Saturday, September 13, 2008

Former president Dr. Kalam is now an IIM-A prof!!!

One or two months back, when i saw the news Dr.Kalam is going to take a course at IIM-A, i wondered what it would be. When i heard its some GRIT course for second year students it was just another news about IIM-A.

I happened to attend a session on Entrepreneurial ship by Prof Anil Gupta, which made a huge impact on the way i used to think. Prof Gupta and Kalam are together taking the course GRIT(Global and Resurgent India through Innovative Transformation), for the first time this year and most probably will become a regular course next year onwards. So i have my chances of attending it next year.

All of a sudden, a twist in the tale, it was announced 20 first years would be allowed to attend the course(as a non-credit one). It doesn't matter whether it has credits or not. People are getting a chance to attend Dr.Kalam's class. Me too applied along with my profile and all. But telling the truth, i had very less expectation of getting through.

It was a week before the list of selected students was published, and i was so happy to see my name. I was selected for the fourth pillar-"A nation where education with value system is not denied to any meritorious candidates because of societal or economic discrimination." Classes starting September 13th. Since we had regular classes during the first years will be attending evening interactions with Dr.Kalam.

And today was the day. At 3:45, i met him for the first ever time in my life. The first thing he told was a story. Something that happened when he was 10 years old , it was related to importance of integrity. Words cant describe the feelings, i was in a state of excitement. Even ecstasy won't be an apt word to describe the feeling. I used to keep a quote with Prof.Kalam's (Till now he used be an Indian president, but now he is my professor :)) snap at my workstation.

"Dreams are not what you see while sleeping, but something that will never let you sleep..."

Now i am listening to him, sitting in his introductory class. He was also excited to teach us. For IIM-A he had emotional attachments too, Vikram Sarabhai founded IIM-A n the place where he excelled as a scientist, ISRO. Most of the session was filled with his real life experiences including that at Kerala assembly and Thumba. He was prepared well as all the prof's here. do Even i got chance to speak to him. An amazing reply to my query "Don't you think inclusive policy by the government in the higher education sector denies opportunity to the meritorious?", seriously made me feel reservations are not that bad as i think.

Another amazing qualities all leaders have, for someone's question, he didnt know something. Without hesitation he told that. Who all admits things like that? Only true leaders. Admiration is the only think you will have after that.

Just few months after joining here itself i feel i gained a lot from IIM-A. This is an awesome place to be in..

Waiting for Prof. Kalams next class...

PS:Forgot to mention, Dr.Kalam is a person with a great sense of humour.



2 comments:

Unknown said...

nicely written.. :)

febitha manju said...

im hearin it 4 d first time..ohhh...gr888
im proud to say u r ma frnd..:)