Convocations at IMT

 Just remembering various convocations we had at IMT. Mr. Kamal Nath always got top industry leaders to address the students. So we had Sunil Mittal of Airtel for the first independent convocation at Nagpur where I was Director at the time. We were discussing how 3 G would change things in mobile usage, with video streaming becoming possible, with the man himself.

The next year, we had Mukesh Ambani, and he arrived in a chopper of his own. It was a sight, having two choppers land. He was quite humble, and I reminded him of a classmate of mine who worked with him at the time. His P.R. team made sure the event was recorded and streamed later.

Then we had Azim Premji, the most down-to-earth CEO/Promoter that I have seen- not that I have seen many, but.. 

Earlier, at Ghaziabad, we had Vijay Mallya who arrived at a nearby airbase and then came in a Mercedes, I think, to the campus. He was a good speaker, though a bit reserved otherwise.

Thanking 2011

This is not a religious discourse, but I have a lot to thank 2011 for. Obviously, it's not an inanimate thing, and there are people behind it that are really responsible for the feelings that emanate. My Osmania classmates who did a lot to reactivate the alum network, culminating in a few meetings in small groups wherever we could. Hyderabad and Delhi meets were two highlights. Individuals responsible. KS Murthy, Venugopal Reddy assisted by Rajagopal and others. IMT Nagpur for a wonderful year that went by, full of activities, events, and great team-work among students, faculty and staff. 

We pulled off a major event- Convocation 2011 for the first time on March 11, 2011. It went off like clockwork. Sunil Bharti Mittal was the Chief Guest. Students here did a lot of activities, conferences, theme seminars, extra-curriculars, sports and fun stuff, to keep the energy flowing. Placements were good, and rankings too. For the first time, we got a Superleague 2 ranking in the All India Mgt. Association survey in 2011. 

Academically, we had faculty publishing and writing cases, like over-achievers. About five conferences were organised by us, including one each at Goa and Hyderabad. Deponegoro University, Indonesia, sent two faculty on an exchange program, and partnerships with Rennes Business school, France, Chonnam University, South Korea and an Austrian University continued to flourish. IMT Alumni meets continued with vigour, in five cities this year. MDPs (short programs for execs) continued to be popular among a lot of infrastructure companies in and around Nagpur. Client list included GMR, NTPC, SAIL, Geological Survey and a few more. Many faculty taught in these. 

 Personally, I wrote a case on a company called Golftripz floated by an ex-student and partners. They take Indian golfers where they have never gone before (for golf)- to foreign countries. This has a video interview with promoters as an added attraction. Will present the case at a Bangkok conference this week. We did some faculty development programs as well, on research methods and the Case method of teaching (and case writing). IMT now has a leadership position in central Indian B schools. IIM Indore is the only other school nearby in the quality department, I guess. Cousins organised a Diwali outing to Shrivardhan, a Konkan beach town, which is now an annual event for all of us. 

 Most important, I read a lot of books and saw a lot of movies. Many were good. Iranian films, particularly, and one called Coffee and Cigarettes, and Norwegian Wood, based on Murakami's book, were excellent. Thanks to Hari and Sagar who it seems an inexhaustible supply of quality films. An IMT student also made a feature film that was commendable, and good to view. Books- A Fine Balance, The Music Room, RD Burman, Zorba the Greek, The Old Man and the Sea, Once Upon a Time in Scandinavistan, were some books I remember, along with a couple of Murakamis- my favourite. I would like to read more humour if I can. Emperor of Maladies about cancer research was also good. Blog writers and readers also need an honourable mention (and thanks) for making every day brighter.