Interview Memoirs: Day 1 (continued... )

December 2, 2006 5 pm I was again in the placement office, where it all started. I was the same eternal person while the companies kept changing, like the shore remains same but the waves keep moving. Now, it was the turn of Morgan Stanley (finance division). They came up with a short list of 10 people out of which 5 were already placed. So, only 5 of us were remaining and of which, 2 were academic champs (Yashodhan Kanoria and Piyush Nahar). Kanoria is General Secretary, Electrical Engg. Department with a CPI of 10 (breaking all earlier records) GS earlier in the day made a mistake by not selecting this person. Nahar, also very close in terms of CPI with 9.8, is ranked first among Dual Degree students. There were 2 interviews going to be held for these vacancies. HR manager (again lady and this time a sweet one!!) After sitting on the lovely sofas in placement office, and having a cup of coffee illegally (it is only for company people), I heard the same name that after seeing in the list, I came here.

I entered the room and there were two more people inside except the HR, both technical people. Justice had been done with both the sexes and one was male, one female. I had heard from somebody that Morgan Stanley is famous for retaining its employees, and as soon as I entered the interview room, I got an answer to “why?” All people inside stood up, passed their smiles (I collected all of them smiling myself), then said, “Good evening, Ashok! Let us first introduce ourselves.” And then their introduction revealed to me that the guy was an IIT Delhi alumnus and the girl was an IIT Bombay pass out. How down to earth these people were, in fact if I liked any interviewer’s attitude towards the candidate the most, the award goes to Morgan Stanley (Capital One was close.) They increased the candidate’s self-esteem, at least didn’t let it down. They asked then about me (everyone did so), and I answered it as simple as I could (name, deptt and that’s all) And, it all started with technical questions. I was very very (you can add as many times as you wish) tired.

The first question he asked, “There are two people who come on a place sometime between 10 am and 11 am and each stay there fro 20 minutes. What’s the probability that they’ll meet.” Now, this is a simple question which I already had done sometime back. But there, I used all nerves remaining alive after whole day tiring job but couldn’t solve it and then I succumbed to the pressure, “Sir, Can we move ahead? I’ll try this one at the last.” With a decent OK he started with a compliment, “Let’s come to your test. You are a surprising personality. You have done three questions wrong in the exam and they are the one which everybody has done right. And you have done all those right where everyone committed some errors.” What else I could have done there except a blush? But apart from that, I asked him, “Can I see the paper?” He said, “But no arguments allowed.” I laughed and took the paper (we both knew how can it be possible that you tell an IIT’ian that he/she is wrong and there are no arguments). The other mathematics questions were pretty simple and I did them all, probably most of them right too.

Then came the area of computer science where they asked me to rate myself. I rated myself 6-7 but added, “The ratings are all relative. I may forget some syntax but I am good at solving the problem and I’m sure about it.” They gave me a Computer Science problem, “You have a linked list (meaning you have initial pointer to the first element.) Now you have to reverse the list with first element pointing to NULL, second element pointing to first and so on. Return the initial pointer of this new list.” Although I don’t know much about these things, but I am sure many don’t. I tried there for few minutes, felt I was close. Then the girl said, “Explain what you have done.” While I was explaining the method, the answer clicked to me. And a few more simple questions and it was an end signal from both technical people. Now, came the first words from HR manager, who had been sitting silently at all the time observing the candidate, “Ashok, Do you want to ask us something?” I asked a few questions, which I framed just before coming to the interview. (This is a mandatory question for an interviewer and a compulsion is there for the candidate to ask something if he/she wants to show some interest in the firm.) They bid me good bye and I came out with a happy mood. I thought even if they take three people, I had a great chance. Prashant was with me all the time, while we had a constant chat, we smuggled another cup of coffee from the office and gulped it down the throats.

Now, more than the job, I was waiting for end of this chase. People are moving towards their death more than they run for anything else. I talked with a few other people who came out from the other panel that was about to call me. Company started kicking people out one by one. The eighth wonder of the world was the news that Yashodan Kanoria was out (though he was said by the company that he’s welcome to join the firm anytime.) But anyways, the wonder was great news to me. I was in last three now. Probably, every one of us was feeling the same. Then, one more person was kicked out (luckily it wasn’t me…) Now, I had greater chances, just behind Nahar. Nothing lasts ever in this world of destruction. The person moving out told me that the company told him they were taking only one person. Can you imagine a meteor falling on one’s head straight from hell? (I felt the same then) I generally believe people if I feel they have no gains from the statement and so, I took his statement as true. Now, the tensions were more but I was happy in a way that tensions were over. I knew I was about to enjoy one more interview. There was a considerable gap between the two interviews (or was the time moving slower??) Saw a Bisleri bottle achieving martyrdom to keep my temperature normal.

I went into the interview without any expectations and there were three people inside, two Indians and one of foreign origin. Though they were also ok but politeness level was lower than their other panel counterparts (may be because of seniority.. yeah, they were seniors.) History has seen power making every one rude. Ok, having done with the formalities, the technical people soon came at technical questions. He asked me, “Probability or Linear Algebra?” And though I was confident in both (scored AA in both the courses!) but I also wanted to play with the interviewers (I already knew they had made their minds for picking up only one..), I said, “Anyone you wish. I am comfortable in both.” They tested both the areas starting with probability and then moving to linear algebra. They came with a diary of questions, selected questions from some or the other exams. To their surprise, I did both (with one hint in between). Then, he asked one simple question which also was done. Now, they had a candidate in front of them, who very rudely was killing their earlier discussion. Now, the chaps discussed and one said to other, “Ask that one!!” and I thought now it’ll be a real ballistic, but who feared? He asked me, “Are you familiar with number theory?” In a determined voice, I said, “Yes, I have read about it, Shoot the question, we’ll see.” The question was, “Prove that in any Pythagorean triplet, one number should be a multiple of 5.” After I was very close to the answer (infact was about to solve), he said, “You are right there.” In next few moments, I was delivering them the final answer. In the end, they asked the same old question (won’t repeat) and bid me goodbye. I came out very relaxed and I made the final decision for them very tough, a real tough decision to make. Nahar with undoubtedly great credentials (also he must have done good), and I was second in the test (second only to Kanoria who was already out) and did all the questions, infact the last one also which they thought a real tough one.

I was right in my opinion because after all the interviews were over, they discussed for about 1 and a half hour, and the discussion was about whether to take one or two. Just when the discussion was going on, N-Videa final list came out and I was very happy to see a known name, Nitin Jadon. He is my lab-mate and a good friend, and success of a friend is more than your own, I am true. Have you ever taught someone? What do you think, drives the profession of teaching? Money, fame… nothing is there in this profession but the joy when one’s student scales heights of success is beyond all these measurable things. I called Jadon and I’ll remain in his memories for all his lifetime as someone who told him the news of his first job. I could feel his happiness through his voice on phone. All senses are after all linked by one - consciousness. He came to office soon to confirm the news. News of this level should always be confirmed, even if a saintly person like Udham Singh told you the news. Then, after waiting for some more time, when we were totally frustrated, we went to Gulmohar Restaurant to dine at around 10 pm. It was Jadon’s treat. As we started to eat, came the bad (or good!) news. I wasn’t selected. Reason probably working against me was that there was no diversity in our profiles. Anyways, it seemed I was a disaster at that time. Nine interviews in a day without tasting a drop of success.

We saw the final shortlist of next day companies, and I found that I had to face two more companies the next day. Capital One and Proctar and Gamble (P & G), though I wasn’t interested in latter and wasn’t sure about the first one. Apart from all this, neither the tongue nor the belly was stoppable in front of food. Having satisfied the burning hunger, came back to hostel six. Now, tensions of case studies were hovering around me as Capital One is known to ask these. I probably was the only person who was yet to see first case study but eye-lids used their veto when brain was thinking of studying one and I slept. This is how Day 1 of placements ended for me.

Interview Memoirs: Day 0 and Day 1

December 1, 2006 My day ended at 12:30 am. I was first to face Deutsche professionals for interview at 8 am, the next morning. Time in the evening was moving more than its normal pace as if it was participating in some race of Olympics. And I am sure if all the tests are performed for it, that particular time will be charged with doping offenses. We, all friends, studied finance that evening from our lovely and fees-free teacher, Vaibhav Gupta, from Bhawani Mandi, Rajasthan. (He loves his motherland so much that he wants to be called by the name Bhawani) Although he had taught all of us at nearly a score of occasions or more but this class of his was a bit different; here, stakes on hold were of a different kind altogether. He has taken two three financial courses, has worked in a financial firm for few months, has few NSE (National Stock Exchange) certificates to his name; and with all these things, he has enough background to teach these superb students. We got all the basics of finance and after I got to know them, finance seemed to me no more than simple mathematics moulded by some jargons like same old apple is sold by putting a sticker of imported on it. The class started after dinner at around 9 pm and it lasted for one long hour… I have been trying to understand the Time since my early childhood and haven’t been successful till now. There are no patterns in its behavior, sometimes it don’t even move, sometimes it walks at its normal pace and in between, it runs very fast, No one knows why it keeps on changing its behavior?

I was more concerned for Goldman Sachs' interview and it was more or less like a dream since it is known of picking one or two and the list included all academic heavyweights. I was in a boxing ring against 9 Mohammad Alis for World Heavyweight Championship (WHC). Suddenly, I remembered that I was still to prepare interview questions, and resume of course, and the time remaining was very less. The only good thing that was consoling me was my confidence that I could handle anything about resume but going there without seeing the resume even once would rather have come under the area of over-confidence. The next hour and a half went in resume and interview preparations with many minds working simultaneously, specially of Mahim, Partho, Gawai and mine of course. We spanned all possible questions and thought of the basic lines on which they should be answered. Finally a 2 page document was ready, whose printout remained in the file for next three days and came handy in revising the answers till they merged themselves in me. In the next one hour following the resume preparations, I revised all the important concepts covering my strong areas (Probability, Permutations, and Linear Algebra) and my weak sections (Transforms, Differential Equations and many more); left latter part because it was the bigger one. While one part of mind was revising all these things at twice its maximum speed, other was constantly criticizing the first’s work and telling it, “This is of no use, Go and sleep. We’ll see tomorrow.” But first didn’t listen and I mugged up till 12:30 am. Then, my body slept for next 5 odd hours, while brain was busy dreaming about the next day.

December 2, 2006 Woke up at 6 am. Though I had set up alarm too, but my mother used to say in my school-times, “If you are vigil enough, you don’t need some mechanical instrument to wake you up.” I could appreciate her statement only today. I won’t tell you that I dreamt of few questions that were going to be asked the next day. How true were all the scientists who proposed the theory that our brain only shows what we want to see. This is very true in our social life as well. We see the same world but all differently according to the differences in ourselves. After checking mails (which is the second most important thing in IIT after attending your girlfriend if you have one), dressed up; took more than 20 minutes, breaking all my earlier records (highest earlier was maximum of 5 minutes). Then, arrived the biggest problem, had to wake Prashant Gawai up which is the biggest trouble one can give here to anyone. Generally, I don’t like troubling people but I was helpless here. Gawai’s bike was needed and troubling friends is always better so that they can remember you well (They know whom to trouble next time if some need arises), and in this way, the notion of friendship develops. We both left hostel 6 at 7:30 am after meeting few close friends, Mahim Agrawal, Vaibhav Gupta, Partho Sarkar (of course, Prashant was with me only)… I feel pity on myself having so less number of close friends, but can’t help it. I am friendly with all but friends are few. Having lots of wishes in forms of handshakes, hugs, I was feeling very heavily armored for even any kind of military operation, how could any interviewer face me?? Past was moving on the screens like when I used to go for any test after having blessings from parents, grandparents, mausiji and it’s tough to recall if there was any test which I didn’t clear. Here’s a suggestion from my side (absolutely free), “All the blessings of universe are in the feet of your parents. Touch them daily and nothing is unachievable in this world.”

Reached the venue, KReSIT (Kanwal Rekhi School of Information and Technology) at 7:40 am, and I was the first person to reach there. 20 more minutes passed by bringing few more faces. Company people also came but placement nominee responsible was nowhere to be seen. People don’t realize the importance of punctuality; I have always seen the same, don’t know whether this is the problem of Indians only or is it the problem with everyone? Then, the security guard refused to open the rooms for the company people. This was a real problem but I stand with the guard’s decision. It was a grave mistake on part of the placement team. Since the building wasn’t booked earlier, Security person did his duty efficiently when he didn’t allow people to enter. Venue had to change, and it got shifted to Placement Office, IIT Bombay. First interview of life and that too in placement office at 9 am… Are you feeling the feelings??

And then in few minutes, a HR (Human Resource) manager (girl!!) called my name. I always doubt why this job is filled mostly by girls, around 99%. Anyways, I didn’t have time to ask her and I entered the room. The room was cool but drops of sweat were ready just below my skin-pores to come out. Two people were sitting there, and one I knew as senior of my own hostel, Shreyas Gupta. “Hello Ashok, How are you?” and the ideal reply to it should be, “I am fine, Thank you Sir/Madam, How are you?” This was taught to us by our English teacher in class XII. Many asked at that time, what’s the need of this kind of crap in English classes. Now I know crap is also needed sometimes like roughage is an essential ingredient of a healthy diet. Next few words came in my ears, “Have a seat” and I again gave an ideal response, “Thanks” taking the seat. He opened my resume and started bowling questions like Australian pace attack. These are the questions which I can recall now (all came at 150 km/hr):
1. Why you chose finance as a career?
2. Many of my friends from IIT have told that high CGPA people are dumb at other activities. Is it true?
3. Don’t you think that by leaving technical field, you are wasting all the money that IIT, and in turn government of India, has spent on your education?
4. Have you taken CAT? (If yes, what is the expected score?)
5. If you have a decent score, you’ll have to compare the job with MBA (Master of Business Administration) prospects.
6. You have participated in a lot of extra-curricular activities, elaborate a bit?
7. You won this Hasya-Kavi Sammelan? What all you wrote, Can we listen the same poetry?
8. Which other companies have short listed you?
9. Final question (everywhere it remains the same): Do you want to know something more about us?
I am not writing what all my answers were. If anyone is interested, contact me. I was nervous for first 2 seconds and thereafter, I was dominating the interviewers and I feel proud to say that. I played like the Tendulkar of 25, the days he is known for. My theory is that employer and candidates are complementary. So, the nervousness shouldn’t be there only in candidates and the thoughts necessarily got reflections somewhere in the personality. This boosted my confidence. After telling them that I was short listed in Goldman Sachs (GS), everything changed. They compared everything in their business to GS; convinced (rather tried to convince) why a person should choose them as the first option. As the first interview ended, I was very sure I was going to get an offer from these people if I considered them seriously. This all lasted around 15 minutes.

Second interview was with CEO, Deutsche Indian operations, for only those who qualified in first round. My interview with GS was scheduled at 9 am, and I was already late there. I had got two calls from there. While I was convincing our placement nominee to postpone my second round at Deutsche if I qualify for it, the same girl HR manager called me for II interview. I entered the cabin and again faced two people; CEO, an IIM Calcutta alumnus and Senior HR manager (again lady)… with same formal statements, it all started with a sarcastic comment from the CEO, “So, Mr. Ashok, you are getting late for Goldman’s interview”, and I also rudely told him, “Yes sir! There time was scheduled at 9 and I am already late. I respect punctuality much.” Obviously, it would have hurt his ego, and next answer of mine killed the same. He asked, “Suppose we offer you the job package now and you also get one from GS, which one will you select?” This was the basic question and he wrapped it with many other statements, comparing Deutsche with GS many a times. Now, it was a real bouncer. Probably I handled it like Sourav Ganguly used to handle a year ago, and answered, “Sir, According to your PPT (Pre-Placement Talk), in terms of growth rate, GS is at rank one while Deutsche is at 2. Plus they are offering me double the amount what you are paying me. So, obviously GS would be my first choice, but practically, GS is a very tough nut to crack since they take only one or two, So, I’ll take up your offer.” Now, everyone will analyze this answer according to one’s own but I loved the way I answered. I already had decided in the gap of 5 minutes between the two interviews, when I filled my preference form where GS took the upper seat. Anyways, few more questions succeeded this and ultimately his ego surrendered and he told me, “Thank you Ashok, Good luck for Goldman Sachs.” And I very kindly said, “Thank you.” The whole drama lasted for 15 minutes. Moving out of the hall, I was happy that I controlled whole of the interview and still, I was sure of getting an offer from them, had I liked it to be the case.

Then I moved to SJMSOM (Sailesh J. Mehta School Of Management, called as SOM also), venue decided for GS, with a very little hope but lot of confidence. In the meanwhile, made a few calls to some of the friends and home. After going there, came to know that GS was going to have five rounds of interviews, and when you have a little or no hope from something, so much efforts literally seem a pain in the neck. But some things you can’t help. First interviewer was of US origin and after few basic questions about my interest in finance, my knowledge about GS, it ended up in the area of my DDP (Dual Degree Project) and there were very specific questions related to WT (Wavelet Transform), FT (Fourier Transform). I knew many a things there, and I answered almost all of the questions and honestly told what I didn’t know. Then he told me that he did his PhD in the same area from University of Berkeley, and earth slipped from the down of my feet. Why the hell he didn’t tell that earlier? All the previous questions revolved again in my mind. Thank God, I didn’t commit blunders. Then he said, “It’s good to know your basics are sound.” I was literally happy to hear that. In fact, every normal human is happy about being praised, so was I. The question-set shifted to computer science, where I answered few but felt myself to be computer-illiterate when he probed deep into. In these cases, my rule no. 34 says, “Honesty is the best policy.” I applied the same. He should have appreciated it but his face didn’t tell me so. May be his school books didn’t teach him this rule. It was of around 30-40 minutes. I’ll say, overall, it was good. Second interview was not an interview, to be very true. The interviewer was an IIT-B alumnus, and it was a discussion about work, growth options of GS, choice of finance etc. So, it was in a way, detailed PPT, where I was also made to say something. It also ate up not less than 20 minutes of my life.

Third interview of GS (and my fifth one) was my first HR interview by HR manager, GS (again lady). The girl’s smile was cute but it didn’t help me in answering, rather made the job difficult. Following were the questions asked by her:
1. Tell me something about yourself. (which almost everyone prepares)
2. Tell me about your family. (This one ideally should have been included in the answer of first question. I didn’t do so and thus, she asked.)
3. Why do you want to settle in south, if you are from north? (She made a quite valid assumption that north Indians have problems in settling in south India.)
4. How important do you think education is in one’s life?
I answered, “Education is the most important thing in one’s life and without it, there’s no difference between a human and an animal.” I deliberately stopped and as per expectations, she asked, “Explain your statement.” I said, “Take the current situation. People in Maharashtra are burning buses, trains, killing innocent people just because someone has demolished the statue of Mr. B.R. Ambedkar in Kanpur, UP. This all is due to their ignorance that politicians are using these illiterate animals like early men used to harness animal energy for their own work.” I became sentimental on the question and answered in much more depth than what was required. She had to literally stop me by her next question.
5. If you think so much about social issues, why don’t you enter politics?
6. What has been the biggest decision in your life till now? What all factors you considered before coming to the final decision?
7. There are various abroad opportunities in Goldman Sachs. If you are offered an abroad position, will you be willing to take that? (I said, I’ll like to go for small assignments but don’t wish to settle abroad.) The next obvious question:
8. When everyone wants to settle abroad, why don’t you?
9. Why finance as a career? (The most favorite of every interviewer but I didn’t expect this one from HR.)
10. What are your long term aims?
11. What keeps you motivated towards the goal?
12. Anything else, you would like to tell?
Don’t ever compliment however beautiful the lady in front of you is. You may wish to do so after the interview is over. I gave compliments to her for their selection process, for their website because this was the only organization which I found, was looking for Common Sense in their employees. And yes, I told her my updated CPI; thought that last semester 10 would help me. Another few simple questions and she smiled a little; her lips made a U-turn and I heard, “Thank You.” I too repeated the same and came out of the hall. This lasted for around 25-30 minutes.

Fourth interviewer was my batch mate, Kumar Gaurav. no.. no.. I didn’t fail for one year. I am in a Dual Degree (DD) program which is five years program; combined graduation and post-graduation. He joined GS last year since he was a B.Tech student. This interview also went good. My guesswork received praise from him as whenever he asked some question, I guessed the answer and yep, it was the right one. When the same happened for three times in a row, he was more surprised than me. It all was more than good, I would say. It went on and on for around 40 minutes.

Starting four were almost in a row with a small gap but now, the gap was larger. If you are closely following my feelings, you must have felt hunger by now. Since the morning, I was constantly having single food, and that’s sips of cold Bisleri water. There is a limit to which you can stretch a rubber band, and then it breaks… Though I was far from breaking but I could feel the strains inside. I was waiting for my fifth last interview, and the person called me… Yooo! I went inside, thinking of facing the last interview of the day. After the similar formalities as everywhere (I am still thinking why they are required?), he asked me, “How were the other four earlier interviews?” The biggest blunder I did was to answer like this, “All were good,….. great.” And with a devilish smile, he grinned and said sarcastically, “Ahemmm!! All were good.” I knew I was going to be butchered in this one.. meaning door was going to be open now. But I wasn’t much nervous because if there was some company from which I didn’t expect anything, it was GS. Whole interview revolved around mathematical basics. I was shocked when he told all my answers to probability questions wrong. Then totally frustrated, at last I asked him, “Can you tell me the right answer?” Though now I wouldn’t suggest anyone to ask this question. This shows that you are asking because you are going to discuss the questions with other participants outside in the process. I suddenly realized the mistake and said, “I’ll ask after all the interviews are over.” (Do you think I was interested in the answer? No.. I was just showing him the confidence.) Anyways, then he asked a linear algebra question which I solved and answer was “Not Possible.” He said with immense stress on the last question mark, “Not possible??” like I had committed a blunder. I said, “Let me check it once again.” And after checking it again, I came at same answer and then, I firmly stood on the same answer after his opposition twice or thrice. At last, he told me, “You are right.” (I came to know later that this is also a part of test, called Stress Test.) A few more questions and it was over; he also had a belly, Thank God. Last question was modified version of the first one like most of the great movies, stories, serials and it was, “Now, if I ask, how were your five interviews?” I replied smiling (actually I loved the person’s sense of humor), “All are almost good.” It was also around 35-40 minutes long. Came out with a lot of relaxation on face; Ah! It was all over for the day. Suddenly someone told that Morgan Stanley was also on the same day. I don’t know if I cursed him for I was very tired and wasn’t in a position to face any more interview.

I came down the SOM building, called home and few friends, met Bhawani on the road. He was very happy after his Lehman Brothers interview. He was told by the team’s head that he was selected but the person doesn’t have any faith in the words and didn’t tell the news to anyone except two close friends (luckily, I was one of them) before seeing the name on the final list. Soon, Partho and Prashant and one more person Anshul Jain joined us and since the gang was more than complete, we moved to lunch. Taste is directly proportional to hunger. No doubt, the food was very delicious. Came back to see the final list, sat there for some time and then, came the bad news, although I was also expecting the same. Deutsche, I had kicked, and GS had kicked me. I was again at the same level as I was in the morning. In fact, there were some changes. I was much tired and much experienced. But aren’t these two qualities complimentary? Experience always comes with age and with age comes tiredness. Now in next one hour, I was about to face third company of the day and eighth interview. I was ready………. Was I? (I still don’t know.)

Udham Singh ready to place :)

Mugging (be it for quiz, for mid-semester or that for end-semester exams) really blows you hard, and feeling the same pain in the same nerves for 8 semesters, 48 months, and 4 years, don’t know how many times it would have killed anyone… The only thing that drives you out of the whole bloody business is the thought that you’ll get a job. I entered the gates of IIT Bombay on July 17, 2002 with my father. Though he didn’t say me anything but he must have thought of an image of his son coming out dancing with a fabulous job offer in hand. There were varied opinions of seniors over the importance of CPI (Cumulative Performance Index), the thing which most of us IIT’ans don’t like to comment on (for obvious reasons). It should be above 8 on a scale of 10, if you want to say it decently, if you want to cross all barriers in jobs, and to cross that, I only know which all Gods I prayed to, Which all exams I studied for, for how many nights my bed waited for me to lie down but brain didn’t allow? All is well that ends well. I could make it to 8. Now, I am doing full justice to my bed, lying there for 16 hours a day :).

And you just can’t imagine the shivering thought process which the sound of the words placement season produces. It all started in July 2006 when there was a big doubt whether IITs will start their placements from July or December. Luckily or unluckily (I don’t know), but December won the competition. And you rightly observed, I was anxiously waiting for the Christmas month.

The ninth semester (July- December 2006) has laid its story on my mind like imprints made by sculptors on rocks and both are amusing me till today. This semester, as every other semester, had many weapons to kill innocent students like DDP (Dual Degree Project,) 2 courses, and of course PPT (Pre-Placement Talks) with tests following them. Courses I took were both of philosophy, Indian Philosophy and second one a Ph.D level course, Vedanta Philosophy. There were two main reasons of taking these courses. One was to relieve the pressure of boring technical courses. Second was my deep interest in philosophy that led to the confident thought of getting some good grade in the subjects. Time passed by and the PPTs started.

Let me elaborate PPTs a bit. These are 30-120 minute talks by the company representatives in front of all the students who register for the company recruitment process. Like illegal immigrants, people from other batches also do appear for the Pizzas that many companies give at the end, as a compensation for all the pains students bear listening to all the crap they speak (True for most of them). The problem is that if one registers for a company, one has to attend company’s PPT according to placement policy otherwise has to bear a fine of Rs. 100 (and a pizza!!). I attended around 30 PPTs and each one can individually demand one report, so am leaving all except this one. I started clapping during one PPT when the CEO (Chief Executive Officer) of that company compared IITs to MIT and Harvard, the top universities in the world. Actually that was a sarcastic clapping since the same company was offering double the amount in those universities than what it was paying in IIT, but you can’t differentiate a sarcastic clap and a normal one. Can you??

Our placement nominee was a smart chap. At the end of the talk, he announced, “Ashok Kumar, meet me.” I met him at the end of a boring, monotonous talk and he noted my roll no. etc; said that I would need to meet placement officer. I tried once to tell him that the clapping was because of the honor he gave to IITs but he wouldn’t listen. I came back because I knew the same argument of mine was a very solid one in front of an officer who has served almost whole of his life at IIT Bombay. Anyways, there are many incidents which are popping themselves up from my memories now to get themselves written here like we all wish to get an autograph from some TV personality, however small he/she may be. One more incident goes like this: Once I missed a PPT, and the person taking attendance called, “Ashok,” some other person with common name called for my presence, thus saved my 100 bucks. What a lovely fellow!! He never met me otherwise would have given him 50.

Probably, the biggest career decision was to choose between technical and non-technical paths. Most of my parts were in favor of non-technical, while few including right brain were pressing for technical, but ultimately, right or wrong, majority wins. That’s what happened in history, wherever you see. Anyways, I decided for a non-technical career. I introspected myself and found out that related to analytics, deeply involved in mathematics was the kind of job, I must be looking for. The job must be highly challenging, demanding and off course must be paying rich dividends. Investment banking sector was closest to the set of my requirements. Thus, the decision was finally made after a lot of hues and cries raised from various brain hormones.

Oh! How can I forget the making of resume? Recalling all the crazy things, I did 22 years from birth was fun, but selecting which out of them were crazy enough to be included was tough… Deciding in what form should they be written was tougher? Then, came application of the feedback theory. The final draft by me was sent to many seniors, many people whom I thought were able to give their valuable comments and had time to give their valuable comments (There is a big difference between ability to do something and actually doing it.) The toughest part was to include their feedback because after my final draft was ready, any suggested change in that one was going against my ego and intelligence. I literally fought a Kalinga-level battle with both of them, but could change it only at few places. Not every suggested change could win the battle. Then came the time of applying to companies, the time of filling forms on their websites for times varying from 40 minutes to 10 long hours…. My rule no. 37 from childhood, “Think and then do” penalized me for longer times. I usually took more than double the time my friends took for filling the same form, unless there was a time restriction. Somehow, I couldn’t convince myself that this was the best I could have done. Some 20-30 days passed along with their nights but this PPT, form etc. business was far from over. This was during September – October 2006.

Then came the real time of proving ourselves, the tests, of market analysis, of analytical ability, of mathematics, logical reasoning and related areas. Most of the big companies took tests (except Lehman Brothers). I was anxiously waiting for almost all the Investment banks (Goldman Sachs, Deutsche Bank, UBS, Morgan Stanley (Finance division), Merrill Lynch, Capital One, Lehman Brothers), since that was the first choice.. Except Goldman Sachs, I was quite sure of clearing them all. Goldman Sachs has a reputation of setting up a highly tough test and they shortlist only 10 people out of all. I went to take their test with an aim of just seeing the test. It had 6 questions and I was surprised to see that all were doable, and so I did them all. After coming out from the hall, I came to know that I had done all correct. Now, though it was a great achievement in itself, but the thought that many would have done all six was inevitable. But my happiness knew no bounds when I saw my name right there on 4th number in the list of 10. My confidence also paid off when I cleared all the tests and was shortlisted for first round interviews almost by all the companies I applied for. UBS and Lehman Brothers’ shortlists were shocking to me as I was fully sure of getting into the smaller list. Even after seeing the names of people shortlisted and large scale processing by brain, I couldn’t locate a single parameter where I could have lost, but anyways, there are some things which you can’t know and it’s better not to probe deep into them. I let them go, may be the mechanism of Self Defense was working, but still I feel I should have been shortlisted. It was some mistake on their part. There are no taxes on such thinking.

There is this psychometry test, which is a part of many companies. This consists of behavioural, psychological, case-analysis type of questions. I took two such tests and qualified both, and so think that I can suggest something here.
1. Read the company’s website fully and find out what they are looking for in a candidate.
2. After seeing a question, think why it was included in the question-set and what should be the desired response? (obviously taking into consideration the first part)
3. As the test progresses, make a list of qualities you are showing in the test and in which order. Maintaining order is very important (as everywhere) because the questions will test whether you retain your priority order or not. Going against your priority order is suicidal in this type of test.
4. The most important one: Pray to your lord before doing these tests. There is a big amount of luck involved even after taking care of all the above points.
Though I wouldn’t do so, but even if I try, I can’t forget the memories of all friends sitting for online tests of everyone of us and the joy knowing no bounds after seeing all the names in the final list of successful candidates.

Amidst all this strenuous period, I was lucky to get a long 10 day vacation trip to home encompassing Diwali and my birthday. These were probably the best vacations I had during IIT tenure. With nothing to do, I fulfilled the expectations; did full nothing. On the third day of vacations, the idea of having a suit for placements cropped up and writing its preparation details demands a book, so I leave it here only with the comment that I saved a lot of money from the thought. After a bagful of wishes of close people, came back from home and cracked all the tests I took thereafter.

Days passed by and first round successful candidates lists started coming. With the same name by which people call me appearing on almost all lists, I was feeling happy but can’t say what people’s feelings were? We couldn’t enjoy much because end-semester exams were not allowing us to. In between, there was CAT (Common Aptitude Test) too. Everything went well, and finally, when grades came out, every pore of me was rejoicing after seeing 100% marks (CPI 10/10). I couldn’t get more than 9 in all the previous 8 semesters. Highest earlier was 8.65. My condition was like a hungry boy getting Shahi Paneer who never got more than Aloo ki Sabji. Now that placement days were near, placement shopping was becoming a necessary evil. As the suit was ready, I only needed tie, belt, shoes… I thought of Jugad Technology as the best solution and tried it too. Though most of things I could manage, but I went to Pantaloons with friends for their shopping with a thought that I’ll buy all the things if I like the items and the transactions are possible in reasonable prices; I don’t like this technology much. There, a tie kissed me and it was so lovely that instantly, I felt lighter by 600 bucks. Udham Singh truly said, “Keep safe distance from females, even female objects kick you hard, what to say for humans?” My garments were ready but I hadn’t gone alone. For friend’s dresses, we moved to Life Style, Provogue, Pantaloons; Saw more designs than what even any designer would have seen in his/her life. Finally, after debiting their father’s accounts to a few thousands, came back.

Now, I was about to face interviews after 3 days. You can feel how time went in those three days, if you can feel the following situations.
1. you are going to propose your girl few days from now and are worried about what she’ll say. Feel how your days will go.
2. you don’t know anything about the course and in few hours, you have your exam. Feel how those hours will go.
Basically, when stakes are high, the pressure is enormous and add to that the problem to think if you don’t know what to think. You do nothing and enjoy and infact, that was the best thing to do in my case. I did the same .

Three days also passed by, and the eve of December 1, 2006 came at my room without knock. Mannerless evening!! I was standing in front of her as a strong, confident, though had a bit of nervousness, waiting for few hours to end. The night in front only was a door between me and my destiny.

Chokri ki khoj mein naukrishuda Udham Singh

A famous adage says, “History has a bad habit of repeating itself”, but its repetition was good for me. After getting placement offers from Capital One, US and Inductis, Gurgaon, India (which is the ultimate aim of any IIT’an or for that matter, any student), obviously I needed some time and my space to enjoy. I didn’t have much time to go home, so, I planned to visit Ajanta-Ellora caves and Ghrishneshwar Jyotirling. There are enough reasons for this thinking of mine.
1. There are 5 jyotirling in maharashtra out of 12 in India. I had visited all of them during my tenure at IIT. Now, I didn’t remember what all things I demanded, may be job is one of them. And thing in return is as simple as a polite Thank You. Now that I am placed, I wanted to thank them. Ideally, I should have gone to all of them, but when constraints are there, a human mind is intelligent enough to convince all opposite thoughts. This is called Self Defense Mechanism according to psychologists. This is how I convinced myself, “Essentially all jyotirling are equal, so I’ll go to one place and tell the God to convey my warm regards to all.”
2. During my last trip, I couldn’t go to Ajanta and Nathsagar dam gallery.
3. Plan was easily executable with my wing-mate Prashant Gawai’s home in Aurangabad, which acts as a hub to all these places.

After making up my mind fully; went to nearest station Bhandup for getting Railway ticket, but the length of queue in front of ticket counter was very similar to the one in front of ration shops in any Indian village. We had no other option left than to book a bus seat. And the king got seat in Samrat Travels. It was last seat and one can’t imagine how peaceful the journey was, if one hasn’t traveled for 10 hours in a bus, that too at night. We both could feel the smoothness…… of road; started counting holes in road till the point after which we didn’t know the counting.

December 12, 2006 Bus started at 10:30 pm from IIT main gate, and with 2-3 stops in between for people to attend natural calls, it left us at Aurangabad bus-stand at 9:30 am. A natural cheer was there on Gawai’s face, and I was realizing the truth of famous proverb, “Apni gali mein kutta bhi sher hota hai.” We switched two autos from there and reached BhavsinghPura, a small town on the outskirts of Aurangabad encompassing many colonies. Prashant’s home and my stay was in Pethe Nagar and this name is due to original owner of the land Mr. Pethe. Now, public opinion is increasing to change it to Saket Nagar. Nobody is there from Pethe’s family to oppose the move.

Anyways, we reached the destination at 10:00 am. I found the whole Gawai family waiting for their son like the kingdom was waiting for their prince to come back after the war victory. After gulping a cup of tea and pohe, our body was demanding a small nap of around 10 hours, but we as any other normal human being were racing against time. After taking bath, at 12:15 pm. we started our journey to the lord’s feet, Ghrishneshwar jyotirling on Rampyari, Gawai’s bike. She is 19 years old, and has been there since his nappy-days. People say God is everywhere but we could find him only after going 30 km and that too in a particular direction. Though after reaching there, I found all my efforts paying off; the sight was very pleasant. Lord Shiva sitting in his abode silently with one pundit sitting besides him, many a people offering him water, fruits, flowers and what not! I always wonder, doesn’t he suffer from cold taking bath all the time?? Also, when he doesn’t want to eat, why does everyone keep on pushing every eatable thing on his head? And when he doesn’t need any money, we offer him and never ever give even a penny to the needy. (Beggars needn’t come under my definition of needy.) Shiva has always been very close to my heart, and I can feel his presence anytime, so being in one of his 12 guest houses was the prime honor that I received from him. People die with the wish of visiting this place and here, I was called twice. What a luck!

I thanked him for whatever I have got in life, and with a promise to myself that I’ll bring my family to this place, we both left the place at 1:30 pm. Just around 500 m from the temple, we saw an accident of bike slipping, though not a big one. We pushed bike to one side of road and asked if we could take the driver to the nearest hospital but he denied; may be because of the yuga in which we are living. Today, one is forced not to believe his own son, leave alone a stranger. He thanked us a lot and we started our journey back. If all the stories of God testing people in different ways are true, then we are going to pass in this test of accident.

Reached Aurangabad at 2 pm, and measured all dimensions of road network; visited almost everything: Gul-mandi, Ganesh Murti, Jamia Milia Ul Uloom, Holy Cross church, Little Flower school, Milind College of Arts, Shivaji chowk, Ambedkar university, Buddha vihar. Gul-mandi is main market of the city. And I simply loved the name of the college Jamia Milia Ul-Uloom. We visited Ambedkar university that is the result of efforts solely by Ambedkar, one of the eminent personalities produced by indian soil. Inside the university, we visited Buddha-vihar, where I saw the famous 22 principles of Sh. B.R.Ambedkar. Ambedkar was the pioneer for conversion of Hindu Dalit masses to Buddhism. I can’t comment whether it was a right decision or wrong but I find some of those 22 principles faulty and they seem to me as a mere result of frustration of a person who was neglected by his own religion. As per me, he misused Buddhism to strengthen his Dalit movement, and till today the misconception is going on, thus carving out unnecessary differences in two religions. Now even a person with intelligence much lower than average IQ level can also understand that Aurangabad is probably the most diverse city in terms of religion, with the whole population comprising of almost all big religions, Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Jainism. Main language is marathi only. Road network is good. City is said to be developed by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. He is said to have lived here for most of his life and the sole purpose of his leaving Delhi was to capture Maratha King Shivaji which he never could do in all his lifetime. There are 52 gates in the city, and in earlier times, there used to be a wall outside the city. There is a district stadium which now is used by all political parties for their rallies, by public for other functions; infact for all the things except sports. This is the condition of not only this stadium, but for almost all public property across whole nation.

The journey to these places was only of one hour but the thoughts were enormous in number as well as in content and thus, food was the need of hour. We reached Thaat-baat, supposed to be the best place in Aurangabad to eat; ate to the extent possible. Waited for around 2 hours in queue for getting a train ticket for the next day, finally all in vain; then booked a bus ticket, though more than 200 bones were aching still from the last night journey. Rampyari drove us back at around 6 pm. Switched few channels on TV. Next day trip was planned for whole Gawai family and me; a car was booked. After checking mails, a bed was waiting for me and I was waiting for that; slept at 11 pm. This is how came the end of the first day of my mission.

December 13, 2006 I don’t know what happened for next 9 hours (not only me, no one ever have known what happens when one is asleep.) Free from normal routine and then after eating Sheera/Halwa as breakfast, started our journey of around 100 km (99 to be very precise), in Indica at 10:15 am. In the midway, one small child of around 6-7 years of age threw a stone on the car in one village and when we stopped the car, he fled away, Though I realize now what harm it could have done but I remember when I was in 2nd or 3rd class, I also did the same in Bhiwani, so I was actually amused over the whole 5 min drama. Reached a place named Ajanta View Point at 12’O noon which is 20 km away from the caves. Caves were first noticed by a British person from this place when he came for a tiger hunt. There is a small grass-garden named King’s Circle, took few snaps there, then bought few stones from there worth Rs. 150/- after a lot of negotiation. These stones will only serve as show pieces, or gifts. Structurally speaking, they are different types of sedimentary rocks, and for all geography students, they are modified versions of Stalagmites and Stalactites. There are two paths from Ajanta View point to caves, either 6 km trekking downside or 20 km by road. Second path was preferred since we didn’t have much time and this wasn’t a college trip, rather a family business.

Reached the international cultural heritage site at 1 pm; had our lunch there and during lunch discussions, came out some old memories of Prashants liking towards red balloons, kites etc. and as his father was telling me, I don’t know which part of the story was making he feel ashamed. Then, I discussed the legalities of stone business with one shop-owner, and believe me, the discussion wasn’t furious. No personal vehicle is allowed to go near caves; parking is around 3 km away from the site and then one has to go there by pollution free vehicle specially designed for this purpose. Bus took us very near to the caves, and moving around 150-200 m higher, we found ourselves at the gate of first cave, one of the most desired places in India by any tourist. There are total 32 caves, predominantly close to Buddhism. Ajanta caves have paintings, while Ellora have carvings. I liked Ellora more because most of the ajanta’s paintings are on their death-bed. They only show things which guides want to show to normal people after charging Rs. 400. We didn’t give away the money, since we visited jyotirling a day back, Thank God. But we had the experience of listening them for few bucks, and finally am happy not having listened to their famous fattes (for example, Buddha’s mother saw a white elephant circling her in dream and when she asks about it from some astrologer, its explanation turned out to be that she is going to give birth to a great human being :D) Want to hear more, ok take it (Buddha after attaining liberation goes back to his palace and can be seen getting served by his servants) These are the guide’s statements on the basis of pictures which only show some white elephant somewhere and some king getting served by his maids. Then, Hindu literature says Buddha was an incarnation of Lord Vishnu and there is an image of a lord with Sheshnaag over his head which can only represent Lord Vishnu of Hindu mythology. But I was surprised, rather angry over the guide’s explanations. He told that this is one Snake-God, and when I asked where did this snake-God come from in Buddhism, there wasn’t any answer? I have seen these things happen many a times, not only with this guide but many spiritual leaders.

Ajanta mainly has paintings but there are carvings as well, the biggest statue is around 20 feet while the smallest is of 1.5 inches. Most of the caves were carved out using sunlight reflected by water stalled on the base of caves. The thing can’t exactly be explained by words, that’s why people go there to see them; otherwise there have been so many great writers in history. While brain was digesting these highly complex thoughts, we all thought to have something for stomach as well, had some snacks, saw remaining caves and came back at 5:30 pm. Same bus was waiting for its respected passengers. Started back journey at 6 pm after gulping a cup of tea. No one asked when we took out the car from parking, no one enquired about the slip which was given in the start when we came back and I doubt what was the meaning of having such diligent security staff. Driver probably used to participate in racing competitions earlier. Average speed he drove with was 80 Km/Hr. Reached Sillot (a town under Aurangabad distt., 30 km away from Aurangabad) at 6:50 pm. Some classmates of Mr. Ganesh Gawai (Prashant’s father) had settled at this place and he was keen to meet them and so we all went to their place. It was a nice talk in Hindi and marathi mix. Went to their home, had a cup of tea with some biscuits; left the place at 7:30 pm. In the back journey to Aurangabad, plan got changed when Uncle suggested next day trip to Nathsagar dam gallery which I missed in my last trip. And greed of seeing the gallery came along. First thing we did after coming to the city was to meet travels agent about canceling the ticket. And then dined at Thaat Baat again; having more than 120% of capacity in our bellies, went to Pethe nagar; came back for giving ticket to the travels person; went back at 10:45 pm, and with TV on, Uncle made some plans for the next day and by 11:30 pm, I was asleep.

December 14, 2006 Woke up at 8 am; was ready to move acc. to third day plan by 9 but Prashant didn’t wake up. Obviously he was tired. Then, I thought of killing time by visiting the colony. I roamed around and found that all houses have open spaces either in 3 sides or 4 sides. After confirmation, I found out that this is the rule from authorities to have minimum 3 side open spaces of some 3-feet or so. When I came back at 9:45 am, he was asleep till now. Though I understood he must have been tired, but at that moment I thought it was the most foolish decision of mine to extend the trip to third day. There should be a limit to intruding into others independence and way of enjoying vacations, and fixing 3 days out of 9 days trip is not expected. He got up at 10:30 am, and finally, we left at 12:15 pm. First and foremost aim was to get a return ticket, and we checked if there were any left in the railways. Got a strict no from there. Then, roadways was the only option. Left Aurangabad at around 1 pm, again on Rampyari. Road was made by some economist and it was made with proper allocation of resources. Somewhere it was of concrete, somewhere it was of stones, somewhere it wasn’t there; money was fully optimized, Intelligent Indians!! Prashant’s father had chalked out the entire plan by calling Head, Nathsagar dam and he was ready to take us along to the dam.

Nath Sagar dam, the largest earthen dam in India, is made on the river Godavari (also called The Ganges of south). It is situated in Paithan, Maharashtra. Paithan is also famous as place of Saint Eknath. (Don’t ask me, who he was?) We reached their office, had one more cup of tea down our throats; went to dam along with him and one senior engineer. These people were quite smart but the people in front of them were smarter, they had to revise all their concepts before explaining anything to us. We probed into each and every minute detail about construction of the dam, its measurements, security, life, etc.; went to Gallery in the dam. For those who don’t know what a gallery is? It is a small place across the whole dam which is kept open for water to move across the dam. There is a path of soft rocks leading to the gallery for seepage of water, so as to release pressure on dam. It was 3 feet below the river bed. Saw a crab (around 0.5 feet by 0.5 feet, the biggest I ever saw) in the gallery, and when the engineer told us that we can expect snakes also (light also wasn’t there), Please try to believe me when I say we weren’t frightened. We were there till 4 pm. It is considered a sin to go to Paithan and not going to Saint Eknath’s temple.. No, not that it is some rule, just kidding :D started back journey and came back at 6 pm. Went to famous juice center of the city which is famous for college students romance. Many of the Prashant’s memories were attached to it. Moving around in the city, came back to Pethe nagar at 7 pm.

Then, saw some news.. gave some fundaes to his uncle’s children. One is in IX and other one is in X, had a nice home-made dinner; moved from there at 10 pm. Started back journey at 10:30 pm. I don’t know where all bus stopped, which station came when, I woke up when conductor was shouting Panvel, which is on outskirts of the mumbai city. Reached Sion at 6:30 am. Got into local train from there, reached Kanjurmarg at 7 am, then an auto led me into the most beautiful place on earth. IIT Bombay Hostel 6. It was 7:15 in the morning when I was entering in my home in bombay :)