Few survive, fewer sustain and the fewest can actually make the difference by leading from the front. IIM Calcutta is one such institute, which has pioneered the concept of management education and is leading from the front. It has shown how to survive, grow, sustain and expand. Thus, the theme of the 50th Year celebration has been aptly chosen as ‘Sustainable Tomorrow.’
It’s that cherished moment again. Feelings of achievement, accomplishment and jubilation. IIM Calcutta, as it completes its 50th Year, encompasses all aspects of management education and promised to expand its horizon for coming 50 years.
Naturally, it’s a special moment for all its stakeholders. Students to Faculty, Officers to staffs- all belong to a family called IIM Calcutta. All of them have their own stories to tell. Some are good, some are not-so-good, some need to forget, and some must be treasured.
With the motto of ‘Jnanan Sarvahitaya’ (Knowledge for all), IIM-C has redefined the dimensions of management education. As IIM-C Community believes, it’s not a regular business school but a complete management education centre. It doesn’t explore the business needs only, but also brings forth the essentiality of public policy and ethical aspects of business decision making. So, it’s different and thus it sustained over 50 years as a winner in its field.
“We shall not cease from exploration and at the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time”- these words of T S Eliot is in complete tune with the journey called IIM Calcutta.
From host to guests, all have explored the various avenues of sustainability. An erudite Professor and the Chief Guest of the inaugural session Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam in his characteristically jovial manner delivered the key address on “Sustainability”, not only from the technological and environmental perspective, but also from the perspective of the management education. Over and again he focused on ‘Nobility & Management Education’ must go hand in hand. In course of his address, Dr. Kalam focused on three broad themes of Empowerment, Integrity & Leadership which are embedded in the notion of sustainability.
If one has to sustain, he has to be a good leader, this is what Prof. Kalam harped on and the essentiality for a good leader is vision, passion for accomplishment and ever-ready mentality to deal with the success & failure.
‘Empowering three billion people’ kept coming in his address and he has shown a very simple way for achieving that, ‘I can do… We can do & thus, Nation can do.’ To make it happen, two approaches can be taken, either the conventional method of top-down (the success will be limited) or the percolation method in a phased manner, but the need of the hour is ‘Out of the Box’ ideas which will initiate the process.
Sustainability cannot be perceived without integrity and leadership. For a sustainable world, Physical, Electronic and Knowledge Connectivity are needed, collectively it will be resulted in economic connectivity and in this phase Resource entrepreneurs and social entrepreneurs will play a huge role.
Enterprises, Academic institutions and Entrepreneurs together will create Core Competency and competitiveness will come from economic development.
On the occasion of the completion of 50th year, he greeted IIMC by saying this is the first institute where Nehru’s vision and dream got a shape and now it has become a nodal centre for propagating the thoughts. He believes IIM-C with its student can maintain this leadership position. and he taught a new Mantra to IIMC students “I will work with integrity and succeed with integrity.”
Earlier, Dr. Sekhar Chaudhuri told, the theme of the Golden Jubilee is so because second phase of recession is already there and management education is at crossroads. So sustainability is the need of the hour. Mr. Ajit Balakrishnan drew the picture of 2061 i.e. how IIM-C would continue its leadership and sustain itself by providing consultancy services.
Luminaries like Dr. Himadri Pakrasi, Dr. Stuart Hart, Dr. Dipesh Chakrabarty, Dr. Paul Shrivastava, Mr. Juan Costa Climent have graced the occasion by sharing their thought in various panel discussions. From technology to energy, from economy to public policy- all of them have been discussed under the theme of sustainability and its quintessentiality.
Director’s conclave discussed and debated the future roadmap for management education and necessity to tie-up with other subjects and disciplines in order to make it more acceptable and sustain with ‘harmonious co-existence.’ Intellectual stimulus and innovation too are essential components for writing new success stories.
Not only stimulating debate and discussions over Management Education, but there were scintillating performances by Pandit Vishwamohan Bhatt and Shobhna Narayan. Cultural programmes by students too were mesmerising.
IIM-C didn’t forget anyone to embrace again. By felicitating the long serving employees-Faculty, staff and the alumni it has shown its concern for all. They also reminiscence about their august institute. Some walked down the memory lane.
Beautiful campus looked even more gorgeous with colourful lights. Definitely a moment of pride but it’s not the time for complacency. IIM Calcutta has established itself as a brand that has a global value… but the journey has just begun!
Next 50 years would be the bigger challenge as new economic order is about to set in and already in the horizon. Challenge will be bigger, competition will be tougher… but again, IIM Calcutta will sustain as a visionary leadership is there…
Continue to be on the winning streak!!
Showing posts with label Golden Jubilee. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Golden Jubilee. Show all posts
Friday, 18 November 2011
Saturday, 19 March 2011
Moments of Truth
These are few of my personal anecdotes-the good, the bad and the ugly. Some might feel I am a pessimist, to some I might appear as a narcissist and some could see optimism in me. But this is me-the original me!
The Journey begins
In my birth, I was separated from my parents. No, not in the literal sense of the term, but due to medical emergency. It may sound weird, but still it’s a truth. My survival chance was zero as my mother had some infections soon after I was born. So, doctors advised my didan and mashisona (maternal grandmother and aunt) to take the baby home. I came to my home at the age of 6-day and was entirely brought up by them. Mother was there for another month! After that I never stayed with my parents as both of them were working!
I was lonely since childhood. The realization being lonely came much later, but it was there. I didn’t find anybody to spend time with, to play etc. etc. Still, I am lonely. I cannot share my thoughts with anyone. Each time I had tried, the other person took advantage of that!
Learning A-B-C-D
Thanks to my parents, I was admitted to Patha Bhavan , no not an English Medium Convent School but to a school which really helps you to grow as a person and inspires you to nurture your dream while providing quality education. I was selected by Holy Child & Carmel too, but I was fortunate that my parents have chosen the best option for me. Our Montessori (L-Kg & U-Kg) section was at Swinhoe Street, it’s still there. Each time my office bus crosses that place I look at my school. I miss my ‘misses’ wooden blocks, sand shakers, mat everything! In Junior section (1-4) we didn’t have any exam, it was only class performance based on continuous assessment and plenty of fun, music, drawing & activities!! I never felt any burden of studies. Senior section is from class 5. There I found a whole new world. First time I exposed to exams, a little pressure to study. I didn’t have any private tutor/coaching from Kg-PG!! (except a three-month coaching for maths before my 10th). My parents were pretty straight, ‘if you wish to be educated, study on your own!’ That actually paid off, I am proud of the fact that nobody has spoon-fed me, whatever little achievement I have, that’s my very own. My parents were least bothered; they only got to know about their only daughter’s performance through annual PTM!
The Teachers
My teachers have always been a source of inspiration for me. From most of them I have got so much care, concern & love that I cannot even match certain aspects of teacher-student relationship which are very common today. They were the only ones who I got by my side in my hard times as well as when I was elated. One might say, in school this kind of a bond is natural, may be but my university experience too was the same. The professors were no less than a friend, whatever age-difference it might be!! Still, I have contact with most of them. My school teachers call me up as well as my Profs!! I keep ringing them whenever I feel (time is no bar!!)
Jadavpurian
Joining Jadavpur University was my decision alone. I said no to Presidency, Lady Brabourne & I went to India’s 2nd best university. That institution has given me a whole new perspective. It taught me some bitter truth of life as well as opened a new horizon in front of me!! I never stood first, but for some reason I was very close to my professors, though I have a bad habit of calling ‘spade a spade’ irrespective of the place or person concerned.
First step in pursuing my dream
While pursuing Masters in History, I got a call for my first job from ABP. So scared to tell at home, I quietly went to their office at 6, Prafulla Chandra Street and wrote the admission test. It was not that good. Almost after 2-month I got the interview call from the same place & cracked it. Nobody at my home knew that I have already bagged a job. I was fortunate that they have given me an open offer for joining, I joined on 1st June, 2006 whereas I could do that on 11th Jan itself. The gap between last day of my final exam and the first day of my job was less than 24 hours!!
I always have a dream to be a journalist. I was very happy after I got into ABP. But as the days went by, I start realising the various aspects of office politics. I was never a diplomat or image conscious, so I couldn’t compromise with so many practices there. At times I felt, I must run away… I am destroying myself!! There were good people also; I don’t want to take any name… for them only I have survived there for more than 3 years.
An unexpected call
When frustration tore me apart, I got a call from IIM Calcutta for the post of a TTA. Went there, appeared for the test & interview & more surprisingly got selected! So I quit ABP & joined IIMC on 24th August, 2009. It was altogether a different world, the world which was (& is) completely unknown to me. Here some persons in power, question individual’s ‘brand value’, make you realize that ‘general stream’ people are not fit for this institute & so on…
Here I faced certain situations, which I didn’t even think of in my worst nightmare. First time I had to compromise or so to say in a very tactical way I was forced to compromise. That still bothers me, each time I am completely alone I berate myself for that, sometimes start crying. ‘Forget & Forgive’ is actually not that easy!
If I say IIM Calcu____ is incomplete without TTA, that won’t be an exaggeration but it’s a thankless job. Definitely it’s a huge personal learning experience for me, I learnt (at least tried to learn) a lot, but where’s the acknowledgment? Students do acknowledge, but the faculties? Most of them first see your weightage as a brand! If people like me who have come from a very general background, don’t even get the minimum credit she/he deserves! Moreover, sometimes questions were raised about the competency! There are some golden exceptions to this practice those who are very senior or personally have a different outlook. We are like ‘Glorified’ Wage labourer…
Still, I Love the campus. The Lakes, the trees, the colourful flowers & all the people out there have given a different touch to this beautiful place. I know I am counting my days at IIMC, still this short stint with this institute I will remember forever!
My run has already begun for the next big one. Patha Bhavan-JU-ABP-IIMC not that bad & I am happy that I have made to these places with my hard works only.
Search for happiness
I know, my simple, soft (I might appear very tough from outside) nature has been taken for granted by all. Once I left a place, most people don’t even remember me. Still, They know, Anwesha won’t say know if it’s within her reach. Earlier I was a ‘Use & Throw’ article, now with the changing nature have become ‘recyclable’!! Some might like me, some might hate, and some might laugh at me… now I don’t have any expectation from anyone. I just want to be happy with all I have.
I don’t want to make big money, I don’t want to be famous… I just want to stay as simple. Even after so many ups & down, I believe ‘Honesty is the best policy’.
Once I have a dream, it’s still there, I just want to pursue that with grit & determination as I believe there cannot be any shortcut to success!!
Thank you all those who have either positively or negatively help me reach here…
The Journey begins
In my birth, I was separated from my parents. No, not in the literal sense of the term, but due to medical emergency. It may sound weird, but still it’s a truth. My survival chance was zero as my mother had some infections soon after I was born. So, doctors advised my didan and mashisona (maternal grandmother and aunt) to take the baby home. I came to my home at the age of 6-day and was entirely brought up by them. Mother was there for another month! After that I never stayed with my parents as both of them were working!
I was lonely since childhood. The realization being lonely came much later, but it was there. I didn’t find anybody to spend time with, to play etc. etc. Still, I am lonely. I cannot share my thoughts with anyone. Each time I had tried, the other person took advantage of that!
Learning A-B-C-D
Thanks to my parents, I was admitted to Patha Bhavan , no not an English Medium Convent School but to a school which really helps you to grow as a person and inspires you to nurture your dream while providing quality education. I was selected by Holy Child & Carmel too, but I was fortunate that my parents have chosen the best option for me. Our Montessori (L-Kg & U-Kg) section was at Swinhoe Street, it’s still there. Each time my office bus crosses that place I look at my school. I miss my ‘misses’ wooden blocks, sand shakers, mat everything! In Junior section (1-4) we didn’t have any exam, it was only class performance based on continuous assessment and plenty of fun, music, drawing & activities!! I never felt any burden of studies. Senior section is from class 5. There I found a whole new world. First time I exposed to exams, a little pressure to study. I didn’t have any private tutor/coaching from Kg-PG!! (except a three-month coaching for maths before my 10th). My parents were pretty straight, ‘if you wish to be educated, study on your own!’ That actually paid off, I am proud of the fact that nobody has spoon-fed me, whatever little achievement I have, that’s my very own. My parents were least bothered; they only got to know about their only daughter’s performance through annual PTM!
The Teachers
My teachers have always been a source of inspiration for me. From most of them I have got so much care, concern & love that I cannot even match certain aspects of teacher-student relationship which are very common today. They were the only ones who I got by my side in my hard times as well as when I was elated. One might say, in school this kind of a bond is natural, may be but my university experience too was the same. The professors were no less than a friend, whatever age-difference it might be!! Still, I have contact with most of them. My school teachers call me up as well as my Profs!! I keep ringing them whenever I feel (time is no bar!!)
Jadavpurian
Joining Jadavpur University was my decision alone. I said no to Presidency, Lady Brabourne & I went to India’s 2nd best university. That institution has given me a whole new perspective. It taught me some bitter truth of life as well as opened a new horizon in front of me!! I never stood first, but for some reason I was very close to my professors, though I have a bad habit of calling ‘spade a spade’ irrespective of the place or person concerned.
First step in pursuing my dream
While pursuing Masters in History, I got a call for my first job from ABP. So scared to tell at home, I quietly went to their office at 6, Prafulla Chandra Street and wrote the admission test. It was not that good. Almost after 2-month I got the interview call from the same place & cracked it. Nobody at my home knew that I have already bagged a job. I was fortunate that they have given me an open offer for joining, I joined on 1st June, 2006 whereas I could do that on 11th Jan itself. The gap between last day of my final exam and the first day of my job was less than 24 hours!!
I always have a dream to be a journalist. I was very happy after I got into ABP. But as the days went by, I start realising the various aspects of office politics. I was never a diplomat or image conscious, so I couldn’t compromise with so many practices there. At times I felt, I must run away… I am destroying myself!! There were good people also; I don’t want to take any name… for them only I have survived there for more than 3 years.
An unexpected call
When frustration tore me apart, I got a call from IIM Calcutta for the post of a TTA. Went there, appeared for the test & interview & more surprisingly got selected! So I quit ABP & joined IIMC on 24th August, 2009. It was altogether a different world, the world which was (& is) completely unknown to me. Here some persons in power, question individual’s ‘brand value’, make you realize that ‘general stream’ people are not fit for this institute & so on…
Here I faced certain situations, which I didn’t even think of in my worst nightmare. First time I had to compromise or so to say in a very tactical way I was forced to compromise. That still bothers me, each time I am completely alone I berate myself for that, sometimes start crying. ‘Forget & Forgive’ is actually not that easy!
If I say IIM Calcu____ is incomplete without TTA, that won’t be an exaggeration but it’s a thankless job. Definitely it’s a huge personal learning experience for me, I learnt (at least tried to learn) a lot, but where’s the acknowledgment? Students do acknowledge, but the faculties? Most of them first see your weightage as a brand! If people like me who have come from a very general background, don’t even get the minimum credit she/he deserves! Moreover, sometimes questions were raised about the competency! There are some golden exceptions to this practice those who are very senior or personally have a different outlook. We are like ‘Glorified’ Wage labourer…
Still, I Love the campus. The Lakes, the trees, the colourful flowers & all the people out there have given a different touch to this beautiful place. I know I am counting my days at IIMC, still this short stint with this institute I will remember forever!
My run has already begun for the next big one. Patha Bhavan-JU-ABP-IIMC not that bad & I am happy that I have made to these places with my hard works only.
Search for happiness
I know, my simple, soft (I might appear very tough from outside) nature has been taken for granted by all. Once I left a place, most people don’t even remember me. Still, They know, Anwesha won’t say know if it’s within her reach. Earlier I was a ‘Use & Throw’ article, now with the changing nature have become ‘recyclable’!! Some might like me, some might hate, and some might laugh at me… now I don’t have any expectation from anyone. I just want to be happy with all I have.
I don’t want to make big money, I don’t want to be famous… I just want to stay as simple. Even after so many ups & down, I believe ‘Honesty is the best policy’.
Once I have a dream, it’s still there, I just want to pursue that with grit & determination as I believe there cannot be any shortcut to success!!
Thank you all those who have either positively or negatively help me reach here…
Thursday, 11 November 2010
Happy Birthday, IIMC!!
Pandit Nehru was a great visionary and one of his dreams had got shapes in form of Indian Institute of Management. Though, he wanted to create ‘able managers’ from IIMs to run the nation-state and now the brand IIM is a buzz word in the arena of Investment Banks & Consultancies!
On November 14, IIM Calcutta, the oldest among its peer group will complete its 49th year and will step into 50. Presumably, the campus is getting into its birthday attires! Now, talk of the campus is about ‘slot 0’ only as the Summer placement is in full swing, still the Birthday boy is getting some attention!
In a small gathering today, IIMC Director Dr. Sekhar Chaudhuri has told that 14th November will see the commencement of two-year long celebration of IIMC’s Golden Jubilee! Chains of events will follow! Dean of the institute, Prof. Saugata Ray admitted that very hurriedly everything has been arranged, so probably many have been left out in the process, but in coming two years every single person of the institute(current or retired) will feel they too are part of the occasion!
But, is it true that all the employees of the institute are equally excited about the Golden Jubilee celebration? How much students are enjoying? What about the large section of non-teaching staffs?
Many staffs are felt left out as they got to know only yesterday! Due to lack of time, there won’t be any events by the students and a huge section of the employees were not even aware whether they have been invited! What make me even more surprised is that the institution doesn’t have any record of its ex-employees before 1980s! No, I am little wrong. The record is there, but that has not been kept in a systematic manner, so the Dean himself has admitted his ‘inability’ to get even half of the contacts of the ex-employees!
And I must admit, I also belonged to the same league of ‘left out’ until a small speech of Prof. Anup Sinha awakens me! He told, “Keu keu abhiman korechhen’’ (some became very sentimental) as they were left out! They got the invitation by a notice. But it’s like our family, so you also have to come on your own. This is the occasion of your family!” This made me feel different. Suddenly, I also realized I am also a part of this august institution! Till date, I thought of myself as a ‘mercenary’ for various reasons. I am still that, I know, but still a sense of pride too is there. I am welcomed in the Golden Jubilee of the institute! Prof. Sinha has assured that, everyone is welcome (I had a strong doubt whether contractual staffs are part of the celebration).
Critics may say, the programme could have been on a large scale. This could be planned differently by bringing out memoirs, crafting mementos, involving students in a better way etc. But sometimes, we do celebrate the birthdays of family members in a very homely atmosphere, and partying and grandeur celebrated at a later date!
So, IIMC has taken the same route. By unveiling a logo on 14th it will commence the journey of 2-year-long celebration. Dean is dreaming of making the event not only a grand success, but also a trend setter which other IIMs will follow during their Golden Jubilee Celebration!
Let’s give a definite shape to his Dream, no, not only his dream, that’s our dreams too!
Happy Birthday IIM Calcutta… you rock as always!
On November 14, IIM Calcutta, the oldest among its peer group will complete its 49th year and will step into 50. Presumably, the campus is getting into its birthday attires! Now, talk of the campus is about ‘slot 0’ only as the Summer placement is in full swing, still the Birthday boy is getting some attention!
In a small gathering today, IIMC Director Dr. Sekhar Chaudhuri has told that 14th November will see the commencement of two-year long celebration of IIMC’s Golden Jubilee! Chains of events will follow! Dean of the institute, Prof. Saugata Ray admitted that very hurriedly everything has been arranged, so probably many have been left out in the process, but in coming two years every single person of the institute(current or retired) will feel they too are part of the occasion!
But, is it true that all the employees of the institute are equally excited about the Golden Jubilee celebration? How much students are enjoying? What about the large section of non-teaching staffs?
Many staffs are felt left out as they got to know only yesterday! Due to lack of time, there won’t be any events by the students and a huge section of the employees were not even aware whether they have been invited! What make me even more surprised is that the institution doesn’t have any record of its ex-employees before 1980s! No, I am little wrong. The record is there, but that has not been kept in a systematic manner, so the Dean himself has admitted his ‘inability’ to get even half of the contacts of the ex-employees!
And I must admit, I also belonged to the same league of ‘left out’ until a small speech of Prof. Anup Sinha awakens me! He told, “Keu keu abhiman korechhen’’ (some became very sentimental) as they were left out! They got the invitation by a notice. But it’s like our family, so you also have to come on your own. This is the occasion of your family!” This made me feel different. Suddenly, I also realized I am also a part of this august institution! Till date, I thought of myself as a ‘mercenary’ for various reasons. I am still that, I know, but still a sense of pride too is there. I am welcomed in the Golden Jubilee of the institute! Prof. Sinha has assured that, everyone is welcome (I had a strong doubt whether contractual staffs are part of the celebration).
Critics may say, the programme could have been on a large scale. This could be planned differently by bringing out memoirs, crafting mementos, involving students in a better way etc. But sometimes, we do celebrate the birthdays of family members in a very homely atmosphere, and partying and grandeur celebrated at a later date!
So, IIMC has taken the same route. By unveiling a logo on 14th it will commence the journey of 2-year-long celebration. Dean is dreaming of making the event not only a grand success, but also a trend setter which other IIMs will follow during their Golden Jubilee Celebration!
Let’s give a definite shape to his Dream, no, not only his dream, that’s our dreams too!
Happy Birthday IIM Calcutta… you rock as always!
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