Which Specialization ?!!

Recently while shovelling for info on Career Paths for various MBA specializations, I have come across this Simple Test to find out which specialization suits a person better.

Answered the 49 Questions, and here is the result :

Your scores for the four areas of specialization are as follows

HR: 25
Finance: 26
Sales And Marketing: 29
Systems And Operations: 29

Hmm.. Cool, Right ?

XLRI Result : Bruised but not Killed

Waitlisted at 78 :(

The first WaitList of the season. And it completes the portofolio : 3 Converts, 1 Kick and 1 Waitlisted.

I did not have a good interview, still I thought my score of 99.54% and my Profile would take me thru. I was really looking forward to XL Result to help me sort out the Dilemma. But unfortunately, I am ditched again!!

Last year the waitlist has moved upto 68. Can it pull off another 10 this year ? Fat Chance :(

So, It is between NITIE and IITB now. And perhaps, by chance, IIMB ?!!

Rendezvous with the Red tape

Recently I required a Police Clearence Certificate(PCC). And upon inquiry, I found that it can be obtained from the Passport Office. I knew I was in for some real trouble.

Passport Office is one of the worst manifestations of Indian Bureaucracy. Long Queues, exorbitant delays, annoying clerks, irritating middlemen and bundles & bundles of paper work. This is one govt. department where the working days are few and working hours even shorter.

Generally, PCC is issued within two days if the passport holder resides within the territory of the passport office. No verification, No checks. But for the Outstation candidates, there is a longwinding process, as long as that of the new passport issue. Ignorant of this funda, I had applied as an out station candidate and ended up in a maze of procedures, documents and bull shit.

It started innocously one fine morning, when I woke up early and made it to the passport office by 8.30 AM. The clerk filled a few forms and asked me to get the Residence Proof. Ooops!! Plodded back home, went to the bank, and after an hour's wait, finally got my Bank Statement. The next day, after a long, boring wait again at the passport office, submitted the application. I was told that I would get my passport and PCC by post in 15 days. (Hmm..that's better. No more visits to this place.)

7 days Later, Checked the status on the Net. Police report awaited.

10 days Later, Police report awaited.

15 days..No change.

Don't I know how long it takes for the central govt. officials to move the file from table to table !! So, decided to wait.

20 Days passed, and I got a call on my mobile from the Head Constable of Passport Enquiry. About time! I met him at my Apts.
" Now, where is your residence proof ?"
" Submitted at Passport Office "
" Then go and ask him for the PCC. I will not do the Enquiry. "
This guy started shouting.

After going thru the documents, He signed the report and asked me for his 'FEE'. For all those who are not familar with this word 'FEE', It is nothing but a formal and blatant way of asking for a bribe. A bribe to just do his duty. Even though all the documents are perfect, all the requirements fulfilled, these guys need some moolah to move the files around.

What If I refuse ? Hmm..Let me narrate an incident. Earlier, in the passport office, I met a guy pasting his photos on a passport application and striked a converstation with him. He told me that he had applied for the passport 2 months back and the police verification had gone well too. But finally, he refused to pay bribe to the Constable and the result, the Police Report was Negative. So, He had to start all over again.

Moral of the Story: Bribe Now, or repent at leisure !!

Day 24, I found a letter at my doorstep. A notice from the passport office asking me to submit the Police Report within 8 days barring which my file would be closed. PANIC !! I called up the Constable and found out that he would submit the report that weekend. His officer would take his own time in approving it and sending it to the Passport Office. Even after eating half my wallet, these guys aren't getting the work done. If the file takes more than 8 days to move to the passport office, My Application would be closed.

Day 27, Went to the commissioner's office to see to that my file is moved. I went by 9.30 AM, the time when the office is supposed to open. The Concerned Officer walked in at 12.00PM. I should have known the punctuality of Govt. Empoloyees !! After a bit of 'persuasion', the file moved.

Day 35, Not Yet Received my PCC. Fed up, I cancelled the Application the next day and collected my Passport from the Passport Office.

35 days ... for a simple PCC. And that too, returned without service. This is the state of our New India !!

Hmm.. a long post. But couldn't resist from depicting the Dirty Face of Indian Bureaucracy in Detail.

IITB Result : The Dilemma Begins

IITB has congratulated me too !! I'm IN

IITB GD/PI has been the best so far, and I have been banking on it. It was my only ray of hope, in those days of despair, when IIFT chucked me out and my XLRI, NITIE GD/PI didn't go well.
With the pleasent surprise from NITIE, the equations changed. Now, Which institute shud I choose ?

Both are similar when it comes to class diversity ( rather the lack of it, bcoz both take only engineers ), both have good placements, both have reputation in Systems Specialization, great Infrastructure and a poor Sex Ratio. Looking at the differences...

Going by the rankings, NITIE has been ranked higher all the previous years. But IITB is improving a lot these days and is gradually making it to the top leagues.

Going by the Curriculum, IITB scores. Its course is more diverse and covers a range of topics. NITIE has only a few electives. And the number of papers covered by NITIE is lower bcoz of its 4 month Industrial Project. Though a lil more Industrial Exposure ( and stipend ;) ) is appreciated, Summer Project does the job effectively enough that wasting 4 more months in Industry, esp. when we have a lifetime to explore the practicalities of Mgmt., is not such a good idea. I would prefer a few more class room courses than that.

Coming to the Networking, NITIE has a bigger batch strength and better chances to meet and group with different people. It even brings diversity in terms of placements. Different companies visit the campus coz of the numbers.

Now, the degree awarded: IITB offers Master of Mgmt. ( M.Mgmt ) where as NITIE offers PGDIM ( PG Diploma in Industrial Mgmt. ). I definitely prefer a Masters. I read in an article that PGDIM is not recognized as a PG degree in US colleges. But IIMs award a PG Diploma too, and its authenticity has never been questioned !!

And Finally, NITIE is a full fledged B-School, whereas IITB, though a seperate School, is still a part of the IIT setup.

So which of these do I wanna join ? Well, Both of them.
Since that is not possible, I just hope that XLRI/IIMB would show me the way !!!

IITD Result : Another Feather in the Cap

IITD Result is out today and another Convert :)

After NITIE Admit, this has little impact on my plans. Initially, I wasn't planning to apply for IIT Delhi. But after CAT Debacle, I decided to have as many failsafe options as possible. However, my visit to IITD for the GD/PI has changed my perception.

They have got awesome campus and cool hostels( I can't say the same about their mess ). Their curriculum, academic credentials of their professors and Infrastructure impressed me a lot. Above all I liked their GD/PI process. Well organized, cool and student-driven. Last year placements were good too. So, IITD became a choice, rather than a compromise.

But now that I have got better options, I will have to disappoint IITD.
DMS, I will miss you :(

Miss India 2006

The three most beautiful women (?) of India have been declared. After months of shortlisting, voting and ramp-walking, finally, the show is over. And here are the winners : Neha kapur, Natasha Suri and Amruta Patki.

I generally am not interested in beauty pageants. Not that I am not interested in pretty girls, but I believe that the real pretty stuff is out there in the crowd rather than on the stage. With a few exceptions like Ash, Not many winners have made it really BIG in the aftermath. But after the chronic bombardment of BMMI ( Banunga mein Miss India ) promos on TV, I got curious. So, I took a look at the winners yesterday once the results were out and gosh !! My earlier opinion has been revalidated.

I sense a steady decline in the TRPs ( Television Rating Points ) for the Miss India Show. Maybe people got over the initial furore generated a decade back when Aishwarya and Sushmita were crowned Miss World and Miss Universe. Maybe bcoz no more crowns came in the way of Indians. Or simply, people just found some better pastimes !!

Look at the photos of the past Miss Universe winners. Hope Neha wud make it to the list !!

NITIE Result : The First Break Thru

Hurraaaaaaaaaaaaaaay.. I got thru NITIE.

Such a relief. And after such a long wait.. After IIFT debacle, I would have turned real paranoid, if I hadn't made it thru NITIE. Now..It's time to cool off and freak out.

The way my NITIE GD/PI took place, I didn't have any expectations. Apparently, my Guardian Angel has decided that it is high time that I come out of the lean patch I have been going thru these days !

With the BIG One looming large, the Marathon is not over yet. I still have to concentrate on IIMB!! Meanwhile, a lil drum beating wouldn't hurt ;)

NITIE GD/PI : Stressed Out !

My tryst with the much feared, much touted and much talked about Stress Interview happened when I expected it the least. I was prepared for a stress Interview during XLRI GD/PI, but it didn't happen. Now, NITIE is known for its predilection towards CAT scores and is supposed to conduct very cool and formal interviews. But for me, It was a Stress Interview and I was totally grilled...courtesy : My Pathetic Luck.

Let me go by the timeline, as it was a Loooooong Processs.

12.30 AM : My Flight landed at the Mumbai Airport, an hour Late.

1.00 AM : The auto driver woke me up and told me that we came to NITIE. Half asleep, I looked out. Gosh!! Can't believe it. There were cows grazing on whatever grass was left before them. A few dilapidated houses( or sheds ? ) stood around. A small shop on the corner and a pair of auto wallahs chatting near their vehicles. Dung, mud and acrid smell. This couldn't be NITIE!! I must be dreaming.

Rubbed my eyes and peered outside. The scene remains the same and even more clear. Hmm..my auto driver must have brought me to a slum by mistake. And is it by mistake ? Or with a grand plan to mug me up. I was scared for a moment and my drowsiness vanished. Wait..I see something. A small rusted Iron door hung over noiselessly, over equally rusted hinges. Was that a gate ? Yes, it is and I can now see NITIE written across it.

Wow...what an Entrance !!

6.00 AM : TRRRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIING............My Snooze Alarm is always punctual. Woke up lazily...man, that almost killed me. Me and my room mate got ready by 7.45 AM. We were expected to report at 8 AM. We decided to skip breakfast.

8.00 AM : Walked to the NITIE main building, climbed those famous 95 steps and went straight for the Auditorium. Another Shock..a verrrrrry looooooong queue. Damn...I never stood in such a long queue( Maybe a coupla times for Movie Tickets, but that's different ;) ).

9.30 AM : Registered and were ushered into the auditorium. A small presentation. Nothing new..the usual stuff. And then we were told that the afternoon batches could leave and return in the afternoon. ( I was in the Last Batch ). Now, That's crap. We were woken up early in the morning just to listen to the damn presentation. Yieeeeee.. these guys could sure have planned better.

10.30 AM : Back at the hostel. Got on to bed, setup my Alarm to 1 PM and fell asleep.

1.00 PM : Didn't i tell you that my alarm is always punctual. Woke up again, dressed up and plodded towards the Canteen for a quick bite.

2.00 PM : Back in the auditorium. The First batch was called in and I was in the Last batch, still 8 more batches to go. Huh... Gonna be a very boring day, I thought. But it wasn't. There was a projector in the auditorium and NITIE seniors played the movie 'Jerry McGuire'. Now, that was cool. That was one real cool thing to do.

4.00 PM : The movie was finished. And about time too. I was called for Certificate Verification.

5.00 PM : Verification is done and waiting for the Interview. Being the last batch, our interviews were preponed, so that none of us would get delayed for our trains.

6.00 PM : After a long wait, I was finally called in.

There were four people in the panel. Two sirs and two madams. They asked my name and were confused. Apparently, they were not informed about my preponement of Interview. After digging out my application from the pile in front of them, they finally started questioning me.
'Tell me about Urself ?'..Routine. And then the inevitable question ' Why did u leave TCS in 6 months ?'. Gave my well-prepared reply. And one of the ladies took over. 'What books do u read?'. blah blah..Sidney Sheldon is my Fav. author.'So what is ur fav. book by Sidney sheldon?'. Blank. Can u believe it ? I cudn't even recollect one novel :(After struggling for a few moments replied 'Master of the Game'.( That was the only one I cud remember ). Not 'If Tommorrow Comes' ? Bingo, that was my actual fav. one. Anyways, gave a diplomatic answer and got myself off the hook.That was the last Question from the ladies..

I got real nervous now. And the professor on the left started building more stress. His body language was hostile. He started cutting me while replying. And started shrugging, with a what-nonsense kind of expression. He looked at my Consolidated Marks List( All the subject names were listed in that ) and the Volley of Tech. Qns started.

1. Tell me about Image Processing ?( Final Yr Subject )
2. Image Classification ? No Idea.
3. Operations Research ? Maximization/Minimization, Travelling SaleMan...
4. Explain Travelling SalesMan Problem. Handled that satisfactorily.
5. Assignment Problem ? Don't remember
6. Queuing theory ? Studied just an Overview..
7. Probability Distibutions ? Normal Distribution
8. Explain that to a Layman. I talked nonsense and he wasn't impressed..

I fumbled and floundered all thru...

Now, the person on the Right started. He was cool.
1. Graph Theory ? No ideah
2. Application in Testing ? (With a bright look ) Flow Graphs and Cyclicity
3. Any else ? PERT/CPM Analyisis
4. In Comp. Science ? Blank again.

Hmm...Ok, thanks for the time. All the Best.Came out, and gave out a BIG Sigh.

6.30 PM : Our batch was waiting for the GD outside the GD room. We could hear loud noises from inside. Our previous batch guys must have been passionately presenting their point of view.

There were 9 members in our batch and we decided to play it clean.

Got in and there was the topic randomly picked by the computer :' Management Education is Luxury for India'.

Hmm...cool topic. We had 2 min time to think and I jotted down a few points. Once, the Buzzer went on, I initiated the GD. I have been long trying to initiate a GD and It finally happened. It was cool. I talked about How MBA cud considered luxury in terms of Cost, Availability and Requirement of Corporate India. Well, ppl picked up and it went well. Very well indeed.

I was very satisfied by the time GD was done.
My best GD has come at the point of my worst PI.

7.30 PM : Packed up everything. Took a Taxi to the Kurla Station.

9.00 PM : Taxi took 1 1/2 hrs to reach Kurla. Incidentally, I underestimated Mumbai Traffic and my persisting bad luck and I was stranded. Finally reached the Station. My train starts at 9.50 PM from CST. No way to reach it in time!!.So, squeezed myself into a Mumbai Local train and left for Kalyan.

10.30 PM: Got on my train in Kalyan. That was one tiring experience. Fell asleep right away.

I have successfully blown out another GD/PI. Just One more to go ...

The Sorting Hat : It's Harry Potter Time Again !!

Recently, while browsing the Harry Potter fan sites, I came across a quiz. This Quiz is supposed to work like the old sorting hat in of Potter Books. After answering the 20 odd Questions on the site, this is the house I was sorted into :



Congratulations on making it to Ravenclaw!

Do you want to know which house you belong to ? Find here

XLRI PI : Dull, Boring and Lousy

[ 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. ]

Sometimes, weather in Hyderabad gets Crazy. As Crazy as ME.

Amidst these days of scorching sun, it suddenly started to rain. And I ended up with severe cold and a sore throat. Impatient and late, I took an auto to the railway station. By the time I reached the platform, the train was about to start. Huffing and Puffing, I got in, clambered onto my berth and thus began the soon-to-be-hopeless journey.

I spent the next morning at my friend's place and relaxed well. I got ready in the afternoon, took an auto again and reached the venue 30 minutes early. Now, XLRI does not conduct GDs. ( Good Decision, I always felt that GD is a waste of time `coz a single guy can create chaos with due diligence ). So they give the exact time slot for the PI and hence XLRI process is the shortest of all the B-Schools'. One hardly spends an hour in the process against the B-School average of half day( Many times it goes on the whole day ).

Exactly at the given time, I was called in. Let me the give the transcript of the interview this time.

------------
Legend :

P1,P2,P3 - The Panel Members
Me - Moi, Myself
() - My Body Language
[] - My Inner Voice
{} - Perceived Panel Reactions

--

Me : Good Evening Sirs.
P2 : A very good evening, please take your seat.
Me : Thanks.

[ These profs look like they just had a heavy lunch. Curse my Luck, I had to get the post-lunch slot :( ]

P3 : Tell us about Urself and Why you want to join XLRI.
[ Aaargh..Such a Boring Start ]
Me : ( With a confident smile like that in the Close-Up Ads ) I come from so and so place in Andhra Pradesh. I have done my graduation ..blah blah.. and working with ... blah blah...I need MBA to gain holistic knowledge of business functions..another blah blah.

{ P1 looking trying to concentrate on my file and P2 totally disinterested. P3 listening intently }

P3 : So, you have started in a village. What is the growth rate of your village ?
[ Huh..Village and Growth Rate !! Don't you know how rural India is faring ]
Me : It is not growing at the expected rate `coz of its proximity with two other mini-cities...

P3 : You are working in Hyderabad and recently sth interesting happened there !!
Me : Yes sir, the Fab City.
{ P2 going thru my Certificates Now }

P3 : Now, Convince your chief minister to establish the Fab City in your Village instead of Hyderabad.
[ Now What ?? How the heck am I gonna sell it ?? ]
Me : ( With the best earnest-and-serious-looking expression that I could manage ) started with Infrastructure, Land cost, water supply and rambled on and on and on..[ I really tried hard to sell and I have overdone it. I blabbered for ages and was talking utter nonsense. I really shud have cut the crap. Damn ME.]

P3 : Now How would u convince the Company ?
Me : Tonnes of Trash again...but this time I was wiser and stopped sooner.

{ P3 was totally unconvinced and looked like he was done with me. P2 was taking a brisk walk around the room. P1 took over }

P1 : What are the backward states in India....
Me : Bihar
P1 : Wait, Let me complete
[ Cool, man, why are you rushing..and these profs are from BIHAR..U IDIOT ]

P1 : And among these which three can be developed using technology and good management ?
Me : Can I think for a moment sir ( Put up an expression as If I was thinking hard, but in fact, I cudn't think of anything )
Me : Sir, Jharkhand can be developed leveraging its mineral resources, Meghalaya by developing Tourism and Tea sir and Uttaranchal [ Look at the selection, I cudn't think of any other ] by starting power projects as it has many rivers and hills, sir.
[ And now u stop saying sir all the time as if u were a call centre operative ]

P1 : What is the state of govt. in Uttaranchal.
Me : No idea sir..[ Didn't u mention that it is very stable in your above answer?? ]

P1 : What are sources of Power in India ?
Me : Crude Oil
{ P1-3, 'Is it?' kind of a surprised expression }
[ SHIT, What happened to you ]
Me : Sorry sir, it's hydel, coal and nuclear

P1 : What are their shares ?
Me : ( With a stupid embarrassed smile ) No idea.

P1 : Which Organization controls the thermal power generation ?
Me : ( With lotza Confidence ) NTPC
{ Silence. No one was speaking. }
[ Now What?? Did I Screw up again ]
Me : ( In a damage-control mode ) I dunno If there is an apex bosy but NTPC does take care of thermal power generation.

P1 : OK, Now tell me the important events that took place in AP over the last Five Years ?
Me :
1. Hitech City [ Said Cyber Towers First and noting their blank faces, rephrased it ]
2. Draught and Fall of TDP Govt.
3. TRS and its preposterous demands for a seperate state
4. Sania Mirza
5. Fab City { P3 cut me here }

P3 : Now Fab City has come to your village, right ?
Me : ( With an awkward smile ) Sir, frankly speaking it is not possible.
P2 : But didn't u say it is better in terms of Infrastructure ?
Me : Frankly speaking, there isn't any infrastructure in my village
{ An evil grin from P3 }

P2 : OK, Whatz ur rank in your class ?
Me : [ Finally .. ] University Second sir.
P2 : Hmm...Please sign the paper and you can leave.
P3 : Please send in Aarti [ Agarwal?? ;) ]

I signed and ran out.

------------

Phew.. Now those who have persisted, and read till here, would have understood how lousy the interview went. Having scored 99.54% in XAT, I had put my bets on XL, but now, Fat Chance :(

BodhiTree.. Ho gaya mera GMD.

P.S: BodhiTree is a band of XLRI Students. GMD( Gaand mein Dandaa ) is their most popular song. No Wonder..

What "My" Face Says

Recently while browsing casually, I came across a website that claims to tell me what people think of on looking at my face. Well, after a few simple questions describing my eyes, eyebrows and face, this is what the site tell me:

At first glance, people see you as confident and determined.
Overall, your true self is moody and dynamic.
With friends, you seem logical, detached, and a bit manipulative.
In love, you seem mysterious and interesting.
In stressful situations, you seem selfish and moody.

Hmm..How true is it ?? Friends, you tell me.

IIFT Result: The Expected Debacle

IIFT Results are out..and as expected I didn't get thru. Strangely I felt relieved. As a wise man has put it, "The fear of disaster is more dreadful than the disaster itself."

I knew during my interview itself that I goofed it up. But ironically, only one person in our group made it to the final list. Some of the others were very confident then. Anyways, the Kolkata Campus List is not out and maybe they are on it. I did not even apply for IIFT,Kolkata and so it's time to forget IIFT.

One of my options is down, only Five left. But No Worries..I need Just ONE !!