A Graduation in the Family

 My second daughter Pooja just graduated from University of York, U.K.. A Master's in Cultural Heritage Mgt., after a Bachelor of Architecture earlier from India. The first works for Tata Classedge, an edtech company after her M.A. in English.

That completes the cycle of responsibility that Indian parents have towards their kids. Marriage is optional, and their business to decide on, when they feel like it. I will attend it, for sure. 

Some pics-

Second Convocation at NMIMS Bangalore

 We had our first virtual one after I joined, in January 2021. Fairly late for the batch of 2020, but then, those were tough times, with no vaccines and no idea where we were headed. This time, September 25th, was much better because we at least were vaccinated, and feeling relatively better. Though we had expected a physical Convocation this time, it was not to be. So my second Convocation as Director happened today, and we made the most of it. 

Above, the Chief Guest who joined us from Delhi, and some of the graduating students, below-

This (above) was the pre-Convocation Dry Run to do the checks.

These two young ladies were the MCs at the event- Divya and Sreelekha. They are students of second year MBA, with backgrounds in Fashion and Sociology, respectively.

Virtual and Real Meets

 The last three months at NMIMS Bangalore has been a flurry of activity, and meetings, mostly virtual, with students who are members of various activity clubs and committees. Some virtual events too, with industry participants. For a change, we did a small event to felicitate the Rank-holders and Medal winners of the 2020 graduating batch. Though a bit late, at least it was in person, and it was great to see some students in person. Earlier, there was a meet over dinner with senior Placecom members.

Glimpses of various events and meets here, with my new young friends..

PR Committee, and Placecom -above and below.

Placecom member, and Jt. Director, Placement.

More events ...

Host and student, Manuja Seth, at the Graduation Ceremony 2020 Batch.

Events- above and below (TEDx)

My office, Bannerghatta Campus-below. Koramangala campus, above, where we offer executive programs and B.Com.

NMIMS Bangalore Convocation Pics

 Some pics from the Virtual Ceremony held on Jan 23, 2021. Delayed by COVID. Brand Bangalore NMIMS.

The Chief Guest speaks.

The Vice Chancellor speaks.

and Yours Truly.

Registrar, Dr. Meena Chintamaneni (above), and our host and student Manuja Seth below.

The Convocation That Was Not

By this time next week, we would have finished our Convocation, had things gone according to plan. The Corona Virus has changed all that, and staying healthy has taken precedence over gatherings of any type. That does not mean that we cannot wish our graduating students well, the ceremony postponement notwithstanding.

Had a lot of good times, and good memories of all my courses, from different programs. Doctoral students who were a part of my courses, and whose committees I was a part of, included. The last batch of PGP-Mumbai, PGP-MX students from the Weekend program in Mumbai, and regular MBA/IPM students from our own campus, there were many I taught.

Here's wishing all graduating IIM Indore students a great career ahead, and a wonderful life too- in other words, a Work-Life balance that they will cherish. Hope you will keep coming back to your Alma Mater, one way or another.

Mixed Feelings- Convocation 2018

Another batch of students graduates from IIM Indore today. Actually, there are multiple programs from which students will graduate. The PGP MX (a weekend program), EPGP (full time exec. program), the FPM and FPM (Industry)-doctoral programs- and the flagship programs of 2 years and 5 years (Dual degree).

(Above- a class of PGP MX in progress during their campus visit)

Many students whom I have taught are among them, and it's a mixed feeling while we see them go away. Not knowing if or when you will see them again, but feeling good to see them come of age and explore new territories, a la Ulysses, looking for the unknown in the untravelled world. I quote from the poem (Ulysses, by Tennyson)-

I am a part of all that I have met;

Yet all experience is an arch wherethro'

Gleams that untravell'd world whose margin fades

For ever and forever when I move.

How dull it is to pause, to make an end,

To rust unburnish'd, not to shine in use!

The inevitable has to happen, and the young have to find their way. We will be a part of all who we have met!

 

Monsoon Come Soon

Seems it's already here. What's the definition of a monsoon?

Winds from the West, and rains alng with them. The definition fits. So is it monsoon in March? So what happens in April, and May, and the original months, June-September? Well, we shall have to wait and watch.

It has thrown a spanner in the works a bit- I mean, golf plans have had to be postponed a bit, after having discovered a nice little Golf course in Indore. Never mind, we (the Golf course and me) will catch up some day.

IIM Indore also heads towards its Convocation Day on the 28th of March. Many PGP students and some others from the FPM (Ph.D.) and other programs will graduate, and turn into our alumni. A significant moment, indeed.

Before the convocation, we have a treat in store on the 20th, in the form of a play- Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest" which is being staged on campus by some really keen students and their mentor-director faculty. It's a cracker of a play, one of Wilde's best, with one-liners galore.