well in giving them.

Overall, a very bad GD and a good PI.

Hopes on you, DMS !!

IIFT: My First GD/PI and First Screw-up

[ Disclaimer : This Post may not make sense to a casual reader. But if you are one of those MBA aspirants prowling for some info. on the GD/PI process, go ahead, u will find enough. ]

My IIFT GD/PI, the first one of this season took place in hyderabad. Started off well with a good Essay and a decent GD but ended up flat on my face with a shoddy performance in PI.

Let me recount the events leading to the tragedy..

Reached the venue on time. Punctuality has never been my virtue, but my new Snooze Alarm did make up for that. There were 12 people in my batch. Half of them freshers and the others with workex. Everyone looked cool.

We were seated in form of a circle. A very good arrangement for GD.

After fiddling for a few moments, the essay topic was announced. "Is Cricket losing its popularity in India?". Hmm...good one. I think everyone agreed on this issue. Launched into the topic stating the reasons behind the losing popularity. Completed it well in time before the paper was snatched.

Then started the GD. "Should dress code be implemented in schools and colleges".Two minutes for each one expressing his/her views and 36 mins for open discussion, with each person moderating for 3 mins. I was the first person and talked about dress code reducing class distinctions, inspiring pride and encouraging a feeling of oneness. And then others continued. There was a consensus on implementing dress code in schools. But there was a divide on whether the favour should be extended to colleges. Somehow in the middle of the discussion, the group digressed and started discussing more interesting things like the 'Western Influence on Indian Youth". Overall, a well-organized GD.

Then started the Personal Interviews. Again I was the first person to go in. The panel has 3 men. One of them was seriously going through my essays. One person looked very relaxed and highly disinterested. The third person took most of my interview. It started of with the most cliched Interview Openers: Tell us about Yourself ?. Boring Question...But I droned on for a few mins.

Then went on to Why MBA? Another routine question. But while delivering my mugged up routine answer, something new happened. The Incorrigible Idiot that I was, I left my cell phone ON and the music started all of a sudden. Gosh..I knew I blew it up. The person meticulously going through my essays till then looked up with what-the-hell-is-that expression. With a thoroughly embarrassed expression, I apologised and switched it OFF. I dunno how much impact this has on the panel, but then onwards the questions were even less intent and the panel looked very disinterested.

After a few Questions Comparing IIMB and XLRI with IIFT, the person going through my essays looked up and asked if I were interested in travelling around. Hitherto he has not been looking at me barring the curious glance when my cell rang. He asked me to explain the significance of charminar. STUMPED.. It really was a bolt from the blue. I said that I had no idea. He asked about Golconda Fort. I said that I did not visit. At this point, the panel suddenly became very vibrant and started Quizzing me( Screwing me) with questions on Hyderabad and Nawabs. And finally ended the torture with a Question on Budha's Statue in Hussain Sagar. Well, I dunno it either and that was the final nail in my coffin.

I came out of the interview room, totally disgusted with myself. There is little hope on IIFT now. Better prepare well for the other interviews.And I am not going to carry my damn cell phone to an interview again.

P.S : On my return flight from delhi to hyderabad, two days after the interview, I had browsed through the InFlight Magazine of SpiceJet. Alas, there it was, a special edition on Hyderabad Nawabs and the archeological structures built by them. And then it striked to me : The panel has flown from delhi to Hyderbad for the Interviews. And unfortunately, they used SpiceJet...

My First Flight

At last I have travelled by air. As a kid, how many times had I run out into the open yard on hearing that high pitch sound of the plane !! And how many times had I peeped at the those flights standing in the airport for a closer look !! And finally when I did board, I did fly thrice and with three operators : Air sahara( Hasn't it been renamed Jet Airways yet ?), Air Deccan and finally the cool SpiceJet. And by coincidence, it was the same Airbus A320 model all three times.

The take-off and landing was the best part of it. The sound and the riding-a-giant-wheel effect gives the real kicks. The view of the city, with the miniscule houses and narrow-lane-like highways, was awesome. Flying in the night or at dawn, one can experience the thrill of seeing thousands of lights below. And about the rest of the journey, it was as ordinary as sitting in a volvo bus.

And among the three carriers, though the service of Air Sahara is good, I would say SpiceJet is real Value for Money. Next time, I am gonna try Kingfisher ;)

Looking Back at 2005

This post has been delayed by at least a month. Many things cropped up in January crying for my attention that I couldn't help ..

Though well past 2005.. I feel it is good to have a record of the last year.

2005 has been a mixed bag for me..not as great as 2004 but still not too bad.But over the years the even-numbered years proved better to me than the odd-numbered ones.That raises my hopes on 2006.

Well, let me recollect 2005 now :

1. Began this year roaming along pune JM road with a bunch of colleagues
The night was cold, but the crowd was cool.
2. Moved to Oracle in mid-jan
Believe me, the first job hop is not exactly fun.
3. Settled down in hyderabad.
No more rotis...and i can have a go at my favourite mirchi bajjis again ;))
4. Watched my first 3D movie in IMAX
Polar Express is a must see.
5. A harsh summer and then the torrential rains..
Let's see how cold the winter gets.
6. Potter 6 published.
I have become a big fan of Rowling's.
7. We delivered the second version of our product.
Work had been very hectic till then..
8. The CATastrophe - My ultimate Fiasco
But my current punchline - "Do or Die Trying"
9. Hurray! IIFT GD/PI call
You can't imagine the relief ..
10. Started coming to office on Bike
Shifting the gears used to be an ordeal..but now I am pretty comfortable.

Many days filled with fun, and many others filled with anxiety.Made some new friends, met some old ones and lost a few too ..But writing this mail has been an eye-opener.I could hardly list 10 things(of course i skipped a few silly details!!) for the whole year.If life goes at this pace, then i think i will be having fewer memories in coming years.

"We become so busy in life, that we almost forget living."
Very true, but then, that's life.