Six days of madness - part 6

Day 6: April 1, 2010
Call: IIM Lucknow

Ok, now, I was in no mood for this GDPI....quite simply because of what lay ahead after I would be done with it - FREEDOM!! At least temporarily......this being the last of the GDPIs, and the previous day having been my last day at work, I would be free and relaxed at home with not too much to do for 2 months!! I was soo looking forward to that....so all I could think of was, get it over with quickly..!

Of course, it did help that it was scheduled in the morning, and I was second in line for the interview. But first, the pressing matter of an essay and a GD - both on the same topic: "In a socialist country like India, salaries of private executives should be capped.." (again don't really rem the exact words, but along those lines). Nice topic....wrote well.....GD was also very good....discussed how India isn't exactly socialist but a mixed economy after 1991....talked about competition in private sector, how it's boosting the Indian economy, and how salaries play an important role....capping isn't the solution, but more emphasis should be given on equitable distribution of wealth in an organisation......more tax incentives for donating to charity etc.........good stuff, but we soon ran out of points, and thankfully one person concluded in time just as we ran out!!

Interview time: two panelists P1, P2, both male, both faculty. P2 started glancing through my certificates while P1 began the questioning

P1: So tell me about yourself..
Me: For one last time..
P1: So what exactly does your work at Wipro entail?
Me: Told..
P1: You seem to be doing well in your job...why the switch to MBA?
Me: Blah..
P1: Hmm....Electronics and Telecom eh....how is this industry doing in India?
Me: Mentioned how telecom is the fastest growing sector in India....Bharti-Zain deal etc..
P1: What are your views on the deal?
Me: Told..
P1: Do you think Sunil Mittal has done the right thing by going through with this deal?
Me: Told how he wanted to build Bharti-Airtel as a global brand etc.
P1: But there are so many critics slamming the deal..
Me: Said how those critics were looking at short-term, Sunil Mittal had a long-term plan...
P1: (seemed satisfied) So why IIM-Lucknow, Arvind?
Me: Standard answer.....told about student culture, industry exposure, all-round development..
P1: But you find those in pretty much all the major B-schools isn't it?
Me: Told every B-school is different....e.g IIMC places high emphasis on academics....IIML is more inclusive development...blah blah....somehow he seemed satisfied with it!

He then looked at P2, to ask whether he had any questions...
P2: I don't see your marksheets among these certificates, Arvind....do you have them?
Me: Oh yes, sir (handed them over)
P2: (goes through it) So tell me about some of your achievements..
Me: mentioned leadership stuff, my USP..
P2: Do you have any achievements at State or National level?
Me: mentioned all-India 3rd rank in National Cyber Olympiad....also mentioned International Theatre Festival....
P2: (nodded, looks at P1, who nods as well) Ok, Arvind, I think that's about it....thank you..
Me: Thank you, Sirs..!

And.....done!!! FREEDOM!!! RELIEF!!! It's all over..! The same kind of relief I felt after I completed my engineering swept through me! Oh, the joy!! And it ended on a good note as well....that was by far the best interview among the four IIMs. Anyway, I didn't care, 'cos I had survived.......six days of madness, and I came through it unscathed! Time to finish some formalities in office, then go home and sleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep!!