Oh Mighty Soldier!!

The rays at the horizon might be fading,
Economies of scale might be out of scope,
My forehead might wrinkle,
but my love for the country won't reside....

At Rashtrapati Bhavan,
Delhi.

Corridor of success!

Millions aspire to walk through these corridors, only a few succeed

To learn the facets of management, they sometimes fail to manage their own deeds,

The things learnt here will not be carried to the grave, the the memories shall be, 

for sure, they shall be!

For IIM Bangalore

Char Minar, a structure of National Importance, really?!

Its funny how such an idea tickles onto my mind. On my Bharat Bhraman mode, a City Meet with my IIM B pals, seniors and alumni brought me to the city with a flavour of Shahi as well as Mughal dynasty!

The journey from Vizag to Hyderabad was as unplanned as the trip, all thanks to the last minute goof up by my friend to book the tickets online. But then as they say, good thoughts always land up in the right lane, I managed a sound sleep in the multi-axle Volvo throughout the journey. Worth to mention the awesome leather upholstery and the BOSE surround sound system in the new SVR Volvo! (y)

Travel sector in India is developing fast thanks to the Volvo manufacturing unit in Chennai!

I knew luck was with me as my presence brought rains to Hyderabad! The day was free for me since the meet was scheduled for the next evening and with all my friends busy for the afternoon I was left all by myself to explore this beautiful city of Hyderabad. Actually thats what I always intended, with all my previous attempts to explore the old city had been fouled by my showstopper friends!

After exploring the the iconic Mumbai Local and Delhi Metro's 'Jahangir' it was time for Hyderabad Deccan's MMTC. A complete let down though. Travel between any two destination doesn't cost more than 5 bucks but then its very necessary to carry change if travelling single, or else be ready to hear some good words from the TC! A brisk 40 mins journey from Hi-Tech City to Nampally and I here I was, about to enter Old Hyderabad. A bumpy ride in an Auto Rickshaw with aroma full of armpit odour and 7 fellow travellers landed me near Char Minar. I was in awe of the structure the moment I saw it, soon to realize that it was crowded more by police than the touristes. A 5 Rs. entry fee ticket issued by Archaeological Survey of India showed that they did the same at 22 other places in India only to fill in their pockets.

I climbed one of the arches to reach to the top of the majestic structure and could easily locate the Golconda Fort and the new City from there. The most beautiful view was still to be seen, for when I moved to the backside of the structure I could spot the serene atmosphere and a huge courtyard in front of the Iconic Makkah Masjid. I had seen it till date in News, got an opportunity of visit it today. Later went and worshipped as well!

Whilst observing the minute carvings and architectural elements I realized the pathetic condition of the structure. With multitude of visitors thronging the place day and out, I fear soon the structure could be history.  Proper maintenance is need of the hour.

Behind the Char Minar, the road alongside Makkah Masjid also known as the Laad Market is always full of roadside vendors selling everything from bermudas to the in-season beganpally mangoes.

A view of the market from Char Minar:

I 

I even visited the shops in and around Char Minar area to spot all kinds of desi/hyderabadi/genuine pearls. A visit to Bilal Ice Cream Parlor nearby is highly recommended. I had 5 scoops of Mango ice-cream followed by 2 scoops of kharbuja to top it up with a 3 star Milk-Shake. Incidentally Bilal Ice Cream shop is one of the oldest shops in Hyderabad started some 90 years ago.

Overall it was an awesome day out in the heat, because I did what I always loved to, Explore!!

P.S.: Beware of pickpockets and beggars around the old market area. 

Also 100 bucks in the pocket and you can safely visit the place and be back to any corner of Hyderabad!

Nomadic Wanders

Feels good to be back, writing stuffs after long. Won't say last few months have been the most exciting months of my life but they sure have been entertaining. Actually 'exhaustive' has to be  the proper word. Transformation from a randomly thought-processed passionate guy to the one with an equally tweaked yet absolutely revere personality! :D

It all changed on 9th January 2013, when my pc screen flashed a very unforeseen score giving me a prodigious feel. Following that day, I can't even recapitulate the umpteen number of goosebumps I had when the coveted B School calls kept on coming my way, starting with WIMWI and ending with I!

Be rest assured it has been an entirely different lifestyle for me since then. Everything changed suddenly, the stories read, articles pondered upon, world-history revisited and what not, what remained same was my approach to analyse them. 

During these last few months whilst travelling all over India for my B school Interviews I met hoards of intellectual prophets trumpeting their attributes all throughout. All I did was 'learn' from them. I profoundly remember my Air India flight to Delhi where my fellow traveller turned out to be a MBBS trying to get into Civil Services. At the first instance I was bemused by his decision, but a couple of minutes of some fruitful discussion with him and I was convinced India still holds its Intellectual prophecy. 

(I deliberately mentioned Air India, all thanks to the awesome low fares and all that edible free food unlike other airlines!! Alas. they gonna stop it soon)

The visit to the national Capital only bestowed my faith that India will soon be a developed country. A special mention to the Reliance Metro from T3 to NDLS. Not even for a spur of a moment I felt I was in India, true feeling of travelling in an european xpress! RajPath was majestic and the Rashtrapati Bhavan serene! The pic says it all... ;)

Visit to the commercial capital in the month of February and March was also equally entertaining. From partying hard late night a day before my SPJ interview to a fun filled discussion and some insane bird-watching at the Marine Drive to reaching late for a B school interview and yet acing it, the saga is never ending... Be rest assured, its Aamchi Mumbai afterall!!

Everything was uncertain until 10th of April 2013, when the news came. Finally as they all say, its time to live life the B way! But then a question that still ponders over my mind, Am  I ready for it!?

This time I can confidently say, Hell Yeah! Bring it on..

Dunno know about anything else, but the journey so far has been beautiful and in future I ought to make it a memorable one..
Till then adios amigos...

Sathe

PGP 2013-15

IIM Bangalore

P.S.: Yes! Thats my new signature. :-B