To MBA Hons Batch 2010 -2012

Hope you all are in best of your spirits and pink of your health and i am sure that you all are flying good times,.

The purpose of this message is just to give you insight that how it is outside , outside from the world of MBA and

just to make it sure that you guys are sharpening enough your Saws so that you can cut all the thorns that come 

across your way while you make your journey of rewards as said by Steve Jobs.

It is absolute give and take relation in the business world. unless and un-till  you guys bring something unique with 

you believe me you will be counted as good for nothing . So make it sure that time you spent at the benches of your

classrooms you carry an apatite to imbibe as many as experiences and learnings your faculty shares with you .Today 

may be i do not remember anything from my MBA but i still remember one quotation that a professor quoted in our class 

( when we trying to do everything we are actually doing nothing and when we try to address every problem we are addressing none).

This is nut shell what i have learned from my MBA and its so universal that today i feel that yes i have learnt something from my 

teachers, This is just one example and  what can be your learning you have to decide that very soon ,

Make sure that you stay focused on your objective no matter how many hurdles you face and no matter how many 

times you fail , I am repeating this thing stay focused now and always.

Do prioritize things in your life ( Do not try everything at one time) , if things will go in haphazard manner you will land into 

jungle book of unfulfilled aspirations .

This is not for all, but for those who carry a spark of being different and doing something innovative , Do not think that 

campus placements are what you need from MBA, no this is not what you should look at , never stop looking for better 

and better things in your life that's why monster.com says never settle keep exploring , Even those who will land up in good 

campus placements make sure that you let your self to be explored and do not waste your life in 9 to 5 office Babu type.

Do make sure that you don't let things to become a compulsion in your life, be proactive to turn up this as your habit . May be today 

wearing formals is compulsion but if same thing is to be followed at workplace then it will become your need , So make

sure that you have tasted all rums of professionalism .

Last but not the least never let your aspirations die, because its your aspirations that will take you through voyages of life 

and indeed it will turn up Journey of Reward for you .

All the very best to batch 2010-12 :) 

GRATITUDE TO MY MENTOR

                                  

And I was giving the finishing touch to my five month long dissertation when my mind had some flashback of where from I started this research and how it ended. Off course I enjoyed my work a lot .I started thinking that why few students enjoyed this work and why others where facing lot of problems and for them these five months where just like perdition. I had not to think a lot because the reason was very much apparent, It was my mentor, the person who braced me in every circumstances, who gave me confidence and who relaxed me on every occasion of anxiety. It was all because of the trust I had on my mentor and this trust was created by mentor. Whenever I had any negative apprehension for my research it was his words “you trust me” that used to take away all worries. Not only my professional problems he gave me ways to fight out with my personal problems. I am fluky  that I had such a mentor who took pains for me at every point, on every occasion .The road was tough to be travelled but he (mentor) laid down a smooth path for me .It  was the association  of more than one year that I was being guided by my mentor and In this mean time something funny evolved that I started mimicking by mentor .He has different style of delivering his thoughts which most of the students enjoy and I also used to enjoy it most of times by copying .Well I believe imitating someone is best way to learn (philosophical I am) .

The question that surrounds my mind is that is there any way we can pay back to our mentors .This seems to be very difficult , what my mentor and what I believe that most of mentors gave to their protégé’s is very much abstract which is very difficult to be quantified , then how to pay them back ???? The time that I spend with my mentor was blessed one which I will be remembering throughout my life. My research was less of my efforts and more of mentor to be frank enough. Yes coming back to my question how to pay back our mentors. Is there any way out. The answer is No we can’t pay them back but yes what they invested on us we can make best out of it and that will depend on how will make them proud of us on the day of judgment.  

                        To my mentor and to all those mentors who justify their role

               “I have been very notorious at times but thanks for making me human”

WHO WILL CRY FOR YOU NOT WHEN YOU DIE BUT WHEN YOU ARE ALIVE?

Making yourself important in someone’s life is not a cake walk. We feel, we realize the importance of person in our life only when he is away from us. Person who is dead will get sympathy from everyone, but bigger challenge is to get same sympathy when you are alive. To love someone one is easy task but to get someone’s love is reason of life. Then what is the solution to this problem? How to create space for you in someone heart and soul? , how to become someone’s need? Well there is no such single panacea to all this  but yes there is 

an approach that may work , the reason I am writing “may” is because I am not myself sure , I just think that it works . The basic thing to do is to “do everything for that person without expecting anything in return”.  This may sound more philanthropic to you, yes it is and it is supposed to be. The day we start expecting it starts hurting as well. The human nature is of such kind that we always look for return on our investment and that creates a problem. When we expect we are indirectly forcing other person to do something for us , we are pushing someone make us realize that we are important in their life . This is what we should avoid to do, easy said than done but yes not impossible. To become someone’s need and to be important to someone you have to make them realize, you have to do certain things which others won’t do for them. He or she should be first priority in your life , you do extremes for that person , you make everything possible for that person , you take away problems of that person , you fulfill happiness in life of that person , no matter how hard is that place of heart to stay in, you will make your own space . You will stay forever in the memories; you will be remembered always.

If we expect something is return is that selfishness, is that a consideration we look for what we paid? Well no clear definition for this but yes expectations should not be built on your side but in  the mind and heart of that person whom you want should remember you ……………..

“Someday you will make someone eyes wet for you before that make yours”

MODEL worth Copying

Well before I was just writing all this I had to think a lot about what can be or what Is worth copying from America that can be feasible and beneficial for India and its economy .After a long brainstorming I just thought what is the thing that I observed most and with what I spent the most of my time here so that I can write down about its feasibility and characteristics and what I came to pen down is the Education system or putting it in different words is the Education Business Model of USA . UNCC (University of North Carolina) charlotte has inspired me a lot to start a university similar to this one back in India. The Way students are taught, the flexibility in Studies, Student support system, infrastructure and what not everything that comes under the sky of education and educational standards is being followed by this university and most of the American Institutes .India being such a big country is in need of University similar to the American Universities .We do have some good institutes in India but they are providing education to a very small part of population of India(not more than 1%) . The economy of India is growing at very fast scale ,Standard of living in increasing ,Per capita income etc are increasing also, But I find missing is world class education in India. In India education system followed is same from decades. I personally feel that the education system in Indian needs a overhaul. Indian students often face the problem of global awareness and this can be sorted out if an institute that can provide them education in American style and bring world class experience in their home country .What is worth more noticing is the Faculty of these American institutes, and is very unfortunate for Indian institutes that we don’t have even a single Noble laureate in any of Indian Institutes . .The backbone of any economy in the world is its education system, India in general is also need of this perfect education system .If I start the university which works somehow in similar pattern as UNCC works that will be first and I am confident best university in India. With the growing literacy rate and income of people, they are seeking better and better. While working on this assignment I just came across the very needful and supportive article.

This is Report published in Forbes (Indian Students Flock to the U.S.Andrew White 08.13.07, 12:00 PM ET)

“WASHINGTON, D.C. - Sixty years after gaining independence from Britain, India's students are flocking abroad for higher education. Today, India is the leader in sending its students overseas for international educational exchange, with over 123,000 students studying outside the country in 2006. More than 76,000 of them have chosen the United States as their academic destination. The U.S. receives more international students from India than from any other country”

From the above statistics we can have an idea that how much is the potential in starting the education institute in India that works similar to that of an American style of educating. I know matching with the standards that are here in UNCC will not be an easy task but not impossible as well. This is a challenge to start university of this standard that too in India where lots of demographic and political issues keep on surrounding ,But any institute like this can shape the Future of hundreds and thousands of students who are not able to come over to USA to make their dreams come to true

IS FEMALE ACTIVISM A CHALLENGE TO MALE DOMINATED SOCIETY???

I say that the challenge is over. Today females are equally compatible , equally knowledgeable ... with shoulder to shoulder and head to head walking with males in each and every sphere of life .Female activism is not a zero sum game where only females will be benefited but it is equally fruitful for males as well. Mathematically proven a*b= everything, a*0 = nothing , that means that males and females together can create everything , only males or females is nothing more then zero.

Every single male in this world wants her partner equally compatible , knowledgeable so that she can share his responsibilities , economically and socially as well so that can create a balanced family and build a bright future for their kids . They are like wheels to wagon that let it go on, if any one is missing or one is bigger and other is smaller it will create imbalance which will lead to a disaster .
Sun and Moon are equally important to sustain life on this earth , so are males and females to let this life cycle on earth go on and on .
Lets take a global view. All the Scandinavian countries and other developed countries like USA, France, Germany,Australia etc are the countries where female activism is highest and these are the countries which rank highest on HDI(Human development index). That means these countries have better standard of living , better literacy rate , better life expectancy . Which implies that if a male on an average is living 65 years , if female activism increase this will add some years to his life !!! Now you decide is it a challenge or it is life for males!!!!!!!!

I think I figured difference between changing and Adapting ……

It was summer of 2010 June, on 8th when our plane landed in Newark International Airport USA. From there we boarded another plane and went to North Carolina. Welcome to University of North Carolina
Where I along with 14 other students was supposed to spent one month and learn about the international business and American Culture . What is your name asked young lady to one of my friend , my name is sandeep but you can call me Sandy …… what is your name my other friend replied I am Ankoor but you can called me Andy …wow to my surprise such a big change 100% straight line name depreciation .This is what I called robust change .
While going on with my course there I met professor from India . She was an international exchange faculty. She was awarded as Best international Faculty .While a discussing with her she told me a very interesting thing .She said you know Gowhar what is the key for this award I said no she replied with twinkling eyes that I didn’t changed myself …. I came here and stayed here ,I learnt their culture I respected their culture but I never changed my values what I carry with me ,the values that make me stand different from others. I thought a lot for this and somehow I came to know that till the time we don’t keep respect for our own culture and own values other will no way respect it . Same thought applies to corporates .If a company says that these are our values and this is our culture it should be not only in paper but also in spirit.

“Everything holds a lesson FOR YOU “

After ending with the daylong classes, I along with some of my friends went to encash my Debit Card(actually we went to the ATM located in the Campus café area of the university but as usual that ATM was out of money like us). Huh! that was not any bolt from the blue for all of us and we have already anticipated that ATM will be out of service .Anyways we went to the other ATM located at the ingress of our university and I was actually having the ATM card of the same service provider of ATM .A long queue was there, well we didn’t had any other option so we decided to stand in queue . At last came my turn, but one other quandary that I was aware of this ATM was that almost every time it runs short of 100 Rs. notes and the only option it leave to its lovers is to ask for 500 Rs. note .Well first I tried to withdraw 200 Rs. from my account but as usual this ATM was out of 100 Rs. notes so I had to push the option of 500 only.
I did withdraw 500 Rs. note from the ATM but this time the ATM had surprise for me .Oh! Wait, do not even try to think that it encashed me exorbitantly (actually, I have never been so fortunate) but something horrible! That 500 note was in such a condition that I was taken aback to see a hospitalized person walking on the road with bandages all around him. Off course, I am describing my precious 500 Rs. Note. Instantly, a thought struck my mind that for sure this note is fake but after carefully handling it I did autopsy of this 500 rupees note and found that this note has been manhandled for a long period and now it is counting its breath.
But I thought that I will be able to convert it into some goods or eatables. But my misconception soon shattered away when that note was been continually rejected ,from the canteen of hostel to the juice vendor ,from the ice-cream vendor to LSB café, I tried my best to get rid of this note that needed to be shifted to ICU otherwise it gonna die in my hands.
I got really upset for 4 days because I had only this note in my pocket and not a single penny other then this note .After four days when I failed to get it converted I went back to the same ATM and tried to withdraw 200 Rs but not able to because this ATM is only for big buddies not for small chiller type people and again I was forced to withdraw 500 Rs .I did withdraw 500 and Thank God! this time ATM did not gave me any surprise .I got 500 rupees and moved away .
As for a long I was running without money in my wallet, this new 500 went in paying all the liabilities that arose within those 4-5 days and within couple of days this 500 note was over and done with and again I was left with same striking and good looking 500 note .
Now I decided to go to the nearby HDFC bank and get it changed .But as my classes start at 9 am and go till 5 pm ,it was not easy to move out off campus during these hours .So this note was not easily going to leave me......During these days most of the time only this note used to be in my wallet and whenever I went with my friends to enjoy some junk food and cold drinks this note always saved me from paying .I used to pull this note out of my pocket first and get it back in the same way as it was .All my friends now were aware of this super star note and whenever we used to eat something they tell me Gowhar, you please don’t pull this note again from your pocket we will pay ourselves .Jesus! My goodness! This style of Akshay kumar ,just to show the 500 note and be on safer side really worked a lot and from this 500 note I was able to save so much of my expenses (probably more than worth of this note itself ).
Some day somehow I managed to get some time to go to the bank and try to get it changed .I took one of my friend’s Bike and went to the HDFC bank branch in Phagwara along with one of my friend. It was raining badly .When we reached to Phagwara me and my friend’s condition was awful .All my uniform was full of filth. It was near about 4.30 pm, the guard outside stopped us and said that the bank timings are over so we cannot go inside .I told the guard that today I have somehow managed to get time and the reason is that because of HDFC bank I am facing all this problem .Some of the clerks from inside asked the guard to let us in and finally we were standing inside the bank. I told the person at reception my problem that I got this 500 from the HDFC ATM located at the ingress of LPU and I showed him the note .He asked me to sit down and said that the cashier madam will come, she is taking her food and she will exchange it. So me and my friend settled down and were waiting for the cashier .She was taking her late lunch in room beside the cash counter and was also enjoying gossiping with some other lady inside the room .She was taking her food so slowly that I was just gazing on her so that she may hurry up but she was best at her slow eating .I kept my self very patient .After half an hour that lady came out and went to her counter .I just hurried and explained all to her. Now she took the note in her hand and looked at it as she was first time looking at 500 note, but this note was actually new experience in her career and that note also from ATM .She asked one of her seniors out there about the note. The senior employee now started showing his experience to me and asked that how they can be sure that I got this 500 note from that ATM. I told him that I have the receipts with me and I can give you my account number, you can verify that out .But he again revolved the whole talk back from where he started.
In the mean while the bank manager came and gave another twist to the story and applied his knowledge and power and said that they don’t handle that ATM and the other bank in the nearby is the concerned bank .Now bit heated argument with bank manager, I just went away from there and moved to the nearby HDFC bank just few yards away from this bank .Again same problem came, guard Maharaja again stopped us and did not allow us to move in as it was already very late again .I exposed back the whole incident to the guard. Somehow he allowed us to move in. I went to one of the employee sitting and told him back the story .He asked me from which ATM I got this note I told him the exact address and also informed him that the manager of the adjacent branch sent me here .He got very irritated and picked up his phone and called someone .There was heated argument over the phone and this employee was telling the person that why he have sent us here as they are not the concerned branch of that ATM.My all hopes vanished .After he ended his tussle he told me that the ATM is managed by Jalandhar bus stand branch . I requested him if he can exchange the note ,he took the note to the cashier and asked him to change it .I thought at last I will get a new one ,but what to say about the Management of HDFC bank the cashier refused to change and told that employee that he can’t change it and told me that I need to go that branch and they can change it only .
All in vain nothing happened on my side .I left the bank with broken back .The guard outside asked me what happened I told him that they did not changed it, he suggested me to go to the neighboring state bank of Patiala they will change it as most of the old notes are changed there .Now I thought that will be useless but my friend insisted me to give a last try so we went there .Obviously what I thought that was, they smiled at me and told if the bank from whose ATM you have withdrawn this 500 is not changing then how can you expect us to exchange it??...
Back to my hostel hopeless and tear-jerking. Both waste of my time and money. now I was thinking that this is not going to happen that way .Somehow an idea come to my mind and you can make out how an idea can change your life .I decided to file complaint against the bank .I remembered that there is an online website of government of India where customers can lodge their complaint. I just googled it out and found the website that was www.ccccore.com (this is the online consumer complaining website) .I just logged the complaint against the bank and I was sure that it will not work .Now after doing all this stuff, time keep on going and I enjoyed more with 500 note as it was my way of escaping most of my expenses and my friends were also very familiar with this 500 note and they always keep on enquiring about this note .Almost a week passed on and then a fortunate day I received a mail from HDFC bank customer service that stated “We are very sorry for the inconvience caused” bla bla bla .They asked me to mail the date ,amount and place where the transaction was done .Now I just replied to their mail and I was surprised that it was because of that online complaint I lodged on government consumer website …oooopz how come our government is so active .Anyways that was something good and I was happy that something is good in our government .
After some days I received a phone, “Hello Sir, I am calling from HDFC bank, your complaint have been worked out……” The person requested me to visit the bank located near Jalandhar bus stand .After some days I just visited that branch and without any enquiries they just changed my note.
But I was not very happy while changing this note, because this note stayed with me for almost for 2 months and taught me a lot .It showed me something that I was not aware of.....How to deal with all the uncertainties, how to approach to a problem, it educated me that never blame your luck-everything in this world makes you learn something (God purposely plan troubles for those whom He loves the most so that they can learn how to stand by every heated wind). On the day when I got this 500 note I was sad on having it and the day I returned it back I was sad on leaving it. This note gave me lot of benefits more than an ordinary 500 note can give anyone else .If I would have not been a student,I would have never troubled myself to get it exchanged but for a student 500 means a lot(especially for those who understand the value of hard earned money of their parents) ,because it was such a note that had something for me more than 500.
The substance that I found from all this is that one should never be disillusioned from anything bad that happens with him because I personally believe that everything in this world have a lesson to teach you, all that you need is an optimistic thinking that can envisage good in everything that befalls in front of you and that’s how I believe “Everything holds a lesson FOR YOU”.





AUTHOR
Gowhar Rasool
MBA (HONS.)
Lovely Professional University