Indori Nostalgia

 There was a famous poet, Rahat Indori, who I used to sometimes listen to on Youtube. Just one of many greats associated with Indore. Salim of the famous Salim-Javed duo who scripted Sholay, Deewar, Don and Zanjeer, was from Indore. So was Johnny Walker, the much-loved comedian from Hindi films of the 50s/60s- he starred in many Guru Dutt movies. He had a memorable role in Anand too.

Anyway, my nostalgia is not about these celebs (nor about Chappan Dukaan), rather it's about what I experienced here. First and foremost, a serene campus, and a lot of helpful people staffing various functions like the program offices for PGP, IPM, PGP MX, EPGP, GMPE, and a few more academic programs. I was directly in charge of MDP for a couple of years, and Dean (Faculty) again for a couple, so the people who reported to me then, including Pradeep, Hemendra, Bhupendra, Manas, Neha, Abhilasha, Arunendra, Abishek Kachhap, and the director's office -Santhi, Radhakrishnan, and Sahad. Personnel office people since I joined- Janardanan, Ranti and Mohammed. Admission office staff who facilitated our visits to the interview centres every year. Ananya Mishra, who did and does our publicity. Deepali and other friendly staff at the Belapur campus of IIM Indore.

I also had Academic associates that I remember. Veenus, Deepti who is finishing her stint soon after 3 years of being here, and before her, Saumyaa Sharma. Sarada Mahanti too. 

Behind the scenes, multiple drivers who drove us back and forth from the airport, cleaning staff at office and home (garbage pick up), security who did their best at keeping us safe, project/engineering office who carried out repairs or installation, and utilities who ran backup generators. Gardening staff who helped me play Golf by trimming grass on the field. I.T. staff who gave us the bandwidth to operate in COVID times and before. Stores who supplied necessary equipment ad material. Medical centre and shops-including student run stores. Former colleagues, like Dr. Akhtar who hosted an iftaar at his house during Ramzan, and was also involved in a case I wrote about IIM Indore's Digital Marketing.

Students, naturally, but you will hear more about them elsewhere. And faculty colleagues and three bosses.