Memorable Moments 2009-2011

 Nine eleven, so called by Americans for the date of that attack on the World Trade Centre, was good for me- the years, I mean. 

I joined IMT NAGPUR as Director. Flew in a six seater private plane with the promoter, to be introduced to the faculty before joining. My former colleague Anwar Ali was with me too. 

I was interviewed by the student team that ran our newsletter- probably by Gowri. 

Met a lot of new colleagues, and Jayasimha, an old one.

Planned out a few things, and ran into a hunger strike by students in early 2010, over placements. Replaced the head of placements (faculty), and also MDP chair. 

Taught a Seminar course called Seminar on Thought Leadership, for the first time, with 40 students- one was an exchange student from Austria, Laura.

Met a lot of bright students through various functions, committees and events. Some of the best!

With Prof. Ravi Gadgil, built a green to play Golf on. Played Golf with him and others.

Taught a class on how to use the case method of learning, for students during orientation.

Started Alumni chapter meets in 4-5 cities

Conducted a Case conference planned by Harsh Halve and Jayasimha in Goa, for three consecutive years, at the International Centre, Dona Paula.

Conducted our first independent convocation in 2011 with Mr. Sunil Mittal as Chief Guest. Second with Mr. Mukesh Ambani, and third with Mr. Azim Premji.

Got IMT Nagpur into the top 50 B schools as per a major survey.

Recruited Anant Ram, TK Chatterjee, Vijaya Kumar and Smita Dabholkar, who have been around for many years. Also Rajnandan Pattnaik.

Guided Naveen Das through his Ph.D., jointly through NLU Jodhpur and IMT.

Helped students start F 'n F on campus.

Ate a lot of Oranges.

Weekly Roundup

I had a visitor and had a great time partying. This came just after my outing with the dirty dozen-marketing area colleagues.

April fools' day passed by without my looking any more foolish than I do on other days year-round, so it was not a bad one. This reminded me of Hyderabad where the local paper, Deccan Chronicle, used to pull a fast one each year on this Day. Enjoyable stuff, and good-humoured.

Teaching for the academic year has come to a close, and we had also finished with the Convocation, so more time for rumination- and grading, of course. Look forward to eating more of mangoes that will soon be in season, and see if that beats the heat.

Golf is currently not happening, but that does not mean I can't post Golf pics, right? Here is one from the Air Force Golf Club at Nagpur, where I am preparing to take a drive. Prof. Gadgil is with me.

IMT Nagpur- Tangy Oranges and More

 Launching my autobiography at Crossword, Nagpur. Editor, Hitavada, and Smita Dabholkar, my colleague, are in the pic. Below, my favourite road trip-to Lonar crater lake, formed by a meteorite.

Nagpur oranges are my favourite since childhood. I landed in IMT Nagpur as the director in 2009 and barring brief interludes at Ghaziabad, stayed till 2013. These years were wonderful, both in terms of bonding with students, and with faculty. As an example, we had karaoke parties with faculty colleagues-an innovation that has caught on. We also had retreats at Pench, Bhedaghat etc. for our annual planning meetings. Alumni meets were also regularly held across India..pics from two of them below-

 Bangalore (above) and Hyderabad (below).

 We (Prof Gadgil and I) also created a golf green, which you can see behind the cricketer here (above).

Visitors-Convocation chief guest Mukesh Ambani being shown around. Mr. Kamal Nath is also in the pic.

 My mom and daughter at the campus. (below)