Merit or Cheat

Do not be surprised if someone asks you this question someday. If you have enjoyed the priviledge of having studied at a premier institute like IIT, IIM or AIIMS and fail to be at the top (it is possible after all we all are humans) on some occassion, I am sure there will be few sceptics in the crowd, who will promptly jump to the conclusion that people like you entered into these institutes by cheat.

First, IIT JEE paper got leaked in Patna (do not be surprised, some people do take pride in calling it the city of crime). Then, two years ago, the institutes which proclaim to produce world-class managers failed to manage the security of their one of the most vital asset, CAT question paper. And, now AIIMS have proudly joined the list. It provokes everyone to question the credibility of these entrance examinations which call for participation from hundreds of thousands of aspirants who burn the midnight oil to fulfil their dream of entering these coveted institutes. None knows how many lives and careers have been thrown to jeopardy by these scandals and paper leaks. These crimes are tantamount to murder in the degree of their heinousness.

In my childhood days, when I was told about sale of question papers, impersonation etc. I used to dismiss such talks as the excuses perpetrated by the bunch of losers who did not have enough merit. But, these revelations have opened my eyes and now, I can follow that many deserving to-be IITians were thrown to NITs and regional colleges, NITians to private colleges, and some deserving engineers to the streets where nothing but the darkness of unemployment exists.And, all this just to buy high quality subsidised higher education for some undeserving sons and daughters of rich men, who will never put their education to good use.

We need to take immediate action to prevent such malpractices because the ascent of a society depends on the respect it attributes to the quality of its individuals and the way it attempts to foster them to improve them further.

How was ur IIM interview?

When we meet our friends and acquaintances, we greet them with a casual "Hi", "Hello" ... but this is different for a poor soul undergoing the traumatic process of IIM GD/PI. Every good friend of his does not ask him common courtsey Qs like how are you doing or which movie did you watch? but the big one "How was ur interview?".

It really pleases the young lad to know that he has so many well wishers and good friends but what hurts him the most, is that he cannot answer his friend. The basic truth is you never know how was your interview? Unlike an examination, it is nearly impossible to objectively evaluate your performance in an interview. Moreover, your self-evaluation is meaningless since even after you may have answered all your questions correctly (as per your perception), you may well be rejected since the senile IIM profs did not find you good enough. And, some other day someone with the only answer "I do not know, sir" may be accepted on account of his politeness, behavior, ettiquettes or may be past performances in CAT and acads. what I do not follow is if the guy was sure shot selection, why waste resources in conducting futile GD/PI?

I do not follow many other questions like what were the changes brought in India during Chola dynasty (to an engg. graduate) , which rivers flow in Andhra Pradesh (to someone who has never been to South India)? So, if you ask me how was your IIM interview, the only honest answer can be "I do not know".

Just wish to be there

Honestly speaking, I have been a confused person almost everytime when it comes to making a choice, whether it is just about petty things like which drink to order in a bar, which restaurant to visit or even what course to take? But, may be this is what someone termed as The Problem of Choice. And, this problem assumes humungous proportions when the matter is something that decides your future, the choice of career.

I had a good CGPA, could have applied for further studies and may be I would have got admitted to some decent US univ. and would have been slated to live a normal graduate student life in the land of dreams called USA. But, I declined the choice and decided not to go for it.

In the meantime, I was lucky to get a job with Lehman Brothers, Mumbai on the second day after the placements began. It took time to sink in that I was offered the job within minutes after my first interview was over. I was really elated that I was out of the trauma of giving tests, interviews, waiting outside TnP for hours and returning alone to the darkness of your room. The most painful part of the experience is when you are required to answer every Tom, Dick and Harry why the hell, the company did not pick you? I just do not know why the stupid friend of mine does not understand how could have I known that?

And, then happens the unexpected. God sends me a gift on my 21st birthday. NO, do not start getting any funny ideas since it was not any sizzling beauty but only interview calls from all 6 IIMs. I gave interviews of IIM L and IIM I, I would be lying if I say that I did not find the process of GD and PI an arduous experience, not to forget the 3-hr long travel in the humid stinking local train, KGP-CAL. But, I bore all those pains. When I could bear it no more, I made a choice and skipped Kozhikode interview, against my good judgement which suggested me to be there if for nothing, then for the sake of GD and PI practice. But, my laziness won over my mind and I stayed.

But, here comes the big one, IIM Ahmedabad. I, for the first time, am feeling that I wish to get an admission offer from this IIM. I visited the institute website, washed my clothes myself, got my friend to get them pressed (I am not a lazy bum, but I am really bad at these chores). And, now I thought to do something to get over my anxiety, what better way to read some blogs. The two blogs, I accidentally reach are both from last year's IIM A students Arvind's The Lord of the things and Suze's Sine Qua Non. Reading their thoughts, it kindled the desire to be at this temple of education, founded in 1961 by the efforts of many visionaries including Dr. Vikram Sarabhai. Personally I feel, he is one of the greatest visionaries independent India ever saw. And, I will write more about my interview experience later.

I request all my readers to leave a comment wishing me good luck, I really need it.