5 th April, 2008

Finally arrived at my college, IIM-Ahmedabad. It wasn’t easy. Was working at Deutsche Bank in Singapore till Friday, 4^th April, 3:00 P.M.  7:00 P.M. was the flight. Have to pick up the luggage, some things have to be dropped to the cargo guy and then go to the airport. Aah… And then there is a bit of sadness. Came in Singapore in June 2005. It has been more or less 3 years I have been in Singapore. But I really really owe so much to this country. This place had always helped me to come out of so many problems. It has been really nice. And I am going to miss Nagi, Micheal so much. They listened to me all the time. They helped me prepare for my GMAT, in writing essays as well as the interview preparation for IIM. So there is a nostalgic feeling. I am not sure when I will meet them…

Finally I have reached Ahmedabad. So, this is the place that has much of hype around. You tell anyone in India that you have got an admission into IIM-A and you can hear “vow, great man…”. It is 7:00 in the morning. I get my keys to the room. Can I take a quick snap from my new Canon camera? The only purchase I had from Singapore (I have to thank my fiancé’, Mallika, who literally forced me to get this from Singapore and every time I click a photo in a new location, my heart thanks her). So this is the view from my room. Pretty good, I am really lucky to be here.

(Picture from my room)

Now, on the breakfast table, I start meeting my classmates. We had a Yahoo group formed earlier, so there has been some acquaintance and finally it is meeting in person. (The real colours will come out after this J ). Came to know that I am the last person to arrive. People have been here for last couple of days and have more or less settled down. I know, I am lazy but it is ok. After all, I was working till 3:00 P.M. yesterday and I have made it here. Trying to console myself.

Went to the PGPX office to provide all the needed documents that are required at the time of joining. Took some time. Tomorrow the induction classes will start for 5 days. And please remember, tomorrow is Sunday. So, at IIM, there are no Saturdays or Sundays. But, I am not complaining. I am happy here.

It us Sunday morning. Get ready. Reach to R.J. Mathai auditorium. Induction starts. There are some really interesting comments that come up during the introduction. Rakesh says that he is here to enjoy life. Prof. Arvind Sahay, PGPX coordinator tells him that he is not sure whether his wish would be fulfilled (we came to know what he meant once the classes started). 

( IIM-A director Prof Barua is speaking. Prof. Arvind Sahay is listening to Prof. Barua very keenly.)

Some one says, 'I am single' and Rachna quips "and ready to mingle'. And voila, I got my introduction line. 'I am Piyush Singhal, currently single, but not ready to mingle because I am going to be double'. This really brought some good laughter. Prof Sahay told me as well that you are brave enough to get married during the course.

Before the start of the induction program, couple of classmates told me that there is another guy who just looks like me. Aah, that appears to be cliche'. You always listen to such things once in a while. So, when I was walking towards my seat during the induction program, I saw a guy and just thought 'this guy just looks like me'. So the classmates were right. This guy, Gaurav Goyal and I really resemble alot. During the course of time, Professor M.M. Monipally confused between two of us. Even the Mess in-charge confused between two of us so many times. I am sure my scores have also gone to Gaurav. L

It is really amazing to see this crowd. With an average GMAT score of 728 (highest in the world, better than Harvard, Wharton, Stanford...) and look at the experience they bring to the class. There is an IPS (Indian Police Officer) officer, directors from Navy etc. etc. So lot of learning should happen.

During the tea break, we had good cookies to eat. I got my snap done after the break so that I must not increase my tummy during the course. It is important man... The amount of oily stuff, cookies and the samosas, pakodas we had during this one year has been amazing. 

(So now you can see me at the start of program)