I & 3 letter words!!

I & 3 letter words

Somehow I have an infatuation with 3 letter words. Yes, 3 letter words, you read it right, especially those that begin with I. 20 years back, when I was in school, IIT was more than a dream, it was an obsession. It was like, its going to be IIT or nothing. Do or Die. I remember the Test Papers of Agarwal Classes and Brilliant Tutorials. The Irodovs, the Hallidays and the Morrison & Boyds. It was crazy. Finally one did get to the IIT. Kanpur was a cool 4 years of B Tech. Then in 92 one joined the Corporate world. Suddenly, I felt missing something in life. And one was back to IIT for M. Tech. With another dream. Another 3 letter word. Another I.

Somehow Kanpur and growing up in the cow belt made one feel that if any job in India is a dream job that is of the IAS. Yes, many friends and relatives and even the Interview Board for the IAS examination questioned me – how could you let the Nation’s investment into your training at IIT go waste. But then Dreams are Dreams. And was lucky enough to have survived in the madness of the IAS exam to get through. Since 95, have been living the dream. Through Good times and through pretty bad and desperate times. Have seen a lot – from the insurgents and the greenery of Nagaland to the dirty politics, riots and poverty of Uttar Pradesh. And yes, always thought how relevant IIT education was to Administration. The fundamental law of Governance in our country is the Law of Inertia – nothing moves till a force is applied!!!

After a dozen years of life in the IAS, one landed up in Hyderabad, by chance in 2006, to a beautiful lush green and serene campus called ISB for a 2 week course. One of the best places to train and relax. Felt instantly in love with the Institution. Interacted with the students, faculty and the dean to get to know more about the course and how to get in. Staying in the campus during April exposed me to the fun the guys were having. Suddenly one felt younger. And yes, I have been craving for getting back to school, one more time and to study Business Management. The desire came from within, to get to see the Private Sector, the Corporate world and how life is. Not to mention the big bucks salary announcements every year and the desire to earn money in life, which one is denied in the Government. And yes the clinching issue was the 3 letter word – ISB and the I!!!

So after 2 years of dithering, on a rainy day in August end, I was a bit low, and felt like chucking the IAS job, one went to mba.com and registered for GMAT. Last date for ISB was Sep 15 and was lucky to get a GMAT appointment on Sep 13. So 2 weeks of Princeton Review and Official Guide and scores of practice tests from torrent downloads and elsewhere, one managed a 710. ISB essays and application including recommendations was completed on Sep 14. And Bingo, made the deadline.

ISB was nice to have invited me for the Interview in Delhi on Oct 15. Was good friendly chit chat. And then the long wait on Nov 20. Pagal Guy thread was interesting and it felt great to get to know a diverse set of wannabes. Guys bustling with energy and confidence unlike the dull and weary company I have at work in Government. Felt younger. Was at times, feeling will ISB chuck me on account of me being too old!! But then the mail did come at 2033 hours on 20th Nov and yes I felt I am in the Class of 2010.

A lot has happened since then. Being part of the ISB yahoogroups makes one feel one knows a lot of future classmates. After the initial euphoria the process of getting to ISB begun. First deadline was Dec 5 and 2 lakhs deposit. Government is yet to approve my study leave. Was worried as to what if its not approved and I end up loosing my 2 lakhs deposit. Am yet to make up my mind as to if I can come back to Government after ISB or will I chart out a new career for myself in 2010. The Economic crisis is making things worse. Many friends and well wishers advise that its not wise to chuck a cushy, safe and secure job like the IAS in these times. I know these times will not last for ever. But for me if I have to be at ISB, it is now or never. Anyways, so made a special request to ISB for extending the 5 Dec deadline. And yes, they agreed. So the dilemma continues. And so does the journey.

Which 3 letter I word its going to be, ISB or IAS!!!!

Why Mumbai!!!

Why!!! Why Mumbai!!! Why another attack!!! Why so many lives lost!! I am sad. Depressed and Down. What can we do about it. Are we destined to just see these gruesome visuals on television every second month. What can one do. What can the Government do. What can the security agencies do!!

Seems news agencies are thrilled with the attack. The anchors seem to be excited. Different channels are coming up with their own theories. Their reporters are lost between Trident, Oberoi and Taj. They are confused with grenades, firings, fire, gunshots. Who is responsible. How long will it take. And how many killed. Its crazy. Sad. And tragic.

Is it true that terrorism is religious. Till sometime back, all terrorist attacks were deemed to be Islamic. Till the Malegaon probes which gave first inications that even Hindu fundamentalists could plan terror attacks. Unfortunately the chief investigator of malegaon probes, ATS Chief Hemant Kirkire has lost his life in the Mumbai attacks. We might never get to know the truth.

Why is it that we find a situation that many Muslims get attracted to fundamentalism and terrorism. To me, it is primarily because of lack of education.Muslims consitute almost 18 % of our population. However, even if I look at the list of ISB Roun 1 admits, I find that there are hardly any Muslims, Why is it so. In my IIT class, out of 300 stuents we just ha 4 or 5 muslims. Why. Are Muslims not a backward community toay. Somehow our system has not been able to take them along. Many of them still go to madarasas and are brain washed into funamentalism. Most Muslim voters are used by politicians as Vote banks. The community needs to be taken care of. Leadership will have to come from educated and enlightened muslims.

Anyways my heart goes out for the families who lost their loved ones. May God give them strength. And may our intelligence and security agencies be able to prevent a attack in future.

Is it going to be ISB?

ISB or IAS

Last week I got an admit to ISB. This made me very happy. Infact thrilled. ISB as a school and campus has always attracted me. Its lush green ennvirons, state of the art classrooms, hi tech atrium and overall ambience made me wish to be a part of the school when I had gone there for a 2 week course in 2006. However I could not bring myselft to apply for the school.

Finally in 2008, when I was finding continuing to serve in Nagaland a not so bright proposition, I thought I will write GMAT and look for options for a MBA course.

I took GMAT with a just 12 day notice period and preparation time. Somehow managed to get a 710 (which friends told me was much below my potential). However it was something what I was targetting as I thought a 700 plus score is good enough. I wrote on September 13 just to be able to meet the ISB R1 deadline of Sep 15. I also had plans of applying for MBA to schools like Wharton and Harvard. But the falling rupee is making the prospects of a foreign MBA a little bit too expensive. Added to it is the economy in recession and I really dont know, 2 years from now, whether US economy will be any better. Over and above the one year course of ISB ending in March 2010 attracts me.

Finally on Nov 20, I got an admit. The overall excitement associated with the admission process of ISB has really thrilled me. The threads at Pagal Guy, the mails at yahoo groups and the overall diverse profile of ISB admits for 2010 makes me wish to be a part of it. Working in the Government for 13 years, one really feels the difference in attitude of people who you will study with in ISB and people you work with now. One suddenly starts feeling younger!!! It is an exciting and buzzing group of people who are oozing energy and hope. This is what makes me believe that if corporate India is going to get such human resources, the revival of the economy is not far!!!

Now why am I undecisive. A major reason was my desire to be back with my family. In July this year my wife and kids had shifted to Delhi for the sake of education of my daughter who is going to Sanskriti school. Now I too expect to get a posting in Delhi by end December. That too in a field I desire - IT and E Governance. At this stage, what should I do. Shall I leave my cushy IAS job and test the waters of a MBA from ISB and the exciting world of Corporate world. Does it make sense to leave the comfort of a secure - low paying IAS job and trade for an exciting - high paying Private Sector job. Specially in these recessive times. Thats the question that needs an answer.

Well, what do I actually want to do. I do want to go to ISB. What attracts me. The chance to learn something new. The opportunity to create a window of option at this stage in life. I have enjoyed my stint in IAS but do I not always crave for more. What I miss in IAS is the working style of the Private Sector and the money. But deep inside I do not want to quit the IAS. IAS has given me a lot. It is still regarded to be the most satisfying and reputed jobs in the country. The diverse job profile is unmatched. The IAS tags opens more doors than what even MasterCard does!!! It is a tough call!!!

The other option is to go to ISB and take the call then. But thats a bit expensive proposition. 20 lakhs for a decision. Way beyond. Over and above, I have to take the call in the next one week. By December 5, I have to accept the ISB offer. That means making a deposit of Rs 2 lakhs that is non refundable!!! Gosh!!! Real tuff call...

How I wish I have a dream which makes things clearer and helps me to decide!!!!!