Matchday 3: Showdown with IIM Lucknow

Date: 25th March

Venue: Hotel Monarch Luxure, Bangalore

I had an afternoon slot of 2PM interview, something which perfectly suites a nishachar like me :P. I took the Volvo from my place to majestic and from there on by an auto. Autowale ne phir mujhe thak di and 30 k jagah 60 ki thukwai :( Anyways, I wasn't in a mood to argue just before the all important final tussle. Finally reached the venue 10 minutes before, not bad!

There were like 70-80 people waiting in a big hall. All were divided into 8 panels (almost 10 people in each panel). I was in Panel 4. Surprise: there were 2 other people who I already had in the same GD panel of Indore. So, 2 known faces in a GD. Probability of that happening hmmm... dangerously close to "0", ain't it???

GD Topic: "God help the rich, poor can take care of themselves" :weird!!!

20 minutes to write about the topic in some 2 pages. I could finish 1 1/2 of it. No point in filling the rest for the heck of it. The discussion was smooth, almost everyone were zeroing on the same points. I was average that day, much lower than my usual standard. Twice I literally felt like listening to people than to put forward my ideas. Then it striked, aisa chalta raha to L me L lag jayenge (Courtesy: Welcome hehe). There was a suit-boot wala banda who was trying to come to GD every half a minute. I thought he must be a street-smart guy. But phir post-GD interaction verdict: Must be one of those barking funtoosh (UG in NITC lingo :P)

During the break, had good time-pass with couple of people. Then finally my turn for PI came, was 6th person in my panel to be interviewed.

PI: It was a 2-member panel. An old man "must be in his 50's", smart! & a young guy "looked like a student or a recent alumni at max", even smarter!

I will refer the Old person as "O" and Young one as "Y" and myself as "A"

I greeted them and took the seat. 

Y: Give me the certificate files. I did!

O: Ashis, introduce yourself!

A: Usual intro starting from native to schooling to extra-currics to engineering then some more extra-currics; By this time, I felt both of them were already bored and tired. The old man was literally holding his head right from the beginning of my interview. Then came out the trump card: my last line of the intro-I follow football a LOT and I am a religious supporter of Manchester United. As if they were waiting for something different, both looked charged up hearing this!

Y: How much religious?

A: Obsessed :)

Y: So, you guys gonna win EPL this time around?

A: Of course we will :) (Ye bhi koi poochne ki baat hai :P)

Y: What's ur prediction for top 3?

A: Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea

Y: When was the 1st world cup held?

A: 1930, Uruguay

Y: Who won it?

A: Uruguay, the home nation

Y: losing finalist?

A: Argentina...gosh!!! I wish they had won it :(

Y: Scoreline?

A: (I was expecting this) 2:0 (answer came in nanosecond)

Y: You, sure! (He must be thinking, how can a guy give a wrong answer with such a confidence :P) (Ye bhi 1 kala hai Sir :P)

A: Excuse me Sir, but I feel I am confusing with the scoreline of a later WC final! Can I have one more chance?

Y: Sure!

A: 4-2 :) (thank god, i remembered at the right time)

Y: That's right. Half time scoreline?

A: Huh! Not sure :(

Y: Will give you a hint: 2-1 it was, tell me who was 2 and who was 1?

A: Ohhk. Argentina 2, Uruguay 1 :) Uruguay later scored thrice to win it...Bingo!!!

Y: Goalscorers?

A: (WTF! Now, that is too much of expectation, huh!) I don't know sir!

Y: Alright, last WC?

A: Germany, 2006

Y: Who won? 

A: Italy, beating France

Y: Score?

A: 1-1 till fulltime, extra-time. 6-5 in the penalty

Y: Who scored?

A: Marco Materazzi and Zidane the great :)

Y: Materazzi was in controversy during that time!

A: Materazzi has always been in controversy throughout his career :P

Y: No, something happened during the WC final.

A: The headbutt incident.

O: Explain (Finally the Old person asked something)

A: Materazzi sledged, abused Zidane and Zidane in turn head-butted him!

Y: What was that Materazzi said that Zidane got provoked?

A: Sir, can I be blunt here? ;)

O: You of course can

A: Then came out the usual ma-behen ki story :P (for those who may not be knowing: Materazzi was pulling Zidane's jersey; Zidane said: Mate, I will give it to you after the game; Materazzi: I will rather prefer that of your ma or behen :P) Zidane: dhishoooooooooooooom!!!

Y: Who was at fault?

A: Zidane, gave him a good reason on sledging is part and parcel of game; physical contact, out of book; then something on role-modelship

O: But he provoked and said bad about his ma and behen; (then came the bomb) tujhe raste me koi behenchod bole to tujhe kaise lagega (trust me, this is what he said me; that to be in shudh hindi) (btw, i had put asteriks for the celebrated word; now revoked it to original on public demand)

A: I will be angry of course and will react; but then came back to the topic and talked about Zidane's responsibility towards his team and nation; Marna tha to khopche me leke maarta; who cares after the game :P

O: Some more counters on morals, ethics

A: I was very much staying on the ethical part (contrary to my natural stand)

Y: Tell something on ur responsibility in Intel!

A: Explained in 3, 4 sentences

Y: Intel has this punch line Intel Inside! 

A: It had. Got a new one some 3 years back!

Y: Yea, what does the punch line convey?

A: Talked about "Every computer has an Intel chip inside it!!!"

Y: So, you from Rourkela? Tell me about the similarity between this Intel's punchline and SAIL's punchline (the ad is very famous)

A: (Phu!!! I dint know). I don't know about the particular ad, but certainly can co-relate the impact of SAIL on life of a Rourkelaite :P

Y: Then he told about the punchline "There is SAIL in every man"

A: Then I explained it.

Y: Tell something about Rourkela you like the most

A: My favorite pass time topic :P Maza aagaya!

Y: Ashis, what all calls you have?

A: Bangalore, Lucknow and Indore

Y & O: All the best Ashis

A: thanks Sir :)

So more or less, quite a satisfying interview after a not so good GD. That puts the curtain on my IIM showdown. Waiting for the results. I hope, I will make it to the best :) Fingers crossed!!!

Now, it's FUN time!!!

Bhootiya Makaan & Anjani Maal

Statuatory warning: Weak hearts please avoid; Weaked hearts, you are more than welcome :-) Kidding!!!

Last night I was seeing this movie "Vastu Shastra", where Sushmita Sen was living in a huge bunglow inside a jungle some half a KM away from the streets with only couple other guys to live with. Sometime I do wonder how people stay in such houses; Aise ghar dekhke hi to sala bhootiya feeling aake G fat jati hai :( Then this thought came to my mind of writting about such a house in my neighourhood.

This makaan is the 1st one on our street. It's a 3-storied building with some weird architecture which even Da Vinci will find hard to name. Har taraf kaanch ki khidki; It has a power station of its own; A separate house outside for 2 security guards again kaanch ka; some char panch phadu cars (Mercedes, Skoda, Civic!!!); 2 darawne kutte who are bigger than human unless you are great khali. But the number of inhabitants: God knows. I still haven't seen anyone staying in that house in last 1 year even if I stay hardly 10 feet away. The only person who I have seen sometime is a chic (a hot one too!). But, you got to be awake till 2:30 or 3 in the night to get a glance of her lovely long legs (I guess, she has this fascination for micro and nano textiles :P) For some reason she always seems to be in hurry even at that remote hour that she fizzles out from the car to reach her house in absolute no time. 

In short this has been nothing short of an enigma for me from last one year: Bhootiya Makaan & Anjani maal...Still no idea, wo ghar kiska hai, wohan rehta kaun hai and wo ladki dikhti kaisi hai :(

RGV, are you reading this!!!

The Boka***** Kalkutta conductor

It was an incident of last week. Myself and Chunnu (aka cobra, tiwari, uff, whatever) were coming back from Dalla's (Ashok Mazumder) wedding. We had decided to take the 10 AM wala bus from his place (bethuadahari, Nadia: Some 3 hours journey from calcutta towards N-E) to the airport and then catch the 3:30 spicejet to Bangalore. 

Fortunately we dint have to wait too long before we got a WB govt bus (Malda-Calcutta). We got in and told the conductor that we will go to the airport, jab aayega bata dena. Us bhale insaan ne biiig smile deke kaha "jaroor" and he even arranged seats for us considering we are the long journey passengers for him. Main socha kitna acha aadmi hai unlike the usual kamina bus conductors (Pardon me Mr. Rajanikanth & his infinite bhakts :P).

Then we slept off feeling relaxed and ascertained of at least we won't miss our destination point. But the conductor had some other idea, i wonder why! Now, I was awake by 12:30. We reached barasat by 1(It's like 15 minutes from airport: pre-fetched info). Sensing we are nearing the airport, I asked the conductor guy: Bhaiya, airport aur kitna time lagega. And surprisingly a rude reply came, jab aayega bata dunga. 10 minutes gone, I again asked. This time, an even ruder reply, jab aayega bata dunga. For a second I thought, what the fuck did bite this guy, man; whyTF did he bark!!! I didn't enquire again (couldn't have handled the rudest reply now). 40 more minutes gone (2 o'clock by now), he started shouting sialdah, sialdah, last stop! 

I: boss, airport kahan gaya?

Conductor: Wo to gaya

I: bulaya kyon nahi?

Conductor: Bulaya tha, 1 number 

I: WTF!!! Now, how on earth can I know these bokas (aka bengalis) call their airport ek number when they had fought so hard to get their airport renamed to netaji subhash bose international airport.

Now all this while if you were wondering what chunnu was doing! No prize for guessing, he was still dozing on that ass-hurting seats :P. Finally we took a taxi from sialdah and reached airport on time (some 45 minutes journey and 170 bucks). Thankfully, we started early that day (which normally happens once in a blue moon)

In essence -

All conductors are assholes and kalkutta conductors: "the real boka*****s"

A date with IIM Banglaore

I am going to write this in a very plain simple english (huh, as if I am a vocabs fundoo; gurrrrr that is the section which screwed me in CAT)

Pehle some background sequence : The night before my interview I came to know the trouser which I so proudly boast of being the only formal I have is actually considered a casual wear. So, the whole evening was spent in chosing the right formal pair for me. 

Query for IIMs: Why don't you allow the guys to appear for the interview in T and jeans. Does the formal also convey some gyaan!!!

Date: 3rd March '09 - Got up at 6:30 (one of the earliest morning i might have seen in B'lore :P, even 30 minutes before my customary alarm: huh!! was I so excited!!!). Naha dhoke taiyar hogaya ache bachon k tarah. Then came the hardest part: Tieing the Tie. All the 10 years of my schooling couldn't teach me this chhota sa task. Worse, my ullu ke patthe roommates also dint know either. Finally thanks to Dicky, 1 challeable knot bangaya :) Prayed to god for a good session, perhaps exams are the only time when I part away from my agnostic belief :)

I reached the spot at 8. Saw some more anxious faces, not many pretty ones though (read lack of chics :( )

The GD started by 9. There were 2 invigilators, a young man in his 30's and a lady in probably her 50's. We were 9 members in the group. 

Topic: A case study on the aging politicians It was something like this: "The prime ministerial candidate from the ruling party is 76 years old and that of the opposition is 81. So, a young guy's concern was how they can understand the needs and requirements of the youth. Another old friend of his was rooting for the experience. If there will be a prime minister for the youth, there should be a prime minister for the genders also. something of that sort."
The Problem Statement: should there be an upper age limit on the people who is contesting for the higher office? and what should be the criteria in selecting them?
Discussion: It went really smooth, absolutely NO fish market. Everyone got a fair amount of chance to speak. Overall a peaceful GD. Everyone went for the experience. I gave the proposal to have a change in the constitution to make an amendment for the political parties to put at least a certain number of youths in the elections so that they can be promoted. then i spoke about having a cabinet minister someone who is experienced and his understudy the state minister a youth, which normally happens. I spoke around 10-12 times i guess. In the last 3 4 minutes we ran out of new points, somehow i got a feeling we are nearing the 20 minutes mark, so i quickly pointed out saying, i think we have discussed enough to come to a conclusion. then we 2 3 persons summed it up. Pleasant surprise was the time we finished out the conclusion part, the time got up!!! I was more or less happy with myself, but still felt I could have done better. I for some unknown reason have an affinity towards the fish marketish GDs :D

I always thought my name can fetch me an early slot for PI considering the alphabetical order, but soon that vanishe when I discovered that I will be the 7th person to be interviewed. Let me tell you, waiting is the hardest thing to do just before an interview when you know you can't get any significant gyan whatsoever from the persons who had preceded you.

PI: The normal flow in the panel was "the WorkEx, roles and responsibility of the individual, what's the special thing about u". 1 or 2 guys were asked about their hobbies.

My PI: The same profs were present. 
I handed over the form to the lady. By that time they had gone thru my SOP, recos and other forms. I will refer them as G (guy) and L (lady). and myself as A (ashis)
L: Ashis Nayak, NIT Calicut haan!!!
A: Yes Ma'am
G: Ashis, which all games do you play?
A: (That came as a pleasant surprise to me as it was against the flow and i hadn't mentioned anything in my SOP about it; i had written these in my form; but who cares, I was loving it) Sir, I play Football, used to play cricket, I play Tennis, used to play TT before.
G: Which court do u prefer in Tennis?
A: My office has only a cement court (All laughter). I have started playing this from last 4 5 months.
G: Which position you play in Football?
A: CAM (central attacking midfielder)
G: Cricket?
A: 1 down bat, 2nd change bowler.
G: all rounder I see.
A: Smile 

G: What do u do to relax yourself after a hectic day of work in Intel?
A: (It is all falling in place feeling) I sometime play and mostly watch football; I follow all the leagues, mostly EPL. Then I read a LOT about football. I am a religious supporter of Manchester United. 
G: What made you a fan of Man United
A: Talked about the history, grooming the talent policy, attacking play and loyalty shown by players. told him I have been a fan since a decade now. gave the quote of "We don't buy stars, we make them here"
G: But then you are a fan of the manager Sir Alex not the club?
A: I explained it well stressing upon the point of the grooming, training, academy policy. And now Man United has this culture which will surely not change even if Alex leaves. Then talked about the support of the owners
G: what u think will happen to the club when Alex retires?
A: talked about the talent pool, support staff, the blend of youth and experience. talked about few players. admitted it will be difficult to fill up his shoes.
Then few counter questions on the attacking football, talent and all.
Answered them well with examples.
G: I have heard this word killer instinct quite a few times. Many people have told me, Indian team lacks killer instinct, Dhoni's boys lack killer instinct. I personally find this weird. Do you know, what is the killer instinct?
A: answered well i guess, the ruthlessness. gave the example of australian cricket team. then a comparison of ManUTD and chelsea.
G: who won the I-league?
A: Dempo
G: Santosh trophy?
A: Punjab

G: what is the style of football they play?
A: to be honest, i haven't watched much of them to comment about it. It comes in the afternoon, so difficult to catch up. i just follow them in paper.
L: (finally she joined the party) who is more important, manager or player in football?
A: Manager, talked about their respective roles. gave example of Beckham and Nistelrooy. Gave one quote "no player is bigger than the club"
By now easily 10 minutes would have passed with me speaking for some 8 minutes 
L: enough of football, let's move to different sector?
A: Alright Ma'am
L: How these 2 1/2 years in Intel have made u a better person if at all you have become? what all you have learned?
A: talked about me becoming more disciplined, responsible that has come with the accountability in job (My manager will be proud to listen this duh!!!)

L: So you were not disciplined during college?
A: Smile, No ma'am i wasn't that disciplined, used to study before 1 or 2 days. devoted more time in time-pass, hobbies than the education 
Then i continued with the works, the responsibility i take in job. told about the global teams i work in and the standards i had done (i had mentioned that in the SOP)
L: Are you happy with ur tech job?
A: I am happy but i strongly believe i can do more and lot better.
L: don't u find ur job challenging?
A: I won't say, it's not at all challenging, but to certain extent it is not that challenging. talked about few instances. I think i was convincing.
then G asked many counter questions on these challenges, standards and a talk on My own desire and overall company desire.
I think, i answered them to my satisfaction, they look to be satisfied.
G: i see you have done all these proof of concepts.
A: talked about them and how i convinced the customers to take it when initially they were not ready for it.

By this time, I guess they were more or less happy with my answers, so decided to move on.
L: So what after IIMB?
before i can open my mouth, she only read it from the SOP. (be in a strategic management team taking crucial decessions)
A: talked a little. She had spoken almost everything.
G: but by seeing your attitude, your style of talking and your talks in GD, I think u can give ur 100% only in ur own company coz u need freedom, more space, no barriers (barriers, this is because the answer i had given for the challenges i faced in Intel question)
A: Sir nothing like that, i think if i reach that position, i believe, by that time i would have gathered enough skills to influence the concerned people which will give me the chance to fix the roadmap of the firm where it will head to. and my MBA study will also help me a lot in that regard.
G looks at L and said we are done, any questions: 
A: Sir, can I know the names plz.
G: Anil
L: Malathi.

Smiles exchanged, good day gestures. I asked if i should call the next person In.
L: No that's ok, just close the door.

Relief...I was amazed by the way they make me feel at so ease. I think I did well in the PI. but again, B is having these feel good interview thruout India. So can't make out much. Fingers crossed till 10th April (That's the date, IIM results are expected)

Interviewer profiles: Anil: http://www.iimb.ernet.in/iimb/html/m-frames.jsp?ilink=111&pname=allfaculty.jsp

Malathi: http://www.iimb.ernet.in/iimb/html/m-frames.jsp?ilink=111&pname=allfaculty.jsp