After Rahul’s epic travelogue, I was really hesitant (read scared) to put down my “Experience of Hyderabad Tour” that I had as part of Training at Basix Academy on “Microfinance: Practices, Processes and Risk Management” last week. Anyway, as a senior blogger (hope Rahul will not mind for this self proclaimed designation); I thought I should write something as so many things had happened first time in this tour.

It was three and half day tour (24^th to 28^th June) and we reached Hyderabad on 24^th Night. It was indeed my first travel by Air and frankly speaking I was frightened. The day before the actual journey, late night edition of 9XNews was exclusively carrying a half hour story on recent time aero-plane accidents and believe me every time I was changing my remote, it was getting standstill on that channel only. Hope you can imagine how good sleep I had that night.

The first flight experience in one word: Good. I was terrified when the plan was taking off, I was terrified when the plan was jerking in the mid air and I was terrified when the plane was landing. The smile of the beautiful air hostesses even was not enough to relieve me.So I can’t rate this journey more than “Good”. The come back flight was cool and I guess I am now quite confident for journey by fight.

Ok the real story started at the night when we had reached the Hotel which is almost 30 KMs away from the stunning Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (my senior Darshini from her personal experience shared that this airport is even better than Paris International Airport). First thing I had to do after reaching hotel was to give food to the Vodafone Dog so that it can bark (read: recharge my Vodafone mobile). So I went out from the hotel around 10.30 and I thought recharging of my mobile would be the easiest job in the universe. Coming from Mumbai, it was unimaginable for us to think that a city can be closed at mere 10.30 PM. So first, I went upto 1 KM by walking to right hand direction. It was absolute shocking to see that there was not a single shop open at that time. I thought then that the left side direction would be active as it’s the era of Left (be it IPL, Nuclear Deal or Oil Price reaching 148 dollar, Left are all there). So I went to the left direction and it was truly futile effort. I had to come back to hotel without recharging. The story does not end here. Before leaving the hotel I along with Ravi gave order for Dinner and when I was coming back empty hand, I was appeasing my mind that I will have good time as I had given order of Special Hydrabadi Biriyani. There was no food in the hotel’s room and it was almost 45 min over. Ravi checked to the reception and the famous answer came that the kitchen was closed at 10 and so there was no food (that son of b***h receptionist did not say this at the time when we gave our order). Nothing could have better than this. After disastrous food at the flight (I could not believe how food can be so tasteless at the flight when they are taking so much money), I was terrible hungry and Ravi too. So again I had to come out of hotel with hope (I guess it was greater that Lance Armstrong’s hope) that if any where any thing I get to eat. After 1.5 km walking me saw a bakery shop open and I bought cake and biscuit for my dinner. It was tastier than Biriyani at that time J

The first Day Training was general classroom training on Microfinance, its models and Legal Aspects. It was nothing new for me as I already had little bit exposure. But it was special for me because I could not believe that I was being taught by none other Mr. Shankar Dutta, the Livelihood and Microfinance Expert. It was dream coming true after the lunch when “Father of Indian Microfinance and Livelihood”, Vijay Mahajan Sir came to give us lecture on Bank and Microfinance linkage. He is really superb and I would like to give one example how passionate this man is for development of marginal people. He was telling a real life incident of his own house maid and one boy who collects garbage from his house. Sir wanted that these people should also be part of financial inclusion and they must have account in bank. We spend thousand words and write papers after papers for this financial inclusion. But when it was a simple act (accounts opening of these so called marginal people, so many obstacles, rules, regulations arise and ultimately the sufferer is these people). Without exception, it was not possible for that house maid and that boy to open account.

May be it was plain  incident, but the way Vijay Mahajan Sir was expressing his concerns for these people, it was clearly comprehensible that those words were directly coming from his heart. I was really wondering that a man like his stature (who has nothing to gain) is still so energetic; his eyes spark when he talks about these people. Salute Sir!!

The next day was supposed to be the field visit and it was in a place called Vidar which is district headquarter of District Vidar, Karnataka. The journey to Vidar from Hydrabad was excellent (Darshini please don’t mind, those Kishore Kumar’s songs were amazing). I was really missing those IIFM Field Trip days when similarly in a Zeep or similar kind of vehicle, we five people used to travel the country roads of Karnataka along with forest officials. The mood in the vehicle used to be much dramatic with Abhishek’s witty remarks, real mock fight between Vaibhav and Kalpana and Shweta’s act of reconciliation aunty. “Jane Kahan gaye woh din”!!

The journey was good till the time when actually we realized that we were being directed by a Hyperactive Human Being who had lost his way to the place where we supposed to spend that night. Shrey, Getting lost is not good all the time specially when you are lost not because of you but because of a third person whom you are not liking. I can’t count how many times our Quails driver took “U Turn” that night. Finally we discovered that place and I must say it was beautiful Guest House. Actually it was Guest House cum Training Center of DCCB, Vidar. The dinner served that night was amazing.

Next day was hectic and we had to cover and see the microfinance operation being run by NGOs (Pawardha), MFIs (Nirantara and NKRDS) and Bank (DCCB, Vidar) at the same time. It was incredible to see those women with much confidence and smile in the group meeting of SHGs as well groups formed by MFIs. That part of Karnataka has much higher penetration of Microfinance operation because of the influence of adjacent “Microfinance Mecca of India” Andhra Pradesh and it was first time for me to see the cross borrowing by borrowers (One Borrowers borrowing from different MFIs). I guess it has both advantage as well disadvantages and its upto the MFIs to decide that whether they are feeding to those whose stomach are already filled or still hungry. It was also first time for me to see the Community Based Microfinance Institutions (GMASS) where community members themselves have built MFI out of their need and few women who were once mere borrowers have made into the board of the MFI.  

The returning journey was nothing special except for Darshini who might not forget those songs that our Driver played at the end of our Journey. It was awesome CD produced by Great Gulshan Kumar of T-Series. The songs were supposed to be for the broken heart and broken souls but the dialogues, in between the songs, were so hilarious that even every broken soul will might burst out in laugh J

We retuned hotel around mid night after breathtaking dinner at a Dhaba whose name was “International Dhaba” J

The last day was normal classroom teaching and finally it was over by 4.30 PM. Our fight was at 9 and so we had time to see the “Charminar”. It was nothing exceptional and I did really not like that throng there. We returned to hotel at 6 PM and Checked out to catch Radio Cab for airport at 6.30.

The Return from the Hyderabad was cool. Over all it was good experience minus Hyderabadi Biriyani. Please Curse me for the reason that I did not  eat “Hyderabadi Biriyani” in Hyderabad L

This weekend was rocking - full masti with seniors in their flat at Sion.

Initially  I was reluctant to go to this get together ( I guess over the period I have developed a perfect skill of saying NO to every thing that comes under sun firstly and Ravi n Gitesh might be realizing this very harshly ). Anyway a call from someone made my mood and I went there along with Atul, Gitesh n Ravi ( Forget about the road Bhool Bhulaiya ).

Meeting with the seniors almost after one year is always refreshing as more so with this gang in Sion because of their warm attiutde.  I must say even before entering their flat, the smell of chicken coming was equally heart mingling.

Apart from the chicken, there was “The Great Rajiv Singh”, whose unique accent, style as well as leg pulling were enjoyable by the same token.

Is it all..obviously not. How this party can be completed without great OLD MONK…so Old Monk ruled and we had blast… Long Live Old Monk…Long Live Party !!

I thought It would be a long post  but guess what I have become Professional and so everything have to be in short

Almost after three months I am writing my post…so first thing first…some news from my side..I have joined my Organization n Induction period is over……I am posted in Mumbai and …after lot of hurdles at last got  place to stay…1BHK Semi Furnished Room in Chembur, Mumbai…Best thing about the flat is  that after one day of rain it was knee height water logging….so lot of scope to learn swimming in coming days for Gitesh and Ravi (with whom I will be Sharing my Flat..they were my batchmates in IIFM and also Ravi is my colleague)  I guess…

I did not know   That “BACHELOR” hona itni badhi paap hai…..was not getting good flat becoz bachelors are not allowed to stay in society……These people dont understand  “Kaun  kambaqt chahtah hai bachelor rahna”…….

Imagine the Scene….Gitesh, Ravi n I are shouting over a galss of RS  or RC or Antiquity (as I heard that OLD Monk has been dropped from the Menu by my fellow friends) in our drawing room and then making “Bad” indication to any girl who is living next to our flat…..I hope you have to more imaginative than J.K.Rowling to imagine that scene……. and we were not getting good flat for this reason

Anyway…rest r ok…still no defined work in office..hope to get any thing soon…..apart from the office there is Sunday Hangout in Churchgate with all other Mumbains IIFMight08 (Kallol. Sonal, Mikku…..etc)

Got new Number …….09769261136…….will be highly privileged if u take the pain to call any time

First thing first. Two Breaking news I come to know during this holiday period to express my humbleness.
Firstly, I am the only MBA Degree holder in my Panchayat (yes my Panchayat, comprises of 11 villages). Secondly, my one month salary will be more than enough to feed normal food (Daal n Bhaat) to all my villagers for one day.

These two facts are reflection of development of my village and its surrounding areas. I belong to this kind of area where still power cut of at least one fourth of the day is very normal. Internet connection is unquestionably a big dream here. So you can imagine how I have spent these three weeks holiday.

Nevertheless home is always sweet and I am not exceptional. “Maa ki haat ka khana”, eating favourite item Muri (Bengal Biscuit), “Long Sleep”, “Watching TV”, “Reading Bengali Novels”, “Roaming in Bike”, are some of the verbs to describe my daily activities. Apart from these, there are some social services (for e.g. taking A Student to his Higher Secondary Examination Center by bike….interestingly this student was the courier boy to pass my first love letter to my Girlfriend…so it is more than social service I guess ).

This holiday period is somehow good learning experience about life…come to know about many people and particularly about many girls both married and unmarried from some intellectual discussions among friends. I doubt hostelers lack this type of discussion as we are somewhat out of the society for some period and we come from different areas. I must say these enlightment about girls are good enough to develop my attitude towards life….. (Does it not sounding like great philosopher……. Maslow’s Hierarchy…Self Actualization stage as friends says )

During this period, firsthand experience of Job had taken place, thanks to Praveenda. He took me with him to a MFI named “Bajkul Sports Association” in East Midnapur district. I was introduced as future fund provider to the MFI and so obviously got good treatment. Even Praveenda was kind enough to take care that this holiday period does not remain “Non Alcoholic” for me. Cheers!!

Love life = Mobile phone. No complain

More Update:

1) Visited “Vaishnu Devi Temple ” on March 25th, thanks to Gitesh. So frustrated and so much exhausted to write a post on this.

2) Convocation and Taking final Degree from HRD minister Mr. Arjun Singh in IIFM campus on 30th March.

Now one thing left : Joining in job..Don’t know when it will happen

This is the Last post from IIFM. So much I have said about my Life at IIFM that I do not have any words to say anything new. That’s why this post is dedicated  to my Batch…The Great PFM 2008…

Abhishek: “One Man Show”

Email Id: abhishek.iifm@gmail.com

Abhinav: “Deep and Dependent”

Email Id:abhinaviifm@gmail.com

Amit: He stresses too much on “M”

Email Id: amit.mandale@gmail.com

Anurag: “Matrix Trilogy”

Email Id: anunis@gmail.com

Arjun: “….in between Optimism n Pessimism “

Email Id: arya.arjun@gmail.com

Atul : “Life is Beautiful”

Email Id: atul84atul@gmail.com

Gitesh: “Feel Good”

Email Id: giteshg@gmail.com

Garima: “Searching Books in which She will be able to find something about Her”

Email Id: garimabajaj@gmail.com

Jitendra: “Right Hand of God”

Email Id: jitendra.upadhyay@gmail.com

Kallol: “All-rounder”

Email Id: kallolkumarmandal@gmail.com

Kalpana: A Tigress in a bowl

Email Id: kalpanapfm08@gmail.com

Kanika: Here’s my question…

Email Id: kanika07@gmail.com

Kshitiz: “To Be Or Not To Be”

Email Id: ksanadhaya08@gmail.com

Vaibhav : “On the Rocks”

Email Id: vaibhaviifm@gmail.com

Lalit: “To love at all is to be a vulnerable Lover”

Email Id: lalitsori6@gmail.com

Manish: The Devil God

Email Id: findmanish0@gmail.com

Neha: “Illusion of Life”

Parul: “Chocolaty Life “

Email Id: parul1411@gmail.com

Pranita: “Emotional Recycle Bin”

Email Id: pranita.bhagat@gmail.com

Prashant: “if u cant convince people…confuse them”

Email Id: luvprasha@gmail.com

Priyanshika: “I am what I am”

Email Id: priyanshika@gmail.com

Rahul B. : “My History Can Beat Up Your Politics “

Email Id: rahul.bharadwaj.18.02.1983@gmail.com

Rahul K.: “Living My Dream”

Email Id: @gmail.com

Ranesh: How’s That….?

Email Id: rahul259@gmail.com

Ravi: “Honest Reflection “

Email Id: ravipan4u@gmail.com

Sameer: “Success lies in dream….so go and sleep”

Email Id: samsays19@gmail.com

Shakshi : An Individualist trying hard to change life

Email Id:groversakshi@gmail.com

Shail: He says “I can kill anyone for the Nobel Peace Prize”

Email Id: shail.iifm@gmail.com

Shweta : Its not about “Age”, its about “Mileage”

Email Id: shweta.bhagwat@gmail.com

Shreshtha: “I think I am the Best….and…… I believe that I will be “The Best” One Day”

Email Id: shreshtha.bhardwaj@gmail.com

Siddharth: “Marketing with Style n Brands”

Email Id: sids617ster@gmail.com

Sonal: “A Protected Candle Light and A Beautiful Mind “

Email Id: sonalpfm08@gmail.com

Me : ♥

Email id: callmesoumik@gmail.com

Srey: The Lost Soul ; Am I what I am ?

Email Id: sreyamsa@gmail.com

Sunil: “Cool Tunes of Life and Nature”

Email Id: rajagopal.sunil@gmail.com

Sudeep: “Our first and last love is….Self-Love”

Email Id: sudeep.kodialbail@gmail.com

Varun: Life is short, Make the most of it!!

Email Id: drvarunbangia@gmail.com

It’s Like Dream comes true for me. The dream I had seen two years back when I used to read Santosh Sir’s Blog. I wanted to achieve this award and Today I am very happy that I have been able to get it.

Yes I am talking about Director’s Prize for “Best Organizational Training”.

Every Year, during Kalpataru (Annual Fest) in IIFM, Director’s Prizes are given to students who are judged for Best Organizational Training. Students are judged on the basis of Host Organization’s recommendation, IIFM faculty and vote of Batch mates.

This year, I along with Ravi got the award for the training we did in Development Credit Bank Ltd, Mumbai. The project was on Urban Microfinance.

Life at IIFM once again proved to be full of surprises and once again echoed the expression ” Its the Best Days of My Life“.

It will be absolute injustice to myself if I don’t thank everybody specially my batch mates who voted for me (and also to those who did not), dearest alumni, faculty and most importantly Kartik Sir, Deepika Mam, Vidya Sir and Sandeep Sir of DCB.

Supremacy!! Huh…..

No mater what it is, every child is out of the ordinary to parents. Every parent thinks their child to be the Best.

Can you become that much pretty what a father or mother perceives about his or her child?

Even a mother of thief thinks that her son is innocent and most humble  in the world.

Can you incorporate that much goodness in you what this mother thinks about her son?

According to you the person is ugly. He or She does not know any fashion statement.

Can you be that much beautiful when this most ugly (according to you) carenesses his/her hair in front

of the mirror and think about his/her beauty?

Suppose a child has created some childlike crime and now he thinks that everybody will rebuke him.

He took shelter in his Mother’s Lap.

Can you become that much powerful when this “Crime” committed child takes protection in his mother’s lap

and think of security?

One day a child gets One Rupee from his parents and they have ordered him to buy anything.

Can you be richer than a child who gets Rs. 1 from his/her parents to buy anything he/she wants?

If you can not, then why this false pretension to be “Supreme”?

I cannot believe myself that I am writing this post. I am going to write about our Placements (PGDFM 2008). Last time when I wrote about our seniors’ placements, it was more of Information Sharing. Now I have realized the process. The Ecstasy, Smile, Pain, Desperation, Cry attached with the process. Yes, Placement Process itself is great learning experience. Though I was out of the process (because of PPO from OT-II organization) still I felt the heat and now most happy like all other batch mates.

Placement 2008 is over and like the previous years, we have been able to maintain 100% placement at IIFM. PGDFM 2008 rocks!! We started where our seniors had left and with great satisfaction I declare that we have been able to maintain almost same average package. Our batch’s placement is more precedent in a sense that almost everybody got the job they wanted. Be in Microfinance, be it Corporate or Environment, every one has gone to his or her desired field. IIFM is best on this aspect that it offers equal space to everybody and our batch has been able to fit itself in the desired space.

The placement process was over in two days as almost the whole batch was placed in those two days. Though one org. delayed the declaration of result but surely when it confirmed the celebration got intensified and more “spirited”.

Microfinance is most buzzing word and being a specialized institution, IIFM has been able to maintain this niche area that has been built up over the years. This year almost 16 people are directly dealing with Microfinance. Fourteen students in SKS Microfinance and two students in Development Credit Bank Ltd. Package for SKS is Seven Lac while it is Six Lac for DCBL. On corporate arena, one is joining ICICI Bank with package of 6.1 Lac while five are joining HDFC Bank with package of 5.5 Lac. Another Organization FINO recruited one student and its package is 5.5 Lac.

Thanks to our alumnus, Marketing Research Organization like International Market Research Bureau (IMRB) came down to campus and recruited four students with package of 5.6 Lac.

Apart from DCBL, the organizations who made inroad this time to offer diversification in placement are Indian Oil Corporation, IMS Learning Resource, Emergent Venture India (EVI) and Cantor C02e India. IOCL took two for its Biofuel operations. IMS has selected two and EVI also same number. Consultancy firm Cantor C02e India has recruited one for Carbon Trading related operation. Another research institute, IFMR has selected one.

The  only oversea placement was offered by Global Timber Trading Org. Olam International with package of  about 25 lakh and in the forestry sector the only Job was offered by Harihar Polyfibre (Part of Aditya Birla Group). Both the org. has recruited one each.

Prof. Biswas as Placement Chairperson has done amazing work for our placement and if he was not there, we could not have made it. Kudos to the Placement Committee, especially Abhinav (placement Cordi) and Prashant (OT Cordi) for their hard work. Guys, we are thankful to you and you both deserve treat from each of us.

Now its party time, so getting ready for the blast!!!!!

 
[The figures are approximate and exact figure will come on Official site of IIFM- www.iifm.ac.in]

The mailbox is flooded with Happy year message and so the inbox of mobile. 2007 is over and life has entered into a new year. 2007- A Year to Remember. Many incidents in this year have changed my life.

It was understandable that the year was going to be rocking when I spent the 31^st Night of 2006 in famous M.G.Road of Bangalore during field trip. Came back to campus on 4^th Jan and the Year 2007 in my life started with very positive note thanks to our seniors in IIFM. The package figure saw a whopping 60% increase and it was enough moral booster particularly for me not to study in IIFM. I realized it is more important to pursue dream than to study which I do not want to study. IIFM is like that, provide you the platform and space to do what you wish for.

After the Field trip presentation, Third term began and there was none to do the boring job of Assisting the Class Representative. I did and thus got good grade at the end the third term : )

Third Term from January to April was cool. Most of the weekend afternoons I used to hang out in Upper Lake along with Dev but did not came across any cute face although. IIFMights are unfortunate on this aspect I guess (except some).

Academically third term was more fascinating. First meeting with Mr. Kotlar happened in this term. I learnt lot MS Access for MIS course but thanks to far above the ground retention power, it was evaporated. In this term most of the time my groups were used to be deadly group (in this third term only, one of members of my group learnt how to create Table in MS-Word). Most of the group members were nocturnal and those were not, they were converted and thus our assignment used to start at midnight. I remember, in one of the written assignments of MIS, I mentioned the time of accessing websites in the reference section and the time was around 4 A.M and CSR had commented something seeing that.

January was full of parties thank to senior, remember one particular party where it was hard for me to even walk after over eating (not drinking) in Rice Bowl.

February was full of events. Kalpataru, a weeklong festival among IIFM communities was held this time and got some prizes to put them in CV.

March started with sad note as seniors started to leave campus. But before their leaving we celebrated “Holi”, the festival of Colour. It was Amazing. Second time got drenched in the tank of IIFM Boys Hostel (First time was at Midnight when I was thrown into the water as a part of Birthday Celebration).

The most memorable experience in this time was the astounded speech of Dr. Abid Hussain who was the chief guest of Convocation. His words were inspiring and motivating but more importantly He told what my ear wanted to hear “Go and Pursue your Dream”. Chasing Dream today also and lets see when I can make it reality.

Our OT –I was scheduled from 22^nd April. First OT, so some excitements were there. After ITC refused to offer Projects even after taking interviews , I applied for close OT in Bandhan and was confirmed. I did close OT in Bandhan because I am passionate about Micro Finance and Today I think that was very right decision. OT in Bandhan helped me altogether to get selected for DCB when it came down to campus for OT –II selection interview and ultimately it leads to Job.

As my OT was in Kolkata, I came back to my Home which is two and half hours from Kolkata. Home, Sweet Home!! Everybody said that I gained lot of weight. May be!

OT was for 10 weeks. So Starting from Mid April to Mid June, I was there in home, spent some time in Ranesh’s House (Batchmate who was doing same project with me in Bandhan). OT in Bandhan was very good learning experience and visited some part of south Bengal where I had never visited. It was incredible feeling that I was visiting all those places alone and talking to those unknown people starting from Bandhan’s staff to villagers. Even one year before, I never thought that sort of things. One thing was apparent that people were very cordial. OT ended well and our efforts was appreciated by C.S.Ghosh Sir (ED of Bandhan).

I came back to campus in June 22 alone and most of the batchmates were in their home to spend the Scheduled Holiday week after OT. I was in campus almost alone from my batch. Juniors had just arrived in the campus and believe me I was scared to see such huge number of Juniors. They were everywhere.

This post has becoming very long. So I should divide this in two parts.

Now Some Inputs if One Day You are quizzed about my Life : )

New Person in Life in this Period:

C.S.Ghosh Sir : A very dedicated man with “Simple living and High Thinking”. I was amazed to see his quest for learning anything.

Pranav Sharma : Alumnus and future Big shot. Very Helpful.

Abhishek Choudhury : Another very helpful Alumnus

Love Life in this period : Two Smiley  - and -

Today I saw the movie “Taare Zameen Par” and I was really moved by the sensitive interpretation of the story.

I just can’t recall the number of times I was struggling to control tears in my eyes and I must say that if you are able to find anybody who do not cry in the Movie Hall, then You have seen an inhuman.

TZP is a superb movie and each scene has been directed with lot of heart. An awesome movie, very honest and earnest without any “Showiness”.

The movie is very special when I think that within two months, my “Academic Life” (almost 18 years) will virtually end. There will be no exam in paper. Really it reminds me childhood days and school days.

Hats of to Aamir Khan for giving us such a Masterpiece. One request to him “Please continue your direction. We want more such master piece from you”

The movie is so well received that It has received about 1200 comments in Aamir Khan’s Blog in just two days.

The story is very simple and may be many story has been written on similar theme but the TZP is special for its appeal. The child actor Ishan (Darsheel Safary) is really talented and to me his best thing is his silence. It is so deep and profound that it compels to think.

It will be absurd to discuss the story. But I must tell about some really touchy scene like “Maa Song” (Lyrics and Picturization are awesome), Days out of the Ishan in the Mumbai Street (Imagination and Sensitive World of a 8 Year old child has been portrayed so beautifully), the Dialogue between Aamir Khan and Ishan’s father and last but not least when Ishan ran to Aamir Khan in the very final scene of the movie.

Another good thing about the movie is its Music. It is so true and close to the theme of the movie that you will definitely enjoy. Above all the Meticulous Efforts of Director Aamir Khan is very apparent in the whole movie.

Final Words: If you have not watched it yet, go and watch .