05/03/2015

03/03/15; 23:45:

On the morning of 2nd March, right after the EDM night, we have two ECS classes in the morning. We indulged, as promised in a group discussion. The topic in question was ‘Is western culture affecting Indian Youth?’. Post lunch, we had a Game Theory class; we’ve been discussing Nash Equilibrium and the Pareto optimal, among other things. This was quickly followed by a class of ‘Introduction to Medicine’- this course is apparently an important part of our curriculum, so that, when we are managers in a company, and someone takes leave, citing medical reasons, we can try and figure out if they’re lying.
We then went off to collect our IGNOU books for the new academic year, since we had received an e-mail which very clearly threatened to throw all unclaimed books out by the end of the day. We overheard some PGP students discussing the EDM night, near the faculty mess; life’s good, people are talking about Ranbhoomi and in good light.
We then went to have a look at the CSI End Term papers. While we were in there, the rain that had begun to fall was intercepted by a warm sunlight. And, as we stepped out of the classroom and into the corridor, we were greeted by a rainbow, in all its glory- high and might, arced perfectly, each of the 7 strips of colour showing perfectly against the backdrop of the grey-blue sky, with just a whisk of white clouds in the corners of the frame. It was, and I dare not use any other words, for fear of being unable to capture that marvellous spectacle correctly, Perfect.

We then proceeded to walk aimlessly around campus for at least 4 hours. Oh, and, I managed to get some food at Globe @ I , the new Chinese place on campus. Also, the night mess has added a lot of new items to their menu, including Chicken 65 and Spring Rolls.

05/03/2015; 01:41:

Yesterday saw the first class of ‘Introduction to Business History’- the course began with the professor scribbling three questions on the blackboard even before he introduced himself. The course began, much to everyone’s delight, with a quiz. Reading material for the course had been given out a few days before, and, we’d been apparently expected to read through the first prescribed reading. The session itself was rather interesting; we discussed mainly the expectations that people had from the course and the indentured labour system.

I was then in the IPM Office at 5 p.m., getting information about the soon-to-be held Prize Distrubution session for the 2011 batch. I was to prepare and present a PowerPoint presentation on the Achievements of the IPM students. We then designed the content for a flyer that we intend to slip under everyone’s doors, soon. We’re all geared up to start ‘Zephyr’, the Psychological Wellness Circle, under the guidance of the institute counsellor, Ms. Prarthana Sharma. Late evening was spent playing Volleyball. The Pi shop held interviews to recruit new members from the 2013/2014 batches.

3 kids managed to get selected. I was at the Old Auditorium, at 9:15 a.m., as decided at my meeting with the IPM Office. We had a run-through of the Prize Distribution Ceremony which was scheduled to happen at 2 p.m. At this point, we suggested to our IPM chair and the IPM Office to include the menu for the High-Tea that was to follow the ceremony, in the e-mail inviting students to attend. A second session of ‘Introduction to Business History’ and some lunch later, we were all assembled in the Old Auditorium. The function surprisingly began right on time. My presentation began with stating the unique features of the IPM course, including the course curriculum, the exchange programme and the social internship. We then looked at achievements of the 2011 batch students; the events including Ranbhoomi, Utkarsha, Atharv, i-Help and the Khargone visits were highlighted; this was followed by brief mentions of victorious students, at various events including B-plan competitions, essay-writing contests, the Tata Crucible Quiz and in the field of sports. The presentation ended with a collage of assorted, randomly picked pictures of the IPM students in action.
Our Director Sir then spoke, praising the programme and talking of his relationship with the guest of honour, Mr. Luis Miranda. Mr. Miranda then spoke of taking on every opportunity that comes your way, rising up to meet challenges and never undermining the limitless scope of potential possibilities. Certificates of merit were then handed out to the top 5% students of the batch. The High-Tea that followed had good food on offer, including vegetable cutlets and vanilla ice-cream.

We then had one class; the next 4 days are now off. We headed out to Chappan for dinner, in order to welcome our 4-day impromptu break. Quite a few people have headed home; the others here are all in anticipation of the Holi celebration that is in store, on the 6th.